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HUMAN FEET RAN ALONG THE MUDDY GROUND, KICKING THE BLACK AND WHITE CHECKERED BALL ACROSS THE FIELD. It was a sunny day for a soccer tournament and excitement was all Dylan could feel. Her team was doing some light warm-ups before the game started. Dylan couldn't help but rush through it as quickly as possible. She couldn't wait to get on that field and start playing.

Getting up from the ground, she heard her name being called from the bleachers. Turning to the sound of the person's voice, a bright smile is displayed on her face. She jogged over towards the two people who were beside Charlie and Bella.

"You guys came!" Dylan cheered, leaning down to give Billy a big hug.

The man let out a hearty chuckle, returning the gesture. "Of course, we would! We wouldn't miss it for the world, sweet pea." He gave her a pat on the back before they parted.

"Told you, she would be excited." Charlie nudged his best friend in the arm. This action caused light bickering between the two.

The short girl chuckled at their antics before moving on to her childhood best friend; who stood there awkwardly. Though his usual bright smile was plastered on his lips. "Hey you," Dylan giggled and walked over, pulling him in for a brief hug.

Jacob returned the hug, his smile not once leaving his lips. This caused Billy, who was watching the pair's interaction. Nudge Charlie, who raised his eyebrows knowingly. "Can't wait to watch you play Daisy, I know you'll do great out there." He spoke as they pulled away.

"Jacob couldn't stop talking about seeing you play Dylan. Even on the way here, he wouldn't stop babbling about it." Billy mentioned, and Jacob let out a sigh.

"Really Dad." He uttered, annoyed. Dylan couldn't help but giggle before poking him on the side.

"Awe, Jake, that's so sweet." She beamed, making the boy in front of her blush and look away for a moment. "I'm glad you're here, both of you, it means a lot to me." The light-headed brunette said sincerely, watching his eyes soften at her words.

Before he could say anything, a whistle was blown into the air, indicating for players to head out onto the field. Dylan took a glance back, seeing her teammates walking up to their coach.

"Oh, that's my cue." She turns around and looks at Jacobs' side, seeing her twin look out of place. The blue-eyed girl smiled and reached to grab ahold of Bella's arm, catching her attention. "Save me a hot dog?"

Bella then smiled and nodded slightly. "Yeah, I will. And good luck out there." 

Quick goodbyes were shared and Dylan ran out towards the field, seeing her team start to huddle. The small stadium that was once sparse, is now filled with locals and other parties involved. After she joins her team, their coach spreads some words of encouragement before the group sets out on the field.

The Swan girl watches closely as the captain joins the other in the coin toss. In luck, their team won and got to choose which end of the goal to start. She then gets in her position as a wide striker, the ball is then kicked and the game begins.

It didn't take long before her team won the first goal of the game. However, it wasn't easy considering the opposite team had gotten better after the last match. More effort was put into that goal, leaving the girl to catch her breath. She noticed a few new faces out there and they excelled, making Dylan work harder.

Catching a break between two opposing players, Dylan uses her height to her advantage and runs through them. Kicking the ball out of their grasp and dribbling it straight ahead. Her heart pumps with adrenaline and her blue eyes line straight towards the goal. This was her chance to score the second goal of the game.

Cheers grew louder from the stands although she couldn't see it. The girl heard Charlie, Billy, and Jacob's yells of support. Making her work faster and think strategically. Her teammates do their best to block any invaders coming close to the girl as she nears the goalie.

Out of her peripheral vision, she saw one trying to close in. Dylan thought fast and before they could steal the ball from beneath her feet. She quickly shoulder-bumped the girl, enough to not get a warning; and swiftly swung a leg back to kick the ball straight into the net. Dylan let out a cheer when the goalie missed. A rally of cheers rang in the air as her team surrounded her. All giving Dylan high fives for earning them another goal closer to the win.

After their much-needed break, the game resumed with the teams switching sides. The opposite team had managed to strike a goal, having the score be two to one. The game started to get intense with multiple players getting warnings and some having to be taken out of the game.

Halting her fastened steps, the ball is then passed down to her. She dribbles the opposite way, heading towards the designated goal. Only a few feet away, an unexpected turn of events occurred when she found herself on the ground, face-planted.

