Read Online Going Wild by Lisa McMann - Free Book Online Page A

halfbacks and sweeper reversed directions and started charging after her. Seconds later, she closed in on the goal box. The fullbacks thundered toward her, and before Charlie realized what was happening, Kelly’s blond braid was swinging in her face.
    Charlie ducked and slid around the astonished girl. She tipped the ball out of Kelly’s reach, then recovered and sprinted with all her remaining power toward it. A circle of red jerseys closed in around her. With a giant leap, Charlie reached the ball and slammed her foot into it. It soared over Kelly’s head at bullet speed. The goalie dived. Her fingers nicked the ball and it flew up, skimmed the bottom side of the goalpost, and bounced into the net.
    The blue team cheered. The flabbergasted red team stared. Charlie stared too, breathing hard, almost unable to believe she’d scored a goal. Then she caught Kelly staring intensely at her, and she wasn’t smiling. Charlie stopped short, a little shocked by the glare, then decided to ignore it. She turned around, pumped her fist in the air, and started jogging back to her position.
    â€œNice one, Chuck,” Maria said as she passed her. “Girl friend can run like the wind! How’d you do that?”

    Charlie grinned. She wasn’t sure how she’d done it, and she also wasn’t sure she could do it again. “Beginner’s luck,” she said.But for the moment she felt invincible. The sluggishness was gone, and her confidence was back. Things were looking up.
    The game continued, with Charlie feeling stronger than she’d ever felt. After a few more plays Charlie’s teammates began passing the ball to her, and it wasn’t long before Charlie was being pursued down the field once more, leaving everybody in her dust except a few teammates who began to anticipate her moves. She passed the ball to Bree as she came sprinting up toward the goal, and the blue team scored again, Charlie taking the assist.
    When opposing team members chased after her, Charlie felt a spike of adrenaline—she could play forever! Maybe it was the crisp air, or the different climate, or the fact that Charlie wanted it so badly, she wasn’t sure which, but she hoped the feeling would stay.
    But the third time Charlie broke away with the ball and raced for the goal, Kelly was ready and waiting, wearing a look that said she was going to get possession no matter what it took.
    Charlie didn’t see the look. She barely saw Kelly, who came charging toward her. Instead Charlie dodged and wove through the layers of defense. As she maneuvered, Kelly drew near, pulled her leg back, and let it fly. Charlie quickly nudged the ball to a teammate, but with sickening speed, Kelly’s foot smashed into Charlie’s leg, just above her shin guard. Their bodies collided. The impact rattled Charlie’s teeth, and searing pain shot through her. With a horrible scream, Charlie collapsed onto the field.

CHAPTER 11
A Strange Turn of Events
    â€œF oul!” Coach yelled, and came running over.
    Kelly slowly got to her feet and staggered over to Charlie. “Are you okay?” she asked.
    Charlie writhed on the ground clutching her leg. Pain blinded her. She couldn’t breathe, and she felt like she was going to throw up.
    Maria rushed to Charlie’s side as Kelly melted into the background to walk off her own injuries. Coach knelt down in the grass and examined Charlie. The other players crowded around.
    â€œMy leg,” Charlie gasped.
    â€œBack up, everybody, please,” Coach said, carefully removing Charlie’s shin guard and pushing down her sock. She looked at Charlie. “Any other pain besides your leg?”
    Charlie shook her head. “No,” she whispered. “I’m okay.”
    â€œDid you black out or hit your head?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œStomach pain?”
    â€œA little queasy when I look at my leg.”
    â€œYeah, it’s swelling up fast,