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Sun rays peeked through the curtains, casting a faint yellow glow on my bed. Ring! I was jolted awake by the shrill ringing of my alarm clock. I opened one eye, still not fully awake and slammed the “snooze” button. I got out of bed and stumbled across my room to the kitchen. I groggily grabbed a bowl and ate cereal. As usual I was home alone. My mum and dad always left for work before I was awake and returned after I had slept. “Ugh. Why did I have to stay up all night really.” I muttered, rubbing my tired eyes. Then I quickly made my way to school.

“Can all Secondary Two football players meet me at the back of the hall?” Ms hall announced. I eagerly got up and dashed to the back with my friend Alice. This had to be good! “So for the first match of the year we’re playing against Cedar girls school” Ms hall said. This is not good! All the colour from my face drained and my cheery disposition faded. All the footballers dispersed except me and Alice. “It’s okay. Let’s just go.” Alice said, a trace of sadness obvious in her voice. She tugged at my arm and we walked back to class.

Alice and I were in the same primary school. There was this other girl in our class. Alice and I were best friends since the first day of school. We were always the more popular ones. Olivia was my sworn enemy! She could not the fact in stand that I was smarter than her. She used to bully me everyday. I hated her so much. We were neighbours. So even when I went Raffles’ Girls school and she went Cedar’s Girl school. I still saw her. She was in the football team in her school. So naturally one day we were bound to play against each other. And that day had come. Raffles versus Cedar. Who will win?!

“Alex- Alex.” my teacher shouted, snapping me out of my trance. “I said class dismissed! Do you want to stay here all day?” she shouted. My cheeks burning red, I quickly exited the classroom while Alice was waiting for me. “Come on we have practice right now! I know you don’t want to go against Alice but we don’t have a choice. We have to win this if you want her to have the last laugh!

Alice said, tapping her foot impatiently. Alice and I quickly bolted to the field. During practice, I could hardly focus all I could think about was the looming Thursday- like it was a bookmarked page. After practice when we were walking home Alice pulled me out and said, “Alex! It does not matter! Just focus. We will win. But only if you try hard and focus.” Over the next week, I tried really hard and practice. I was fueled by frustration and determination to win. I practised day and night. On the day of the competition I was more than ready.

“Here you go Alex!” Olivia said, handing me a paper flower. “What’s this for?” I said. “It’s a consolation prize! When we win!” Olivia said and walked away. I shot her a scathing look as I crushed the flower and threw it. “Pipi!” The whistle to signify the start of the game rang. Olivia and I locked eyes. I ran over and dribbled the ball. I was at the perfect position to score. I glanced at Olivia then without the crowd wasting another second, scored. My team erupted into resounding cheers. Suddenly Olivia ran over and pushed me. It was no gentle push. I flew over and landed with a thump. I screamed in agony. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Olivia smirk. “Fiiiiii!?” The referee blew his whistle and took out a red card. Olivia slumped and dejected me, walked to the bench looking sad though she was sorely pleased. I just lay there moaning in pain.

“Can you play on?” the coach asked. I looked at my team’s large pleading eyes and Olivia’s menacing grin. I nodded the motto. I bore the pain in my leg and stood. My team cheered. My team played on determinedly.

“Beep!” The whistle signalling the end of the game rang. I pumped my fist into the air. “And Raffles Girls’ wins with a score of six to four!” the referee announced. Our team jumped up and down with pure joy. But no one was happier than me. I limped to Olivia and gave her the crushed flower. “Here consolation prize!” I said looking her straight in the eye. She did not say anything. My mission was a success! Olivia had had the last laugh.

That match was an important one. I had learnt the importance of determination. No matter how hard it is, you can always win if you put in the effort. This competition would definitely be the most meaningful one I would ever take part in.