Chapter 7 Maya #2
I still remember that match, that victory that seemed completely unachievable.
We’d been sweating under the California heat, and the Dignity Sports Park was filled to the brim.
I could hardly believe at the time that we had made it all the way to the finals.
That, in itself, had felt like a dream. Our opponents, North Carolina Courage, had already won the league twice before.
Meanwhile, this was the Vikings’ first time making it to the finals.
We were neck and neck for most of the game, but somehow, against all odds, we had pulled it off.
We’d won. The thrill of it was like nothing I’d ever felt before.
It was shock and excitement and an overwhelming sense of happiness, all mixed in together.
‘Yeah, we did,’ I say, my chest swelling with pride. There’s a certain thrill when it comes to winning any match, but that one was special.
‘So, why did you quit?’ the student asks.
I deflate immediately, even as Mrs Fitzgerald turns to give her a small glare.
‘Daisy, that’s really none of your business. Now, off you go,’ she says, shooing her away.
Daisy gives me one last look before turning around and joining a group of girls in another corner of the hall.
More students are passing me curious glances, but my face burns with the shame of Daisy’s question – especially now I know that they probably all have that question.
And many more. Questions that I can’t give answers to.
‘I’m sorry about that,’ Mrs Fitzgerald says. ‘Just ignore her, and ignore … all the papers and everything. I can’t even imagine how tough handling all of that must be, but you should know that we are incredibly proud of you.’
She gives me an encouraging smile. It doesn’t change anything, but it makes me feel at least a little bit better.
‘Come on, Maya, I’ll show you the brand-new gym that we just opened this year!’ Ms Jacobs says, tearing me away from the crowd and Mrs Fitzgerald.
I happily follow her out of the double doors of the main hall, not wanting to deal with the inquisitive students anymore.
‘New gym?’ I ask. I guess something here has changed in the last few years.
‘Well, ever since you got snatched up and made it big, more and more of our students have been getting involved in sports. We got funding for this new gym and, of course, we mentioned you and your success in our application for that,’ Ms Jacobs says proudly.
That brings a smile to my lips. No matter what happened, it seems I made some kind of an impact, even if it’s in the form of a new gym and a few more young girls giving sports a go.
‘Here we are,’ Ms Jacobs says, thrusting the doors to the gym open and stepping inside.
I follow her in, and I’m impressed. This new gym is definitely a huge improvement.
It’s a much bigger space than the old one.
It’s brand new and sparkling, and there’s new equipment pushed to the sides – gymnastic mats, badminton rackets and shuttlecocks, nets.
When I walk around, the floor squeaks loudly and it echoes across the massive space.
‘Wow. This is nice,’ I say. I walk around the gym slowly, taking the place in, before stopping at the trophy cabinet by the door that I’d missed when we first came in. It houses our old football trophy, still gleaming as bright and shiny as the day that we won it.
I remember that day – a little too fondly.
I’m not sure if even the national women’s soccer league win compared to this one.
Beside the trophy is a framed photo of our entire team.
My eyes immediately find me and Dina side by side, her arms wrapped around me.
Both of us grinning into the camera like this was the best day of our lives.
I wonder if it was the best day of my life.
If everything else after that pales in comparison.
There’s a dull ache in my heart as I think about that day and this picture.
‘You know, we’re looking for a football coach for the summer,’ Ms Jacobs says, interrupting my revisit of the past.
I look away from the picture of me and Dina and turn back to her with a question on my face.
‘The current PE teacher isn’t available, and if we can’t find someone, we’ll probably have to cancel the summer football programme, which the students have been really looking forward to. I’m sure you have a busy schedule, but if you had some time, maybe you would be interested in filling in?’
An offer of a job is definitely not something I was expecting today. Especially dressed in my tracksuit, with sweat clinging to every inch of me.
‘I’m not really a coach,’ I say.
‘Sure, but you know the game better than anyone, and the students would be so happy to have you as the coach. They really look up to you. And I know you’re more than capable.’
I’m not sure if I agree. Besides, if I’m not going to be playing football anymore, I’m not sure if I want anything to do with it.
Being sidelined during matches was bad enough, filled with longing for wanting to be in the game, kicking the ball around.
Agreeing to a coaching position feels like agreeing to being sidelined forever.
But then I glance back at the picture from my days on the football team.
The happiest days of my life, me and Dina together.
I know that we can never go back to that.
I know that I shouldn’t cling to the past. That I should try to move on.
But if Dina can be a football coach with Jen, why can’t I?
I imagine running into her again, back in the cafe.
This time, I wouldn’t run out, feeling my heart beating like a hundred butterflies’ wings under my ribcage.
I could look her in the eye, tell her that I’m back for good, that I’m here to stay.
That I’m coaching a football team, same as her.
‘OK,’ I say. ‘I’ll take the job.’