Play the Game

by Nova Weetman

  ‘They’re together,’ I choked out.

  Tess nodded. ‘Looks like it.’ She wrapped her arms around me.

  ‘But if I’d been Juliet …’ I said, knowing that was what really made this hurt. Not only did Belle have Freddy, but she also had the part I’d wanted. The part I’d tried so hard for.

  ‘Come on, Edie. You don’t have time for that anyway. You’re playing state netball!’

  I knew Tess was trying to make me feel better, but I was tired of hearing what I didn’t have time for. Maybe I did have time. Maybe I could go to a movie with a boy and play netball. Maybe it didn’t always have to be one or the other.

  Suddenly my good mood completely disappeared. ‘Can we just go home? We can hang out at your place, or mine. I don’t care.’

  Tess didn’t answer straight away. She bit her lip, which meant she was working up to telling me something she knew I wouldn’t be happy about. ‘I told Maggie we’d be here. She’s coming too.’

  ‘Oh. Right.’

  Tess rubbed my arm. ‘Sorry, Edie. Let’s see the film. We can sneak in after it’s started. They’re probably not even seeing the same thing anyway.’

  I shook my head. ‘It’s okay. You can stay. I’ll catch you later.’

  I didn’t want to risk bumping into Freddy and Belle, and I really didn’t feel like seeing a sad film now. But it would have been nice if Tess had offered to come with me.

  Feeling a bit hurt, but determined not to show it, we headed for my bike. Just as I unlocked it, Maggie rode up with Finn. That was the last thing I needed. I tried to make a quick escape, but got sort of boxed in by their bikes.

  ‘Where are you off to?’ asked Finn.

  ‘I’m going home.’

  Surprised, Maggie looked at Tess. ‘Are you leaving too?’

  ‘Um …’ Tess stalled.

  ‘No, she’s staying. It’s just me,’ I said.

  ‘Oh. Well, we’d better get our tickets because the film’s about to start. Sorry I’m late, by the way. Finn decided to come too,’ said Maggie, obviously less than happy about it. I was surprised that Maggie hadn’t bothered asking why I was going home, but then, she obviously wasn’t here for me. The realisation made me feel even worse.

  Tess gave me a rushed hug as she and Maggie took off into the cinema. Finn didn’t go with them. ‘Aren’t you seeing the film?’

  He shook his head. ‘Not now. I’m going to come and shoot baskets with you.’

  ‘Baskets?’ I asked, pretending not to understand.

  He smiled. That cute smile that could almost make me forget Freddy. ‘Goals.’

  ‘Thanks, but I’m going home,’ I said, starting to ride off. As cute as he was, I didn’t feel like hanging out with anyone. Not just then.

  But Finn rode after me. ‘Really? What about a shoot-off? If you can shoot more goals than me without missing, I’ll shout you an ice-cream.’

  Despite how miserable I was feeling, I laughed. ‘I don’t want an ice-cream.’

  ‘No, of course, you’re in training. Only healthy food. Well, what about a tofu burger then?’

  I smiled. I hated tofu more than anything in the world. ‘A tofu burger? You’re on,’ I said, totally surprising myself. I couldn’t believe I was choosing to hang out with a boy I hardly knew rather than going home to wallow. But I didn’t really want to go home and wait for Tess to call me. I wanted company.

  Riding with Finn wasn’t like riding with Tess. We didn’t talk, we just rode. Single file, all the way back to my house, where I really hoped Jean wouldn’t be. If she saw Finn, she’d give me such a hard time, and I didn’t feel up to it today. Luckily, nobody was home. I grabbed my netball, chucked it into the basket on my bike, and we rode down to the school, where Tess and I always shot goals at lunchtime.

  ‘So this is your school?’ said Finn, riding around the court.

  ‘Yeah,’ I said, parking my bike up against the side of the theatre. Finn propped his up, too, checking out the buildings as he did so.

  ‘It’s nicer than ours. What’s that building?’

  I groaned. ‘The theatre.’

  ‘O-kay,’ said Finn, looking at me strangely.

  ‘Long story.’

