2022-02-27, 08:29 PM - Word count:
When Linnea was young, she played as a forward. It made sense, she was fast and speedy and scoring was what every single kid wanted to do. She'd arrive early to the park and do jumping jacks and grapevines to warm herself up so she'd run harder and longer.
The first time she had to play defense, it was because of a dog.
Her mothers were petsitting for a friend, the cutest and smalled puppy Linnea had ever seen, but it was a mischevious little thing. It managed to wiggle through the gates when they weren't watching, and disappeared into the street. It took Linnea and her mothers thirty minutes to locate the pup, and another five minutes of fussing to get it inside the house.
When she reached the park, the pickup game was already in full swing. She had to wait for Kerri to kick it out before she could join, and even then there was a bit of an issue. Erik had been angling for her spot for months and everyone knew it, but early birds were honored and Linnea was unforgivingly late. She had to take his spot as defense.
Twelve years old and prone to pouting, she'd sat down and picked at grass for a good moment until it was clear that they were just going to keep playing whether she joined or not. She pulled herself up, parked herself in front of the goalkeeper, and waited.
When Erik came charging forward with the ball, Linnea was on him. With quick feet, she stole the ball away and passed it to Kerri. She was sure they'd ask her to go back to offense, but then someone had tapped her shoulder.
"Good job." Johan, not much of a talker and more than happy to be a goalkeep, hadn't really ever talked to her before. Linnea was stunned for a moment, then her chest swelled with pride and she nodded. She stole the ball three more times and blocked two shots, each time earning a pat and a thanks.
The next day, Linnea showed up early, but asked to play defense. And she did the same every single game since.
The first time she had to play defense, it was because of a dog.
Her mothers were petsitting for a friend, the cutest and smalled puppy Linnea had ever seen, but it was a mischevious little thing. It managed to wiggle through the gates when they weren't watching, and disappeared into the street. It took Linnea and her mothers thirty minutes to locate the pup, and another five minutes of fussing to get it inside the house.
When she reached the park, the pickup game was already in full swing. She had to wait for Kerri to kick it out before she could join, and even then there was a bit of an issue. Erik had been angling for her spot for months and everyone knew it, but early birds were honored and Linnea was unforgivingly late. She had to take his spot as defense.
Twelve years old and prone to pouting, she'd sat down and picked at grass for a good moment until it was clear that they were just going to keep playing whether she joined or not. She pulled herself up, parked herself in front of the goalkeeper, and waited.
When Erik came charging forward with the ball, Linnea was on him. With quick feet, she stole the ball away and passed it to Kerri. She was sure they'd ask her to go back to offense, but then someone had tapped her shoulder.
"Good job." Johan, not much of a talker and more than happy to be a goalkeep, hadn't really ever talked to her before. Linnea was stunned for a moment, then her chest swelled with pride and she nodded. She stole the ball three more times and blocked two shots, each time earning a pat and a thanks.
The next day, Linnea showed up early, but asked to play defense. And she did the same every single game since.
