by N. J. Corbo
One Goal
Heads or Tails
Copyright © 2015
Published by Scobre Educational
Written by N.J. Corbo
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
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Cover and layout design by Jana Ramsay
Copyedited by Renae Reed
eISBN: 978-1-62920-255-6 (pdf)
eISBN: 978-1-62920-460-4 (ePub)
eISBN: 978-1-62920-468-0 (mobi)
HOW TO READ THIS BOOK
You should start a Heads or Tails book like any other, on page 1. At the bottom of each page, you’ll see a direction to move on to the next page, or you’ll be presented with a choice: Heads or Tails?
Flip a coin (or just pick randomly), and turn to either the “heads” page or the “tails” page to continue the story. Or, you can read more about each option, and choose the path that sounds the best to you.
You can read this book over and over and never take the same path twice. Enjoy your journey into the glory and agony of high school soccer!
Darrington High School Eagles – Key Players
Chuck Grady, Goal Keeper, Senior
Chuck is a big guy and an aggressive player who can punt the ball far down the field with great precision. It’s not uncommon to see Chuck come out to the edge of the penalty box or beyond to play like a sort of second sweeper. Not much gets by him.
Deacon Morris, Midfielder, Junior
Tough as a defensive midfielder, Deacon has a lot of determination, but he also has uncommonly strong technical abilities for his position. Plus, he’s good in the air, winning and challenging for headers.
Darby Morris, Forward, Senior
The top scorer on the team. Darby is big and tall, often playing center forward. He knows how to put the ball in the back of the net, and he loves doing it. He’s often favored by other teammates to receive the ball.
Evan Johnson, Forward, Junior
Evan is a solid player, but sometimes struggles with controlling the ball. He’s got great instincts though, and can be absolutely ruthless.
Jason Burke, Forward, Junior
Small and speedy, Jason likes to cause problems for defenders. He often drops deeper than the other strikers, which makes him available to jump on chances in the penalty box.
Kevin Faklaw, Midfielder, Freshman
(Plays for Weston Soccer Club, too.)
That’s YOU! Happiest when the ball is in your possession, you understand how to manage space, because you have the ability to anticipate – especially when on the attack. You’re quick, you’ve got a great shot, and you can dribble past defenders with ease. Plus, you’ve got a precision flip throw. You always hit your mark.
For a lot of kids, summer is a time to swim, ride bikes, or just hang out with friends. It’s a break from schedules and routines – a time to just play without a plan. Even though this was your last summer before high school, you’re not like most kids, and you definitely do have a plan. So, you spent your summer practicing.
You are Kevin Faklaw, and you live to play soccer. You’re a midfielder and, when you’re on the attack, watch out. It’s as though the ball sticks to you, and you weave through opponents like water around rocks, always finding the path of least resistance. When you’re on the field, everything around you slows down and, with a scary level of accuracy, you’re able to anticipate what other players will do next. This allows you to deliver goal-scoring passes to strikers, but you love the glory of scoring, and sometimes you just don’t want to let it go. As for your plan, it’s going to the Olympics someday and bringing home a gold medal. Sometimes, it’s all you think about.
You’re a decisive and precise player too. Take your flip throw – you can hit your mark as though he was magnetized and the ball was a magnet. Your best friend, Autumn, calls it your super power. Your older sister, Sam, teases you because you always have a soccer ball with you. She’s a good player too, but she dropped out of soccer club this fall. She’s been spending a lot of time with her boyfriend, Joey. He’s a hockey player and, every time he leaves the ice, he takes off his helmet, flips his hair back, and announces himself by saying, “Jo-aaay!” It’s hilarious. You like him because he’s funny, but you can’t imagine giving up soccer club for anything or anybody.
As older sisters go, Sam is pretty cool, but today she’s in the mood to mess with you. Standing next to your parents’ car, jingling the keys, she gets a mischievous look on her face.
“I still need a few more hours of supervised driving before I can get my license, so Dad’s letting me drive to get dinner,” she says, bending to pick up the garden hose. “So, let’s go,” Sam demands.
“Why do I have to go with . . . ” but before you can get all the words out, a stream of water hits your face.
“I dunno, ask Dad,” she says, continuing to spray you.
“Hey, quit it,” you say, even though the cool water feels good. You’ve been juggling your soccer ball for an hour and it’s at least a million degrees. “Autumn’s coming over,” you continue to protest, “I don’t want to leave.”
“Oh, your girlfriend is coming over,” she taunts, overemphasizing the word ‘girl.’
“Seriously, Sam?” You can’t believe she still makes fun of you about Autumn.
“Seriously, Sam?” she mimics with mock annoyance, as she slides into the driver’s seat and turns on the radio. It’s so loud that it would be pointless to respond, so you go back to juggling and ignore her.
Besides, it’s only the oldest and lamest joke ever. You’ve known Autumn since the two of you started playing soccer in the Midget Division of the Weston Soccer Club – practically your whole life. You play on the boys’ team and she’s on the girls’ team now, but you’re still really close. Your parents even became friends. Autumn is your best friend, not your girlfriend. Well, technically, she and Bowie are both your best friends.