  ‘Ah, then I’m interested. I only like long stories!’ he said.

  I wasn’t sure I wanted to get into it, but Finn raised an eyebrow. ‘Come on, spill!’

  I sighed. ‘Well, I used to do netball and drama, but then I made state, and I had to choose between playing netball or being in the school play. It still stings a bit,’ I said, surprised at how easily it all just poured out.

  ‘That sucks,’ said Finn. ‘Do you want to be playing netball?’

  ‘Yeah, I do. I love netball. And I understand why I had to give up the play, but netball is taking over my life. When I’m not training, I’m trying to catch up on schoolwork because training is so full-on.’

  ‘You forgot the blisters,’ said Finn with a smile.

  ‘I never forget the blisters,’ I told him. ‘I just want all this to be worth it, and at the moment, I don’t really feel like it is,’ I said, shocked at how honest I was being. But it just felt so good to be able to talk about it.

  ‘I’m not a big fan of training either, even though I understand how important it is. But maybe once you play a game, you’ll realise what netball means to you,’ said Finn quietly. I was amazed at how perfectly he understood what I was feeling.

  ‘You’re right. All we’ve done is train, train, train, and it’s exhausting. I really want to get out and play, so I can see that there’s a point to all this hard work!’ As I said it, I realised it was true. That’s what I was missing. Real games. Training was great because we were learning heaps, but I’d never been one for endless practice. I much preferred the adrenaline and excitement of a game.

  Finn grabbed the ball out of my hands and took off across the court. ‘You want a game? I’ll give you a game!’ he said, laughing as he shot a perfect goal.

  ‘I should warn you,’ he said with a smile. ‘I’m very good at this game.’

  ‘So am I,’ I said, grabbing the ball from his hands. I took one step in and shot a goal.

  ‘I didn’t tell you what you have to give me if I win,’ he said cheekily, tossing another easy goal.

  ‘What?’ I asked, matching him.

  He looked at me. I couldn’t believe how cute those eyes were. ‘You have to come to the disco at my footy club. Thursday night from 6 till 8.’

  I frowned. ‘Disco? Me, dance? I don’t think so.’

  ‘Then you’d better not lose.’

  As much as the idea of going to a disco filled me with horror, I was sort of surprised that he wanted me to come. And even more surprised that I actually liked the idea. Still, there was no way I was going to lose to a boy. I grabbed the ball and shot five goals in a row. He matched them. This was going to be harder than I’d thought.

  ‘Do you play basketball?’ I asked.

  ‘I used to,’ he said. ‘But then I had to choose. And I chose football. I still miss it, though, even after a year.’

  ‘So that’s why you get how hard it was for me?’ I said. It was a relief to find someone who understood.

  ‘Yeah. You think you can do everything but you can't. Not if you want to take a sport more seriously. And then you have to choose. And that's hard. It’s not all bad though, Edie. It means you get to really focus on one thing. I’m a much better footballer now.’

  I nodded as I lined up my next shot. He was right. My netball skills were improving. Much more than they would have if I’d just been playing with the Sapphires, and acting. Maybe I was distracted by how well Finn understood me, or maybe I was just having a bad day, but as soon as the ball left my hands, I knew that it wouldn�
��t drop through.

  I was right. It didn’t even hit the ring. With a huge smile, Finn held out his hand to shake mine. ‘Bad luck.’

  I groaned. ‘Rematch?’

  ‘No way. I know I got lucky – bet you don’t miss many goals. Maggie says you’re one of the most gifted shooters she’s seen.’

  Maggie. Oh god. I’d totally forgotten that Finn was her brother. He must have read the worried look on my face because he said, ‘Don’t worry about Maggie. I don’t think she even knows the disco is on this week. Besides, there’s a whole bunch of us going.’

  I smiled, relieved. I had plenty of time to break it to Maggie. Anyway, it wasn’t like it was a date; it was just a bunch of kids going to a disco. No big deal. Well, except for the dancing part.

  ‘You’d better get home and start practicing your dance moves,’ said Finn with a grin.

  ‘Yeah, about that …’

  ‘You’ll be fine, Edie.’

