The Camp
I grinned as I scored on the keeper again, pumping my fist as some of the girls assigned to my team patted me on the back. I couldn't help but relish this moment, being on the pitch is the only place where I ever felt like I could be myself. Though I couldn’t help but be sad that this was ending. The USWNT Youth teams apparently been scouting young athletes as possible candidates to call up, and I somehow made the list for one of the tryout camp they held.
It had basically been a week of training, scrimmages and just showing off what we could do for all of the National Team coaches, even Jill Ellis, which made me nervous. I looked up to see the coaches in a group, all looking at me. I quickly looked away, getting back into position as the other team set up to kick off.
I knew they’d try to attack my side, since everyone thinks I’m the weak one since I’m one of the youngest at this camp, at 16. Plus it didn’t help that I’m really quiet and small. I looked up to see Kayla, a girl from my school who always hated me for some reason giving me an evil look. I think she was still pissed I got past her since she had been helping the defender try to pick me up. I froze a little, knowing this couldn’t mean anything good for me since she had been using every opportunity to get in cheap shots on me, and I had the bruises to prove it. But of course the officials and coaches never seen it.
Before I could think much more the blonde forward on the other team touched it back to a girl named Allie I think, and Kayla charged past me, anticipating the pass. I read Allie’s movement, and knew that she was going to pass to Kayla. Just as the ball connected with Kayla’s feet, I kicked it out from under her, kicking it through her legs, and dribbling with it, passing it up to one of the oldest on my team, Stephanie. I heard a hiss of anger from behind me. I knew it was Kayla, but I ran forward. Stephanie passed it back to me when she got trapped, and I shot it bending it past the goalkeeper. Before I could even smile at the goal, I felt a sharp impact from behind. I squeaked in pain as I felt the spikes from cleats pierce the back of my leg as I landed heavily.
I heard several whistles and some shouting. I rose my head and saw Steph and Allie arguing with a smirking Kayla, Steph pushing her away, looking angry.
“Are you okay dear?” I looked up, and was shocked to see Jill Ellis kneeling next to me. I groaned slightly as I sat up, feeling a slight pain in the back of my leg. I looked up at her, nervous that she would decide I wasn’t worth the time, when she found out, but I knew she’d find out eventually if I got called up.
“Yeah I’m fine. I’ve had worse falls before.” I signed.
Jill just smiled, her gaze not faltering or becoming clouded with judgement or surprise. I guess it shouldn’t shock me that all of the coaches probably know I’m mute by now.
“You’re tough. That’s good, you’ll need to keep that up, but don’t let it stop you from getting help when you need it okay?” She said.
I nodded, still in awe that THE Jill Ellis was talking to me, and that she seemed to know sign language, and did not judge me like so many others.
“You.. You know sign language?” I clumsily signed, not completely used to being able to communicate with people other than on paper or through text.
“Yeah, my niece is deaf. I heard a lot about you, you know. You’re really great.” She smiled at me, putting me a little more at ease.“Well after they do the wrap-up speech, I’d really like you to see Dawn. She’s our best trainer here, just to make sure everything's okay.” She continued.
“Oh um yeah that would be fine, thanks again.” I signed.
“Hey no need to be nervous dear, we’re all awkward athletes here, and nobody will judge you, unless they want to run extra sprints.” Jill chuckled, holding out her hand to help me up.
I smiled slightly and gratefully grabbed her hand. “Thank you so much!” I signed, feeling more accepted at this camp than I have in my entire life.
“Aww it’s no problem kid. I hope to be seeing you again soon…”
“Um Victoria. Victoria Swift.” I signed, rubbing my neck awkwardly.
“Well nice to meet you Victoria, and you keep up what you’re doing, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other soon.” Jill winked.
