I scroll through my music library until I find the song I want and then I channel my inner artist.

Monica and Brandy’s “The Boy is Mine” plays through my phone speakers, and I immediately join in about how girls seem to be confused. I don’t want to say Monica and Brandy should step aside for me but I’m killing this performance. Kai’s smile tells me he agrees. Another reason he’s perfect; he feeds into my delusions.

Once I finish my stellar show, Kai gives me a round of applause so I reward him with a kiss.

“You feel better now?” he asks.

“So much.” He grabs my hand and leads me back to the school.

My team and I are on fire today. This is by far the best game I’ve played in my life. I’ve officially entered my Brandy and Monica era because you can’t tell me that little performance earlier isn’t the reason behind this hall of fame worthy game. My superstitions won’t hear it.

I drive the ball down the field, drawing the attention of a couple defenders, but as they’ve done this entire game, they leave too much space for me to slip through. I know they’re probably thinking I’ll run it down myself, but I know my teammate Raynelle is waiting on the outskirts. All I have to do is open the channel for her.

Boom! The moment the ball hits her foot she sails it beautifully past the goalie. Raynelle slides across the grass in celebration and we all join her, hitting a push-up at the same time.

Raynelle’s goal plus my two brings our score up to three. The Westlake Redfish have let us into their heads and we’re not letting up. Their striker fights for possession with two of my teammates and though she comes out on top, she’s frazzled and her shot is no good. It strikes the woodwork and goes outside the post.

The game is coming to an end and my team is still on fire. Raynelle wins possession of the ball and flies down the field. She has the wherewithal to know her defender is right behind her, but she’s already curled the ball my way and I hit a header straight into the pocket.

A fucking hat trick. I just hit a fucking hat trick.

My teammates launch themselves at me, bringing my focus back, and I watch as Raynelle drops to her knees and flings her palms backward. Our other teammate Billie slides to her butt, pushing her legs up by Raynelle’s sides with her feet flexed. Natalie, another teammate, bends so her torso is directly above Billie’s head and her hands rest against Raynelle’s shoulders. My turn. In a swift move, I jump onto Natalie’s back, grab Raynelle’s outstretched palms, and rest my feet in Billie’s hands. We move our limbs to resemble a bicycle while the rest of our team laughs and salutes us.

Game over.

“Hi, Olivia?” Holy shit, Coach Naughton is really standing in front of me right now.