Rachel Meinke - Along for the Ride

For my Wattpad readers:

without you, none of this would be possible

Copyright 2021 Rachel Meinke. All rights reserved.

Published in Canada by Wattpad Books, a division of Wattpad Corp.

36 Wellington Street E., Toronto, ON M5E 1C7

www.wattpad.com

No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the express written permission of the copyright holders.

First Wattpad Books edition: June 2021

ISBN 978-1-98936-545-8 (Softcover original)
ISBN 978-1-98936-546-5 (eBook edition)

Names, characters, places, and incidents featured in this publication are either the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events, institutions, or locales, without satiric intent, is coincidental.

Wattpad, Wattpad Books, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Wattpad Corp.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication information is available upon request.

Cover design and illustration by Stephanie Cheng
Interior images LineTale via Shuttershock
Typesetting by Sarah Salomon

Excuse me? a voice asked behind me. I turned to see a young girl, a bright smile on her face. Could you take our picture?

Looking up, there was a life-sized cutout of Connor Jackson a foot away from me. He was wearing a white button-up and navy shorts, his brunette hair mussed to perfection. It looked like theyd added a little bit of sparkle to his brown eyes, his smile flashing a row of pearly white teeth. He sported the newest edition of Luxem shoes, which is why hed been conveniently placed in the middle of the shoe store.

Standing next to the cutout was a group of teenage girls, all around the same age as me. And they were more than eager to pose next to the fake Connor Jackson.

Of course, I said, taking her phone. I snapped a couple of pictures before handing it back to her.

Thank you, she gushed, her eyes bright with excitement.

It was a very surreal experience to see a cardboard figure of my brother in a shoe store. It was even stranger to have a group of girls ask to take a photo with it.

Whats your favorite song? I asked, unable to hide my smile.

Shades! she proudly exclaimed, and the other girls nodded in agreement.

Only the worst song that Connor had ever released. Really?

Do you listen to Connor Jackson?

Only every day.

I felt a tug on my arm, and I turned to see my best friend, Jenica Terry, standing behind me. Were going to be late!

It was nice meeting you! I called over my shoulder, as Jenica all but dragged me toward the store exit.

Jenicas mom was waiting outside, keys in hand. Come on, girls!

I slid into the back of the minivan, followed closely by Jenica.

Did you get something to eat?

Jenicas mom was like a second mom to me. Due to my parents busy schedule, Momma Terry was always the one to take me to soccer practice and games. Wed spent many long hours in the car, complaining about schoolwork and listening to Jenica gush about Connor while we laughed and rolled our eyes.

Who were those girls? Jenica asked.

Connor Jackson fans.

Her eyes lit up. Really?

Momma Terry and I both let out a laugh.

You girls are in need of a shower, Momma Terry said, with a shake of her head. I cant imagine what state your uniforms must be in. That wont be a fun laundry load.

We had a game this morning, Jenica said, laughing. What did you expect us to smell like?

I didnt realize how terrible it was. She reached over and opened up the sunroof. Luckily this is the last game of the tournament.

We pulled into the parking lot, the mall only a short distance from the soccer fields.

I really hope we win, I said as the car came to a stop. I cant handle making it to the championship game and then losing.

Jenica let out an annoyed huff. And I cant handle being this incredibly sore for nothing.

We grabbed our soccer bags from the trunk before meeting up with the rest of the team.

Where did you guys go? Leslie asked, as we joined the rest of the team, whod clearly hung around the fields between games.

I plopped down on the ground. The mall.

Coach Jefferson laughed. Did you finally get a pair of new cleats?

I pulled my freshly duct-taped cleats out of my bag. Absolutely not. A little duct tape and the soles are good as new.

You missed the tournament tradition of Subway and gossip,

Leslie said as we stretched, with a shake of her head. Very disappointing.

Ill make it up to you, I promise, I said, with a laugh.

Captains, lets go, Coach Jefferson called out.

And that was my cue.

Wheres my midfield? I called, as I backpedaled toward the goal.

I looked at Coach Jefferson, who flashed me a one. One minute left in this tournament. One minute before wed claim victory.

Haley cleared the ball, landing it right at Jenicas feet.

Come on, Jen! I called out, using the bottom of my shirt to wipe the sweat off my forehead.

She dribbled around the stopper before passing it off to the outside left wing, sprinting up the field as the wing chipped it over the defense.

Use your head! I screamed.

Jenica jumped up, her head connecting with the ball and sending it into the corner of the goal.

I sprinted from my position as sweeper to the opposite side of the field. Jenica jumped into my arms, shrieking with joy. We took a moment of celebration before the ref ushered us back to our positions. This team was coming for us. As predicted, they sprinted down the right side of the field.

I backpedaled, Contain!

Monica stabbed at the ball, and the midfielder chipped it up to the forward.

That left it to a footrace, between me and Marci Adams, the star forward of the San Francisco Snakes.

I reached the ball half a step before she did, jumping up and headed the ball out. She collided with me in the air, sending us both into the dirt.

You good? Michelle asked, reaching out her goalie glove.

Fine, I answered, gripping her hand and pulling myself up.

Marci stood up, glaring at me.

Watch your back, she spat, storming back to her position right as the ref blew his whistle, signaling the end of the game.

Us: 2. Snakes: 1. That was a championship win.

I would hug you, Jenica said, as I jogged off the field, but youre covered in dirt.

I wrapped her up into a tight hug, letting out a squeal.

You smell like BO! she called, laughing as I squeezed her tighter.

Coach Jefferson reached over and offered up a high five. Proud of you.

I joined the line of girls as we shook hands with the other team.

Marci pulled back her hand as she reached me.

Good game! I called out to her, as we went our separate ways.

Dont antagonize, Katelyn, Jenica said, steering me toward our bench.

I took off my shin guards, taking in the celebrations of our team as I stuffed everything back into my backpack. As Coach Jefferson congratulated us on winning the tournament, it finally hit. All of our hard work had paid off.