The three of you became best friends in third grade. You were grouped together for a science project and it ended up being the most fun you had all year. Bowie is super smart – like mad scientist smart – and he had read about using a pickle to conduct and receive electricity. You and Autumn helped build the contraption, but Bowie ran all the wires and set up the electrical parts. When the electric current ran into the pickle, it glowed red – it was so cool. Bowie definitely could have skipped a few grades, but you’re happy his parents wanted him to have a normal school experience.
Ever since that project, you’ve been an inseparable trio. This summer, you spent most of your weekends at Bowie’s. You and Autumn practiced soccer moves, while Bowie worked on his inventions, then the three of you would test the gadgets together. Even though Bowie has never shared your love of soccer, he appreciates your dedication to it. He even built a mechanical foot that kicks balls to you. It was his way of joining the game.
Hooonk!
Your sister hits the horn to make you lose your concentration. You think about grabbing the garden hose, but see Autumn running over. Just then, Sam starts the car.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the amazing Autumn Jeffers,” your dad announces, as he walks onto the porch. He’s such a dork sometimes.
“Hey, Mr. Faklaw,” Autu
mn waves, crossing the driveway behind the car.
That’s when Sam puts the car in reverse. It lunges back, you yell for her to stop, but it’s too late – she hits Autumn.
You dad runs to the back of the car and tells you to get your mom. Sam jumps out screaming and crying. Autumn isn’t moving. You’re completely freaked out, but you do as you’re told; you run to get your mom.
“MOM!” you yell, as you smash through the screen door and practically trip over your dog, Lucy.
“Hey, watch it with the door,” she starts to scold you, but sees the look on your face. “Kevin, what is it?”
“Sam hit Autumn with the car. She’s not moving.”
Luckily, when you get back, she’s conscious. She just bumped her head when she fell. Sam’s a mess though, pacing and babbling. Lucy runs past you and licks Autumn’s face, which makes her giggle. She seems alright. Still, your mom insists on calling Autumn’s parents and going to the hospital.
Sitting next to Autumn in the car, you feel anxious, similar to the way you feel before a big game, but different. Maybe you’re just worried about her. Instinctually, you grab Autumn’s hand and squeeze it tightly. She squeezes back, and something strange happens. Your skin tingles. Embarrassed, you let go of her quickly and look out the window.
The doctor says Autumn will be okay, but her parents have to monitor her. After the hospital, everyone comes back to your house for Chinese food. They’re all laughing and joking, but you and Sam just sit there with your untouched food. Sam is still shaken up, and you can’t stop thinking about how Autumn made your skin tingle. Maybe you actually do like her more than a friend. But that would be crazy. But if you do, how should you act?
“I’m sorry my sister drove over you,” you try to joke.
“I did not drive over her!” Sam blurts out. “I didn’t even see her. I mean, who runs behind a moving car anyway?”
“It’s okay, Sam,” your mom says peacefully, shaking her head at you. “We all know it was an accident and, sweetie, Autumn is okay,” she says, gently rubbing Sam’s back. Your mom has a way of making people feel better.
“Oh my gosh,” Autumn gasps, grabbing your arm.
“What?” you practically jump out of your seat.
“I almost forgot why I was running over in the first place,” she says. “My dad talked to Coach Oliver from the high school. He’s going to offer you a spot on the varsity team.”
“Is that true?” your dad asks Mr. Jeffers.
“Sure is,” he says. “Oliver’s an old buddy of mine. He knows it’ll be tough to choose between Weston and the varsity team, but he hopes Kevin will consider it. I think it’s a great opportunity, personally.”
For the next 20 minutes, your dad and Mr. Jeffers discuss the pros and cons of high school soccer versus club soccer. They talk about how the high school team is All-State and playing against upperclassmen would challenge you, but staying with the club means you’ll continue working with an A-list coach and playing with other elite players. They talk about the importance of friendships and bonds made through high school sports, but then there’s the fact that some of your best and oldest friends are at Weston. If it wasn’t for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s 10-month season, you could do both.
After dinner, you call Bowie. You need an outside opinion about this soccer decision, and you’re also tempted to tell him that you might really like Autumn, but you don’t. He’s not much help on the soccer front, unfortunately; he just says it seems like everything is changing. You agree. You’ve got some big decisions ahead of you.
GO TO PAGE 27. You stay with Weston. Coach Duncan is preparing you for the Olympics, and if you’re honest, playing with and against upperclassmen is kind of intimidating.
GO TO PAGE 38. You go with varsity. It wouldn’t hurt to know some older guys as a freshman, and this could be another route to the Olympics.
You really wanted to show off your flip throw for the scout, but it’s too risky. You might injure your wrist worse. It’s okay though; your offensive abilities will get his attention.
You grab the ball, take a few steps back, and position your hands, thumbs together. Your wrist feels sore but solid. Scanning the field, you see that Darby is open. Your aim is as good as always, but without the extra momentum of the flip, the ball falls short, giving Redmond’s defensive midfielder just enough time to snag it.
