Expect The Unexpected

Chapter 7

"Alright ladies, line up for Power and Finesse" Mark says from outside the 18. We split up into 3 lines. 2 on each side of the goal, 1 at the top of the 18. I join the line at the top of the 18 while Ash is in goal, Ali is in a line on the side of the net, and Crystal Dunn and Christine are behind me. 

Ali passes me a hard ball, I hit it with my laces towards the goal. As soon as I strike it, another ball goes up in the air from the other line. I get my head under it and head into the top right corner of the goal. Ashlyn saves it. I join the line Ali passed from and the drill continues on. 

"Last round, make it count Taylor." Mark says watching us intently. 

The rookie, Emma Williams, passes me a hard ball. I shoot it hard towards the net as I watch the ball that's thrown up in the air on the opposite side. I time my jump perfectly and head the ball into the low right hand corner; far away from Ash. It bounces and rolls right into the net.

"Great job ladies! Grab a drink and get on the line, we're finishing the practice with the beep test." A collective of sighs rises from the team, I on the other hand am excited. This is one of the times where I prove my speed among my teammates. We line up on the end line, Ash, Ali and I in the middle. The first beep starts; we jog slowly to the line. Soon they get faster and faster. Within 20 minutes, three quarters of the team is out. 25 minutes in, Ali, Emma, and I are the last ones standing. 

"You're out Al" I say in between my breaths. I'm currently 58. The rookie is matching me stride for stride. She is definitely doing a good job keeping up with me. 5 minutes later she drops out at 64. I continue on for until I reach 66 not able to make it to 67 before the next beep. 

"Great job, Taylor." Mark says as he pats my back and hands me a bottle of water. "Do a cool down and hit the showers ladies. Oh and Happy Birthday Riley!" I turn around as he says that and my face goes right into frosting. 

"ALEXANDRA BLAIRE KRIEGER YOU BETTER RUN" The whole team laughs as I wipe off my face and see that Ashlyn was the one holding the cake with an imprint of my face on it.

"Ashlyn. Michelle. Harris. I'm going to kill you." She smirks as she takes the wet paper towel from Ali and wipes off my face.

"That's what best friends do Ri Pie. Love ya"

"You got frosting up my nose Ash" She laughs as we head to the locker room. 

"So what does the birthday girl have planed for tonight?" Emma, the rookie, asks me when I walk into the locker room. 

"My mom is having a cookout at her house and then Kyle says he has a surprise afterwards."

"And then tomorrow night, we're going clubbing." Ash says with a smile on her face as she gets her clothes out of her bag.

"Whatever you say Ash, like Ali is really going to let that happen."

"Not happening!" Ali calls from the other side of the room. I grab my stuff and head to the shower. I'm out of the shower 10 minutes later and most of the locker is cleared out, Emma and Crystal are remaining. 

"Bye Emma, bye Riley hope you have a good birthday!"

"Thanks Crys, see ya tomorrow" I reply. "You really kept up with me today, I'm proud" I say to Emma. 

"Thanks, that really means a lot to me. I've always looked up to you with you being on the National Team."

"Aw really? That means a lot."

"Yep. You encouraged me to play college soccer."

"Where did you play?"

"Maryland."