AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I hope the big camera blocks the wide smile on my face. Most of the other photographers here are locals as well. There’s no question who most of us are rooting for. But we’re not the club photographers. They’re on the opposite side of the field, wearing Kluvberg’s colors and logo. They’re the ones who photograph the players arriving and take the locker room photos. Whose allegiance is clear. We’re supposed to be less obviously biased. Or at least not draw attention if we are.
It starts to rain about ten minutes after Will’s goal.
Twenty minutes remain in the match. Around me, other photographers pull out rain covers to protect expensive equipment.
Reluctantly, I do the same. It’s harder to photograph with it on, and the equipment is built to be durable and withstand some elements. But it’s better to be safe than sorry. I’m using my own equipment, not the paper’s, and if something stops working, then I’ll run into issues in my classes and with snapping last-minute options for the EPAs.
And this is my last chance to take photos of Will. I don’t want my camera to stop working now either.
Since I’ll be the one who goes through the card first, I don’t bother to intersperse the snaps I take of him with other players.
I take hundreds of shots of him standing during pauses in play. Running. Waving his arms. In his element in every way.
One glance at him, and it’s obvious how much he loves being on the field. Just like Wagner’s feelings were on display.
I still don’t like watching football. But I do love watching Will play.
I’ll probably never admit that to him. I acknowledge it to myself, though.
One of the FC Bayern Söhn players gains possession of the ball and then sprints this way. He passes to another green jersey, who takes a shot that’s deflected by a fullback—Braun, I think. And then the football is flying this way, closer and closer.
That’s my only thought.
It’s coming closer and closer.
I hardly have time to lower my camera before pain radiates the side of my skull. It hurts, and it’s amplified by the shock.
No part of me expected to show up at the field today and get hit in the head by a football. I’m stunned—both physically and mentally—Alex’s words from my first game replaying in my head like a taunt.
“Never turn your back to the pitch. I’ve seen pros get taken out by wayward kicks.”
I didn’t turn my back. I was looking at the field, and I was still too slow to react. Embarrassing and unfortunate.
I hear Alex’s voice again now, nearby, high and worried. “Sophia! Sophia!”
All I can manage is a groan in response, lifting a hand to gingerly touch my head.
The pain is already dulling to a throb, but my brain is still struggling to catch up with what just happened. My camera is clutched to my side, one arm curled around it protectively.
There’s commotion and activity around me, reminding me this is taking place in a stadium packed with thousands. Unfamiliar voices are talking, low and concerned. My parents are here, someplace, possibly seeing this spectacle.
And then there’s another voice, one my body instantly reacts to despite my stunned state. A pissed-off one with an American accent, roughly demanding, “Let me the fuck through.”
I force myself to sit up as soon as I hear Will, working to hide the wince as my head throbs from the movement. “I’m fine.”
“Don’t move,” Alex tells me. He’s crouched down next to me. “You might have a concussion. The team doctor is coming over.”
“Okay,” I say, deciding not making a scene is my best bet of getting through this quickly.
Hopefully, play will resume soon, and everyone’s attention will shift off of me. I’m pretty sure I’m fine. My head hurts, but I can think clearly. My butt’s getting wet from sitting on the damp grass, and the fact that I’m able to focus on that tells me that I’m probably okay.
Then, there’s someone on my other side, and it’s not the team doctor.
Will’s expression is harsh, his dark eyebrows knit tightly together over his green eyes. They match the grass stain on his shorts. And they dart around, scanning my face urgently. “Are you okay?” he asks.
I nod quickly and immediately regret the movement. But I hide the grimace because he already looks worried enough. I’m not even sure how he got over here. There’s a low barricade that surrounds the field, which we all stand behind.
“I’m fine. I just…wasn’t expecting it. Got the wind knocked out of me.”
