This is a story about the love of sports, pressure, bullying and morality. I think you can do it in two or three lessons or start it in class, read some for homework and then finish together. This is the edition published in American English. If anyone does want the British English version let me know. There are quizzes for class and discussions and at the end you will find videos, projects, a song and dance one of our schools in Africa did and other Good Stuff! Loads of LGR22 friendly classroom work. Enjoy! For some reason two words are lost at the beginning of the audio. But the restis all ok.
Star Player; classroom quizzes, discussions and project work
Chapter 1
Melanie Jones opened her eyes. She was warm and in bed. Rain tapped against the window. She shivered and pulled her duvet up to her chin. Maybe she could have just a few more minutes’ sleep. She closed her eyes.
Peep, peep, peep, peep. The alarm. It was six thirty. Melanie groaned and switched it off. Time to get up.
“Time to get up!” Dad yelled through the door. She didn’t answer him. He knocked on the door and then pushed it open. He grinned at her.
“Come on sleepy-head! Time for practice. You’ll never be a star if you sleep all day!” He closed the door.
Melanie groaned again and threw back her duvet – kicking at it angrily with her feet.
***
Thirty minutes later and Melanie was standing in the rain in her soccer kit and boots. Dad threw the ball to her feet. She trapped it skillfully.
“So, let’s start with some dribbling. Up to the end of the field and back. You did it in three minutes twenty yesterday – let’s do it quicker today. Ready?” Dad took out his stopwatch. “Go!”
As Melanie passed the ball from foot to foot and ran, she forgot she was cold and wet. She forgot that in two hours she would be in school. She only thought about keeping the ball controlled. Small kicks and fast running. Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. At the end of the field she used her heel to stop the ball dead – turned and then started back. Dad was looking at his watch. As she got closer, he started counting.
“Three fourteen, three fifteen, three sixteen … three seventeen. Good job Mel! You took three seconds off yesterday. Let’s see if you can do better tomorrow.”
Dad put his hands on her shoulders. “Remember, you’ve played well all season. But now there are just two games until the finals of the championship. We need to focus. Now, let’s do some heading practice.”
***
One hour later and Mel was sitting at the breakfast table. Mom was there and so was Little Eric. Little Eric was only five and Mel loved him to bits. He believed everything she said and thought she was brilliant. Dad was upstairs taking a shower. Mel was showered and now in her school clothes.
“Tell me about soccer practice Melly? Anything good happen?” This was Eric’s every-morning question.
“Yeah Little Eric. It was amazing. We were doing the normal practice things and then a lion ran across the field.”
Eric’s big brown eyes opened wide. “Then what happened?”
“Well, I kicked the ball right at his head, but he just put his teeth in it, and it burst. He was crazy. So, he ran at me and I had to jump right over his head!”
Eric giggled and dropped some toast on the floor. “And what about Dad? Did he jump over the lion?”
“No. The lion ate him. One big bite. He was all gone. Loads of blood!”
Eric laughed loudly. More toast on the floor.
Mom put a bowl of cornflakes in front of her. “I don’t know why you fill Eric’s head with all that nonsense.”
“We’re just having fun!”
“I know. But talking about your father being eaten by a lion when you both know he’s upstairs taking a shower seems a bit silly.”
Eric was still laughing.
“It’s just a joke Mom. We’re playing around. It’s not serious.”
Just then, Dad came in. “Who says playing is not serious? It’s the most serious thing in the world.”
He sat down and Mom gave him a coffee. He opened the sports paper.
“Look here! How much do you think these soccer players in the paper are paid just for playing around? Millions every year. Now that’s what I call serious.”
Mel sighed quietly.
Dad didn’t hear the sigh. “When I played pro soccer, the good players could earn maybe five or six thousand a month. Now, they make millions every year. And they play in South America, Europe, Asia, all over the world. Soccer’s not just a game Mel.”
“I know Dad!”
“Well, then take it seriously! You have talent. You’re fourteen now. This year you can get picked for the under sixteen national team. Then in four years you can go pro and play for a big team. Then after that – play for the adult national team for a few years and then – America! Women’s soccer is getting bigger and bigger and the Americans have lots of money!”
“I know Dad. We’ve talked about this a million times already!”
“So, let’s talk about it a million and one.”
Mel groaned and put her head in her hands. Little Eric copied her and made Mel laugh. Dad was not laughing. He pulled Mel’s hands away from her face and looked into her eyes.
