The day of the much anticipated football match between the SS3 and SS2 girls had arrived. The girls who were playing geared up for the match and some even did a little bit of stretching and jogging. The rest of the girls just settled themselves on the bleachers, ready to cheer their classmates on. Some other students and football-loving teachers also came to watch the match.

Mitchel sat next to Jazz on the bleachers. "Aren't you playing?" He asked, gesturing to the girls who were already on the football field.

"I don't like sports."

"Then why are you here?"

"I have no other choice. If I did, I wouldn't be here."

"Ok then."

Mitchel brought up another topic and they started talking and got so engrossed in their conversation, they didn't even realize the game had started until the spectators stood up and oohed when a girl from SS2 missed a goal.

"Oh look, they've started playing and we didn't even know," Mitchel said and chuckled, directing his attention to the field and Jazz did the same.

The match was very competitive with both teams giving their all and not giving the other team any chance to score. The goalkeepers were also very alert and swift in blocking the ball from getting into the goal.

After twenty minutes of playing, it was half time so the girls went to sit on the benches to rest. They were allowed to play for only forty minutes because sports time was just for an hour. The teachers of both classes offered their students chilled water, glucose and icepacks.

"You girls are doing great! Let's make these remaining twenty minutes count by scoring at least a goal okay!" Miss Toke encouraged her students.

"Thanks ma," Princess said as she took a swig from her water bottle and wiped her forehead with a handkerchief.

"What did you even do aside hopping around like an oversized rabbit and blocking our ears with that whistle? You don't even know how to referee." Ella scoffed.

"At least she was doing something. But you, you just sat there with your handmaid doing nothing and looking stupid," Jazz retorted and Mitchel snickered. The others also tried to hold back their laughs. Ella and Titi just glared at Jazz but before they could say anything, Princess spoke.

"Ella you think it's easy to run around in the sun trying to make sure the match goes well," she said, upset. "You people wouldn't let me play ball because I'm fat and now that I want to referee, you still wouldn't let me," she continued.

"Don't cry Princess. You're also doing a great job, don't mind Ella. I'm sure she didn't mean what she said and is going to apologize to you now," Miss Toke consoled her as she patted her on the back.

Ella looked away and said, "I'm sorry."

"There. Are you okay now Princess?" Miss Toke asked and Princess nodded.

When half time was over, Princess signaled them back to the field to begin the second half of the match. Ten minutes into the match and neither team had scored a single goal.

"Come on girls!" Miss Toke cheered and clapped.

Ronke got passed the ball by one of her teammates and quickly ran to the opposing team's goal, dribbling the ball. Her swiftness favoured her as she dodged the other team members. Within seconds she was able to score a goal and her teammates went wild as they jumped, hugged each other and screamed. Their classmates and others watching also cheered for them.

"Woo! Yes! We did it!" Jazz cheered and Mitchel looked at her amusingly.

"Why are you so excited, I thought you didn't like sports?" He asked.

"Yeah, but it's fun to watch your team win." Jazz smiled and continued clapping.

After the excitement died down, the match continued as the SS2 girls did all they could to even the odds. Suddenly, Ronke let out a loud scream and fell. Princess blew the whistle as Kelechi and Zainab quickly ran to carry her and help her sit on a bench. Jazz got up from where she was sitting and went to Ronke.

After examining Ronke's leg, Miss Toke said, "She sprained her ankle."

"Let's take her to the nurse ASAP!" Jazz said.

"No, I don't want to go to the nurse, I want to watch the match to the end," Ronke protested.

"You have to go to the nurse so she can massage your leg," Miss Toke stated.

"Don't worry, my ankle is not even hurting that much. I can stay here till the match is over."

"Your ankle isn't hurting, is it?" Jazz said slyly and raised Ronke's leg up, making her yelp in pain.

"If I just sit here without moving, I won't feel any pain. Please let me stay," Ronke pleaded.