He kicks it long and everyone goes after it. Now you’re on the defense. Their attacking midfielder is out in front. He goes one-on-one with your keeper. He shoots and Chuck reaches to grab it, but misses. Luckily, his shot is just wide of the mark.
Chuck boots it out. Deacon heads it and you connect. Redmond players gather in front of you, but you weave through. It’s tight. You want to make the shot – show that scout what you can do. No, there’s no space for you. You kick it behind you to the left, passing to Darby. He has a clear shot and, even though their goalie tries to deflect it, the ball goes into the corner. One goal for Darrington.
You get to show off your dribbling skills a couple more times, but Darrington and Redmond are really well matched. After that first goal, their defense turns up the heat. Still, when that final whistle comes, it’s Darrington’s win.
Winning your first varsity game is great, but you don’t know if the scout noticed you. He’s sitting on the bleachers, writing. You decide to talk to him.
“Hey there, number 7,” he says, “I heard about your dribbling skills from Coach Duncan. Impressive. Was hoping to see your handspring toss too.” For a moment you regret your decision to spare your wrist, but he says that you made a good call to protect it. He thinks you showed great decision making on the field too, because you didn’t overplay the ball. You showed that you know when and how to work with your teammates, like the backward pass. He gives you his card and tells you to call.
You don’t know how the day could get better. Then Deacon and Darby invite you to meet back at the bleachers after hitting the locker room. A bunch of the guys are going to celebrate. It should be a no-brainer, because you definitely want to show that you can hang, but it’s Bowie’s birthday, and Sam is waiting to drive you there.
GO TO PAGE 34. You really want the guys to see you as more than a kid, and this is your chance. Bowie will understand if you’re late. You stay to hang out with the seniors.
GO TO PAGE 14. You’re psyched, but it’s Bowie’s birthday and you don’t want to blow off your friend. You go with Sam.
It’s your first varsity game and, although he’s a solid player, you don’t think throwing to Evan is the smartest play. You line up, do a beautiful flip throw, and send it to Darby. He jumps, rising above the Redmond defender, and loops his header over the Redmond goalkeeper. It’s beautiful.
Since you haven’t seen much action, you hope the scout noticed the precision of your toss. That would be something, but probably not enough. Then your chance comes. Jason crosses the ball to you. You dribble around three attackers with ease. You could keep moving, you want to – you want to take a shot and prove all your skills for the scout – but defenders are closing in, and you see Evan moving into prime position. You cross the ball to him. He powers toward the Redmond goal, crosses back to you. At the edge of the box, you get blocked and, before the ball is deflected, you pass to Jason. He barely tips it with his toe, but the redirect is enough that it gets by their goalie. The ref calls it over. You win!
After the game, someone taps you on the shoulder. It’s the scout.
“I’m Mr. Murphy,” he says, “and I like what I saw out there, number 7.” He holds out a business card.
“Thank you,” you say, shaking his hand.
“Coach Duncan from Weston told me that you were an aggressive dribbler. He said you’re sometimes a one-man show, but I was impressed with the teamwork I saw today. That’s what we’re looking for on the Boys’ National Team.”
He asks if you have any interest and you practically fall over with excitement. You can’t believe how close
you came to blowing it. For the first time, you realize that, even when you put the spotlight on others, you can still shine.
THE END
It’s not that you don’t want to practice with the girls – you know there’s something to be said for finessing the ball – it’s just that you’d rather focus on strength and speed right now, because you think that’s what you’ll need most to qualify for the Youth National Team in your age group. So, it’s Saturday morning and you’re going to run drills on your own instead of co-ed practice, where you would undoubtedly have to see Autumn.
Autumn. What are you going to do about Autumn? You pop a couple pieces of bread into the toaster and grab the butter and jelly from the fridge. Spinning the jar of jelly on the counter, you sigh audibly as you watch it turn round and round.
“As the jelly turns, so do the days of our lives,” your dad says in his dorky announcer voice. You jump, surprised to find you’re not alone, and catch the now tumbling jelly just before it flies off the counter. “Nice save,” he continues. You force a laugh. “Hey, Kev, what’s on your mind?” he asks. Fortunately, your mom comes in singing. She’s always so happy in the morning.
“What are my guys up to today?” she asks, putting her arm around your shoulder.
“Uh, I’m just gonna run soccer drills and maybe head to the field later,” you tell her.
“Okay, sweetie, just check in before you go. Oh, how’s Autumn doing?” she asks.
You blurt out, “I don’t know,” sounding a little too defensive.
You hope they won’t ask more.
“How’s Sam?” your dad asks your mom, and you breathe a sigh of relief.
“Much better,” she says. “In fact, we’re going to the DMV this morning, and I have no doubt she’ll pass her driving test with flying colors.”
You want to say something snide about her being a menace behind the wheel, but you know your parents won’t appreciate your humor. Besides, you’re just happy to have your mind on something other than confusing love. Then your mom walks over to your dad and you know what’s coming next.