“I want you to listen to me Mel. If you work hard, in ten years you could be making more in a week than I make all year working in that stupid office. I’ve been working in the same job for twenty years. Look at what I have. A little house and a little life.” Dad was getting angry.
“I like our house,” said Mel quietly.
Little Eric said, “Me too!”
“But it could be more. If I were playing pro now, we could all be living in a castle – driving five cars and going for holidays in Jamaica!”
“I wanna live in a castle,” said Little Eric, his eyes bright. “What’s Jamaica?”
Dad ignored him. “Don’t you want that?”
“Well, I can’t see driving five cars is so great…”
Dad slammed his hand on the table. “Don’t be stupid Melanie. I’m not talking about cars. I’m talking about life. Your life. Our life. We’ve invested a lot in you – time to train you and money for all your gear. We’ve invested for success. Don’t you want to be a success? To have everything you dream of?”
“Yeah, of course I do. But I…”
“No buts! No thinking. You do what me and your mother say, and you will be rich. We’ll all be rich! A star player with one of the big-name teams.”
Eric looked like he was going to cry. Dad calmed down a bit.
Mom walked to Eric and stroked his head. “Don’t worry little Eric, when you are a bit older you will be a star player too! Imagine that! Two rich soccer stars in one family! Wouldn’t that be brilliant?”
Eric sniffed and smiled. “Yay! I wanna be a star like Melly! Me and Melly! Stars!”
Mel looked at her little brother and grinned. “That’s right. Little Eric and Melly! Superstars!”
“That’s better,” said Dad and smiled too. “Superstars! A family of Superstars!”
Chapter 2
I was standing in the middle. By the center circle. The other team had the ball. They were attacking.
Larna tackled. She got the ball.
“Over here,” I shouted. I started to run.
The ball came high. I ran to it and trapped it under my foot. I passed it long to Karen.
Karen ran forward and kicked it high. The ball flew over my head.
Dawn was there. She didn’t wait for the ball to bounce. She kicked it hard.
Bam!
One shot. Straight in. Beautiful goal!
I looked at my parents on the sideline. I smiled. Mom and Dad didn’t smile back. Dad just moved his hands to show me I needed to get back to the circle.
***
At half time coach Anne was pleased it was one – nil. “But let’s make it two or even three!” she said. Everyone cheered.
Then Mom and Dad came into the changing rooms with the oranges. Mom handed them out saying nice things to everyone.
Dad put his arms around my shoulder. He whispered in my ear. “Come on Mel! You can play better than this. Score one for me!”
“I’ll try Dad. I really will.”
“Good girl Mel. Make us proud.”
***
Five minutes left.
Dawn dribbled the ball into the box. Pulling the goalie towards her.
I was in a better position.
Dawn saw me. I shouted to her. “Pass it Dawn!”
Dawn kicked it to me with the side of her foot.
Right to my feet. Perfect pass.
Their goalie was too far out.
It was easy.
I kicked the ball in. Goal!!!
Dawn, Jessie and Habiba ran over and hugged me. I looked at Dad. He was smiling. The ref blew the whistle. Two – nil!
Coach Anne ran out. She put her arms around me and Dawn’s shoulders. “You two are great together. That was a wonderful pass Dawn!”
“Thanks,” said Dawn and smiled. They all came over and patted Dawn and me on the back. But they patted Dawn more. It’s like the coach didn’t see that it was me that scored.
Dad came over. “Great goal Dawn!” He rubbed her hair and grinned at her. Then he walked over to me.
“You scored one good goal Mel. Next time, maybe you can score two! I’d like to see you score one like Dawn did. Bang! One shot. Magic left foot. Fantastic!”
I smiled at him and he gave me a hug.
I didn’t know why, but my eyes were hot and stinging
Chapter 3
Melanie opened her eyes. Someone was speaking to her.
“Melanie Jones! What did I just say?” Miss Young, the English teacher, was not happy.
“Um…” said Mel, trying to remember what Miss Young had been talking about. “Um…”
“Poetry!” hissed a voice behind her. It was Karen.
“Poetry, Miss Young,” answered Mel.
“Yes, and what about poetry?” Miss Young was not letting it go.
“Um… I don’t know. Sorry.” Mel’s face blushed red.
“Because you were asleep again! This is the fourth time this week you have used my class as a bedroom. I will be calling your parents about this. Now, try and concentrate.”
Miss Young turned back to the whiteboard and clicked on a picture of an old guy with a beard.
Mel put her hand across her mouth to hide a yawn. Then pinched herself hard under the table to help wake up.
