Eleven
Friday night, laterWith only seconds left, the game is tied at seven. I’m beyond anxious, floating at the edge of my seat. I can feel the same anxious energy from the entire crowd.
Many of them came for Zak’s speech. But after hearing his message, they stayed for the team. And the team showed up for them.
This is the best they’ve played all season.
Our team huddles in tight around Coach, getting their last-minute instructions. Zak floats a little off to the side with Tealia, our team flipper—the player who will tailfin-kick the ball toward the net if it comes down to a last-ditch effort to win.
Tealia is just a Year Ten, and since Zak played in pretty much every game last year, she’s barely had any actual game experience. Especially not a high-pressure game like this. I can onl
