not for Truman, then in the same division. Because it’s hard to imagine Mel making many new friends. Or at least the kinds of friends she needs.
Phoebe joins everyone at the very center of the field, where a large navy circle is painted on the turf. Inside that is a smaller circle in white, and inside that is the illustrated rendering of West Essex’s school mascot. The wildcat has golden fur streaked with black and white stripes, white fangs bared around a panting red tongue. Though she knows it isn’t meant to be, Phoebe has always interpreted it as a female.
The girls sit cross-legged around that outer navy ring. The newbies, adorable in their pj’s, are beaming with anticipation. The returning players in normal clothes, looking as excited as they did the first year they made the team.
Mel steps into the center and everyone quiets.
“During tryouts, it’s every girl for herself, until Coach makes his final picks, selects the best of the best for his team. But starting tonight, it’s no longer about any one girl. Not me. Or Phoebe. Or Ali. Not about the starters or the girls who’ll mostly ride the bench. Tonight we all become Wildcats.”
* * *
Mel’s Psych-Up is a perfect blend of old and new like the players themselves. She starts, as in other years, with the Clap Clap Lap Snap name game because it’s always a good time. Next they play Two Truths and a Lie, which is another Wildcat favorite. Phoebe and Mel are always out to stump each other, like two poker players betting big on shitty cards. Ali duped the entire team this year—turns out she got a tattoo on her hip when she was visiting her brother in San Francisco this summer. Three little stars that Kearson instantly recognizes as the design on top of every page in the Harry Potter series. Phoebe read all the books at least three times each and she didn’t get it.
Next, Mel leads the girls in a new trust game called Willow in the Wind and she’s relieved when it’s a big hit. But Phoebe knows that it doesn’t matter what games the girls play. Swap out Big Ups with a Human Knot. Trust Wave with Slice ’n’ Dice. After the stress of tryouts, where any mistake could mean the difference between making the team and not, it’s a relief to do dumb shit together, where the whole point is to fall on your ass in front of your team.
That said, Mel’s pi?ata feels not just special but necessary. Cathartic.
Phoebe practically pees her pants laughing as she watches her blindfolded teammates swinging wildly with her field hockey stick.
Luci gets in the first good crack, and the girls all scream and cheer her on as she swings again and again, beating the crap out of it, landing every hit.
Finally, the number 2 pi?ata cracks open and a rainbow stream of candy pours out. The girls dive into the bounty.
It’s perfect. This night is fucking perfect. Phoebe is overcome with feelings for her team, these girls, every last one of them. Even Kearson bobblehead Wagner, which really says something.
Phoebe wants to play field hockey forever.
She hip checks Mel playfully and hands her a lollipop. Mel thanks her and dabs the tears from her eyes with her varsity jacket sleeve. Phoebe immediately tears up too. They laugh at each other.
“I told you I was going to cry,” Mel says.
“Happy tears,” Phoebe says, wiping Mel’s eyes and then her own. That’s exactly what they are. Phoebe, maybe more than anyone, knows the difference.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27
12:50 A.M.
MEL
Mel watches from the center of the circle as her teammates twist left to right, each girl lighting her sparkler, and then passing the fire onto the next, adding clouds to their electric white snowstorm.
She knows Coach will be happy tomorrow. He will see his Wildcats.
When the sparkler circle is complete, Mel takes a breath and says, “As captain, it is my belief that every girl here tonight has proven herself a worthy teammate. And so, it is now my great honor to present each of you with your varsity jersey. From this moment forward until the final whistle, we are the Wildcats. Team first, always.”
Lead by Phoebe, the girls begin singing the Wildcat fight song.
We are the Wildcats, the navy blue and white,
We are the Wildcats, always ready for a fight!
Don’t mess with the Wildcats, we won’t accept defeat,
For we are the Wildcats, and we will not be beat!
Three cheers for the