by Jake Maddox
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: A NEW POSITION
CHAPTER TWO: A SIMPLE MISTAKE
CHAPTER THREE: LONG DRIVE HOME
CHAPTER FOUR: BAD TO WORSE
CHAPTER FIVE: PULL IT TOGETHER
CHAPTER SIX: THE PASSING PROBLEM
CHAPTER SEVEN: THE SILENT TREATMENT
CHAPTER EIGHT: SLURPEE SURPRISE
CHAPTER NINE: HARD TO SAY
About the Author
About the Illustrator
Glossary
Discussion Questions
Writing Prompts
Soccer Fun
Copyright
Back Cover
CHAPTER ONE
A NEW POSITION
Tweeet! The referee’s whistle rang out across the soccer field. It was the start of the second half against the Hornets.
After an uplifting halftime talk by Coach Mike, the Strikers were feeling good. They were only down by one goal.
As a midfielder, Alex had to be ready. Her eyes were on the ball in the center of the field. She was ready to boot it as soon as it came her way.
Alex had moved to Riverside last month. This was her first game with the Strikers. The team was undefeated so far. They only needed to win two more games and they’d go to regionals.
On her old team, Alex was a forward. She loved being a forward and was having a tough time being a midfielder.
Alex felt an unexpected pain in her throat at the thought of her old team, the Tiger Moths. She’d known most of those girls since kindergarten. Her two best friends, Mia and Stella, were the other two forwards.
Alex had cried for a week when her mom told her they were moving. She didn’t need to start up again now in the middle of a game.
Alex knew she was better on offense. She just needed a chance to prove herself. Coach Mike would be sure to move her to forward once he saw her skills.
The score was 1-0. The Hornets were up. The Strikers needed to score in the next few minutes to tie the game. Then the game would go into overtime.
Alex looked around, catching the eye of Lin. Lin was a defender. Alex and Lin had become good friends in the last month.
“Come on, Strikers!” Alex shouted encouragingly. “Let’s go, girls!”
Lin shouted, “Let’s go, Strikers!”
The purple-shirted Hornets were quickly dribbling the ball down the field. They were easily moving around the Strikers’ defense.
Alex could see the concentration on their faces. The Hornets’ center midfielder looked right and left. Then she made a quick pass to one of the forwards. Lin was ready and stole the ball quickly.
“Alex!” Lin shouted.
Alex signaled that she was open. Lin passed her the ball. Alex gained control immediately. She dribbled down the field.
Alex passed the ball to Brooke, the Strikers’ center midfielder. But in an instant, the Hornets’ defense was on her.
“Here, Brooke!” yelled Nadia, one of the Strikers’ forwards. She waved her arms. “I’m open!”
Brooke turned, saw Nadia, and passed her the ball. The black-and-white sphere shot across Alex’s field of vision.
Without thinking, Alex fell back into the role of a forward. She intercepted the ball. In a quick one-two dribble, Alex ran toward the goal. The field seemed like a blur.
The net was wide open, the goalie running back into place. Alex booted the ball into the goal.
Smack! Nothing was as satisfying as that sound of her foot against the ball.
The ref’s whistle blared. Then he shouted, “Offsides, penalty! Goal for Hornets!”
Alex looked around, confused. Then she saw the color of the goalie’s jersey and the shocked faces of her teammates.
Alex realized that she hadn’t saved the Strikers at all. In fact, she’d kicked the ball into the wrong goal.
As the Hornets celebrated their win, the Strikers sadly walked off the field.
“I guess you forgot which team you were playing for,” Brooke said to Alex. Then she walked away.
CHAPTER TWO
A SIMPLE MISTAKE
Alex couldn’t move. She felt frozen to the field. She was aware of the players leaving the field. Everyone was lining up for the post-game handshakes. She still couldn’t believe what she had done!
Over by the bleachers, parents were packing up blankets and lawn chairs. It seemed like everything was in slow motion.
