chapter three
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There was no need for sunglasses when the sky had been an endless darkness when they'd touched down in Arizona, but no one questioned Maeve as she strode up to them twenty minutes later with them on and a fresh bag of Fritos in hand.

She didn't think Coach Hernandez would be the one to pick them up from the airport when he had a game to instruct that night, but not a second later they were approached by the man. And funnily enough, he donned sunglasses also, except his had already been pushed atop an extremely short buzzcut by the time he reached them.

"Still putting junk in your body, I see." He quipped and Maeve had to pause before she was able to breathe a proper response to that.

"Old habits die hard." She supplied.

"Eh, you forgot to add the chile y limón, after all, that's the only way to enjoy those." He chuckled as she revealed her eyes, just to roll them at him. "Haven't changed a bit, bring it in, kiddo."

They shared an awkward hug before Hernandez moved on to shaking Wymack's hand, then Kevin's, and lastly, gave Andrew a nod when he accepted that he wouldn't be taking his hand. He turned to Maeve once more,"So business then?"

Her eyes trailed over to Kevin, who was already looking at her. She nodded,"You really think this kid's the right fit?"

"Well, I managed to convince you you were better suited as a backliner, so why don't you meet him and then try and tell me I'm wrong again, see how that goes over?" He joked, already bringing up fragments of her past.

Wymack spoke before she could. "We gonna get to catch the game?" He asked.

"Oh yeah, don't worry, we got time." Hernandez smiled,"Just one thing... I'd suggest at least you three cramming into my office and watching from there. Don't want to scare him off before you get the chance to speak with him."

"Yeah." Andrew smirked,"Because Maeve isn't the one we should be worried about here."

Her fists instinctively balled at her sides and Hernandez was quick to call a time out,"What I mean is she isn't the first past student of mine to come back for a game, it's not unusual and he won't suspect anything. Besides, no one ever said she had to be warm and fuzzy. Neither is he, or else what use would he be to you all, right?"

"Exactly." Wymack said,"Now I say we start getting a move on."

They agreed and while Kevin stuck with the two coaches, Maeve remained fixated on Andrew,"Small townies, always so sensitive..."

"Fuck you." She spat.

The car ride was longer than any of them would've liked, especially when Hernandez tried to quiz her on school and her current life. Maeve had never wanted to jump through a window more. Luckily, Wymack caught on due to her sudden interest in everything Exy as she diverted all his questions and took over talking as Kevin resumed his ominous staring and Andrew got straight to making her life a further hell now that he'd been on solid ground long enough to forget his fear of heights.

It was hard to ignore and her filter finally broke when they arrived at the school. "I can't believe I came along for this." She took two steps back and hit a hard wall,"No offense, Hernandez."

"None taken." The man shrugged,"I was actually surprised to hear Wymack planned to bring you along, more so to see you made the trip and that you haven't punched this guy yet."

He'd pointed at Andrew, which in turn made her scan for Kevin and promptly realize there'd been no wall, they were still by the car, and it was Kevin standing directly at her back. She moved away,"If it makes anyone feel any better, I have... in my head, at least twice. Broke his nose, even."

"Been there." Hernandez muttered, two fingers on his nose in remembrance.

     Maeve scoffed,"It was an almost break. Besides, I made sure you were okay— and the nurse did say you got really lucky."

"Let's be honest, she's not as qualified as she should be." He shook his head,"Plus you know how crazy Fran is about my profile."

She snorted, her people watching closely as she slowly allowed her walls to come down.

They followed Hernandez and Maeve into the school, Kevin raising his eyebrows skeptically while Andrew didn't bother hiding his disgust,"You went to school here?"

"For two years." She frowned, she looked from one coach to the other,"And I still don't think that qualifies me to talk to this kid."

"Yeah, yeah." Wymack brushed her off as Hernandez unlocked his office for them,"We'll see you after the game, enjoy."

Andrew flicked her nose as he passed and she thought she heard what sounded like "good luck" stumble out of Kevin's lips, but he hadn't even looked at her and so she was left unsure as she and Hernandez made it out to where a makeshift Exy court was set up where the soccer field used to be. He eyed her carefully, arms crossed over his chest and a gleaming silver whistle hanging from his neck, he was exactly as she remembered him.