  Riding home with Finn, I couldn’t believe how the day had turned out. Seeing Freddy and Belle felt like a million hours ago. And now I was going to a disco with a boy I’d only met once before.

  ‘So I’ll see you Thursday. It starts at six – I’ll come past and pick you up. Your mum can check out my scar, and see what a good job she did!’

  ‘Okay,’ I said, laughing.

  I watched as Finn rode off, whistling. I don’t think I’d ever hung out with a boy who whistled before. It was sort of cute.

  ‘Hi, honey,’ called Mum from the kitchen as I shut the front door.

  She was stirring a pot on the stove and there was mess everywhere. Mum always cooked like that. It drove Dad mad. He couldn’t understand how she always managed to use every pot.

  ‘Tess dropped in. I thought you were out with her,’ said Mum, still stirring.

  ‘Um, I went to shoot baskets instead.’

  ‘You mean goals?’ said Mum, looking confused. When I’d first started playing netball, she kept calling my goals baskets because she’d been a basketball player way back. But now she knew better.

  I shook my head. ‘Nah. Baskets.’

  My phone rang before I could explain further. It was Tess.

  ‘Where have you been?’ said Tess.

  ‘Practicing,’ I said, knowing that would surprise her.

  I heard her laugh. ‘Well, you’re going to be tired by the end of the week. The extra training session’s on Thursday.’

  ‘This Thursday?’

  ‘Yeah. Justine just called. I said I’d let you know, save her a phone call,’ said Tess.

  ‘But …’ I flailed, not knowing what to say.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ said Tess.

  I wanted to tell Tess what the problem was. That I was sick of training. That my feet hurt and I’d started wishing I’d never joined the team in the first place. But I didn’t want to let my best friend down. And maybe Finn was right. Maybe preparing for a proper game was all I needed to remind me why I loved netball. Surely he’d understand if I had to pull out of the date.

  But I really liked Finn. He was the first person who understood how it felt to be conflicted about something. And I wanted to go to the disco with him – perhaps not actually to dance, but definitely to hang out. Surely missing one training session couldn’t hurt? After all, everyone kept telling me I was a natural. What was I going to do?

  I bit my lip as Kerry waited patiently for me to explain why I’d pulled her aside. I took a deep breath, then blurted it out before I could change my mind.

  ‘Kerry, I’m sorry, but I don’t want to play the part of the Nurse. When you hinted last week that I had an important role, I thought you meant I’d been cast as Juliet. I kind of had my heart set on that role.’ There. I’d said it. I didn’t want to play a different part and watch Belle star in the role I’d thought was mine.

  ‘Edie, I’m really sorry if I confused you. You’re a great actor and you could have a great future ahead of you. But the part of Juliet is enormous, and this is your first real production. I wouldn’t put you under that sort of pressure. I’m sorry, I thought you understood that lead roles go to the more experienced students,’ said Kerry.

  It made sense. How could I have expected to play the lead when all I’d ever done were class exercises and a couple of tiny parts last year? I nodded. I didn’t want Kerry to feel bad. It wasn’t her fault that I’d jumped to the wrong conclusion.

  ‘Normally I’d take any role, and I’m sure the Nurse is a great part, but I gave up a spot on the state netball team because I thought I was playing Juliet. If I go now, I might actually make it to the court in time to try and beg my way back in.’

  ‘I know that would have been a big decision, and I’m sorry about the misunderstanding. Is there anything I can say to change your mind?’ asked Kerry with a sad look on her face. I shook my head. I couldn’t wait to tell Tess I’d be playing netball with her after all.

  ‘Well, I hope you can come and help out in some small way, if you have time. It would be a shame not to have you involved at all,’ said Kerry kindly.

  ‘Of course I will,’ I said.

  I gave Kerry a big hug, hoping I was making the right decision. She asked if I wanted to come and say goodbye to the cast, but I said no. I had to rush if I was going to get to the netball centre in time, and besides, I felt embarrassed about pulling out of the play. I was pretty sure the rest of the cast would think I was sulking because I didn’t get the part I wanted. But I really wasn’t. I just wasn’t prepared to give up state netball for the part of the Nurse.

