A Soccer Story, By Makaila Odoom, Part 1, WBM Original

A Soccer Story, By Makaila Odoom, Part 1, WBM Original

"Phoebe!" My best friend Oliver calls from behind me, from where I sit on my picnic blanket in the park. I spin around.

Oliver's black hair is sticking up in every direction as always, his tan skin looking rather red and sweaty. He has a ginormous grin on his face that shows his dimples. It's the kind of smile that makes you want to smile too. Oliver always has that effect on people. That's why my nickname for him is- "What's up, quokka?" I ask.

Yup, the smiling marsupial. He shakes his head, laughing. 

“That name is never going to stick, Koala,” he replies.

Koalas are my favorite animals. Oliver says l'm a lot like them too. Always sleeping or eating. I would beg to differ.

I shrug. "We'll see."

Oliver tightens his fists in excitement.

"I got on the soccer team." he exclaims. 

My jaw drops, "No way!”

He nods, "Yes way! You're looking at the newest eight grade

member of the Sunrise Middle School soccer team!"

I chuckle and give him a giant hug.

You see, soccer is one of the many things Ollie and I have in common. I’m on the girl's team, and I have been since sixth grade. Oliver wanted to try out in sixth too, bụt he had just been cured of bone cancer in his right leg a few months before. His parents said definitely no. And speaking from Oliver's POV, his parents are way too overprotective, and wouldn't let him tryout until eighth grade. And here we are.

I pull away. “Ollie, you know what I’m thinking right?” I ask, sitting back down, a giant grin also now on my face.

"No, no, no. No party," he says.

I smirk. "Yes, party! Valentina, Mari, and I will throw you the best one you've

ever been to!"

Valentina and Mari are my other best friends, We've all known each other since Kindergarten, Oliver too. Valentina’s parents are super rich and live in this crazy huge mansion. So, of course, that's always where Mari and I go for sleepovers with Val.

Oliver plops down next to me and sighs,

"I guess I have no choice, huh?” He asks with a small smile.

I shake my head.

"Alrighty. But make it at my house this time." 

I salute him. "You got it, Sergeant Quokka!" I say, which only makes him smile bigger.

The next few minutes, we just lay in on our backs in silence, taking in the view of our favorite park. The red, oranges and yellow leaves on the trees. The birds chirping, little kids running with kites. The cool breeze... a pretty perfect day, if I say so myself.

I sigh happily.

"Oh, hey, Phoebe. Oliver. Are you guys cloud gazing?"

I sit up so fast my head spins.

Valentina stands in front of us, her brown hair swooped to the side, and her pale face

looking very red.

“Uhhh, Val? Do you want my jacket? Or my scarf?" I ask, looking at her bare arms.

She shakes her head. “Nah, I'm good. Heard you made the team Oliver. Congrats!”

Oliver smiles. “Thanks, Val!”

Val glances at me and raises her eyebrow.

“Party?" she asks.

“Party.” I confirm.

Valentina gives me a look, that I can directly translate as, At your house? How about Saturday at 2?

I nod. Oliver stares at us and shakes his head. "I will never understand girls."

"Well, Mr. Oliver Julian Rodriguez Quokka Jr, maybe it's because ya aren't one," I point out, which has Valentina practically rolling on the floor laughing.

“Quokka?” she cracks up, “ A new nickname? You guys are too cute."

I have a sudden urge to slap her in the face with that comment, but I manage to resist it.

"Heh," I start, "Oh, shoot! What time is it?"

“4:52." Oliver says, looking at his watch. “You got somewhere you need to be, Koala?”

Valentina snickers. I ignore her and start gathering up my things.

“Colin is having an end of tennis season party. My mom wants me to help out, " I say rolling my eyes. 

"I'll see you guys tomorrow. Bye, Val, bye, Quokka!” I exclaim, dashing to the park exit and onto the street to my house.

Colin is my...you know what? I think everyone needs a proper introduction. Here we go!

Me: Phoebe Afia Rivers African-American girl from NYC. Born and raised. Loves

Soccer, animals, picnics, and party-planning.

