"Come again?" Mark asked as we sat in homeroom. I had just told him I was trying out for soccer and he wasn't taking it lightly. For some reason I just couldn't meet his eyes so I just looked down at my hands. My hands seemed to have a mind of their own because they were fidgeting around without me knowing. 

"Um...yeah I'm trying out." I said awkwardly. I finally looked up at Mark. He had a confused expression, but at the same time happy. His lips had a slight curl but his eyes showed doubt. 

"Tori I'm really happy you're getting into soccer again, but tryouts? For the school? Not even that but for the GUYS team? Sounds suicidal," Mark said, "How did you get the idea anyways?" 

I wasn't sure how I would tell Mark. I'd have to make something up, or I could just ell him the truth. I settled on half truth, "Um...Cole Parris signed me up." 

Mark's mouth hung opened in complete shock and then he gave a nervous chuckle, "I'm sorry did you just say Cole Parris?" 

I nodded, "He saw my moves and recommend me to the coach." 

"How did he even see-" 

"Do you not think I can make the team?" I asked cutting him off. I didn't want to have to explain everything so I just shut him up by changing the subject. 

"What? No. I mean..." Mark shook his head as if trying to figure the wording, "I think you can make the team Tori. I'm just worried of what might happen. For all we know, they might try to do something. I just don't want you to get hurt." 

"Can you do me a favor?" I asked Mark softly. 

"Anything. You're my best friend." 

"Do you think you can make it to tryouts? It'd help knowing you're there." I glanced over at Mark who had a goofy grin. He nodded and I smiled at him. He was about to say something but the bell cut him off. We both got up and made our way to first period. 

Having Mark tell me he'd come to tryouts, boosted my confidence. He's seen me play, but that isn't the reason I wanted him to come. I wanted him there becasue I thought having my best friend in the crowd cheering me on would help. He seemed like the perfect person, he's always been at my side and I know he would make me feel better. 

"You do realize you have to tell Cali right?" Mark said with a smirk. 

"Oh boy," I muttered.

****************************

"So this is her?" I looked up to see a man that looked in his late thirties. He had black hair but the top of his head was slowly losing hair. He was thin and looked in shape. For some reason he looked like someone with a sense of humor but at the same time, in charge. He was wearing a blue workout jacket and some shorts. Instead of running shoes, he had cleats so they would grip the grass on the field. He had a whistle around his neck and clipboard in one hand. 

Cole gave me a shove and I stepped forward. School had just ended and now everyone was going home. Cole insisted on being the first here so I could talk to the coach. 

"I'm Tori Linean," I said introducing myself. 

The coach smiled and stuck out his hand, "Coach Walker. But you can just call me Coach." 

I shook his hand and made sure to make my grip firm. I didn't want to make the coach think I was a sissy. 

"Cole's told me you're impressive. Says that you bike to school everyday and that you play?" 

I nodded, "Yes sir. I consider biking a better work out than shifting from park to reverse." 

Coach laughed at my stupid joke, "Save energy too." 

I grinned and just looked back at Cole. He looked at us awkwardly like he was creeped out or something. Just then Blake came out from the locker room and met us on the field. 

"Coach, Cole, Tori?" Blake nodded at each of us when he said our names, but when he saw me he raised an eyebrow. 

"You didn't see that your brother signed her up?" Coach askee. 

"No I didn't," Blake said through clenched teeth directing his attention to Cole.  

I smirked, "I'm sorry captain is there a problem?" 

"No there is no problem," Coach said before Blake could open his mouth. Coach looked back at me with a smile, "Go get changed Linean. And a word of advice, don't listen to these jocks on the field." 

I nodded and walked into the girls locker room. I liked the Coach. He seemed like a good man, like he understands or something.  

The locker room was completely empty and was incredibly quiet. It was werid getting changed in all the quietness but I did it quickly. The only noise i could hear were the guys in the room next door. I heard the lockers closing and the laughs. When I closed my locker I sighed. 

'I'm about to step into Hell.' I mentally thought, 'God help me.' 

I walked out with the soccer ball tucked under my arm. Cole was there ready to meet me. When I came out he gave me a smile. 

"Ready?" He asked. 

"You're not going to leave me are you?" I answered. 