“Okay, team! Huddle up!” Coach Mike said.
Alex sank onto the grass beside the rest of the Strikers. The shock of what had just happened was beginning to wear off. She felt like she could think more clearly now. Scoring like that was an accident, of course.
She looked around at her teammates. They were all slumped on the grass. Alex swallowed. Everyone looked really bummed. Some girls even looked mad.
They can’t be mad, Alex thought. It was a mistake. It happens to everyone.
“Okay, girls,” Coach Mike began, hands on his hips. “This is our first loss of the season. It’s a bummer.”
“It’s more than a bummer,” Brooke said, shooting a mean look toward Alex. “Now we have to work extra hard to make playoffs.”
“It wasn’t our best game. But we had some really nice passing out there and some excellent aggressive play from the offense,” Coach Mike said encouragingly. “You all gave it heart, and I’m proud of you.”
He paused and glanced at Alex. Then he went on, “Now, some of you are still learning, and that’s fine. Practice makes perfect.”
“Whatever,” Brooke said.
Alex just stared at the grass. He didn’t mean her, did he? That didn’t make sense. She wasn’t still learning. She had been playing soccer since she was four! It was a simple mistake.
If I was still a forward, none of this would have happened, Alex thought.
Brooke got to her feet, her blond ponytail bobbing up and down. Beside her, Lin sat quietly, looking down at her lap.
“Coach, I think there is someone on this team who really messed up today,” Brooke said, staring at Alex. “I think she should apologize.”
Alex felt her face burn as everyone stared at her. Apologize? For a simple mistake? Brooke was crazy. But everyone else was nodding. Even Coach Mike seemed to be waiting for her to say something. The silence stretched out.
Finally, Alex took a deep breath. “Um, I know I kicked the ball into the wrong goal,” she said. “But that was a total mistake. It could happen to anyone. I’m just used to being a forward.”
Her words sounded a little more defensive than she’d intended. She looked around for support but instead saw only angry faces.
A wave of confusion swept over Alex. Obviously she hadn’t meant to score for the other team. Couldn’t anyone understand that? Alex looked around. Only Lin looked sympathetic.
Coach Mike spoke up. “All right, players, let’s call it a day,” he said. “It was a tough game, and I think we all need some rest. See you all at practice tomorrow.”
Everyone started gathering their things and heading toward the parking lot. Alex took awhile finding her water bottle. When she got to her feet, she found she was alone on the sidelines.
She walked toward her mom’s car and caught a glimpse of Lin, disappearing into her parents’ car.
“Lin, wait up!” Alex called, running toward her.
Lin turned around. “Uh, sorry, Alex, got to go!” she called back. “Dentist appointment. See you tomorrow.”
Alex slowed down, dragging her cleats through the gravel. She wasn’t looking forward to the car ride home.
CHAPTER THREE
LONG DRIVE HOME
Alex climbed into the minivan and slammed the door. After buckling her seat belt, she slumped low in her seat. She propped her cle
ats on the dashboard as her mom pulled out of the parking lot.
“Now, hon —” Mom began right away. She glanced at her daughter and said, “Alex Hausman! I’ve told you a thousand times not to put your feet up there.”
Alex sighed and thumped her feet to the floor. Her mom continued, “I know you’re probably feeling bad about that goal, but everyone makes mistakes. I’m sure it’s happened to some of the other girls before.”
“Mom, that’s not it!” Alex said, pushing herself up in the seat. “I told them all it was just a mistake, and everyone just stared at me.”
“They were probably upset about losing their first game,” Mom said. “Give them a little time.” She glanced over at Alex. “But honey, you know you are defense. What were you doing trying to shoot anyway?”
Alex stared at her lap. “I forgot. I’m so used to being a forward. I just wanted to help out my new team,” she mumbled, twisting her fingers. “Anyway, I should be offense. I was back home.”
