She loved the feeling of the ball at her feet,
the sound of it spinning across the turf
and tapping gently against her cleat.
She loved the feeling of adrenaline rushing through her body,
a smile on her face
as the ball hit the back of the net.
She loved the feeling of the wind on her face,
her feet barely touching the turf
as she flew down the field.
She loved it,
she loved it,
she loved it.
Every little thing made her heart pound
and her eyes sparkle.
Energy coursed through her body.
When she stepped onto that field,
it all went away.
The essay due tomorrow,
and the fights with her family at home.
Gone.
The hunt for a job,
and the decision to play in college.
Gone.
Searching for herself,
and her relationship with the one true king.
Gone.
Everything that mattered blew away in the chilly wind
when she laced up her cleats and grabbed her ball.
Everything that defined her,
all the labels and the numbers and the names,
became a distant memory as she stepped into a new world
and became someone else.
Strong.
Quick.
Powerful.
Courageous.
Unstoppable.
A warrior,
in love with the game.