***
“Young was mad at you again,” laughed Karen after class. “I told you poetry but that wasn’t enough.”
“I can’t help falling asleep. I’m so tired. Dad has me at practice every morning.”
“What does he want? You’re already the captain!”
“He thinks the under sixteen national coach will come and watch us next game.”
“Well, if he does then I’m sure he’ll be looking at you and Dawn,” said Karen. “You and Dawn are by far the best players on the team.”
Dawn Summers. Team striker and a fantastic player. Mel hated her. After every game Dad would say how well Dawn had played and that Mel should play better than her. Mel knew Mom and Dad compared her to Dawn all the time.
Karen and Mel walked into the canteen. It was time for lunch.
“Hey look,” said Karen. “Jodie and Larna. Shall we sit with them?”
Mel and Karen sat down with their teammates and took out their sandwiches. While the four girls ate, they talked about the next game.
Mel saw Dawn in the queue waiting to get her food. Dawn who scored goals so easily. Dawn with the magic left foot.
Mel nudged Karen. “Look, there’s Dawn. I heard her dad pays a special coach to teach her how to play.”
Karen nodded. “Yeah, her family is really rich.”
They all looked over at Dawn. Mel saw something in their eyes she recognized.
Mel continued in a whisper so quiet the other three had to lean forward. “That’s why she’s so good. Her private coach helps her.” Mel knew it wasn’t true. But she didn’t care. Right then, she hated Dawn more than anything.
Karen nodded. “Yeah, her dad is an important lawyer or something. They live in a really big house.”
Jodie said, “Her soccer boots are always the best you can buy. I think that’s how she can kick the ball so hard.”
No one said anything for a moment. Each imagining having the best boots money could buy and how much better they could play if they had them.
Mel waited a moment so they could all imagine more and then pushed on, “I heard her talking to one of her other rich friends and I heard her say that she thought she was the only reason we win our games.”
The other girls looked like they couldn’t believe it. Mouths open – furious at Dawn’s arrogance. How easy it is, thought Mel, to make people not like someone. Just yesterday they all thought Dawn was great.
Larna said in an angry whisper, “I bet she thinks she’s much better than us, just because she has lots of money and posh clothes.”
Just then Dawn walked up carrying her tray. “Can I sit here?” she said, pointing to an empty chair by Larna.
Larna put her bag on it. “Sorry Dawn. This chair’s taken. Someone is going to sit here in a minute.”
Dawn shrugged. “Ok, see you guys later.”
As she walked away Karen whispered loudly, “Go and sit with your rich friends. Bitch.” The others laughed.
Mel watched Dawn closely to see if she heard. She stopped but didn’t turn round. Then she walked away.
***
Dad worked Mel hard that night. They ran and kicked and practiced for two hours. Mel’s head was spinning when they got home. She was so tired, she just wanted to go to bed. She started up the stairs.
Dad called after her. “Before you go to bed, get your kit ready for tomorrow morning.”
Mel cleaned her boots and found a clean pair of shorts and a shirt. But she had no clean socks. She went into Mom and Dad’s room and looked in Dad’s cupboard. No socks.
She opened a drawer by Dad’s side of the bed and looked under the books and papers. There were no socks – but there was a little black cloth bag she hadn’t seen before. She opened it. Inside was a wooden box and inside the box was a glass tube full of a pale orange liquid.
“Mel? What are you doing?” It was Mom.
“I was looking for some clean socks and I found this. What is it?”
Mom looked worried. She called downstairs to Dad. “I think you better come up here and talk to Mel.”
Dad came up. He sat next to Mel on the bed and took the glass tube from her. Mom sat on her other side.
“So, what is it?” said Mel. “The orange stuff.”
Dad looked at her. “It’s cheating Mel. Some sports people, even soccer players, use this to help them run faster and be stronger.”
“I’ve heard about that,” said Mel. “Hormones. There was a scandal at the last Olympics, wasn’t there? A cyclist using drugs so he could ride faster. Doping they called it.”
“That’s right,” Dad nodded. “Well, I want you to know, if anyone tries to make you take something like this – you always say no. Sometimes, coaches or other people want you to take drugs so you can play better.”
Mom looked at Dad and some understanding passed between them. And suddenly Mel knew – Dad was talking about himself. This had happened to him. This was why he stopped playing soccer.
“So darling – never, never, never take drugs, ok?” Mel could see Dad was upset. Mom put her arm on his leg.
“Promise your father Mel,” said Mom.