Mom steered the car into their driveway and turned off the engine. She sat for a moment, staring out through the windshield at their tidy brick house.
“Alex,” she said softly. “I know this move has been hard on you, but this is home now. And everyone here is going to see what a great player you are. You need to prove yourself and gain their trust.”
Alex picked at a loose thread on her shiny soccer shorts. “I feel dumb stuck at midfield,” she mumbled. “No one here knows I used to be an awesome forward.”
Mom patted her knee. “Maybe not,” Mom said. “But that was in the past. Now you’re a midfielder.”
Alex stared straight ahead through the windshield.
“Alex, it doesn’t matter what position you play. Just have fun,” Mom said cheerfully. She got out of the car. “I made beef stew for tonight. Doesn’t that make you feel a little better?” she asked.
“Yeah, thanks, Mom,” Alex managed to reply.
But as she followed her mother into the house, she thought that the only thing that would make her feel better would be forgetting this day ever happened.
CHAPTER FOUR
BAD TO WORSE
The next afternoon, Alex walked onto the field with determination. The bright sunshine and light breeze tossing the treetops made her feel as if the incident yesterday had never happened. Mom was right. Everyone else had probably already forgotten about it too.
Most of the Strikers were already on the field, kicking balls from one to the other or stretching on the sidelines.
Duffel bags and soccer balls were scattered on the grass. Coach Mike was sitting on the bench looking at his clipboard.
Alex dumped her bag next to the others and hurried over to Lin and Brooke, who were passing a ball back and forth.
“Hi guys,” she greeted them cheerfully.
“Hi,” Lin said back, and passed the ball to Brooke. But Brooke just narrowed her eyes and looked away.
Alex’s mouth fell open. Was Brooke actually still mad about yesterday? She looked back at Lin, who gave a little shrug.
Alex opened her mouth to say something to Lin, but before she could, Coach Mike called, “Okay, players, get into position for drills!”
Brooke was just being crabby, Alex decided as she took her place in one of the two double lines. She tried to catch the eye of Christie, her passing partner, but Christie just frowned and looked away.
Alex swept her eyes over the two lines of girls passing the ball back and forth. No one looked at her. In fact, it seemed like everyone was ignoring her. There was a definite tension in the air.
Alex booted the ball back to Christie as hard as she could. They can’t forgive one mistake? she thought. They are just stuck-up, that’s all. The Tiger Moths never would have treated me like this.
Alex’s stomach churned uneasily as the practice dragged on. After drills they scrimmaged. Alex was not surprised when nobody would pass her the ball.
At the end of practice Coach gave a pep talk about the upcoming game.
“We lost a tough game yesterday,” Coach Mike said. “But I know we’re ready to win big tomorrow. I’ll see you all here at four o’clock sharp. Everyone get a good night’s sleep.”
The girls broke up, huddling in little groups as they packed up their gear. Alex grabbed her bag and hurried over to the bench, where Lin was changing her cleats for a pair of sneakers.
“Hey, Lin!” Alex said. “Do you want to come over? My mom can drive you home later.”
Lin seemed uncomfortable. A couple of girls nearby looked at Lin, waiting to hear her answer.
Lin finished tying her shoes and grabbed Alex’s arm. She pulled her off to the side of the field. A couple of tall bushes provided a handy screen as Lin leaned in close.
“Listen, Alex, I have to talk to you,” Lin whispered. She shifted a little. “Everyone’s still kind of mad about yesterday.”
“I cannot believe this!” Alex exclaimed, her voice rising. “One tiny mistake and I’m going to be blamed for the rest of the season!” She crossed her arms. “Look, I’m sorry it was the first loss, okay?”
“Calm down, Alex,” Lin whispered, making patting motions with her hands. “It’s not that it was the first loss, exactly.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Alex asked.
“It’s just that, well, some of the girls feel like you should say you’re sorry,” Lin said. “Even if it was just a mistake. You are being kind of rude about the whole thing.”