She wasn't.

"Bet Palmetto's a real upgrade." He pointed out as she took his clipboard to look at the names.

"Yep." She said unenthusiastically.

She made her way down the list. Josten, Neil. Number ten.

The man sighed,"You know I'm still here for you, kid, just a call away. Hardly ever busy—"

"I know you always wanted to be, but you're not my dad." She snapped before she could stop herself, he frowned and she looked away.

"Maeve." He waited for her to look up and spoke only when she did,"It was never my intention to try and replace your father, you know that. I'm just saying... you're not alone. I'm your friend, I'd like to think, and your new coach ain't so bad either. You should give your team a chance."

Under bright stadium lights she watched as the Millport Dingos got ready to play. "Team?" She spurned,"I'd hardly call us that."

"Then why are you here?" He asked definitively, leaving her side to make his way over to his lineup to give a pep talk she'd memorized over the many games she'd heard it. He'd tell them to trust each other, to have fun, to try their best. And then he'd blow his whistle and... game on.

She wouldn't get to meet the Dingos until half time, she almost didn't want to, but was left no choice as Hernandez led her over to the group of kids chugging various small cups of water. He introduced her as the best player he'd had the privilege to coach and she grimaced. It wasn't that she didn't like the compliment, in all honestly he was probably right— after all, not many good players came through Millport. However there was Neil Josten now, and after watching his every move so far in the game... she hated she'd soon have to admit Wymack might be right.

"Any words of advice?" The offensive dealer gave hopeful eyes.

Maeve shrugged dismissively,"Losing doesn't mean the end of the world."

Hernandez cleared his throat, sent her a look.

     She sighed,"Okay, listen up 'cause I'm only gonna say this once, your opponents— their play is faulty. The striker, number seventeen, is more preoccupied with brute force than speed and you," she singled Neil out,"I can tell you're fast, so do something with that. Now about their goalie, she's fallen into the habit of going left because you guys keep shooting left, switch it up every chance you get and maybe you'll actually get one past her." She paused, going over her mental notes,"Oh, and their backliner? Number nine, he's got a very obviously hurt shoulder, exploit that."

     The kids all nodded along, excited chatter starting up as they stood and began forming a new game plan with her pointers front and center. Hernandez crossed his arms over his chest and scoffed,"I wouldn't be a good team captain, my ass."

"Being observant doesn't make a leader." She justified as she watched Neil carefully.

     Neil stuck to himself and himself alone and readjusted his gear, and his teammates didn't think twice about it as they moved on and easily hyped each other up for the upcoming second half.

"No," Hernandez agreed,"but it's a start."

     In the end, the Dingos still lost, but she couldn't claim surprise. All in all, their game mattered to her as much as being here for Neil did. Though, for the second time that night, she felt utterly lost. She'd kept her mind off Hernandez's question for as long as she should, but the game was over and she'd begun to think twice as they met up with Wymack, Kevin, and Andrew again.

     She knew they were talking to her, but she didn't hear a word... all she could think was: why was she here? She didn't care about Neil, she didn't care about the Foxes. The part of her past that happened in Millport had already been long forgotten, she was as much a nobody here as anyone else. Abby said it could be good for her, but she never expected to find closure... so why? She looked up, her attention momentarily taken by Kevin. She paused and sought answers in his eyes, but all he gave her were more questions.

     When she stepped out into the night again, she still had no idea what she would say.

     Neil shot up incredibly fast, wary at the sight of her before him once more. He gaped,"You."

     "We haven't been properly introduced." She claimed his seat,"My name is Maeve Kingston. I understand you just started playing this year."

     "That's right." He didn't hesitate to agree, but she could see the gears in his head turning and knew he'd soon realize she was more than just one of Coach Hernandez's old students. Why, why, why? The question continued ringing in her head.

     And then it clicked. At the same time that Neil took a step back, eyes widening in realization.

     "Wait, Kingston? You're—"

"She's from a university, technically." Hernandez attempted to explain,"They've been looking for a new player... they've been looking at you."

