Shines like Stars
Melissa is excited. She readjusts her signature pink hat as she looks in the mirror. Today is the first day of practice this season, and she’s pumped–way too pumped for someone who has trigonometry first period. Gen had already called her last night to remind her to pack her soccer bag, but Melissa had it ready two weeks ago.
October was always always special for Melissa. It not only signified the start of soccer eason, but it also meant Gen’s birthday, which is on Friday. Only four days until Melissa gets to take Gen to watch the Orionids fly across the sky. Another reason why Melissa loves October. Plus, she just got a car last April, so she can finally take Gen to the empty field in Morganville thirty minutes away this year.
Melissa gets lost in her thoughts going over her plans for Gen that she almost forgets her excitement about practice. Almost. Speaking of, she has to go pick up Gen for school.
☾☾☾
The first thing the junior players do before school is meet up by the red oak tree by the soccer field. As she looks around, Melissa can tell her teammates are nervous. Mari is tapping her foot and mean-mugging Crystal–Melissa knows her name is Kristen because she pays attention every year when those awful icebreakers are popular, but everyone calls her Crystal and Melissa is not one to deviate. Crystal/Kristen is humming some musical number and grasping Misty’s hand for dear life. Despite being a year above them, Misty has always tagged along to their class meetings. Melissa doesn’t mind, but she knows Mari and Gen get annoyed. Anyways, Misty actually isn’t nervous; she is excitedly nodding her head at everything said and giving tips that no one asked for. Akilah is swinging her mouse-themed lunch kit against her leg. And Gen, Gen is definitely nervous by the way she keeps fidgeting with her patterned headband.
This same thing has happened every year since they were freshman and all on JV. Crystal and Akilah are not on varsity, yet, but Akilah might move up this year. Melissa hopes so because she misses having Akilah’s nephew cheering them on from the sidelines. This is Gen’s first year on varsity, so Melissa is extra excited for this year.
“Make sure you bring your A-game cause you dorks cannot embarrass me again this year. The seniors clump us all together, and I CANNOT have Taissa ask me why I sing everytime I shoot a PK again this year,” Mari says, continuing to glare at Crystal.
“Calm down, Mari, it’ll be fine.” Melissa likes how Akilah always jumps in to diffuse the situation.
“Easy for you, JV.”
Melissa is tired of the typical bickering and decides to end it earlier than usual. “Hey, chill. It’s not like I want Shauna telling me that I need to stay on my touchline, huh, Mari? Let’s just do the thing so that we can get to class and practice will come sooner.”
It doesn’t take an idiot to see that Mari is pissed at the insult, but Melissa notices the other four lighten up, and Gen is definitely impressed, so Melissa isn’t gonna worry about it right now. Akilah claps once to break the tension, and everyone huddles up to chant “Buzz, Buzz, Buzz” as they sway together.
After that, Mari darts off, and Misty and Crystal skip off to first period. Usually, Mari would stay behind to complain about the “ theatre freaks” always being there and how lame the tradition is. Melissa is glad she isn’t there to ruin her mood, though. Gen always agrees with Mari about how the huddle is for losers, but Melissa sees her blinding smile everytime they do it. This year, though, the three remaining juniors just look at each other and giggle in excitement for what’s to come this afternoon.
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Monday involves the first five periods, so Melissa has Trigonometry, European History, and American Literature before lunch. She daydreams her way through trig and laughs her way with Akilah through Euro. Jackie Taylor is in that class, too, but she sits with Jeff on the other side of the classroom. Not that she’d talk to them outside of practice anyway. Jackie is one of the nicest seniors, besides Laura Lee, but that doesn’t mean her bubbliness extends beyond her friend group outside of soccer. American Literature is the same old same old, meaning she sits behind Shauna Shipman and borrows her pens, like usual.
Shauna is definitely Melissa’s personal favorite senior. Her speed and aggression is awe-inspiring for any soccer player, but there is just something about her that Melissa loves to watch. Shauna always looks like she has stars radiating off of her. Honestly, Melissa only took American Lit as an elective because she knew Shauna would be in the class.
Melissa didn’t mean to forget her pens the first week of school, but she was rushing every morning to pick up Gen for school. When she finally got in her groove, Shauna automatically turned to hand Melissa a blue click-pen, so Melissa continued the charade. Why would she miss out on their brief touch of hands every third period?
In all honesty, Melissa lied this morning. Shauna has never told her to stay on her touchline. If anything, Shauna is one of the first to compliment her gameplay. Melissa has heard the seniors complaining about Mari’s running off, though. Mari can be slightly abrasive at times, and Melissa just needed to shut her up and keep the peace today.
The bell rings, so Melissa hands Shauna her pen back. Today, they make eye contact! This just adds to Melissa’s good mood.
“Ready for practice?”
Melissa is so thrown off by Shauna actually speaking that she doesn’t realize she is the one being asked. Shauna never speaks in this class because she is always laser-focused on either her notes or a book. Melissa does see Shauna do her little laugh-and-shrug combo and wonders what joke she missed.