“I promise Dad,” said Mel. “I’ll never take anything like that. Ever.”
“You’re a good girl Mel,” said Dad and put his arms around her. His back was shaking a bit. Mel thought he might be crying.
Outside the bedroom, Little Eric was standing in his pajamas holding his favorite bear.
“What’s wrong with Dad?” he asked.
“Nothing,” said Mel and took his hand. “Come on – let’s take you back to bed and I’ll tell you a story. What story would you like?”
“One with lions and tigers,” said Little Eric happily.
Chapter 4
Mel opened her eyes. It was dark outside. She was warm. Then the door opened, and she felt something hit her legs. It was her boots.
Dad was standing in the doorway. “Get up Mel. Extra practice today. Only one game to go. We need to work harder than ever.”
Mel sighed, got out of bed, and started pulling on her kit.
***
“Tell me about soccer practice Melly? Anything good happen?” Little Eric looked at her, his brown eyes laughing.
“Not today Eric,” said Mom. “Go to your room and get ready for school. Me and your Dad need to talk to Mel.”
Eric looked like he was going to argue but Dad gave him a look. So, Eric left.
Mom cleared her throat. “Your teacher, Miss Young, phoned us last night. You’ve been sleeping in class.”
Mel didn’t say anything.
“Well?” said Dad.
Mel just ate her cornflakes. Mom looked at Dad and made a face.
Dad continued. “Is it the big game? Are you nervous? Is that why you’re sleeping in class?”
Mel wanted to say she fell asleep in class because she was tired – tired of getting up for practice at six a.m. and then coming home after school for more practice. She wanted to say that she liked soccer – she liked it a lot – but sometimes she wanted to hang out with friends or watch TV. But she didn’t say anything. She just nodded. It was easier.
“I knew it,” said Dad. “Nervous.” He looked at Mom. “Didn’t I tell you? Nervous.”
Mom nodded and made another face.
Dad made his voice all kind and soft. “Well you don’t have to be Mel. You are a star. And everyone knows it. Yes, Dawn Summers is a flashy player – I knew players like her when I was a pro – but you are star material. A real star. So, don’t you worry. When the national scout comes – and I think he’ll be there next game – at least that’s what coach Anne tells me – he’ll see that you are a star and he’ll pick you. I promise. Now, no more nervousness. Ok?”
Mel swallowed. So, the scout was going to come. She had a chance to be picked for the national team. Her stomach felt weird and empty – even though it was full of cornflakes.
Dad stood up and put his hand on her head. He stroked her hair. “I promise you darling. You will be picked ok? Now, no more nervousness and try and stay awake in class.”
He laughed and Mom joined in. But it didn’t sound real. It sounded like they wanted to laugh so she would be happy. She smiled, and the smile felt wrong like someone was pulling on her lips.
***
At morning break that day, Mel was so tired she thought she would die. She didn’t want to talk to her friends, so she just went in the toilets and locked herself in a cubicle. She put her head in her hands and closed her eyes. She fell asleep.
Mel opened her eyes. A girl was in the toilet next to hers. She was crying. Little sounds and sobs. Mel listened. Maybe she would stop crying and just go away. Then she could have five more minutes’ sleep before next class. But the girl didn’t leave. Just more crying.
“Hey, you in there? Are you ok?” she said.
The crying stopped. Mel heard the other door open. She opened her door. Standing there was Dawn.
“Oh, hi Dawn,” said Mel.
Dawn sniffed. Her eyes were red, and she had a sticky nose.
“How do you do it?” said Dawn.
“What?” said Mel. She didn’t want to talk to Dawn.
“You know. Everything. The pressure. The other girls on the team. I don’t understand them.” She started crying again. Mel put out her hand to touch her and then let it drop.
“It’s my parents too,” Dawn continued, gulping for air. “They never come and watch me play – it’s like they don’t care about my soccer – they don’t care about me.” Her crying was harder now.
“Oh, I’m sure they do. They’re probably just… busy.”
Dawn looked at her with red eyes. “But your mom and dad are always there. Always supporting you. I see them every game. Wanting you to win – to do well. They even bring the oranges! They really care.”
Yeah, too much thought Mel, but didn’t say it out loud.
“And the other girls – they’re so nasty to me. I play as well as I can, but they just talk about me behind my back and say horrible things. I … I … don’t know what I’ve done.” She covered her face with her hands. Her shoulders were shaking up and down.
Mel felt sick. She didn’t say anything. What was there to say?
Dawn took a deep breath. She licked the tears from her lips and looked into Mel’s eyes. Mel looked away.