Favorite food: Mac n’ cheese, baked 

Favorite animal: Koalas of course

Grade: 8th

Height: 5'5

Age: 13

Birthday: March 30

Occupation: Author athlete champion party-planer, sister, daughter, best friend, animal shelter volunteer, being super tall

Oliver: Oliver Julian Rodriguez, mom from Mexico, dad from Spain. Born in New Jersey Raised in NYC. Loves soccer, birdwatching, skateboarding, violin, and not getting

thrown parties.

Favorite food: Also Mac n' cheese

Favorite animal: Quokkas, no matter how much he denies it

Grade: 8th

Height: 5’6

Age: 13

Birthday: February 5

Occupation: Smiling, athlete slime maker, tech genius king of all smiling animals, brother, son, and the greatest best friend of all time!

Valentina: Valentina Marigold Su, Dad from Japan, mom from Kansas. Loves spas, makeovers, swimming, fashion shows, and poodles.

Favorite food: Burritos

Favorite animal: Oops, I gave it away already

Grade: 8th

Height: 5'2

Age: 13.

Birthday: May 25

Occupation: Sass queen, party-planner D.I.Y. expert, science genius, sister, daughter, bff!

Mari: Maribella Elizabeth Rainbow (yes, that is her actual name) Dad is from California, Mom is from Poland. Loves painting, piano, pickleball, paintball, pugs, parties. (I just realized those all start with P.)

Favorite food: Pizza

Favorite animal: I revealed it again...

Grade: 8th

Height: 5'4

Age: 13

Birthday: June 5

Occupation: Rug making, singing, gardening, party-planning, also an animal shelter volunteer, daughter, best friend! (Mari is an only child)

Colin: Colin Addae Rivers. My twin brother. Loves annoying me, tennis, being nice only 49% of the time, having too many parties that I have to help with, because I'm the party expert.

Favorite food! Chick peas! Ack!

Favorite animal: Rabbits

Grade: 8th

Height: 5'7

Age: 13

Birthday: March 30

Occupation: Master of pranks, boss of the annoyers, athlete, the most obnoxious person in the world, did I mention annoying?

And I know you're probably like, “He’s your twin! Aren't you guys best friends?” 

The basic answer is, NO! We are NOTHING alike.

Olive: Olive Amma Rivers. My little sis, who also has a twin. My parents definitely have their hands full. Loves puppies, kittens and anything cute.

Favorite food. Bananas

Favorite animal: Persian cats

Grade: 3rd

Height: 4'3

Age: 8

Birthday: December 15

Occupation: Artist, stuffed animal collector, 3rd grade spelling bee champion

Chloe: Chloe Afryea Rivers. My other little sis. Unlike me and Colin, Chloe and Olive always get along, they even wear matching outfits sometimes. They are the definition of twins. Loves puppies, and kittens, swimming and slip n' slides.

Favorite food: Strawberries

Favorite animal: Panda

Grade: 3rd

Height: 4'3

Age: 8

Birthday: December 15

Occupation: Baker, science experimenter, overall mess maker

Mom: Lily Sophie Rivers. My fantastic mom, who somehow manages two sets of twins and the family bookstore and bakery. Loves books, writing, talking, and baking. From Pennsylvania.

Favorite food: Pineapple pizza

Favorite animal: Red panda

Grade: None

Height: 5'4

Age: Mom age

Birthday: January 13

Occupation: Author, bookstore owner, bakery owner, baker

Dad: Carter Kofi Rivers, Loves fixing things, baking, writing, and not getting involved with twin arguments.

Favorite food: Chicken

Favorite animal: Ducks

Grade: None

Height: 5'9

Age: Dad age 

Birthday: November 26

Occupation! Bookstore owner, author, bakery owner, baker

That's right, my parents own two businesses!

I get to work sometimes, and yes I do get paid…sometimes.

Now, as I climb up my driveway and to the front door, I hear a lot of banging and yelling. I turn my key and open the door to disaster.