(Based on true events, but embellished in some areas for my readers' enjoyment)
As a teenager, I was always pretty awkward, tall and skinny, somewhat clumsy.* I was popular and had tons of friends and partied pretty hard, but never really had much luck with girls.* I wasn't a virgin when I went to college, but my sexual experience was minimal and usually involved drunk chicks who weren't very good looking and just looking for some lovin' at the end of the party.
The one thing I did have going for me was that I was a hell of a soccer player.* I was a varsity starter all four years, All State two years, and my team won the State Championship when I was a senior.* As a result, I earned a full ride to Duke, but there was one contingency my future coach laid on me.* He said that I had a ton of potential and could realistically play professional or maybe even in the Olympics someday, but I'd have to hit the gym big time and increase my muscle mass dramatically.* He said that he was taking a big risk giving me a scholarship and that I would get my ass kicked if he put me into a Division I game in my current condition.
So, I took his advice and that summer, I stopped partying and worked out like an animal.* When I arrived on campus for preseason workouts before the semester started, Coach and a few of the guys I had met during my recruiting visits couldn't believe their eyes.* In fact, my body had changed so much that, on the first day of practice, I was forced to take a pee test to prove that I wasn't taking any illegal substances.* My piss was crystal clean - not only wasn't I taking 'roids or HGH, but I hadn't touched any alcohol or recreational drugs all summer.* I had no toxins in my body, but that was about to change...
I had heard about Eddie long before I hit campus for my freshman year.* He was from San Diego and apparently the top-ranked player in the country.* In fact, he signed his commitment letter to Duke on the day of my recruting visit, which took some of the wind out of my sails.* And, of course, he played the same position as I did.* But everyone talked about how Duke would have the top recruting class in the country if I was to join Eddie and the new goalie, who was from the Midwest.
However, I didn't actually "meet" Eddie until he knocked me unconscious.
It was our first practice, and it was supposed to be light, just designed to get us on the field and used to working with one another.* Someone hit a long ball into my area, and I only needed to take a few steps before I could settle it.* I didn't really feel the need to brace myself for any contact, so I certainly wasn't ready for the impact.
When I came to, I saw Coach standing over me, a look of concern on his face.* He looked somewhat relieved when I opened my eyes, but muttered something about "soft freshmen" and "too many concussions nowadays."* He moved aside as the trainer came into view, looking into my eyes, asking me questions about my name and what year it was.* Apparently, I answered everything correctly because they got me to my feet.* As they were helping me off the field, some long-haired blonde prettyboy strolled up and casually said, "Sorry, dude.* It was my ball."*
They say when you have a concussion, you see yellow.* When I heard those words, I saw RED and attacked, leading with my left fist.* The target of my rage managed to slightly dodge my punch, but I caught him with a glancing blow on the cheek.* I fell on top of him, but I was pulled off before I could land any significant punches.* I was embarrassed to have gotten my clock cleaned 5 minutes into our first practice, and really pissed that this guy was so aggressive, especially to a teammate.* And then he didn't even fucking apologize afterwards!
When they got us separated, Coach smirked and said, "OK Riddle, I like your passion, but that's enough.* Funny how this is how you guys meet...Riddle, this is Eddie.* You guys are gonna make great roommates."
As a teenager, I was always pretty awkward, tall and skinny, somewhat clumsy.* I was popular and had tons of friends and partied pretty hard, but never really had much luck with girls.* I wasn't a virgin when I went to college, but my sexual experience was minimal and usually involved drunk chicks who weren't very good looking and just looking for some lovin' at the end of the party.
The one thing I did have going for me was that I was a hell of a soccer player.* I was a varsity starter all four years, All State two years, and my team won the State Championship when I was a senior.* As a result, I earned a full ride to Duke, but there was one contingency my future coach laid on me.* He said that I had a ton of potential and could realistically play professional or maybe even in the Olympics someday, but I'd have to hit the gym big time and increase my muscle mass dramatically.* He said that he was taking a big risk giving me a scholarship and that I would get my ass kicked if he put me into a Division I game in my current condition.
So, I took his advice and that summer, I stopped partying and worked out like an animal.* When I arrived on campus for preseason workouts before the semester started, Coach and a few of the guys I had met during my recruiting visits couldn't believe their eyes.* In fact, my body had changed so much that, on the first day of practice, I was forced to take a pee test to prove that I wasn't taking any illegal substances.* My piss was crystal clean - not only wasn't I taking 'roids or HGH, but I hadn't touched any alcohol or recreational drugs all summer.* I had no toxins in my body, but that was about to change...
I had heard about Eddie long before I hit campus for my freshman year.* He was from San Diego and apparently the top-ranked player in the country.* In fact, he signed his commitment letter to Duke on the day of my recruting visit, which took some of the wind out of my sails.* And, of course, he played the same position as I did.* But everyone talked about how Duke would have the top recruting class in the country if I was to join Eddie and the new goalie, who was from the Midwest.
However, I didn't actually "meet" Eddie until he knocked me unconscious.
It was our first practice, and it was supposed to be light, just designed to get us on the field and used to working with one another.* Someone hit a long ball into my area, and I only needed to take a few steps before I could settle it.* I didn't really feel the need to brace myself for any contact, so I certainly wasn't ready for the impact.
When I came to, I saw Coach standing over me, a look of concern on his face.* He looked somewhat relieved when I opened my eyes, but muttered something about "soft freshmen" and "too many concussions nowadays."* He moved aside as the trainer came into view, looking into my eyes, asking me questions about my name and what year it was.* Apparently, I answered everything correctly because they got me to my feet.* As they were helping me off the field, some long-haired blonde prettyboy strolled up and casually said, "Sorry, dude.* It was my ball."*
They say when you have a concussion, you see yellow.* When I heard those words, I saw RED and attacked, leading with my left fist.* The target of my rage managed to slightly dodge my punch, but I caught him with a glancing blow on the cheek.* I fell on top of him, but I was pulled off before I could land any significant punches.* I was embarrassed to have gotten my clock cleaned 5 minutes into our first practice, and really pissed that this guy was so aggressive, especially to a teammate.* And then he didn't even fucking apologize afterwards!
When they got us separated, Coach smirked and said, "OK Riddle, I like your passion, but that's enough.* Funny how this is how you guys meet...Riddle, this is Eddie.* You guys are gonna make great roommates."