“You’re the captain Mel, can’t you talk to them? Find out what I’ve done wrong and make them talk to me again. I just want to be part of the team. Why don’t they like me?” She put her arms out to Mel. Mel let her fall into her. She could feel Dawn’s tears on her shoulder – wet and cold.
“I’ll… talk to them, ok? But I think you’re imagining things. Everyone knows you’re a great player. It’ll be ok. I promise – alright?” Mel wanted Dawn to stop crying. Her tears made Mel want to cry and she felt if she started, she wouldn’t stop.
And then the door slammed open and Karen and Jessie came in. They stood and looked at Mel and Dawn with open mouths. Dawn pushed herself away from Mel and ran out.
Karen laughed as she left. “Hey Mel, what did the RICH BITCH want?” She said rich bitch loudly enough for Dawn to hear her.
“Was she telling you how we couldn’t win without her?” laughed Jessie.
“Yeah,” said Mel and pushed past them into the corridor. “Something like that.”
Chapter 5
I was standing in the middle, by the circle. I looked at Mom. I looked at Little Eric. He waved at me. I smiled at him.
I looked at Dad. Dad was pointing at someone. A woman standing thirty feet or so away from him. She had glasses and was writing in a book.
Dad was mouthing a word at me. His mouth was big and round – his eyes even bigger.
SCOUT – he was mouthing. I looked at her. She looked so normal. But this was the woman who could give me all my dreams. National Under 16s – big league team – national team – American team and happiness!
“Mel!” yelled coach Anne. “Watch the ball!”
The ball was bouncing towards me. I ran to it and trapped it dead. From the corner of my eyes I could feel the scout watching me. I spun and did a dance over the ball to confuse a player. I ran and turned. I kicked with my left foot. A great pass over to Dawn. Dawn ran with the ball. I saw Dad. He looked angry. He pointed at the scout.
I ran after Dawn. Dawn passed to the left. Larna headed into the box. I ran like the wind. Habiba was there. She jumped high. Higher than I have ever seen her jump. She headed the ball into the net!
One – nil! Dawn grabbed Habiba and lifted her into the air. Habiba was shouting – she was so happy. I didn’t feel it. I didn’t feel the happy in me.
Five more minutes and they scored. One – one.
Half time. I sat and listened as Coach Anne said her thing. Mom and Dad came in with the oranges. They handed them out saying nice things to the other girls. Dad gave Dawn her orange and told her she was playing really well. Dawn said thanks. When Mom gave me my orange, she squeezed my arm. I smiled at her. I didn’t say anything.
“Cheer up darling,” Mom said, “I think the scout likes you.” Mom and Dad left – Dad didn’t talk to me. I was happy for that. Dawn came over to me and put her hand on my shoulder. I pushed it away.
Next half and we were playing well.
Then we had a break. Our goalie kicked the ball high and long to Karen. Karen kicked it quickly to Larna who passed it on to Dawn. She stopped the ball dead and looked around. The defense was all over the place. She saw a way into their box. She ran in. Fast. And then I saw that she was going to score. No! If she scored the scout would choose her. Not me! I ran at her – pretending to be blocking another player – our feet were tangled but I had the ball. I kicked it hard and I scored!
Dawn was lying on the floor looking up at me.
“Sorry about that,” I smiled. “I was trying to protect you from the defense.” Dawn shrugged and stood up.
She hugged me.
“Great goal,” she said and smiled.
I was looking at Dad and he was pointing at the scout. She was smiling and nodding and writing something down.
The ref blew the whistle.
We won!
Coach Anne said something about the Final next week, but I didn’t care. The scout had seen me score a goal. Surely, I had a good chance of getting in the national team.
Chapter 6
At home and Mom and Dad were happy.
“You played a great game Mel. We are both very proud of you!” Mom smiled.
Mel smiled so wide she thought her teeth would fall out.
“And, I can tell you that I saw what the scout was writing in her book,” said Dad.
“What?” said Mel. “How did you do that?”
“While you were playing,” Dad was smiling widely too. “I walked quietly over and stood behind her. I wanted to see what she wrote about you. She had a list of other girls’ names that I guess are from other teams. But at the bottom of the list were only two names from your team.” Mel felt her heart sink …
“You and Dawn Summers!”
Mel looked down.
“No darling,” Mom interrupted, “don’t be upset, that’s wonderful. It means you have a fifty–fifty chance of being in the national team. That’s amazing!”
“But… Dawn is there too.”
