Page 109 of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove

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June is sweltering hot. It makes everyone at Northridge restless, no one more than the grade-twelve class. There’s a sense of finality in the air to everything they do leading up to the end of the year. The final assignments, final field trips, final week of school. And of course, for TJ, the final soccer game.

Well, technically it’s a charity game, but TJ didn’t go to the real last game, so this will have to do. Besides, it’s against Whitewater, so it’s still deadly serious, as Coach makes very clear in their pre-game huddle.

“It’s ourfinalchance to stick it to Whitewater,” he says at the end of his five-minute hype-up speech. “Particularly for those of you graduating this year.” He clears his throat, surveying the twelfth graders. “I’m proud of you girls.”

Everyone exchanges shocked looks.

“Now, don’t make me regret saying that!” he barks, making them jump, and yep,thatsounds more like him.

They do their cheer, and half the team jogs onto the field. TJ turns to the bench, but Coach stops her.

“TJ! Weren’t you listening earlier? You’re on.”

TJ definitely hadn’t been paying attention, but—wait. She stops in her tracks. “I’m... starting?” She’d assumed that, as usual, she wouldn’t play until later in the game.

Coach appears to be repressing a smile under his moustache. “Kiddo,” he says. “Get on the field before I change my mind.”

TJ grins and obeys.

On the field, she plants her cleats in the grass and inhales deeply. Her teammates are all already in position. Chandani’s stretching her hamstrings. Farther down the midfield line, Piper sticks her tongue out. TJ returns the gesture, then focuses on her opponents. Even though it’s a charity game, the Whitewater forwards look like serious business. Just like any contest between their schools would be. TJ’s heart kicks into gear, that familiar adrenaline coursing through her.

The ref blows the whistle, and she takes off.

∗

“You’re rusty,” Chandani says after the game.

TJ flips Chandani the bird because she’s too winded to talk. She collapses in the grass, shucks off her shin guards, and rolls down her socks. Sighs in relief. Chandani sits beside her and does the same.

Piper approaches, and they make room for her between them. “I’m glad we scored. This would’ve been embarrassing otherwise.”

TJ had passed to Chandani, whose foot had been waiting at just the right place to nudge it into the goal. It had tied them with Whitewater at the last moment. TJ pokes Piper. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

Piper scoffs. “I didn’t even touch the ball.”

“But you faked out that one defense player. I never would’ve gotten the pass to Chandani otherwise.”

“Yeah.” Chandani kicks Piper’s foot. “Don’t think you’re not important.”

That’s as emotional as Chandani’s going to get and TJ thinks Piper realizes it, because she smiles and nods.

“I wish you guys were coming to UVic with me.” She picks at the grass, sounding wistful. “We could’ve played together there, too. But instead...”

She trails off. A heavy silence falls. Piper’s going to Victoria for a business major, Chandani’s staying in Kelowna where she got picked up by UBCO (major undecided), and TJ will be all the way in Ontario doing political science. Everything will be different. Exciting and scary all at once—TJ doesn’t think it’s ever going to stop feeling that way.

While she’s staring aimlessly ahead, a pair of jean-clad legs steps into her vision. She looks up.

“Simran?”

Simran smiles. She’s got a cashbox tucked under her arm and is wearing a fundraiser T-shirt. The charity game had been a collaboration with student council. And more importantly, it was Simran’s project. “Thanks for keeping the game tight. The tension really boosted concession sales.”

TJ grins. “Our pleasure.”

Simran’s eyes shift away from TJ, to Chandani and Piper. She nods at them.

Piper waves. “Hi.”