CHAPTER IV – THE NEW PLAYERS
All the "old" players sat in great comfort in the VIP area. The feeling was awesome, they had already passed that hard procedure, the try-outs, and now it was their time to be the judges of the new aspirants. Lily was especially warm and excited, as she had made it to the captain's rank. Violet sat next to her and Buster hurried to take the seat on her other side, despite Padrina's reproaching look.
The try-outs continued for two hours. There were a lot of boys and girls that wanted to make it. The cheerleading squad were having their try-outs in another sector of the field, just opposite of them and there was some audience gathered, too. It was almost like a regular game day.
The football team needed another four people. The plan which they agreed on was to make an attempt at "enlisting" boys and girls, from different Houses, so as to keep the principle of equality. They all had some sheets of paper in front of them and held pens – Lily had told them to write down the names of all aspirants and then put some notes with regard to their performance. At the end, they all would have some type of record which would make it easier to decide. In the morning they had decided on the exercises they wanted to see done. Running with the ball, direct kicks at the goal and goal-keeping, were the typical "football" things the aspirants were supposed to do. The other stuff was to check their overall physical fitness. A quarter of an hour in, the seven active players started to envy the aspiring ones at the field, as the first thing they were supposed to do was run for twenty minutes. That was a warm-up and although the weather had been sunny the whole week, the autumn had already invaded the country and that particular afternoon was chilly. So, as comfortable and snug the seven players in the VIP area were, the students who were running on the track were warmer for sure. For a tiny particle of the second Lily cast a look at the other side of the field where the cheerleaders held their event. Most of the audience was mobile, too and they had shifted there while the footballers were just running. Lily saw Diane Valence, the cheerleaders' captain and could tell that she was chilly, as well. There was only one girl on the field, she was doing some routine with jumps and splits. What stroke Lily was that the girl was wearing a short skirt and short-sleeve top. Perhaps the cheerleaders held their try-out in outfit close to the one used in actual performances. Thinking of it, Lily saw it is rather logical, as "actual" performance often took place in bad weather. She remembered how miserable she felt on her third match, when they played and it was snowing. She just wanted the game to be over, no matter what. That was not a good attitude. Looking at their own part of the field, Lily saw that most guys and girls were wearing track-suits that kept them warm. She made a gesture towards the players on her both sides to come closer.
"Look at the cheerleaders. They have their people wear shorts. Maybe we should make our people do the same." said Lily nodding in the direction of the cheerleaders.
"Yeah!" agreed Padrina to everybody's surpise. "Yeah, it would be much closer to the real conditions during a game."
"Aren't we doing it, simply because we feel cold and they have warmed up?" Violet asked tentatively.
Phillip giggled, "Even if we are, aren't they supposed to get informed better?" He winked, "You know, maybe they do well today and get into the team, but then we play in rain and they get miserable and say, 'Oh no, that's not what I imagined!' What are we to do then?"
"Yeah, it's not only about the play. At least not always. Sometimes a player is OK, just circumstances interfere." said Buster.
"So? Shall we call them here and tell them, or shall I go down there and do it?" asked Lily.
"You go. Otherwise it's too much like a master-slave thing." said Germina. The others nodded in agreement. Only Padrina thought it was OK to do it the other way round. Lily herself preferred to do some walking, in the way of getting warmer. Though walking down some stairs was not enough, she still felt better. When she reached the edge of the field the aspirants knew she was about to tell them something and came closer.
"Well, guys, no offence meant, but my friends over there and I decided to ask you to put off some clothing. Go to change, if you like, or you may do it right here. We want you in T-shirts and shorts. As it is not raining today, you know that is the outfit we play in. Believe me, it will do you good. Should anyone of you feel discomfort, then you know what the feeling of the rainy game is." She looked at the group to see how they were taking the message. To her surprise, they took it very well. Some started undressing right away.
"They feel warm now, so they don't resent it. Let's see what's going to happen." said Lily to the others when she went back to her seat.