“Yes,” Dad looked at Mom. “But you don’t have to worry about her. You just play well, and you will be chosen.”
And then Mel couldn’t hold it in anymore. “I can’t Dad. Mom I can’t. I just can’t do it. I’m so tired from all the practice. I’m just so tired. And she’s good. And she’s nice. And I think she’s better than me and I don’t know what to do. But I want to sleep. I’m so, so tired. I… just want to play.”
And then Mel felt Dad’s arms around her. He was making shushing noises and saying there, there like you do to a frightened animal – which is what Mel felt like – a frightened rabbit on a big road.
“It’s ok. You don’t have to worry about Dawn Summers anymore. I promise. Just trust us ok. Everything is all right.” And Dad was looking at Mom again and his expression was strange. And even though his words made Mel feel better something in his eyes scared her.
***
Mel opened her eyes. No alarm. She looked at her clock. It was eight in the morning! She had slept late! She pulled on her kit and ran downstairs. Mom and Dad and Little Eric were eating breakfast.
“Dad! I’m so sorry! I slept late!”
But Dad just smiled at her. “It’s ok darling. You needed to sleep. It’s ok.”
“But… what about practice? I need all the help I can get.”
Mom said, “Don’t worry ok? Everything’s all right. You just have breakfast and relax.”
Mel looked at Dad and then back at Mom. They both looked… happy. And relaxed.
“Tell me about soccer practice Melly? Anything good happen?” Little Eric looked at her with his eyes wide.
“There was no practice,” answered Mel quietly.
Little Eric looked at her with his head on one side. He was frowning. He didn’t understand.
“Tell me about soccer practice Melly? Anything good happen?” he said again.
Dad nudged her. “Go on Mel, tell your brother about the amazing things that happened at practice today.” Dad grinned.
Mel grinned back. “Well, Little Eric, me and Dad practiced shooting when an alien spaceship crashed into a tree and then…”
***
Mel was awake in English class. Miss Young was happy when she answered some questions correctly. Just before the end of class the door opened, and the school nurse came in.
“Excuse me Miss Young, but I have an announcement to make. Could all the girls here from the soccer team please come to my office in break. Thank you.” The nurse left.
Mel turned to look at Karen. Karen shrugged. She didn’t know what was happening either.
***
All the team was there, outside the nurse’s door, at break. Dawn was standing on her own. Mel noticed the other girls whispering and pointing at her. Then Karen came out from the nurse’s office. The team gathered around her.
“What is it Karen? Why does the nurse want to see us?”
“It’s weird,” said Karen. “She just made me pee in a cup. She said it’s a test we have to do before the Final.”
Then the nurse put her head around the door. “Ok, who’s next?”
Chapter 7
There was no practice after the test. There was no practice the next morning or the next. Mel slept for ten hours every night. She felt more alive than she had for months. She felt good. Mom and Dad were happy. Little Eric was happy, and Mel was sure she would play a great game in the Final.
And so finally, it was the day of the big game. Mel couldn’t concentrate in morning lessons. After lunch, school was cancelled for the game. The whole school was going to watch.
At lunchtime, in the canteen, she walked over to her friends. They looked excited – whispering and talking to each other.
“What is it?” asked Mel as she sat down.
Karen looked at her. “Haven’t you heard?”
“No. What?”
“It’s Dawn,” said Jessie. “I knew she was too good at soccer. Now we know why!”
“Look!” said Habiba, pointing. “There she is now.”
Mel turned her head. Dawn was walking with her head down. On her left was the school principal and on her right was a man in an expensive suit that Mel thought was probably her father. They were leading Dawn out. The man was holding Dawn’s arm. He looked angry. The principal looked angry too. Dawn was walking like she was dead. Looking at the floor. Mel saw she was crying.
“What’s going on?” asked Mel.
“Drugs!” whispered Jessie. “Dawn has been using drugs to make her play better. That’s why she scored all the goals.”
“That’s why the nurse made us pee in a cup,” said Karen excitedly. “They wanted to test for drugs!”
“She’s a cheat!” hissed Habiba. The others nodded.
No, thought Mel. This is wrong. This is very wrong.
***
The other team players were getting changed for the Final. But Mel was running. She was running home.
When she had found out about Dawn and the drugs, a horrible thought had begun in her mind. The thought had grown so big it wanted to break out of her head. She had to know if it was true. So, she ran out of the school. She ran home.