"Okay, my own is that you are going to the nurse immediately after the match. It would soon be over anyway," Miss Toke said when Ronke stared at her pleadingly.

"Is it okay for her to not go to the nurse?" Kelechi asked Miss Toke.

"If she says she is okay sitting here then she can go to the nurse later."

"Then who is going to replace her?" Zainab asked.

"Jazz?" Kelechi said.

Jazz glared at her. "No way," she said.

"Please, do it for the team."

"I'm not even on the team."

"But you're in the class, come on, Jazz."

"Nope, I don't like sports and I don't even know how to play soccer."

"Yes you do, you played quite well the day you and Ella were kicking balls at each other."

"She said we couldn't play on the team after what happened. I'll agree to play only if she lets me," Jazz said, gesturing to Miss Toke. She and Kelechi looked at Miss Toke expectantly and she smiled at them, saying, "Fine. Jazz, you can play as long as you don't play dodgeball with anyone."

Kelechi was excited while Jazz was horrified. "Come and change into your sportswear, there's no time!" Kelechi said and took Jazz by the hand.

"I didn't expect her to agree to it," Jazz protested as they left the field.

"Miss Toke, it's not fair oh. I've been begging you since to let me play on the team but you refused me and now you're letting Jazz play," Ella whined.

"Don't worry, you'll get your chance next time, okay. I'll keep you in mind," Miss Toke told her but she just huffed and went to sit down.

After a few minutes, Kelechi returned with a reluctant Jazz and the match continued. Mitchel was surprised and at the same time amazed to see Jazz playing on the field with her teammates. "Go Jazz!" He cheered and Jazz glared at him.

The SS2 girls managed to score a goal and Ronke groaned so loudly that everyone turned to look at her thinking that her ankle was hurting. Two minutes left for the match to be over and it was still a draw between both teams.

"I'm getting tired of this," Jazz muttered before she found herself dribbling the ball and not knowing what to do next. Ronke shouted, telling her to score a goal before the time was up.

Jazz had never been in this position before, she could feel the adrenaline rushing through her. All eyes were on her, some expecting her to score and some expecting her to miss. Well, she was definitely not going to give them that pleasure so she ran as quickly as she could while avoiding her opponents.

"Don't mess this up Jazz!" Ella shouted but Jazz was too focused on scoring she didn't hear her. Ronke turned to face Ella. "Kindly shut up if you won't do anything to help," she snapped and Ella folded her arms.

Jazz wasn't very good at sports and didn't even want to do this but they forced her to, so if she missed the goal then it wouldn't be her fault. Pushing her thoughts to the back of her head, she kicked the ball with all her might and watched closely as the ball touched the net.

She did it!

Jazz couldn't hide her excitement as she screamed and turned around to see her teammates running towards her, screaming as well. They hugged her and continued their screaming. Everyone watching also cheered for them and even the SS2 girls clapped for them. Ella just sat and clapped as though the victory meant nothing. Titi stood up to cheer but one look at Ella glaring at her forced her to sit back down.

"I knew you girls would do it and you did! Now, go and freshen up cause I'm going to treat you girls at the tuck shop today," Miss Toke announced and the girls cheered.

"There's no need for you to be happy, Ella, this is only for those that played and contributed to our victory," Ronke said to Ella who immediately stopped cheering and frowned.

"First of all, Ronke, to the nurse, immediately," Miss Toke ordered and pointed to the school building.

"Yes ma, I'm going." Ronke attempted to stand but grunted and sat back down abruptly.

"Let me help you with that," Princess said as she carried Ronke bridal style and towards the sick bay. Jazz and Kelechi followed suit.

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Congrats to Jazz for scoring a goal for her team and leading them to victory! And of course, congrats to Ronke too for scoring the first goal

Finally, Jazz got to do something she never would have done or even thought she would. And she totally rocked it!

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you did, please vote for it and maybe drop a nice comment (or two) 🙃

Till nxt time!