Chapter 8
Nathan enters his dorm and looks around impressed. “Wow, Nat you set up all my stuff. Thanks.” He starts setting his stuff down before getting ready for bed.
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Travis wakes up to his alarm clock and sits up to stop it. He sees Nat in bed and rolls his eyes before going to grab his soccer gear and getting ready for the game.
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Headmaster Scott looks between Allie and Mari. “You’re absolutely certain about this?”
They both speak in unison, “Yes sir, we are.” They smiled.
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Jeff and Randy burst into Nathan’s dorm both ready for the game.
“Dude, what are you doing?!” Jeff asks as he grabs a pair of cleats from the dorm.
“Nat the game is about the start. Get out of bed and go to the soccer field man!” Randy throws a ball at him before him and Jeff walk out.
Nathan sits up. “Soccer game? That’s what that girl’s talking about.” He mumbles as he goes to get ready.
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Nathan walks up to the stadium and sees one of the players getting their face painted. “Nat, you’re next. Hurry up!” Nathan was confused, did that guy just call him Nat?
“Come over here and I’ll do you!” A random cheerleader walked up and grabbed his arm dragging him away.
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“Ok gentleman, listen up!” Coach Martinez looked around the locker room before furrowing his brows. “Where’s Scatorrcio?”
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Nat rolled over in her bed to see Misty sitting on the bed across from her and staring with a cupcake in her hands. She couldn’t help the scream that she let out. “Misty, why
didn’t you wake me up?”
“You looked so peaceful.” Misty smiled and Nat rolls her eyes before throwing the covers off of her. She starts heading for the door. “I made breakfast darling.” Nat is out the
door right after that sentence.
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Lisa is sitting in the stands when Mike comes and makes his way to sit next to her, “What is the big emergency? I canceled my game for this.”
Lisa rolls her eyes. “I don’t know, all that Headmaster Scott said was that we were needed at Nathan’s soccer game. Hasn’t Natalie said anything to you the past couple of weeks?”
“How should I know?” Mike asks confused and Lisa looks at him exasperated.
“She’s been staying with you.” Lisa pauses. “Hasn’t she?” Lisa and Mike look at each other.
Elsewhere in the stands Van, Tai, Jackie, and Shauna all found seats and were waiting for the game to start.
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Nat sprints across the campus to the stadium and into the boys’ locker room in record time. She makes it all the way to her locker hoping she isn’t too late. Once she gets to her locker though she finds that her uniform is missing. “This can’t be happening.” She starts running off again to the field this time.
When she gets there she sees Nathan in her uniform playing on the field and failing epically. She ducks under the stands “Oh my god, this is my game.” She tries getting his attention next. “Nathan! Nathan!” She whisper screams.
Headmaster Scott steps onto the field along with Mari and Allie. “Can I get a timeout please? A pause?”
“Stop the clock!” The ref shouts and Headmaster Scott agrees.
“What the fuck?” Nat mutters.
“Is there a problem Headmaster?” Coach Martinez asks as he steps close to Headmaster Scott.
“Unfortunately, yes there is. But I think its only right Nathan Scatorrcio tell you himself.” Headmaster Scott looks towards Nathan and Nathan looks confused like the rest of the players and coaches do. “Nathan, son or… do you have anything you’d like to say?”
“Uh sorry I’m not a very good soccer player?” he shrugs.
“I see.” Headmaster Scott says disappointingly. “Well then please know that what I say, I say with a heavy heart.” He takes the megaphone offered from Mari. “Ladies and gentleman, esteemed alumni, friends and family of Nathan Scatorccio. I am very sad to inform you that Nathan Scatorccio is a girl.” Everybody starts laughing including Nathan who takes the megaphone.
“Excuse me, I’m not a girl!” He laughs and Headmaster Scott takes the megaphone back.
“In fact yes he is. He is specifically his cousin Natalie who has been impersonating him for reasons that will become very clear after very extensive psychoanalysis.”
“Uh folks, I’m a boy!” Nathan tries again. “I promise.”
“Prove it.” Headmaster Scott challenges and Nathan rolls his eyes before pulling down his shorts to show everyone that he is in fact a boy. Headmaster Scott quickly grabs the
microphone while Nathan pulls his shorts back up. “Ok nothing to see here, folks hang on for just a second. Talk amongst yourselves for a second.” He lowers the megaphone before looking at Mari. He then raises the megaphone right back up and by her ear. “MARI, can you shed some light on the current situation?”
“Not anymore that has already been shed sir.” Mari says awkwardly.
“Listen up gentleman. Now that we’ve established that this boy” he looks at the Headmaster “is a boy, is it possible we can get back to our game now?”