And then she was standing in her parents’ bedroom. She was looking at Dad’s drawer. Her heart was pounding so hard that she thought her ribs would break. She wiped her hands on her shirt. They were sweating. She opened the drawer. She took out the little black cloth bag. She put it on the bed. She looked at it. She licked her lips. It couldn’t be true. She opened the bag and took out the wooden box. She held the wooden box in her hand. She shook it. Inside she heard the sound of the glass tube rattling. It was still there. Thank God! It was still there!
Her horrible thought was that Mom and Dad had taken the glass tube of drugs and used it somehow on Dawn. But it was still in the box. The glass tube was still there! Everything was ok. Mel wiped her cheek. She breathed out the breath she had been holding since she ran from school. She started to put the box back in the bag. Then she stopped. She frowned. She shook her head. And quickly she opened the box and tipped the glass tube onto the bed.
And then her world smashed into a thousand pieces. The glass tube was empty.
Chapter 8
I’m standing. I’m watching the game. I’m watching my team play – watching my friends play. But I have no friends. I have no family. I have no place to go. I am hiding behind a tree. No one can see me. But I can see them.
Mom and Dad are standing on the side-line. Mom is crying. Dad has his arm around her. Little Eric is standing near to them. He looks lost. I want to go to him. I want to hold him. But if I do, they will see me.
Larna passes the ball to Karen. Karen runs forward but is tackled. The ball flies down the pitch. A small girl with long hair chases it and then kicks it hard into our goal. One – nil.
I watch. I can’t watch.
I am seeing my team play. But it is not my team. I am not there. Dawn is not there. Without us, the other team is much better. They score another goal.
Half time.
I see Coach Anne walk to my parents. I know she is asking them where I am. Dad holds his hands up. He looks scared. Mom looks scared. Good. They should be scared.
Coach Anne follows the team into the changing rooms. I can imagine her telling them they can win. But they cannot. The other team is too good. And I am not there. Dawn is not there.
I see Dad walk to a woman. It is Scout. He talks to her. Scout smiles. I don’t know what they are talking about. I don’t care what they are talking about. It doesn’t matter.
Second half.
In five minutes, the other team scores again. Habiba tries to tackle but misses. Jessie kicks the ball out. They all look miserable. They know they can’t win. I want to tell them it is ok.
But I can’t. And it’s not.
I think about Mom and Dad in the changing rooms last game. I think about Mom giving me my orange and Dad giving an orange to Dawn. I feel sick.
I’m standing here, watching my team play – watching my friends play. But I have no friends. I have no family. I have no place to go. I’ve lived my life. I’ve worked hard. I’ve played hard. But it’s not enough. Because now I have nothing. I’m alone and there is only one thing left to do.
My hand hurts. I look at it. My hand is holding the glass tube – the empty glass tube – so hard my hand is white. I sit down. I put my arms around my knees. I am cold. I close my eyes.
It’s later now. I don’t know how much later. I hear the whistle. I don’t know the final score. But I know we have lost.
I lose.
My team all look sad. Karen is crying. Coach Anne puts her arms around her. My parents are walking away. Mom looks around – I think she wants to find me, but I am still behind the tree. She cannot find me. I don’t want to be found.
My head hurts. I am very cold. My hands are shaking.
I see the other girls walk out of the changing rooms. Habiba, Jessie, Karen and the others. They get into cars and talk to their moms and dads. I see their moms and dads say things like “never mind” and “you tried your best.”
I want my mom and dad to say that too. But they can’t. It’s impossible.
I stand up.
Now I am running. I am running to the changing rooms. I know Coach Anne is still there.
***
Coach Anne looks up. She is writing at her desk. Mel is standing in front of her. Her face is white. She is breathing hard.
Coach Anne stands up. “Mel! Where were you? You missed the game.”
Mel doesn’t say anything.
“My God Mel! Are you ok? You look terrible! What’s happened?”
Mel takes a breath. Then another. She opens her hand. Inside it is a glass tube. She puts it onto Coach Anne’s desk.
“It was me,” she says. “I did it. I found a tube of drugs and I put it in Dawn’s food.”
Coach Anne looks at the tube. She picks it up, opens it and sniffs. “But… why would you…?”
“I wanted to win. I wanted to be picked for the national team. The Scout had two names on her list. Mine and Dawn’s. I wanted to be picked. So, I did it.”
“But Mel, the scout had two names on her list because she wanted two girls for the team. She thought that you and Dawn were great together. Oh Mel, what have you done?”
Mel’s mind is empty. “It doesn’t matter. I drugged her. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
And Mel runs out.