“If anyone is being rude, it’s not me,” Alex replied angrily. “And I suppose you think I should apologize, too?”
Alex didn’t know why she was getting mad at Lin. Lin was just trying to help her. But she felt like she had to get mad at someone.
“Well . . .” Lin looked down and scuffed the gravel with her feet. “I guess, yeah. That is what I think. I think you should say you’re sorry.”
“Well, I don’t,” Alex snapped and stomped away.
CHAPTER FIVE
PULL IT TOGETHER
Her mom was standing over the stove when Alex snuck in the back door. She walked fast through the kitchen, hoping she could make it to the stairs before Mom saw her red eyes.
“Hey, Alex,” Mom said behind her. “How was practice?”
“Fine,” she said in what she hoped was a casual voice.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Mom asked as she sat down on a high stool at the kitchen island. She patted the seat next to her.
Alex sighed and sat on the stool next to her mom. She propped her head on her arm.
“Mom, I just don’t know what to do!” she said. “The team’s totally mad at me. Lin says they all want me to say I’m sorry for scoring for the other team. And I want to, but I feel so stupid now because it’s been too long. And they’re all going to hate me forever, and I’ll never have any friends here. This place is awful! This never would have happened back at home.” A couple of tears spilled down her cheeks.
Her mom rubbed Alex’s back, the way she used to when Alex was little.
“The girls can’t stay mad forever. Your next game is tomorrow, right?” her mom asked.
Alex nodded.
“Just make sure you’re the best team player out there,” Mom said. “Don’t move one step outside of your position, pass to everyone, play hard, and play fair. That’s what made you such a good teammate on the Tiger Moths, and that’s what will make you one on the Strikers.”
She returned to stirring the sauce and said, “I wish I could be there tomorrow, but I have a work meeting. But I’ll be thinking of you. You can do it, Alex.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Alex replied. “I’ll do my best.”
Alex trailed out of the kitchen. She was exhausted. Back in her room, she dropped her duffel bag on her bed and stared in the mirror over her dresser. She had puffy eyes and messy hair. She looked terrible.
“I need to pull it together. Play hard, play fair,” she said to herself out loud. “I can do this.”
CHAPTER SIX
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p; THE PASSING PROBLEM
“Okay, Strikers, look alive!” Coach Mike called from the sidelines the next afternoon. He stood with his hands on his hips. He hoped his team was ready.
Out on the field, the Strikers were ready for the kickoff against the Thunder. Brooke was facing off against a tall girl with braces and a brown ponytail.
Back in her new position, Alex crossed her fingers and took a deep breath.
No one had talked to her as they’d arrived for the game, but her mom was right. She wasn’t a Tiger Moth anymore. She was a Striker now, and she had to adjust. Alex needed to be a better team player.
Tweeeet! The ref’s whistle sounded. Brooke and the Thunder’s center fought for the ball. Brooke gained control. The parents on the sidelines cheered loudly as she swiftly dribbled toward the goal.
A Thunder defender was on her, but she passed to the left. Nadia captured the ball, ducking around a Thunder defender, and shot at the goal.
The Thunder’s goalie slid left and caught the ball with her arms outstretched over her head.
The players fought for position as the Thunder’s goalie threw the ball toward the tall center. The center easily blocked the ball, whipping around and dribbling fast down the field. The Thunder’s coach yelled and jumped up and down on the sidelines.
The girl came closer, and Alex tensed for action. Christie ran up to the girl and stole the ball. Alex saw her looking around for someone to pass to. This was her chance!
“Here, Christie!” she yelled, jumping up and waving her arms. But Christie glanced over and looked away fast. She passed instead to Brooke, even though she had two Thunder defenders guarding her.
Why didn’t Christie pass to me? Alex wondered. She was way closer and more open than Brooke.
But Alex didn’t have time to think about the situation for very long. The Striker center had regained control of the ball again and was dribbling toward her, fast.