"I'm not that mean." Cole walked beside me as we went to the field. I quickly looked up at the bleachers and my eyes searched around. Finally I found the person I was looking for. Mark and Cali were both seated and I saw someone next to Cali. When I squinted my eyes I saw it was Jerry. I didn't really care if Cali's boyfriend was there. As long as Mark and Cali were there, I was happy. 

"You do realize this is going to be like Jackie Robinson right?" Cole said as we got closer to the group of guys that were trying out. 

I nodded, "Only this is soccer, and I'm a girl. So I seriously doubt you guys will throw a punch at me." 

Cole flinched as if involuntarily, "Don't underestimate these guys Tori. Some are real assholes." 

"Like Blake, Trent, and Jack?" I asked. 

"I don't think it can get worse than Blake and Trent, but they're still bad." Cole chuckled and looked towards me. I simply rolled my eyes. We reached the field and I could see Coach talking to some kids. Some of the guys that had been stretching turned their attention to us. 

"You actually brought the bitch Cole?" A familiar voice said. I wasn't surprised to see it was Trent. 

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't know there was a jackass on the field," I said sweetly placing a hand on my heart. I heard a few chuckles from some of the guys. 

Trent shook his head, "You got guts coming here Tori. We'll kill you on the field. Bitch." 

"Hey Trent," Shawn stepped up beside me, "I think you forgot what I told you in the locker room." 

Trent laughed and then looked directly at me, "You got all the Parris brothers at your feet. What'd you? Sleep with all of them?" 

Now it was my turn to laugh, "I would've given them the same treatment as you. Tell me Trent I'm still curious, how DID you get out of the handcuffs?" 

Trent and me started a staring contest but I kept a grin on my face while he just shot me daggers. Everyone watched us and I could see Cole and Shawn smiling. Then a whistle blew. 

"Alright break it up," Coach Walker came into view with Blake at his side, "Alright start warming up. Go on and run." 

He blew his whistle and we all started to run the field. Cole and Shawn stayed beside me and I couldn't help but smile. 

"You guys don't have to you know," I said. Cole and Shawn were at my left, leaving an empty space to my right. Cole was in the middle, me on the right, and Shawn at the far left. I know I said they didn't have to, but it made me happy knowing that they were at my side. And honestly I didn't want them to leave. 

Shawn smirked, "I didn't even know you were trying out. Dammit Cole you could have told me." 

Cole laughed, "It didn't seem to come up." 

"You know what else didn't come up the fact that-" Shawn was interrupted by a wolf whistle that someone did behind us. 

"Come on girly move that ass of yours!" I heard someone yell. 

"Just ignore them," Cole muttered. 

I forced a smile, "It's not the fact that they're insulting me. It's the fact that everyone is running behind us just to look at my ass." 

Like that Cole and Shawn realized we were in front and everyone was behind us. It was funny watching their reactions. It seemed like I was the onky one that noticed. 

"Damn perverts." Shawn said. He looked behind the group and for a second he ran backwards to face them. Then he gave them the finger before turning back in the right direction. 

"Weren't you two like that last year?" I asked. It seemed like a appropriate question. If they hadn't met me would Shawn still be a player? And would Cole still be an ass like his brothers? Was it possible I changed them? I remember last year girls lined up to be with Shawn and Cole. Now that Shawn's changed he's out, and Cole still has dates but I don't ask much, but Blake hasn't changed at all. He still hooks up with girls at least that's what I know since I live with him. 

"Yeah," Shawn said, "But now I see how perverted I was." 

"You're still perverted," Cole said with a laugh. I chuckled along with his laughs, just then another boy came onto my right side. When I looked over I smiled at the familiar face. 

"Hey Tori," Hayden said with a smile. 

"I swear if you're going to make fun of her-" 

Hayden interrupted as Shawn was talking, "No I was just gonna warn you." 

"About?" I asked to make him keep talking. 

"Just some of the guys. Some think you should go to hell. Some think you want attention. Others don't care and shrug it off. But a large portion are thinking of making your life miserable." Hayden actually looked worried for me. 

"Oh." I didn't know what else to say. But in the back of my throat I could already feel the taste of bile. 

"What are they thinking?" Cole asked for me. 

"Grabbing your ass, and other areas." Hayden's face turned red. More than it already was. After all we've been running for a while now. But I could see how uncomfortable this was making him. 

"Has my brother said anything?" Shawn asked. 