Nothing too surprising happened, in fact. Half an hour in, the aspirants finished their general physical exercises and Violet and Phillip went to the field carrying two footballs and divided the students there into groups for the next part. One of the group was supposed to run across the field, towards the enemy's goal and try to protect the ball, and another two or three were to hinder him or her and try to steal the ball. That was a very exciting part. Everybody was supposed to try protecting the ball, so it took a very long time. There were two boys, twin-brothers who showed great skills.
"I bet they play together all the time," exclaimed Buster. "I did with Carl."
"It surely helps. I wish someone to play with." reflected Lily.
"But you have, don't you?" asked Padrina, "Don't you have a sister or something?"
"Ah, yes. But she is too young and I don't think she is much into football." said Lily. "I myself discovered the game just last year, at the try-outs. I should think you would remember that, Padrina." smiled Lily.
"Me? Why should I?" said Padrina in surprise.
"Well, because I overheard you and Buster talk about football and how manly it was, and how fit one should be to play it, so I decided to give it a try. And here I am. I didn't even know the rules before I entered the team." Lily was laughing, "Just imagine that!"
Phillip exclaimed, "You didn't know the rules?"
"Mhm," smiled Lily.
"And look at you now," said Buster quietly in admiration.
Padrina hit him on the back, "Oh, come on, Buster, don't be such a sissy. What's that tone?" Padrina was about to say more, but Lily said, "Let's go back to the field. We might offend our candidates there." So everybody's eyes were on the field once again.
The other exercise was goal-keeping. That proved harder than expected. Lily remembered how difficult it was and what sheer loss she had felt the previous year, when she stood in front of the goal. Looked from the spectator's seat, the goal is not so awe-inspiring. Yet, once you get down to the field and walk near it, you sense as you become smaller and smaller. The space between the two sides is so wide, that you can't cover it with your both arms stretched. And the so-called penalty field is not small at all. Suddenly you feel deep respect to all goal-keepers.
As Lily was looking at the new aspirants go and keep the goal, she could see the awe in their eyes, as each of them approached it. They somehow shrank and showed fear of the ball. Of course the goal-keepers try-outs usually see a lot of scores. Even the best keepers cannot be a hundred percent successful at keeping. It was courage and strategy which Lily and the other were looking for now. And there was a boy who showed both. The boy had blond curls and pink cheeks – not your typical macho. Germina was very excited, "That's Antony. See how good he is. I knew he was good for something besides..." she stopped short. Everybody's eyes were on her, ignoring Antony's brave acts on the field.
"Yeah, go on!" laughed Padrina.
"Isn't he a first-year?" asked Buster with slight derision in his voice.
"He is," stated Germina harshly. "So what? Haven't you been a first-year, either?"
"Yeah, sure. Listen, Germina, I meant no offence." Buster tried to apologize.
"Mmm, still," Padrina took it from where she had left it, "What's with you and Antony down there?"
Violet poured some fresh oil to the fire, "Oh my God! Germina! Isn't that the boy who t
ook your luggage?"
Germina turned red. Lily felt uncomfortable and said, "OK, guys, let's not forget why we are here. I like that boy, Antony. Does anybody know his House?"
"Shall I guess Stars?" Phillip winked at Germina.
She nodded, "Yes, he is in my House."
"Oooh, that's so cute," said Padrina.
"In fact, I would have guessed Flowers," said Buster. "He is so... flowery."
"What exactly do you mean – flowery?" Phillip took an offended stance.
Lily had to come in again, "Guys, nobody means nothing! Please, we all mean to be friends and help each other. Now, let's watch the field. We are missing great things. And don't forget to take notes." They all calmed down and went back to watching. "Well," thought Lily, "this captain thing is not so tough. They seem to listen to me."
They took diligent notes and when the try-outs were over, Lily went down to the aspirants and told them to get dressed, get warm and gather in the dining room in half an hour.
