The locker room was wrapped in the deafening echoes of cheers, congratulations, and celebration: the Hornets had won 2-1 with an incredible shot from Sarah, and the Hornets’ next game was going to be in the State Tournament for the first time in 16 years! Coach McKaren was clearly trying to say something, but it was another minute or so before he could finally quiet everyone else down enough to say it. Even so, the grin never left his face.
“Good job, ladies!” he shouted. “I can barely believe it! Us! In the State Tournament!” This elected another cheer from the team. “And I’m not gonna lie: there were more than a few times in that game I coulda cut the tension with a knife. But we did it!” More cheering. “But most of all,” he said, calming them down again, “I have each and every one of you to thank. I know I’m still new to coaching, but you all stuck by me, and it was you girls who won this game today. Don’t ever doubt that.” More than a few “aww”s sounded. Lizzy only smiled. “Now! All of you go shower, get cleaned up, and then meet me outside at the van. I’m taking all of you out for dinner!” One last cheer, even louder than before, echoed through the room as the coach made his way out. He glanced back at Lizzy and winked. She flashed him a thumbs-up in response. Nice speech, Dad, she thought.
The locker room descended into personal congratulations, compliments on parts of the past game, and more than a little excitement about a free dinner. Rachel followed Lizzy as the two stripped off their uniforms - which were covered in stains of various colors - and headed for the showers, Rachel excitedly buzzing about her successes as a goalie that day.
“…and when that one shot was coming at me, and I was like ‘WUMPH! No, ball! You are not in my goal!’” Lizzy smiled and let her friend go at it, occasionally offering an “Uh-huh” or “Yep” to prove she was still listening. Finally, when the two reached the showers (which were separated into stalls with old curtains in front of them), Rachel’s buzzing died down into actual conversation tones. “And you were great out there too, Lizzy! You were really on fire that first half!”
“Thanks,” she said quietly, sliding into one of the open stalls. Rachel took the one next to her.
“Are you still upset about missing that last shot?” she asked. Lizzy smiled; her friend knew her too well. “Get over it, Liz! You were great out there, no one blames you, and we won anyway!” She twisted on the shower, and warm water began to pour down over her. “You just take this way too seriously.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Lizzy admitted, turning on her own shower as well. “I dunno, I just hate to lose, and anytime I mess up, I feel like I’m losing to my own weakness.” She shrugged, though Rachel couldn’t see it. “Besides, you know I’ve been practicing that shot for weeks now, and I still-“
“And you were absolutely perfect!” Rachel interrupted her. “You looked incredible making that shot, and even though it didn’t go in, you hit the goal! If I’d made a shot like that, I woulda just flopped down on my back and laid there. You managed to send that ball flying! You can pout about it all you like, but I say you were terrific.”
Lizzy smiled. “Thanks,” she said, this time with far more feeling than last time. She could always count on Rachel to have the right thing to say.
“Say it.”
“What?”
“You heard me, Lizzy. Say it.”
Lizzy sighed and rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t keep the grin off her face. “Fine. I did a good job.”
“You did a great job,” Rachel asserted, “but you’re on the right track.” Lizzy smiled again. Some soap and shampoo later, both girls emerged from their now-steamy stalls and began to towel off. “And that still doesn’t explain why you won’t take a boyfriend!” Rachel suddenly said. “You know Philip and James from the football team are both interested in you. And they’re both good guys! Why won’t you date one?”
Lizzy shook her head. “Because,” she said, preparing the same answer she’d given what felt like a hundred times now, “I’m waiting for just the right person.”
“But they’re both-“
“Great guys,” Lizzy admitted. “They are. But both of them have had girlfriends before, and none of their relationships ever work out. Do you know why?” Rachel shook her head. “Because they both love football. As in, whenever they get a girlfriend, she has to compete with football. Remember Becky? She told me she spoke to Philip’s old girlfriend, and both of them felt the same way. No, I need a guy who knows where I belong in his life, and who I can find the perfect place for in my life. You know I date to marry.” She smiled and nudged her friend. “Besides,” she added, wiggling her eyebrows, “that means more options for you.”
“Ooh, I do appreciate options…” Rachel said, grinning. She gave a mock salute. “Your service is appreciated, Private Bestie!” They both laughed and headed to their lockers. Another moment and both were dressed. As they made their way out, however, that same chill suddenly froze Lizzy in place. Rachel took an entire two steps, still talking about boys, before she realized her friend was behind her. She turned. “Lizzy? You okay?”
Elizabeth was currently looking behind her, frozen in place. Behind her, a hooded figure stood, staring right at her. By the reactions of the other girls (or rather, the lack thereof), it was clear that no one else saw him… or maybe her; the hood hid the person’s face completely. The hooded figure continued to stare at her, then turned and walked right through the locker room door, disappearing as she passed through it. Without really knowing why, Elizabeth took off after them, but when she opened the door, the hooded figure had vanished. Rachel ran up beside her.
“Lizzy? What is it?” She looked around outside the door, but there was no sign of anyone having been there. “Were the boys trying to peek again?”
Lizzy shook her head, frowning. “I… thought I saw something,” she said. “Sorry, guess I’m just tired from the game.”
“Well, I know what’ll fix that!” Rachel assured her, draping an arm over her shoulders. “A free dinner, compliments of your dad!” She led the way this time as the two of them made their way out toward the van. Elizabeth tried to look relaxed, but no matter how far they walked, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.