     "Bullshit." Neil scoffed,"No one recruits from Millport. No one knows where it is."

     "Few years ago, I did." Maeve fidgeted with her hands,"Wore the same number, probably even used the same borrowed racquet too. I strayed from my teammates then, still do... see, we've got a bit in common, you and I, and I know I don't seem any good at this talking stuff... but I've got an offer for you, Neil— because the way you play... it doesn't matter how long you've been out on the court, you can tell you're meant for it."

He'd visibly relaxed, just enough to hear her out, but he couldn't accept it. He shook his head.

"No. You should go."

"Neil,"

"No." He said,"You shouldn't have asked her here."

Hernandez sighed,"I figured it was worth a shot, I didn't tell you because I didn't know if anything would come of it and I didn't want to get your hopes up. I tried contacting your parents when a face to face was in talks, but they haven't returned my messages. You said they'd try to make it."

"They did." Neil corrected,"They couldn't."

"Now that is bullshit." Maeve stood up.

"Kid—"

"No, I read his file." She cut off Hernandez as her patience wore thin,"He's a good player, but let's be real— no friends, no parents, dying town and hasn't chosen a school for the fall? You're a disaster waiting to happen, Josten, and I'm your safety net. We're both short on time, so the way I see it? It's simple. You can join us, five years of the game you love so much and a decent college to get you somewhere in the real world or you can head down the old, winding path to failure with over half your classmates who are out making the same dumb decisions right about now."

     A sigh sounded behind her and they all turned, Wymack stood at the door with his arms crossed.

     "Maeve Joy fucking Kingston." He swore.

     "Full name." She glared,"You never said to baby him, Coach, and I already tried it the nice way."

     "Your definition of "nice" doesn't come up in the English dictionary, or even mine. Butt. Bench." He instructed, a finger pointed to where she'd been sitting before,"Or the next thing that comes outta your mouth that's stupid and you'll be running marathons into your seventies."

     "Let's all run them together." She rolled her eyes, sitting down anyway.

     Wymack ignored her, turning to Neil, who was looking ready to make a run for it. "I'll keep this short, it's stupid late in the season for me to be here, I know, but I had some technical difficulties with my last recruit," Maeve scoffed at this, which he also pretended to not hear,"Coach Hernandez said you still haven't chosen a school for fall. Works out perfectly, doesn't it? I need a striker sub, and you need a team. All you have to do is sign the dotted line and you're mine for five years."

     Neil struggled, still taken aback by such a proposal,"You can't be serious."

     "Deadly." She commented.

     "And very out of time." Wymack sighed, mostly in response to Maeve's interjections.

     He tossed the file onto the bleachers where Neil had been caught with an unsmoked cigarette in hands, far before Hernandez and tonight, a routine of nights spent alone with thoughts of his past and Exy. It was all too good to be true. Too good for him... too good to pass up without a little hesitation, at least. He found his voice and hated to hear it waver,"Please go away."

     "It's a bit sudden," Wymack tried again,"But I really do need an answer tonight. The Committee's been hounding me since Janie got locked up."

     That was all it took.

     "Foxes." His eyes darted back to Maeve, recognition setting in and slight anger flaring for not noticing who she was sooner, how could he be so stupid? "Palmetto State University."

     "Avid news watcher?" Maeve leaned forward, elbows on her knees,"Fast deduction. You gonna try and tell us you're not the right fit now?"

     "You can't be here." Neil stated stubbornly.

     "Yet here we stand." Wymack countered,"Need a pen?"

     "No. No. I'm not playing for you."

     "I misheard you." Wymack said.

     "You signed Kevin." He reasoned weakly.

     "Knew that'd come back to bite us in the ass." Maeve muttered as Wymack rolled his eyes.

     "And Kevin's signing you, so—"

     The boy didn't wait. He bolted, taking steps two at a time and all the way back to the locker room. Wymack turned to Maeve, who rose her hands up in defense,"Hey, I'm not chasing after him, why don't you get your new mini me to—"

     But she didn't get to finish her remark because not a moment after the door shut, they heard scuffling and a groan. Hernandez was first inside with Wymack on his tail while Maeve took her time going down the steps of the bleachers, just in time to hear Coach grumble,"God damn it, Minyard. This is why we can't have nice things."