Chapter 9
Mel was walking in the park. It was raining. Two months ago, the police had arrested Mom and Dad. They were in jail. Mel and Little Eric now lived with Mom’s sister – Aunt Grace. Little Eric went to see Mom and Dad with Aunt Grace every week. Mel hadn’t been to see them. She didn’t know what to say to them. Mom and Dad had written her a letter saying they were sorry. But she hadn’t answered it.
When Coach Anne had called Mom and Dad the night after the Final, they had told her immediately that Mel didn’t drug Dawn. They confessed. Dad had put the drug into the orange for Dawn and then the next day Mom had phoned the school to warn them that one of the girls was using illegal drugs.
Because they confessed so quickly, they were only given two years in jail. But even in two years’ time Mel wasn’t sure she would want to live with them.
After everything that happened, Mel couldn’t face going back to her old school. Aunt Grace arranged a new school for her. Mel realized that her new classmates knew about what had happened when she heard them whispering about her. She didn’t play soccer anymore.
The rain was cold on her face. She walked a lot now. Every day. It felt good to be alone and to think. But today, there was someone ahead of her. Playing in the park. A girl – kicking a ball. For a moment Mel felt like she was looking at herself – in the past – happy and playing. But it wasn’t her. It was the last person in the world Mel wanted to see. It was Dawn Summers.
She turned quickly and started to walk away.
“Mel? Is that you?” Dawn had seen her.
Mel walked faster.
“Hey Mel! Is that you?”
Mel heard Dawn running towards her. She could run now. She could run away. She was always faster than Dawn. But she didn’t. She just stopped.
“Mel! It is you!”
Mel felt Dawn’s hand on her shoulder. She turned. Dawn was smiling. She was holding a soccer ball under her left arm.
Mel looked at her. She swallowed. Her mouth was dry. “Just hit me ok! I deserve it. Just hit me or kick me or… whatever.”
“What?” Dawn stopped smiling.
“Just hit me!”
“But…” Dawn was confused. “…why would I want to fight you?”
“Stop it ok? Don’t play with me. I know you must hate me for what happened.” Mel felt water push its way from her eyes. “Every night I lie awake and I think how you must want to kill me. How you – and the rest of the team – must want to kill me.” Mel tried to turn away, but Dawn stopped her.
“Mel, you’ve got it all wrong. Why would I hate you? You saved me. It was your parents that drugged me and if you hadn’t told Coach Anne about it, I would never have played soccer again.”
“What?” Mel wiped her face.
“I know what you did hurt you a lot. Your parents went to jail. I have no idea how bad that must feel. And I know it’s because of me. If I wasn’t here, then you and your family would still be together.”
“But we drugged you?”
“No. They drugged me. Not you. Is that why you didn’t come back to school? You thought everyone blamed you?”
“Of course, I did. I…”
“Idiot!” interrupted Dawn. “Everyone thinks your parents were a bit crazy, but we miss you! I miss you!” For a moment Dawn looked embarrassed. Neither girl spoke. Then Dawn said, “Did you know they made me captain?”
Mel looked at Dawn. She didn’t know what to say. But something in her was changing. Something was lighter.
“And I hate it!” continued Dawn, rolling her eyes. “All the decisions, all the fights! Who plays forward, who plays back! Like I care! I just want to play!”
“Me too,” Mel said quietly. Her head was spinning.
“So why don’t you come back!” Dawn punched her playfully on the arm. “We need you! Did you know I got picked for the under sixteen’s?”
“No, I didn’t. That’s great!”
“Well, you would think so.” Dawn shook her head. “But most of them are rubbish! You’re so much better. You should try out next year!”
“But what about Coach Anne?”
“What about her? She talks about you all the time. Just come back to school and start playing again.” Dawn laughed. “It’ll be the old team back together again. Your fantastic runs and long passes…”
“And your magic left foot,” finished Mel and started laughing too. And, as she laughed, something in her broke and then she was laughing and crying at the same time.
When she managed to catch her breath she said, “But I’m so out of practice. I haven’t touched a ball since…” she didn’t finish. She didn’t have to.
Dawn shrugged and then suddenly threw the ball hard at Mel’s chest. Mel caught it.
“Well come on then. What are you waiting for? Let’s see if you can remember how to play. Or maybe you’re still not as good as me!” Dawn ran off, then turned. “Well, kick it to me dummy!”
Mel dropped the ball to the ground and trapped it dead under her toes. She took one step back, two steps – then ran at the ball and kicked it - long and hard.