The Headmaster raises the megaphone back up once more “oh uh enjoy that was a skit we uh…yeah” and then drags Mari off the field.
Nathan starts walking and Allie grabs onto him. “Baby, I missed you so much!”
“We’re over Allie!” He stares at her and she stomps her foot.
“God not again!” She yells before stomping away.
Coach Martinez walks up to Nathan. “Scatorccio, bench.”
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Nat is finally able to grab Nathan at halftime and drag him under the stands.
“Nathan!”
“Nat?” He takes her in and looks even more confused. “Why do you look like me?”
“I pretended to be you for the last 2 weeks so that I prove that I could play on the boy’s soccer team.”
“Oh, ok. Cool, cool, cool.” Nat starts making a grab for the uniform on Nathan. “Wait, what?”
“I don’t have time to explain this to you right now! Why are you wearing my uniform?” Nat throws her hands up.
“I just came to find the girl that kissed me last night.” Nathan shrugs.
“Wait who kissed you? What girl?” Nat had a bad feeling.
“Check it out, that one!” He points right at Lottie. Nat tries to fight the pout that’s threatening to break out on her face but she must fail because Nathan’s grin fades to a frown.
“What’s wrong.”
She sighs cause there’s no point in lying to him. “You kissed Lottie Matthews, the girl I’ve been crushing on the past two weeks.”
“Oh, I’m sorry Nat. I didn’t know. But she’s all yours since you saw her first.” He starts grinning again and she can’t help but smile at his goofiness. Then she realizes something.
“Shit, when you and Lottie kissed last night that must’ve been what Travis saw and that explains why he was so pissed at me!” It all made sense now to Nat. Nathan was staring at the side of her face intensely.
“Wait, are those real?” Nathan starts rubbing at her sideburns.
“Oh yeah, I’m growing sideburns now.” She slaps his hand away that was still rubbing at the sideburns. “No, they’re not real ya goof. Ok please stay hidden until the end of the
game and give me my uniform now!” Nathan nods and they start swapping clothes.
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Nat comes running in with the rest of the Yellowjackets when the halftime is over.
“Ladies and gentleman, we are ready to start the second half! Wiskayok 0, Cornawall 0, nothing but a couple of goose eggs!” The announcer says with excitement.
Nat goes up to Coach Martinez as he’s looking out onto the field. “Coach, I’m ready to play.” She states in a determined voice.
“Is that what you call it? I’ve seen little girls in tutus keep the ball better than you.” Coach still won’t look at her and Nat is getting frustrated.
“I’ve changed. Come on Coach, give me one more chance.” Nat pleads and Coach Martinez finally looks at her.
“Alright, go.” Nat doesn’t need to be told twice and is taking off onto the field. “Kick, Kill!” Coach Martinez yells after her.
Van is watching from the stands as Nat steals the ball and gains possession. “Now that’s Nat!” They high five Jackie excitedly.
Nat passes the ball to Travis and Travis shoots only to be blocked by Bobby. “Hey, you couldn’t score on me in the first half, don’t think you can score on me this half baby. I’m a ninja! Ninja goalie!” Travis just rolls his eyes.
The Yellowjackets get the ball back in their possession after Cornwall tries to score and misses. The goalie throws the ball and Jeff passes to Travis. Travis runs down the field near where Bobby is again but this time he does a bicycle kick and the ball soars into the net scoring the Yellowjackets their first goal of the game.
A little after that, the ball is in their possession again and Travis has the ball. Nat is wide open. “Travis, Travis I’m open! Give me the ball!” Nat shouts but Travis ignores her and Cornwall gains possession right before scoring on them making the score even.
“And Cornwall’s right back in it with the goal.” The announcer says disappointedly.
Bobby does a flip off the goal post as he cheers and Nat wonders what she ever saw in that guy.
Cornwall goes to kick the ball in and both teams are running for the ball. Jeff and Randy run up to Travis. “What’s the matter with you man, Nat was wide open!” Jeff yells at Travis.
“You rather lose a goal and let them score?!” Randy shouts and Travis just pushes past both of them.
“Shut up man” Travis doesn’t get very far before Nat catches up to him.
“Look I know you’re mad at me-“
“Don’t talk to me man.” Travis tries pushing past her but Nat isn’t having it.
“You don’t have to like me but I am your teammate, ok? And we have to beat these guys. I have to beat these guys!” Nat stares at him and Travis refuses to look at her as Bobby comes walking up.
“Fellas, if we’re not disturbing you we have a little soccer game we’d like to finish.” Travis shoves him away.