“You’re that nervous, huh? C’mon, there is nothing to worry about. It’s just practice.” Shauna speaks again??? Wait, Shauna is speaking to her??? Melissa finally realizes she needs to stop staring silently at Shauna and gives some kind of noise in response. At this, Shauna laughs and just shakes her head as she walks away.
☾☾☾
By lunch, Melissa’s leg is jittering almost as fast as the speed of light. She hasn’t spoken a word, so Gen finally puts a hand on her thigh to get her attention.
“Anything good happen this morning?” Gen asks.
Mari breaks her glare at Melissa to tell them about Randy Walsh flirting with her in the hallway. Melissa just scrunches her face in disgust. How could she be happy that Randy freaking Walsh might have interest in her?
“Be careful because I heard he’s dating Shipman,” Gen warns. Melissa’s face scrunches even more at this.
“No way,” Akilah shrugs Gen off. “Shauna is way too good for someone like him.” Melissa’s face scrunches slightly less at this. Thank God.
“Whatever,” Mari rolls her eyes, “it is better than nothing. And, anyways, who cares if Shipman is into him? It’s not like I owe her any loyalty.”
“Well, I guess anything is better than a guy who’d leave you for his cousin,” Melissa snaps. She is not sure why Mari is irritating her today. Normally, she would let her comments slide and even laugh, but Shauna is their teammate. Why wouldn’t Mari respect her relationship that hopefully is not even a relationship?
Lunch is just slightly awkward after that. Melissa lets Gen and Akilah run the conversation, and Mari just sits in her anger. The four of them sit at a bench table across the quad. From there, they can see some of the seniors at their various tables. Lottie is with her group at a table near Jackie and Shauna’s. A little ways away, Melissa sees Taissa staring at Van’s table. Nothing new there. Natalie is probably in the bleachers smoking, and Laura Lee sits in the cafeteria with her church friends. Melissa’s eyes move back to Shauna. Shauna’s table, she means. She frowns when she sees Randy Walsh is a little close to Shauna. Gen taps her arm before she can think about it too long.
☾☾☾
Nothing happens in her last two periods, and Melissa rushes to the locker room. Slowly, the rest of the team trickles in and starts to get changed. Melissa busies herself with tying her pink cleats to avoid looking around. Gen is talking to her about some drama in fifth period, but Melissa tunes her out. It’s not like she’s a freak who watches her teammates change, but she can’t help admiring the flashes of skin she does see. That is why she avoids Gen especially. Gen who is dating Melissa’s brother who goes to Rutgers.
She is finally shaken out of her thoughts when Gen pushes her out the locker room. The fresh air gives Melissa a much-needed reprieve, and she is ready to lock in. Both JV and Varsity meet at the center circle to listen to Coach Martinez give his welcome back speech. Melissa knows the schtick that he repeats every year, so she takes this time to look around the circle. Lottie is in her signature pigtails. Natalee dyed her hair blonde. Melissa thinks it matches her vibe more. Jackie is beaming with her hand on her hips. Shauna has a slight pout. Melissa wonders what that is about, but she moves on to roll her eyes at a smirking Allie. Melissa is not a fan. Allie only got put on varsity to fill the forward position, but she always has a big head about it. Whatever, Melissa supports her teammates, but when her eyes find Shauna again for some reason, Melissa giggles at Shauna’s glower towards the freshman. Gen elbows Melissa in the side, and Melissa is brought back to the speech right on time for Coach to dismiss them to stretch.
☾☾☾
Besides Mari refusing to pass it back to Melissa, practice goes well. She feels the joy in the air as the team jogs back to the locker room. She is in the middle of agreeing to hang out with Gen after school when Lottie bangs her locker.
“Listen up, guys. I’m hosting a party to kick the season off.” Before Lottie even finishes, everyone is cheering and whispering excitedly.
Melissa doesn’t mind Lottie’s parties, but Gen loves them, so Melissa makes sure to go.
“It’s gonna be on Friday, so be ready. Freshman, you can figure out the address if you want to go.” Melissa is still smiling with Gen when Lottie gives the details. Friday. Wait. Friday.
She can’t stop herself before she speaks up, “But Gen’s birthday is Friday.” She avoids the glare Gen sends her way. Melissa should have known better than to bring the attention to Gen. Especially, when it’s in a mood-killer way. The room goes quiet, and everyone just looks around confused.
“Perf—it can be a double celebration!” Melissa’s Earth narrowly avoids the comet of awkwardness thanks to Lottie Matthews.
“Yeah, ‘Happy Birthday Gen!’ and ‘Yay! Soccer is starting!’” Jackie always knows how to bring the energy up. It is one of the things Melissa envies her for. Just like that, the locker room is happy again. Gen even gets Melissa to start jumping again. At least now the team knows Gen’s birthday.