"Riley, wake up." My best friend in the universe, Maya, shakes me awake.

I wipe the sleep from my eyes as I reluctantly sit myself up. "Maya," I complain, "it's Saturday."

She shrugs and stands up. "Okay, thanks for letting me know. Now, let's start our day. Gosh, it's only-" she looks at the clock on my wall "- eleven. Riles, get up."

I pull my covers up tighter. "Why?"

"Uh, why not?"

"Because I have nothing to do. Maya, unless I'm at school, I'm home. If I'm home I might as well be asleep." I try to lay back down, but Maya grabs my wrist.

"Get up! There's lots to do. You're Riley, you'll find something."

I moan and throw my blankets aside. "Fine."

Maya walks into my closet, only to return in seconds and throw some clothes at me. "Get dressed, peaches."

I do as she says, and I don't really care if Maya's in the room. We've been best friends for so long, she's just like family.

My mom knocks on my door. "Riley?" She calls and then opens the door. "Morning, sleepyhead."

I smile, "Hey." Maya clears her throat dramatically. "Uh, hello. I'm here, too." My mom looks over at Maya, and makes a point of greeting her.

"Can we have breakfast, now?" I ask and run a brush through my chestnut hair, then throw it back in a high pony tail. If this were school, I'd be wearing something totally different and my hair would fall past my shoulders in their usual waves. Weekends are the only time I would ever let Maya just throw clothes at me. Today it was denim shorts and a bohemian-style t-shirt.

My mom chuckles. "That's funny. You think you get to sleep in until almost lunch time, then have me just whip you up some pancakes?" She raises her eye brows.

I shrug. "Yes." She shakes her head and kisses the top of my forehead as Maya and I walk past.

---

Maya's mom called half way through my breakfast. She wanted her home for some family lunch. Maya acted like it was a burden, but I knew that this was big for her. Shawn was her new dad, and spending time with him was golden to her.

I considered calling Lucas, or even Farkle or Zay. But, I just decided to take a walk in the park. Unlike me, yes, but it sounded nice.

I'm just strolling through Central Park, thinking about the usual. I felt something his my ankle and I looked down. A soccer ball.

"Hey!" A voice called to me. I looked up to see a girl who looked slightly familiar (I think she was a tenth grade jock) pointing to the ball. "Could you pass that back?"

I looked at the soccer ball. Just kick it like I've seen other girls do it, right? I swung my foot back and kicked the ball. It went soaring in the direction of girl, and I watched her receive it on her thigh, then gently massage the area. "Dang, you've got a strong kick." She raised her eyebrows. "You play?"

I shook my head, a little embarrassed. "Me? No, not soccer." The girl seemed, for some reason, impressed. "Wanna try? Just now, with us?"

I looked around at the rest of the high school soccer girls. "Well... nah, I'm way too clumsy, and-" She cuts me off, "Come on, you should try." I sigh. What do I have to lose?

My dignity, the ball, and any shot at popularity amongst these girls. Eh, nothing too bad.

"Okay." I can't believe I just heard myself say yes to playing soccer. But, before I can change my mind, my legs are carrying me over to the field.

"I'm Angelina. I think I've seen you around school. You go to Abigail Adams?" I nod. "Yeah, I'm in ninth grade. I'm Riley." She passes me the ball. "Okay, Riley. You start."

I receive the ball cleanly and look at the girls. Half of them are wearing red, the other half blue. "Um...?"

"Oh, here." Angelina jogs over to a bag, and pulls out a red t-shirt. I pull it on right over my other one, and smooth it down at my waist. Angelina, herself, was also wearing red. I pass the ball to her, "Whoa." She stops it. "First rule of soccer, pass that way. Towards where we want to score. I'm on defense, and I think you'll do well as a forward. Basically, just try to score."

She sends the ball back to me. I feel my cheeks get hot with embarrassment, but I just turn towards the other end. I see another girl right by the goal, and sent it to her. I run on the field as a defender attacks her, in attempt to steal the ball. "Riley," she calls and I see the ball come to my feet. "Shoot!" She shouts.

Okay. I wind back my foot and it collides hard with the ball. I watch as the ball spins through the air and towards the net. The goalie dives. And, get this, the ball misses her hands and the back corner of the goal catches it.

I feel people shaking my shoulders and patting me on the back. I just scored. I reenter reality and try not to make a big deal.

The game goes on.

Eventually, I find myself exhausted at nearly dinner time, still at the park. Some of the girls are beginning to leave to go home to eat. Angelina approaches me after the game is officially finished.

"Riley," she high-fives me. "You were awesome. You sure you've never played before?" I nod. "Never. But, it was great. I can't believe I had this much fun. I never thought I'd like any sport. Well... there's cheerleading, but..." My voice trails off. Angelina giggles. "Oh... right, you were on TV. How come you're not going high school cheer?"

I shrug. "I don't know. In the start of the year... I had some... identity issues." Angelina nods, understandingly. "Before I found soccer, in middle school, well... I wasn't myself. It's like this sport completed me."

I just love when people talk like that, and I kind of wanted to hug Angelina. But, I held myself back.

"Listen, wanna play tomorrow?" She asks. I nod immediately. "Yes, yes of course."

I say bye to Angelina and grab my phone off the park bench. Oops, three missed calls from mom, and two from dad.

I start to walk away. And then...

I find myself whipping around and calling to Angelina. "If I wanted to... I don't know... train? Play soccer? How would I start?"

She smiles broadly. "I can train you." My stomach flutters with joy. "Really?! Thank you so much."

Angelina sighs and motions for me to sit on the park bench. "You'll need lots of equipment. A soccer ball of your own, to start. A good pair of shin guards. And cleats. Then, a bag for all that." I nod. "Okay. What else should I know?"

Angelina continues, "Hm... you're naturally good, but if you want a shot at even a local team, you're going to have to get better. Practice harder." I nod. Whatever it takes.

That feeling... when I'm playing soccer... I'd do anything to keep me feeling like that.

"We'll talk more tomorrow. Get that stuff tonight if you can." Angelina and I exchange phone numbers, and I set off towards home.

I want to play soccer so much. And I can't wait to tell everybody.