     "Oh, Coach, if he was nice, he wouldn't be any use to us, would he?" Andrew sassed.

     "He's no use to us if you break him." He scoffed.

     "You'd rather I let him go?" Andrew pointed at Maeve,"Ten bucks she already hurt his feelings, just put a band-aid on him and he'll be good as new." The room stilled as he smirked down at Neil on the ground,"Better luck next time."

     It took Neil a second, but eventually he managed,"Fuck you. Whose racquet did you steal?"

     "Borrow." Andrew corrected before tossing it at him,"Here you go."

     "Neil," Hernandez caught his arm to help him stable himself,"Jesus, are you all right?"

     "Andrew's a bit raw in manners." Wymack stood between them,"Maeve too. They break anything besides your spirit?"

"Like it was in tact before." Maeve scoffed. Despite this, she watched closely as he checked for any serious injuries on his person, hands pressed to his ribs as he inhaled deeply.

"I'm fine." He satisfied,"Coach, I'm leaving. Let me go."

     "We're not done." Wymack stopped him.

     "Coach Wymack," Hernandez began.

     Wymack didn't let him finish that thought,"Give us a second?"

     Hernandez assessed the situation, deeming Neil capable before agreeing. "I'll be right out back." He said to the boy and let him go.

     Neil waited for the door to shut before turning on the three again,"I already gave you my answer. I won't sign with you."

     Maeve leaned against a locker door, Andrew not far beside,"If four of us flew out here just for you to plainly reject us then the least you can do is give us a little more than that. Why not?"

     The color left his face far faster than his attempt at running had been, he stumbled back a step,"You didn't bring him here."

     Wymack stared hard, trying to discern why that mattered. "Is that a problem?" He asked.

     Neil hesitated and said,"I'm not good enough to play on the same court as a champion."

     "True, but irrelevant."

     At long last, Kevin stepped into the light— literally. Maeve turned to find he'd been in the room the whole entire time and almost wanted to punch him in the face for his dramatics.

     "What are you doing here?" Neil asked.

     "Why were you leaving?" Kevin shot back.

     "I asked you first."

     "Ugh," Maeve groaned,"Please, end my misery and this unnecessarily spectacle. We've gone over that twice already— stop wasting our time."

     For once, Kevin and Maeve were both on the same page. "We are waiting for you to sign the contract." He added.

     "No." Neil repeated,"There are a thousand strikers who'd jump at the chance to play with you. Why don't you bother them?"

     "We saw their files." Wymack acknowledged,"We chose you."

     "I won't play with Kevin."

     Maeve sighed,"Look, I'm not happy about that part either, but you'll regret saying no."

     "His no's have been recognized and dismissed." Kevin said in response to her, but his eyes hadn't yet left Neil,"You will play with us."

     Wymack shrugged at Neil,"Maybe you haven't noticed, but we're not leaving here until you say yes. Kevin says we have to have you, and he's right."

     "We should have thrown away your coach's letter the second we opened it. Your file is deplorable and I don't want someone with your inexperience on our court. It goes against everything we're trying to do with the Foxes this year. Fortunately for you, your coach knew better than to send us statistics. He sent us a tape so we could see you in action instead." Kevin paused before explaining his one reason,"You play like you have everything to lose."

     She missed what Neil had said to that, but Maeve found herself leaning closer to hear Kevin end their conversation by elaborating further,"That's the only kind of striker worth playing with."

Another surprise.

Maeve stared at Kevin, once more caught up by his vexing ways. She hadn't heard anything past his words, which now echoed in her head like a mantra so much so that she didn't even notice him standing right in front of her until he put a hand on her arm and whispered,"Let's go."

She nodded, not looking to see who was with them as she preceded him outside to the car. Her mind now on how little she truly new about him... and the devastatingly featherlight touch of his fingers on her skin.

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no one:
literally not a single soul:
me: **gives hernandez personality and begins the development of maeve's daddy issues**

also,, chile y limón = hot sauce & lemon if that wasn't already pretty obvious lmao