Hayden shook his head, "He's neutral at the moment. Why?" 

Shawn shurgged, "Curiosity." 

I was surprised to hear that Blake hadn't said anything. I thought he would at least say something. But no, from what I hear he's neutral. 

We ran in silence for a minute. My breath was getting heavier, along with the guys. 

"Damn girl," Hayden said with a small breath, "You're real fit. I think I'm breathing heavier than you." 

I knew that wasn't true. We seemed about the same so I cracked a smile, "I bike to and from school everyday." 

"I should start doing that." Hayden added. 

We passed by the bleachers again and I looked up to see Mark and Cali giving me a thumbs up. Mark gave me a smile while Cali clapped her hands. I gave a small wave and they waved back. 

"Friends of yours?" Hayden asked. 

"Huh?" 

Cole and Shawn laughed. I rolled my eyes at them two. Hayden gave them an odd look. 

"What's so funny?" Hayden looked so confused, I tried my best not to laugh at his expression.  

"Oh yeah Tori and Mark are friends." Cole nodded his head. His voice made him sound sarcastic. 

"Yup they're REALLY good friends." Shawn laughed. 

"Mark's your boyfriend?" Hayden asked me. 

"Well," I said, "He's a boy, and he's my friend. So yes he's my boyfriend. Like Cole. He's a boy, and he's a friend. Or Shawn. He's a boy, one with a jacked up mind, but still a boy. And he's a friend. So in all, right at the moment I have three boyfriends. Catching on pretty boy?" I grinned. It wasn't meant as a insult, just a statement. I loved making fun of guys like this, they would just stand there confused as ever. 

"Pretty boy?" Shawn asked turning his head to look at me. I didn't think Hayden was bad looking, so pretty boy seemed like a appropriate name. 

"Shawn is feeling left out." Cole added. I rolled my eyes.  

"Don't worry Shawn you could be....." I thought for a second and then I snapped my finger, "I got it. You could be Tonto." 

Hayden turned his face so Shawn wouldn't see his laugh. Cole smiled and Shawn nodded. 

"Sweet," Shawn said. I broke out in a laughter and in seconds Cole and Hayden joined in. 

"What?" Shawn asked, "What the hell is so funny? What does it mean Tori?" 

"It means 'dumb' in Spanish stupid," Hayden answered. 

"Oh I get it," Shawn frowned for a second like he was thinking it through, "Wait a second. Hey!" 

I almost tripped on my own footing I was laughing so hard. Hayden grabbed my arm keeping me from falling but it looked like he was having trouble too. Cole put his arm around Shawn' shoulder as we jogged. 

"Oh my little brother." Cole said. Shawn unwrapped Cole's arm and pushed him. Cole tried to keep his footing but fell on the ground. 

"Hey what's going on there!" Coach yelled as he jogged over. 

"Just tripped coach," Cole answered. 

"Alright enough laps get on the field. I want everyone kneeling in the center of the field. Go." Coach blew his whistle and we all sprinted to the middle of the field. We all made a circle and stood on one knee. I couldn't help but notice some eyes were staring at me. I just shurgged it off and Coach Walker came in the middle of our circle. 

"Alright. I don't like giving annual speeches but I'm forced to. Sadly." He stopped for a second to roll his eyes, "Now there are about thirty of you. Approximately. But only eleven of you will play, and another four of you will be on the bench in case of injury. So to put things simple only half of you will make the cut. And for those that don't know what tryouts are, its where I choose the best and kick out the girls of the team." 

As if instinct everyone turned to look at me. I just smiled up at the Coach that noticed everyone's change in attention.  

"Great wording Coach." The way I said it sounded much more confident than I felt. Coach gave me a sympathetic look, like he was trying to say sorry through his eyes. Everyone was still staring at me and I could see some smirks and disapproving looks. This is when I started to doubt. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. These guys could hurt me. And it looked like thay all hated me. Some just didn't seem to care, like Hayden said. But the majority hated me. 

"Anyways," everyone looked back at Coach, "If you tried out last year and made the team, I can't guarantee you're going to make it this year." 

Coach kept talking about crap like that but my thoughts went somewhere else. I changed my glance at Blake who was looking up at Coach like the rest. Blake was already admitted in the team. But he didn't try out. Hell he was trying out right now but he was still captain.  