The referee blows the whistle in the air, indicating for the game to pause for a brief moment. Dylan let out a groan, slowly getting up from the grass that has now stained her blue and gold jersey along with a splatter of mud damping the front.

"Warning!" The referee yelled, showing a yellow card in the air. 

"Dylan, you good?" One of her teammates runs up from behind. Making Dylan turn around and give them a thumbs up while inhaling a breath in. "I'm fine, I didn't expect that." She shook it off with a light smile, feeling the rush of adrenaline flow through her body.

Her teammate nodded at that, "Yeah, but hey we're almost there, just one more point!"

The whistle blew once again, and the players got into their positions. The girl felt her confidence rise when the ball was tossed back in. When it was her cue, the ball was passed down to her. She used all her strength and energy to keep running as fast as she could. Dylan had to get this win and she wasn't going to mess it up for a second time. Another player had got close and with quick thinking, she shoulder-bumped them, making them stumble back.

The swan girl saw one of her teammates on the front line, closer to the goal. She made sure no one was around before passing the ball to the person. Dylan stopped running, watching the players have it in their possession. A few moments later, the goalie missed and the ball went straight into the net.

A roar of cheers erupted, and Dylan jumped up and down, hollering out of happiness for her team's win. After giving a celebrated group hug with her team, she skipped happily towards the four most important people in her life.

"We won!" Dylan shouted as she ran up to Jacob who swiftly picked her up and spun them around.

Jacob laughed and gently put her back down on the ground. "That kick you did back there was awesome Daisy!" He said proudly, his smile reaching to his ears.

"You did one hell of a number out there sweet pea, I can see why they put you as one of their strikers." Billy high-fived the girl as she shyly smiled.

Charlie let out a happy sigh, bringing Dylan in for a side hug, "We all know who she gets the athletic nature from." He paused and let Dylan go. The man pointed at himself. "Me." The older Swan smiled, raising his arms to showcase the muscles that were underneath his heavy jacket.

The three teenagers laughed as Billy snorted, shaking his head at his best friend.

Bella did a gentle tug on Dylan's forearm, catching her attention. The short girl smiled warmly, seeing her sister hold out a hot dog, wrapped in red and white checkered paper. "Thank you Bell's, I love you," Dylan gushed, bringing her twin for a hug.

The taller twin wrapped her unoccupied arm around her sister. "I love you too, you did good out there." She comments after they pull away and Dylan grabs the hot dog from her hands.

Dylan beamed, taking a bite of the hot dog, "Why thank you." She mumbled, trying to keep her mouth closed.

Jacob then took notice of Dylan's leg, his eyes widened in worry. "Dylan you're bleeding."

Dylan and the others look down, seeing blood slowly trickle down her right leg. Fragments of rock and dirt stuck in the flesh of her skin. The girl let out a wince, finally realizing the pain taking over her leg.

"It was probably when you got tripped," Charlie moved forward, bending down to inspect it. "How bad does it hurt," He glanced up, seeing his daughter's face contorted in pain.

"Really bad Dad. Ow." She winced again and Bella moved over to her side, having Dylan lean on her.

"We should sit her down Charlie," Billy advised, concerned about her wellbeing. Charlie nodded in agreement and stood up.

"Aren't there supposed to be a first aid person around here-" Charlie got interrupted by Jacob.

"I'll go get somebody," Jacob says before sprinting to one of Dylan's coaches.

Billy let out a short chuckle at his son's antics, as he started to lead the three Swans to the bleachers. With Charlie and Bella on each side of Dylan, helping her walk.

The girl leans her head back as she raises her arm where it rests on Bella's shoulder. Taking another bite of the hot dog before humming out. "Y'know, without this, I don't know how I would've survived." 

She waved it in the air as Bella laughed and Charlie shook his head but smiled nevertheless. Despite the pain Dylan's in, she somehow managed to crack out a joke. Not just for herself, but to lessen everyone's worries at the moment.

𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊

The way I had to search up "rules and plays of soccer" because I've never played soccer a day in my life, lmao. It probably shows in my writing, I apologize if some parts are confusing. I'll most likely rewrite this chapter later in the future so it makes more sense.

Chapter Nine should be out soon! Since this chapter was split in half.

Also! Thank you so much for 1k reads?! Thank you for reading, commenting, and voting. It means a lot to me and motivates me to keep on writing! 🫶🏻

- M

𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