"Come on girls, keep it moving, keep it moving!" The coach shouted to the group of girls doing a passing exercise on the pitch.
Azure ran to make herself available, receiving a ball from Vic and passing it back to her, the coach yelling numbers each time a new pass was made, while Leah and Laia tried intercepting it.
The intensity of the drill had everyone's focus razor-sharp, with each player striving to meet the coach's demands. Azure's body moved instinctively, muscles remembering the countless hours of training.
"Nice, Azure!" Vic called out, her voice blending with the rhythmic thud of the ball against cleats.
"Alright, switch it up! New pairs!" the coach instructed, blowing the whistle.
As the team shuffled to find new partners, Azure found herself paired with Leah. Katie ended up with Beth, and their banter started almost immediately.
"Hey, McCabe, don't let me down now," Beth teased, nudging Katie with her shoulder.
"Oh, please. You should be worried about keeping up with me," Katie shot back, her competitive spirit shining through.
Azure chuckled at their exchange, glancing at Leah. "They're always like this, huh?"
Leah grinned. "You have no idea. It's like watching a comedy duo sometimes. But it keeps things lively."
As the new drill began, Azure focused on her passing, the rhythm of the exercise becoming second nature. She appreciated these moments, the sense of being part of something larger than herself.
After several more rotations, the coach blew the whistle again, signaling a break. The team gathered around, panting and sweaty, but still buzzing with energy.
"Good work, everyone," the coach praised, clapping his hands together. "Take five, then we'll run through set pieces."
Azure found a spot on the grass to sit, taking a long drink from her bottle. Katie plopped down next to her, wiping sweat from her brow.
After a Quick Look around, she leaned closer to her and mumbled; "Green suits you, Rocky."
Azure smirked, feeling a surge of warmth at Katie's compliment. "Oh yeah? Thought you preferred me in red."
Katie chuckled, nudging Azure playfully with her shoulder. "I like you in anything. Or, you know, nothing."
Azure's eyes widened slightly, a blush creeping up her neck. "Careful, McCabe. You might distract me during practice."
Katie leaned in closer, her breath warm against Azure's ear. "Isn't that the point?"
Before Azure could respond, the coach's voice cut through their moment. "Alright, everyone, back on your feet! Time for set pieces."
The team all got up, ready to dive into the next part of their training. Azure and Katie shared a quick, conspiratorial glance before joining the others.
As the set piece drills began, Azure found herself hyper-aware of Katie's presence on the field. Every glance, every subtle touch, sent a shiver down her spine. It was a challenge to stay focused, but it also pushed her to perform better, knowing Katie was watching.
Katie, on her end, was equally energized. Her passes were sharp, her movements precise, and she couldn't help but steal glances at Azure, admiring the way she commanded the field.
As the practice session drew to a close, the coach gathered everyone for a final debrief. "Great work today, team. Remember, it's all about the details. Keep pushing, and we'll get there."