“Go back to your net man.” Bobby gets close and in his face.
“Or what you gonna hit your fist with my face again?” And that’s all it takes before they’re tackling each other on the field.
“Travis stop it!” Nat looks around and sees both teams all fighting each other and just runs her hands over her face as she hers whistles blowing. All she wanted to do was win
this game and prove a point.
Coach Martinez starts separating guys left and right “Ok, break it up! I said break it up!” Until he makes it to Travis and Bobby and grabs them each by the collars of their shirts.
“Ok tough guys, you wanna box? Get out of my stadium. Otherwise get on with the game, alright?” He looks at both of them and shoves them away from each other. “That goes for the rest of you! Now go on and play some real soccer!”
Lottie comes running onto the field towards Nat. “Nat, are you ok?” She looks at her worriedly.
“I’m ok Lottie, but maybe not right now ok?” Nat tries to smile but it comes off more as a grimace and Lottie frowns.
“Is everything ok?” Lottie takes Nat’s hand in hers and Nat blushes.
“I promise I’ll explain everything after the game.” Lottie looks at her confused but before she can ask Travis comes stomping up.
“So you really did use me for soccer and then lied to me.” Travis shakes his head in disbelief.
“I didn’t lie to you Travis.” Nat gently lowers Lottie’s hand because she’s honestly tired of all the secrets. “I mean I did, just not about this.” Travis looks at her confused.
“Honestly, I can’t do this anymore.” Nat takes a deep breath. “Everybody I have something to tell you.” All her teammates, coaches, refs, and some players from the other team pays attention out of curiosity. “I’m not Nathan. I’m Natalie.”
“Wait you’re not Natalie, I’ve met Natalie.” Lottie states confused.
“Yes, I am.” Nat looks at her almost pleading her to see her.
“Wait but I know Natalie, I’ve fought in a bathroom with Natalie at the debutant luncheon.” Lottie states still confused and the guys around them start laughing.
“That was me Lottie.” Nat starts taking off the sideburns on her face. “The girls team at Cornwall got cut and the guys wouldn’t let me go out for their team. So I’ve been pretending to be my cousin while he was in London for the past 2 weeks. Ow.” She gets the second sideburn off and starts taking off her wig next. “So I could make the team and beat Cornwall. But my cousin came home early.” She turns to Travis “That’s who you saw kissing Lottie and that’s who played the first half.” Travis still stares at her.
“Just because you wear a wig, doesn’t prove you’re a girl.” Nat gives him a look.
“What? You expect me to flash you my boobs or something?” Travis blushes and Nat almost laughs at him before she gets an idea. “Hey Nathan, come out!” She shouts and the Nathan steps out from his hiding spot and waves awkwardly. “There, that enough proof that I’m who I say I am?” Travis just sighs and nods. “I’m sorry, this isn’t how I wanted it to happen and I didn’t wanna hurt you but I just wanted to prove that I was good enough. All I’m asking for is a chance.”
Travis looks to Coach Martinez who shrugs and Travis looks back at Nat. “It’s just like what Coach says before every game. Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great. Some achieve greatness. Some have greatness thrust upon them. I think the best chance to have us be great here today is to have you play.” Travis smiles at Nat and Nat grins as the guys around her cheer.
“Yeah, yeah, no!” The Cornwall Coach yells. “No playing. You have to forfeit! There’s no girls in this league! Here, look in the manual.” He hands Coach Martinez the manual and
Coach Martinez rips it in half.
“What manual? Listen pal,” He pokes the Cornwall Coach’s chest “Here at Wiskayok, we don’t discriminate based on gender!”
“That’s gonna bruise” The Cornwall Coach grabs his chest. “Fine. You really think you can beat us with a girl on your team?” The Cornwall players start laughing with their coach.
“This‘ll be fun!” Bobby smirks towards Nat and Nat gives a mocking smile back.
“Go, I get to say the last word. Not you.” The Cornwall Coach leads his players to their side of the field.
Coach Martinez turns to Nat and gives her a nod and she nods back. “Ok team, Let’s go, kick, kill!” The Yellowjackets all yell before running to the field. Nat turns to where is still standing.
“Can we talk after the game?” She almost pleads.
Lottie gives a small nod before walking back to the stands and Nat feels some hope in her chest before running off to join her team on the field.
“Alright folks, this is real nail biter. It’s a tight score at the bottom of the second half.” The announcer says nervously as the game starts back up.
They go back and forth for possession of the ball before Nat ends up gaining possession. She’s kicking the ball down the field when one of the Cornwall players side-tackles her, causing them to get a foul and a red card. Jeff made sure she was ok before they all went to take their positions on the field.