  Leaving the theatre I felt really strange. I’d spent days dreaming about playing Juliet, imagining myself in the role. Now, suddenly, I was out of the play completely, about to ride to the stadium to try and beg my way back onto the netball team. It felt crazy.

  ‘Hey, Edie,’ I heard someone call as I reached my bike.

  I turned around and saw Jackson walking over to me. ‘Where are you going?’ he asked.

  ‘Um, to the netball centre,’ I said, avoiding his gaze.

  ‘Why? Aren’t you rehearsing?’

  He was going to find out anyway. ‘I’ve dropped out of the play,’ I said.

  ‘Oh. That’s a shame.’ He looked like he meant it.

  I nodded, wondering if I’d made the right decision. ‘Did you get the part you wanted?’ I asked, trying to change the subject.

  ‘No, but I got Friar Lawrence – Kerry assures me it’s a great part!’ he said with a smile, which made me feel even worse. It seemed like everyone was happy, despite being cast in roles they hadn’t wanted – everyone except me.

  ‘I’d better go, Jackson,’ I said.

  ‘Okay. Hopefully I’ll see you around. Maybe we can pair up again in chemistry?’

  ‘Yeah, absolutely,’ I said, giving him a distracted smile as I jumped on my bike. ‘Catch you later!’

  Trying not to think about Jackson, I jumped on my bike and raced to the State Netball Centre. Dumping my bike, I ran up the stairs and down to the training courts. I could hear the telltale sounds of netballs being thrown and sneakers squeaking on the courts. I tried to remember what I was going to say. I’d worked it all out on the way, but now that I was there, walking onto the court to find the coach, I’d completely forgotten.

  I spotted Tess doing ball drills with Maggie. She was red-faced and sweaty looking as she passed the ball back and forth, trying to second-guess where Maggie would throw it. As I watched her train, I felt awful. I missed her like crazy, and I couldn’t believe I’d chosen acting over playing netball – state netball – with my very best friend.

  ‘Excuse me, are you okay?’ asked a woman, walking towards me.

  ‘Oh, yeah, hi, I’m Edie Thomas,’ I said, hoping
she’d recognise my name and I wouldn’t have to explain myself. But she just looked blankly at me.

  ‘Oh, um, I was supposed to be in this team and then I pulled out but my life’s changed again and I can join the team now,’ I garbled. It was the worst explanation ever, but the woman just smiled at me.

  ‘I’m Justine. The coach.’

  ‘Oh, hi,’ I said. ‘Tess Lucas is my best friend,’ I said, madly waving at the court where Tess was training.

  Justine nodded. ‘Right. Now I remember. Edie Thomas. Goal Attack,’ she said warmly.

  I was so pleased she’d finally worked out who I was. ‘Yes, that’s me!’ I said, relieved.

  ‘I’m sorry, Edie, but we’ve just offered your position to another girl. I can’t just take you back. It doesn’t work like that,’ said Justine.

  I felt sick. Of course I couldn’t just change my mind. This was state netball. ‘What if I try out?’ I said, realising that it sounded like I was begging.

  ‘Sure, but the next tryout isn’t until later in the year.’

  I slumped. I felt stupid. And to top it off, at exactly that moment, Tess looked over and noticed me talking to Justine. She tossed the ball to Maggie and jogged over. ‘Edie? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?’ She sounded quite worried – she must have seen how awful I looked.

  Justine stepped back from us. ‘I’ll give you two a minute to talk.’

  Now that I was here with Tess, I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to admit that I’d thought I could get back onto the team just because I’d changed my mind – but what choice did I have? I had to tell her the truth.

  ‘I was trying to join the team,’ I said lightly. ‘Rejoin the team,’ I added quietly.

  Tess looked like she thought I was crazy. ‘What about Juliet?’

  ‘Um, I’m not playing Juliet. Long story,’ I said, not wanting to get into it just then.

  Tess took a step back. ‘Edie, you’ve been playing with the Sapphires long enough to understand what makes a good team. Imagine if everyone could just come and go when they got a better offer. It would be a disaster.’