Page 48 of Made Better Together

“This is our year. We’re going all the way, together. I’m so excited for what’s to come.”

“Yes ma’am…” Bree shouts.

“We’re going to show them what Tolliver soccer is about,” I continue. “On three…”

“ONE, TWO, THREE…CHAMPIONS!” the group yells, using our chosen callout for the year.

The noise drops to its normal buzz as players pack up to leave. Despite my exhaustion, I take the opportunity to head to April. I don’t want her going home in a down mood that could fester.

“Hey,” I say as I plop on the bench beside her. “You okay?”

To her credit, she doesn’t hide her emotions. “I’m so upset at myself. I was a mess out there.”

“It’s okay to have a bad game.” I don’t pretend like she didn’t, because that would be transparently false, and not really help her. “We’ve all been there.”

“Even you, Miss Hat Trick Superstar?” She smiles, and I know from our three years together that she’s teasing me to deflect her own emotions.

“Even me,” I affirm. “It’s early in the season, and it’s normal to be rusty. You’re the same April who scored the winning goal three times last year.”

She leans back against the frame of her stall. “To be honest, I’ve been off all week.”

“Oh yeah? Is there a reason why?”

“Brandon and I broke up—well, he broke up with me.” Ah, that’s her boyfriend of over a year. Apparently, ex-boyfriend now. “That’s not why though, not directly. It’s more that I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“That sucks, I’m sorry.” I spend the next several minutes letting her share what happened with Brandon, interjecting encouragement when it feels right. By the time we’re done chatting, the locker room is half empty.

“Thanks, Eden. I really appreciate you listening to all of that.” Her expression is more relaxed, like she needed someone to talk to.

It’s what captains do. No matter how much they are dealing with themselves.

“Anything you need, I’m here.”

As I stand up, Coach Brenner pops out of her office. “Hey, Eden—can you come see me?”

Her forehead lacks the little lines she gets when she’s stressed, so that’s a solid indicator nothing serious is on her mind. “Sure.”

When I take a seat in her office, she has a smile on her face. Another good sign.

“That was a nice win today. How are you feeling about everything?”

A non-specific question, to which I give a matching answer. “So far so good. Can’t complain about an undefeated start.”

She gives a small laugh. “No, we can’t. Well, I wanted to say, I can see a difference in you since last season.” She taps the base of her pen against her desk. “I can’t put my finger on what it is exactly, but your footwork, your reactions—they’re some of the best I’ve ever seen at the collegiate level, Eden.”

My chest warms from praise. “Oh, thank you. Having all these camps with the U23 squad, and then the international games—the experiences have pushed me. Everyone is so talented.”

Three of the U23 training camps have happened since the end of our last Tolliver season in December. It’s gratifying that all the hard work and intense pressure is paying off in Coach’s perception of my skills.

“There’s nothing like playing against the best to bring the best out of you. I’m glad they’re finally seeing what you’re capable of, and starting you.”

She gives me a knowing look. Even someone not well-versed in soccer may be able to guess that starting at the U23 level is the next step to getting called up to the senior team. I’m a long way from that happening—but progress is progress.

“Thanks, Coach.”

She rests the pen back on her desk. “I called you in here for a more immediate reason too. There are a couple of players I’m hoping you can talk to, as captain. Give them some encouragement.”

“Of course.” My automatic reaction.