“And the penalty kick will decide the game!” The announcer says excitedly.
The ref hands Nat the ball and she sets it down in front of her.
Bobby starts to try to get in her head. “Where’re you gonna kick it. Here aren’t you? I know you’re gonna kick it there! Am I in your head? Am I in your head?” He smirks as he bounces around in the goal.
Nat smirks as she locks in. She kicks the ball and it bounces off the goal post. Travis headbutts it and is able to pass it back to Nat who jumps up to kick it towards the goal. The ball soars into the net right past Bobby as Bobby falls to the ground trying to catch it. All of the Yellowjackets and their fans in the stadium start cheering. They just won the game!
“It’s not fair, it’s not fair. That was a lucky shot. I never wanna see you again! You suck!” Bobby throws a fit while on the ground.
Van, Tai, Jackie, and Shauna all come running up to hug Nat. “I am so proud of you!” Van says as they release Nat from the hug. They’re holding a phone in her face and recording. “You just won the game winning goal against Cornwall! Say something!”
Nat smiles and goes to do just that before something catches her attention. “Aunt Lisa? Uncle Mike?”
Lisa wraps Nat up in a hug and Mike grins at her while Nathan pats her on the back. “That game was something else kid!” Mike says grinning.
“You did all of this just to play soccer?” Lisa asks in amazement.
“I told you it’s important to me.” Nat smiles.
“Wait, if Nat was here pretending to be you, where were you?” Mike looks at Nathan.
“Oh he was uh-“ Nat starts before Nathan jumps in.
“I was in London playing my music.”
“London!” Mike and Lisa say in unison.
“It was important to me.” Nathan shrugs.
Mike, Lisa, and Nathan all start going back and forth before Nat cuts them off. “HEY” They stop and look at her. “Why don’t we all go to dinner tomorrow, as a family?” She looks hopeful and Mike and Lisa look at each other.
“I think I can fit that in.” Lisa states. “Um do you want to talk more about this elsewhere Michael?” Mike shrugs before they walk off somewhere else.
Nathan and Nat shrug before hugging again. “Good job!” Nathan says as he hugs her.
“Thanks.” Nathan looks over Nat’s shoulder.
“I think you have somebody waiting for you.” Nat looks behind her to see Lottie waiting a little ways behind her. When they make eye contact she gives a small wave and Lottie waves back. “Well, go on then. Go and get the girl or whatever.” Nathan grins and Nat smiles shyly before heading in Lottie’s direction.
“Hey.” Nat greets her when she’s close enough.
“Hey, Natalie? Or can I still call you Nat?” Lottie smiles a little and Nat takes that as a good sign.
“Nat’s fine.” She smiles before turning serious. “Look, every conversation we had was real. Every moment we had was real. The only thing that was fake was the sideburns, wig, and my voice that I was using. If you give me a chance, I would really love to take you out.” Nat looks at Lottie nervously.
“I don’t know Nat.” Lottie starts and Nat’s hopes drop and she looks down at the ground to hide the tears she can feel coming on. “I mean I was really digging the sideburns, that might be a dealbreaker here.” Nat’s head shoots back up to see Lottie wearing a beautiful smile.
“You’re not mad that I lied…or that I’m a girl?” Nat looks at her confused and Lottie just shakes her head.
“I get why you did what you did, plus girl power you know.” Lottie smiles. “Also, I like the person, doesn’t matter who or what they are.” Nat nods in understanding, she thanks whoever is listening that Lottie Matthews is the person that she is because how did she get this lucky.
“So, is that a yes to me taking you out sometime?” Nat asks with a small smile and Lottie grins as she nods.
“Yeah, only if you wear the sideburns though.” Lottie wraps her arms around Nat’s shoulders. “You know, I think you owe me a kiss.” Nat grins and raises an eyebrow as she wraps her arms around Lottie’s waist.
“Oh yeah?” Lottie nods.
“Yeah, I kissed your cousin thinking he was you so you owe me a kiss.”
“You know what, I think you’re right.” She leans in and gently kisses Lottie and she can honestly say it’s everything she’s ever imagined and more. Nat kisses her a few times before asking “I’m better than my cousin right?”
“Oh, way better.” They both laugh before going back to kissing again.
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In the end, Nat ends up transferring to Wiskayok. She makes up with Travis and they somehow become best friends. He even started dating Akilah once he got over moping about Lottie. Nat officially joins the Yellowjackets and they accept her fully. Nat and Lottie are still bio partners and flirt shamelessly every chance they get. Nat couldn’t have asked for a better outcome when she started this.