Can I Play?

Quint Det - the 5 AF detachments in southern California come together and compete in several different sports playing against 2 other dets (we didn't have time to play every det in every sport). The det that receives the most points wins the tournament.

About a month ago, I tried out for the flag football team (they need at least one girl on each side and on every team). I thought I was a shoe-in because 1) I'm a girl and 2) I have a couple years experience playing the game.

I didn't make the team.

WHYY~~~?

This stupid girl (not stupid. I'm kidding. I hope you're not reading this. I'm just jealous) was on her high school JV football team. That's insane. A girl on the football team. Anyway, so I wasn't able to put all the practice I did for Love Bowl (which didn't play out. I heard TKC got 2nd place. Did you guys not get 1st because you didn't cheat this time? Just kidding...bitter again) into Quint Det.

WHATEVER!

Not making the team meant free Saturdays (not like I had anything planned...but still).

The Tuesday before Quint Det (which was this past Saturday), I, along with a lot of other people (as in those who were rejected from all of the teams or didn't try out at all), scrimmaged against the football team because they needed the practice (not needed...wanted). I pulled 2 flags, and my rival didn't. That noob.

Marco - Hey Yu. You want to be a sub for Saturday just in case Palomino gets hurt?
Yu - Pfffffff. OKAY, SURE!



Saturday
I put on my cleats and was prepared to sub in. I even brought my mouth guard just in case.
"I hope I get to play today...at least for one minute." I hoped to myself.

During the first game-
I was on the sidelines cheering on the team and yelling things out. I didn't leave the coaches sight just in case they wanted me in.
Me - Hey, I hope she gets hurt so that I could play. But I hope she doesn't get hurt because that sucks.
Friend 1 - Do you want me to hurt her? I'll do it.
Me - Really? Yeah...no...no. You shouldn't. She has to get hurt on her own.

Palomino didn't get hurt. Thank goodness. But no thank goodness at the same time.


During lunch-
Friend 2 - Hey, this is the best time to hurt her. She won't know what hit her.
Me - No. you can't, you can't. Or can you...NO! No, you can't.

Friend 3 - Hey, Yu. You going to playing during the next game or what?
Me - Dawg, don't worry about it.

During the second game-
Friend 4 - You should ask him to play at least a little.
Me - No, it's okay. The deal was that if she gets hurt, I would sub in for her.
I put on my cleats again and was ready to dominate. But time was wounding down and my rival wasn't getting hurt.

I was becoming uninterested in the game and started chit chatting with one of the mothers who was watching. She had the CUUUTEST little African American baby (being politically correct is boring). All of a sudden I hear a group of people yelling my name.

"YU!"
"YUUUU!!"

They were cheering me on.

ME!?

As I was running down the sideline toward the coaches, everything was in slow motion. I saw each and every one of my friends' expressions: FINALLY!! I even saw the face of my colonel who was excited for me to play.
Was it finally my time to shine?? Will I get a chance to play?!


There were 2 minutes left in the game.
Kitt - You're in after this down.
Me - OMG I can't believe it. I GET TO PLAY?!!??

After that down, I start heading off to the field to switch with my rival.

Marco - No, come back. Palomino's alright. We thought she hurt her ankle, but she says she's okay.

...
My hopes and dreams were crushed.
My heart is hurting as I am reminiscing on this moment.


At least my wish came true.

The last competition was a relay race and Palomino was a part of that team. After she ran, she fainted. Geez. Why couldn't she have fainted before football...just kidding...no, this time I'm not kidding. Really?? She just had to get hurt on her OWN after everything was over?? By the way, I hope you're better now, Palomino.



Technically, I was part of the team. They just didn't need to use me...the secret weapon. That sounded gay coming from me. But when my friend said that to me, I felt powerful.


Oh, and because we won the tournament (yeah suck it UCLA and USC. I'm joking about the sucking it) our colonel is going to sing at a karaoke bar this Saturday. This is going to be interesting.


Oh yeah, and I don't think anyone else had his/her name chanted from the sidelines...
I guess that was the upside to all of this.