The nails of the soccer boots touched the grass, taking them away from the concrete path that framed the soccer field. Cheers and jeers tore through the night sky. The team was once again stepping on the flattened grass. The harsh and screeching noise from the whistle indicated the start of the second half of the match. The score at this point of time was tied and the fast beating hearts of the players was so loud that it was audible. After a few moments of excitement, the harsh whistle of the referee came like a sudden halt to the intense battle, played out not by bloodshed and brute force, but skill. The only figure who left the field last was Andy. Solitary, his lithe and toned figure of a footballer's was a shadow against the glaring white lights that were meters away from the ground, a stark contrast. He believed himself to be... special, at least. The best, the elite even. He retired to the view stand, to face his superior. Coach Carter. The match had not gone well, and that did not bode well for his team either. However it was because of his incompetent team-mates who were, in his eye, the very reason they were tied. He pushed those thoughts aside. No it would not be productive. All that mattered now was the free kick, which would be their answer to the entry into the Junior League. It was all that mattered now. Would Coach Carter let him have it?
“Sir, let me have the free kick!” Andy insisted, shouting across the field to his coach on the other side. Coach Carter shook his head and did not reply. He had a rational trust in their best striker Amin, and, naturally, pushed Amin into the field. Andy’s face fell. Once again he was outshone by Amin. Why the Coach liked the boy so much, Andy could never understand.
Amin was a compassionate boy, and, upon the look on Andy’s face, he felt a pang of empathy, “I refuse. Let Andy do it for once. “
With that, Andy eyes lit up and shone, his mouth curving into a smile. This was his chance, his chance to become the glory of his team. Boosted by the loud and trilling voices of the cheerleaders, Andy strode confidently towards the ball, ignoring the rival's goalkeeper who had a menacing look on his face. Out of a sudden, Andy experienced a wave of dizziness washing over him. What was happening? He thought blindly, his head pounded and he swayed unsteadily. Get on with this, Andy thought, but before he could kick, everything went black and he crumpled to the ground.......... Hearing the gasps and exclaims from the players and the spectators, Coach Carter's gaze turned towards Andy but to his horror saw Andy laying motionless on the ground .
Andy awoke to a strong light and twelve heads gazing at him. He recognized them as his teammates.
"Did we lose?” Andy asked.
"Yes", Coach Carter, who was standing at the side of bed, answered.
Andy lowered his head in remorse. If only he allowed Amin to play, if only he was not so proud of himself.
"I'm sorry, coach. I caused all of you to... to.. lose the chance," Sorry was the only word that ran through Andy's head.
That was the last match of the season, and Andy had ruined it for everyone. There was no hope in getting into the Junior League now.
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