Because the notes were so clean and neat, it was not difficult to choose the four. Unfortunately, they were all boys. And, unfortunately, three of them were from the same House – that of Flowers.
Buster said, "Flowers surely amaze me. I thought girls from Flowers made it to the cheerleading. Never thought boys will invade the football team. But it's OK," he hurried to add, seeing Phillip's look, "I mean, people are different. And that's a good thing." Just to be sure he was correctly understood.
Lily made a nice list of the winners' names and surnames on it:
Goal-keeper: Antony Belamigo, first-year Stars
Defender: Clark Evans, first-year Flowers
Midfielder: Sydney Slammer, first-year Flowers
Forward: Oliver Slammer, first-year Flowers
They all went to Professor Baramova's office where she took a look at the list and then copied it in many copies to be affixed at various points in the school. The most important place, of course, not only according to Lily, was the board in front of the dining room. Anyway, they were convinced all the aspirants would gather there in the time agreed to check their status.
Quiet as expected, everybody appeared in the dining room in half an hour, even earlier. There were twice as many people who remained outside and were only curious to see who the new players will be. Then Lily understood the use of the other copies which Professor Baramova had made.
All the aspirants entered in the dining room and were silent as the grave while they read the list. They were seventeen, and the chosen players were only four, so there were many disappointed boys and girls.
"How come they are all boys," asked sharply a blonde girl.
Lily gaped. She saw this girl as more adequate for the cheerleading squad, but here she was, applying for a position in the football team. Buster laughed out openly, yet Lily hushed him remembering her own lack of experience and knowledge of the previous year. She asked the name of the girl and checked her notes. Now, she fully appreciated the notes. That was something she owed to Carl Jenkins. The girl's name was Alison Strutton and she was from Flowers. Strangely though, that name did not come up in Lily's notes. She felt embarrassed.
"Uhm, just a moment." Lily smiled confidently, although she felt really awkward. She turned towards her friends, and stopped her look at Padrina. "Padrina, will you please be so kind as to come aside?" Padrina brightened up. "Of course, captain. Shall I bring my notes?" "Yes, please." was the kind answer.
Alison Strutton was not in Padrina's notes either.
"Wow! What's wrong? Is it us?" Padrina looked questioningly around.
"I have no idea. And I don't remember seeing her at the try-outs. Please, call Phillip." said Lily. Padrina smiled broadly to Alison and the rest of the aspirants and beckoned to Phillip to come. Phillip walked towards them tentatively, and when he approached them he asked in under-tone, "I had better call the whole team?" Lily reflected a moment, "Yes, do."
And so, the whole team gathered around a table three meters away from the group of aspirants.
"OK, what is it?" said Buster.
"We don't have Miss Strutton on our notes." said Lily before Padrina could say it. "Do you remember seeing her at all? But we took some time out of the field, so we are somewhat embarrassed to admit it."
Everybody dug into their notes.
"She is not on mine, either." was heard from each of them.
They all went back to Alison.
"Miss Strutton, Alison," started Lily gently, "did you come to the try-outs for the football team today?"
"Football?!" exclaimed Alison. "No, of course not."
The entire team sighed in relief. Alison continued, "What's this misunderstanding? I showed up for the cheerleading try-outs, I came to learn the results."
The rest of the aspirants laughed. Lily raised her hand and silenced all. Whoopee, she liked it. No, she loved it. Everybody was quiet and paying attention.
"Please, let's be nice. Today's tension has affected us all. Imagine Alison's embarrassment and our embarrassment, too!"
Then she turned to Alison and said, "Unfortunately, I don't know where the cheerleaders take their results out."
Alison was furious. "What?! You don't know? What is this theatre? Have all of you gathered here to laugh at me?"
Now was the time for Lily to demonstrate leadership talents. She did so magnificently, "Alison, that is not the case at all. Come with me, and I shall accompany you to find Diane Valence and see the results of your try-outs." Lily turned to her team-mates and said, "Phillip, Padrina, you will manage this meeting, I believe?"