I smiled as I walked to the sidelines to gather my stuff since the coaches called the scrimmage, my team winning 5-1. I looked at my phone to see that Steph had texted me that her and Allie wanted to maybe go to the arcade or something together before we all had to leave to go home, and eagerly await the call that would make or break our dreams. I still couldn’t quite believe that those two had taken me under their wing, and even started learning some sin language, so they wouldn’t have to wait for me to get some device to write on to communicate with them. Once everyone found out I was mute, they either avoided me or bullied me. But Steph and Allie showed me that maybe, just maybe soccer, the only thing in my life that made me feel normal, would bring people into my life who actually cared.
I was about to walk over to meet Dawn before meeting at Steph and Allie at Steph’s car since they both had their licences already, and they only lived an hour from the camp, so they had driven here together. Bt suddenly I felt someone push me from behind, the pain in my leg flaring up again when I landed on it. I wasn’t surprised to see Kayla standing there, glaring down at me.
“Listen here mute, don’t think just because Jill Ellis feels bad for you that you’ll ever get called up. You’re a worthless mute, and that’s all you’ll ever be!” She sneered at me, kicking my leg with her cleats.
Before i could do anything, I heard angry voices yell “Hey get the hell away from her!” I turned my head to see an angry Steph and Allie marching over here, a woman that I recognized as the trainer for the senior USWNT, Dawn, walking toward me.
Kayla just scoffed, kicking me one more time before she stomped away. Allie had to hold Steph back, instead directing her to help me up.
“Are you okay kid?” Allie asked.
I nodded, signing “Thanks guys.”
They both just nodded, smiling slightly. “Anything for you Sis.” Steph grinned, ruffling my hair.
Our interaction was cut short when an unfamiliar voice spoke up. “Sorry to interrupt, but I’d really like to check to see if your leg is okay.” I looked to see Dawn talking to me, a kind look in her eyes.
I nodded hesitantly, settling onto the bench, Allie and Steph settling on either side of me. Dawn set her bag down, and immediately started prodding my leg, making me wince.
“Well, it’s not too bad, just some bruises, and the gash isn’t deep enough to need stitches. Just make sure that you’re icing it for 20 minutes a few times a day, and cleaning out the cut so that it doesn’t get infected okay?” She said, opening her bag to get out supplies, probably to clean up the gash Kayla’s cleats made in my leg.
“This is going to sting. Are you ready?” Dawn asked.
I nodded, gritting my teeth. I winced as she put the disinfectant on my leg, I was used to having to bear pain alone, so I was surprised when Allie and Steph each grabbed one of my hands, squeezing them.
Finally Dawn finished wrapping up my leg, and Steph and Allie released my hands. I smiled at all of them, still unable to fathom such kindness.
“Thank you.” I signed to Dawn, Steph translating for me, as I smiled shyly.
Dawn smiled at me, patting my shoulder once she stood up. “No need to thank me dear, now keep training hard, I expect to see all 3 of you real soon okay?”
We all grinned and nodded. Steph and Allie lead me to Steph’s car, and drove to Dave & Buster’s. I couldn’t help but grin as Steph pouted when I beat her at Air Hockey again.
“Come on kid! Have some mercy on me!” She joked, making me roll my eyes.
Too soon we were all standing outside the bus station, Steph and Allie both pulling me into a hug as they saw the tears I was so desperately trying to fight back.
“Hey, don’t cry, we’ll all get called up, I know it! We’ll see each other again!” Allie tried to reassure me.
“Yeah Little Sis! Plus we’ll text, call and Facetime so much that you’ll get sick of us!” Steph added, nudging my shoulder playfully.
I smiled sadly, these 2 had become like my sisters, and I didn’t want to lose that. I’d always loved soccer, and my dream had always been to be called up to the USWNT, but I didn’t realize that my chance would also give me the closest to thing to a family as I’d ever have.
“I love you both.” I turned around to sign as I started to board my bus.
They both grinned and signed it back to me as they waved. I sunk down heavily in my bus seat, dreading having to go back “home”. I just hope that I get called up, if only to get away fom this place and to see Allie and Steph again.
I slowly fell into a fitful sleep, dreaming of various ways the phone call I knew would be coming eventually would go.