Lily Lo and the Wonton Maker by Frances Lee Hall

Author:Frances Lee Hall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inkshares
Published: 2018-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Not Today

THE JELLYFISH CONGRATULATED the Leopard Sharks on their win.

“Okay, team, that score today was awesome!” Coach said. “We all played our part and rallied. Good job!” She high-fived each Shark and gave Rosana an extra-firm slap. If Rosana could have, she would’ve floated up to the clouds to let more sunshine in.

Lily smashed her cleats into the ground. The regrets started piling up. Her ball should’ve scored. Her pass to Rosana should’ve been steady. They’d scored the winning point, thanks to Ro, and she should be happy. But something didn’t feel right at all. Somehow, this was all Gung Gung’s fault.

“However.” Coach held up her finger. All the Sharks stood at attention. “Since we’re still a little rough around the edges, we’ll need one more practice before …” she prompted.

“The Big Match!” Lily’s teammates cheered and then slapped one another’s palms, but she kept her hands to herself.

“Stay hydrated. See you at the practice. No scrimmage, just drills. We’ll work on our focus, too.” Coach raised her eyebrow at Lily.

Lily could’ve used the shark hat just then. To hide under.

“We’re going for bubble tea to celebrate,” Rosana said. “Bunch of us are going. See you there!” She ran to the bleachers before Lily could answer. She must’ve been too excited about her goal.

Someone bumped Lily’s shoulder. A bump that could only belong to one annoyed and annoying keeper.

“So much for your grampy’s hat,” Deb said.

“Leave my grandpa alone.” Lily squared her shoulders toward Deb.

“You call that wobbly ball playing?” Deb said.

“Better than letting points in!” Lily shouted.

“As if you could do better!”

“Maybe I could! Your mom said I’d make a better keeper than you.”

“What? You? No way.” Deb’s confidence appeared to shrink.

“Time out!” Coach stood between them. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say two of my best players wanted to be cut from the team. One Shark down, and it’s total chaos! Don’t get me started with two Sharks down.”

Deb folded her arms and glared at Lily.

Lily glared back.

“Okay, troops,” Coach said, pointing to the field. “Three laps around the field.”

“What?” Lily cried.

“Mom!” Deb said.

“And ten push-ups,” Coach said. “Go! Move! Wait, Lil.”

Lily held back.

“What did I say about keeping things between us? Deb has her faults, but she’s dedicated to the game. She doesn’t need comments like that,” Coach said.

“Sorry,” Lily groaned, feeling anything but sorry.

“I know there’s a focused team player in here somewhere.” Coach patted Lily’s head. “She’s been on vacation lately. Yep, she must be in Hawaii or the Poconos.”

“The what-a-whats?” Lily said.

Coach faced Lily, her hands on her shoulders. “I’d love it if she came home.”

As Deb circled around the track, she watched them talking, the scowl on her face getting deeper.

After they finished their laps and push-ups, Coach dismissed them with a wave of her hand, magic-wand-like, as if hoping to turn them back into soccer players. “Go forth and stay hydrated, Big Match-style.”

The bleachers were pretty much empty. Everyone must be at the bubble tea shop already.

And there was Gung Gung, sitting on his cushion.

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