Lily started towards the door waving Alison to follow her. Suddenly, seeing Lily's sincere readiness, Alison hesitated. "Uhm, wait... uhm. I..." she stuttered, "I will find them myself. Don't leave your team now. I can see it's important." She moved in the direction of the door and before going out, she turned to the students inside and said, "I'm sorry. Have a nice day and success!" and she left while everybody were murmuring higher or lower "byes" and "good-luck-to-yous".
"So," said Lily with great self-confidence, "did you all have the chance to check your status yet?"
As it turned out, some did. Others did not. It took about five minutes until all were clear as of their results. Some were very disappointed, some kept cool faces, but Lily could see their bitterness.
She started again, "Now that you know, we would like to tell you something. First of all, thank you all for coming to the try-outs: we are very happy so many students love football and prefer it as their sport. Second of all," and here Lily had to insert a small lie out of courtesy, "it was extremely hard for us to select our four people as you were all so gifted." Here, Lily groped for words, as her inspiration of flattery got dry.
"But...?" a boy interjected raising his brows and widening his eyes. Other took it from him and in a minute dissent and disrespect were all over the room, flooding all Lily had achieved so far. She, however, was too young in the feeling of ecstasy from being adored to give up her status so soon. She was still curious to discover new ways of managing awkward situations and that was a perfect case for that. The boy was familiar to Lily, his name was Arthur Coil and he was second-year as her, only he was in the House of Stars. Arthur was a peculiar boy. Last year she knew him to be part of the theatre group, where Phillip Sommerville also took part. Lily remembered Arthur was very powerful as an actor, at least she was overwhelmed by his performance in the school play at the end of the year. Right now, she could not remember the play's title, but he was amazing. He had beautiful dark face, green eyes and dark-blond hair. Tall and slim, but unfortunately no gift for football. Lily almost expected his participation at the try-outs was a mere role for the theatre this year, she never took him for serious. And here he was, questioning Lily's authority, trying to pull a joke on her words and her efforts to be polite and efficient.
Lily smiles sweetly and added, "But... we only needed four players and we made sure we pick the exact four ones. Antony was amazing at t
he goal. Sydney and Oliver stunned us. It could be the fact that twin-brothers often have time to practice together, but that's just better. We don't consider that cheating, if you are curious." Lily felt she was getting malicious, but obviously peaceful talks were not always the best option. She noticed that Arthur Coil "coiled" in his place and turned pale.
"We are doing our best for equality of representation, as we would like to have all Houses and the two sexes equally represented in the team, yet..." she paused and looked at Arthur in defiance. He did not dare say anything more, and even avoided Lily's gaze. "Yet, our main priority is the team, as we play to win. So, the results are indomitable and unchangeable. Please, accept it this year. You may all take part in the try-outs next year as well, this is not eliminatory. Sure, I hope none of you is fourth-year." She looked around for raised hands. No one was in their fourth year. That was lucky. Lily would not want to frustrate a fourth-year student out of their last chance to get into the school's football team for their final year. Of course, she had hoped that by their last year, all students would have it clear in their minds where their abilities and strengths really lay, and would not make awkward appearances at inadequate try-outs. But then, you never know.
"Well, any questions are welcome." she said, smiling broadly as if she welcomed all questions, while at the same time she was praying none would ask anything. Lily must have been on extremely good terms with whoever she had been praying to, as no one asked anything. The students who were not elected for the team just thanked and left. Arthur Coil seemed ashamed. Lily felt stupid about that. She wanted to go after him, stop him and somehow clear it up with him. But then, what about her authority? Had she done that, anybody would be able to come and try to extort her. A soft heart is regularly used by one's enemies, as much as it does one credit. So, Lily Lemonpie, the new Captain of George Reader's High football team, entered into her dominion and started the initiation ceremony for the new players.
Lily in the Moonlight Page 3