I looked back up at Coach and listened on how we were going to be divided. But my thoughts still remained in Blake. I'd have to ask Cole or Shawn. After the end of Coach's speech we were all divided into groups. I had a pang of fear as I realized Shawn and Cole weren't in my group. 

"You'll be fine, you have Hayden." Cole said before jogging off with his group. 

I turned around and saw Hayden talking with the group. Yeah Cole this was so much better, I mentally thought. 

There were about five groups and each group had six people. So eveyone had a partner.  

"So your Tori?" I looked over at one of the guys that had said my name. The boy had a buzz cut so it looked like he had black hair. His skin was average and he wore a simple red shirt and some blue soccer shorts. 

"Yeah and you are?" I asked. 

"Doesn't matter," he said hotly, "Just stay out of our way. You heard Coach, girls don't make the cut." 

"Well aren't you just a ray of sunshine." I smirked and started juggling the ball. Bouncing it on my knee or foot. Hayden smiled and watched me, the other guys just watched expressionless.  

"So what first?" I asked as I continued. The other four guys lost interest and started stretching or warming up with the ball. 

"Well," Hayden said grabbing my ball in mid-air and started juggling, "Coach walks over. Gives us partners. And then we tryout." 

I got my ball back by intercepting it and ignored Haydens shouts of disapproval, "Did you make it last year?" 

"Yeah I did," Hayden answered taking my ball away. Again. 

"That is my ball get your own." I stuck my tongue at him and he laughed. He dropped the ball and dribbled it a couple feet away before passing it to me. I tapped the ball and then passed it back. 

"So how come Blake is automatically captain?" I asked. Coach was getting closer to us and soon he would be at our group. Me and Hayden kept passing the ball back and forth just getting used to it. 

Hayden frowned, "You don't know? I thought you would considering you hang around Cole and Shawn so much." 

"Blake doesn't talk to me. Much." I shrugged. 

"Oh. Well the reason he's captain is because he was the first freshman to play for the school. Usually if a freshman is good he's allowed to make the team but he'd be on the bench. But Blake was so good, he got to play." Throughout the story I thought about how Blake loved both soccer and football the most. 

"One more question." I held up my finger.  

"Yeah Coach is almost here so make it quick." Hayden and me looked over and saw Coach was talking to two guys from our group. Probably making them partners. 

"Why are tryouts in October?" 

"Well generally they're in spring. But last year we lost the championship so Principle Roy said he wanted us to practice more." 

"So our first game is in Spring?!" 

"No we'll be playing indoor." 

"Thank god." As I passed the ball to Hayden, Coach came and intercepted it. Placing his foot on the top of the ball. 

"Alright you two," he said pulling his clipboard, "Hayden you know the drill. Tori you don't mind having Cleves as your partner?" 

I had no idea who Cleves was and I started to feel a bit panicked. 

"Who's Cleves?" I asked. 

"Hayden Cleves. Sound good as a partner? We don't use partners often just on field trips, you sit with them on the bus." Coach explained. 

Hayden Cleves. I should have guessed that was his last name. 

I nodded, "Yeah he's a good partner." 

Hayden smiled and Coach nodded scribbling something on his clipboard. Then he went off to the last group. 

"Cleves?" I asked raising an eyebrow at Hayden. 

"That'd be my last name Linean." Hayden smirked. 

"Isn't that a place in England?" I asked. 

Hayden sighed, "Yes. I think. But I'm not from England. I'm from the Washinton D.C." 

I was about to say something else but Coach blew his whistle. He walked over to all of us and started yelling what we were going to do. 

"I want a single file line behind those cones. This drill consists where you run between the cones with your ball. It shows control. Captain! Please demonstrate." Coach blew his whistle and Blake grabbed a ball and started running between the cones. I had to admit, he was good. He kept the ball between his feet, tapping them back and forth. When he was done he picked up the ball and went the end of the line we had all formed. 

"Understand?" Coach asked. Everyone nodded or replied a short 'yeah.' Coach put the whistle in his mouth and gave one nod, "Good." 

He blew the whistle and the kid in the front was off. The line went forward and forward and finally it was my turn. I put my ball down and when Coach blew the whistle I was bouncing the ball between my feet as I zigzaged through the cones. The whole time I didn't lose control, so I guess that was good on my part. 

We did a couple more