How can transition drills improve your girls lacrosse team’s performance. What are the key components of effective transition play in lacrosse. Why is mastering transition crucial for success in girls lacrosse.
The Importance of Transition Drills in Girls Lacrosse
Transition play is a critical aspect of girls lacrosse that can often make the difference between winning and losing. It involves the rapid shift from defense to offense or vice versa, requiring players to quickly adapt to changing game situations. Effective transition drills help teams develop the skills and strategies needed to excel in these dynamic moments.
Why are transition drills so crucial for girls lacrosse teams?
- They improve players’ ability to react quickly to possession changes
- They enhance teamwork and communication during fast-paced situations
- They develop players’ decision-making skills under pressure
- They increase overall field awareness and game IQ
The Donovan Transition Drill: A Comprehensive Approach
One of the most effective transition drills for girls lacrosse is the Donovan Transition Drill, introduced by Rich Donovan and popularized by Jack Kaley. This drill is designed to simulate various game scenarios, from fast breaks to settled play, making it an invaluable tool for coaches and players alike.
Purpose and Benefits of the Donovan Drill
What makes the Donovan Transition Drill so effective?
- It teaches players to identify and respond to different numerical advantages and disadvantages
- It improves conditioning through continuous play
- It develops skills for both offensive and defensive transitions
- It enhances players’ ability to adapt to rapidly changing game situations
Setting Up the Donovan Drill
To set up the Donovan Transition Drill, follow these steps:
- Divide the team into two equal groups
- Position three attack players, three defensemen, and a goalie for each team within their respective box areas
- Have all midfielders report to the substitution box on their defensive half of the field
- Place the coach at the face-off X with at least a dozen balls
- Ensure each goal contains a dozen balls as well
Executing the Donovan Drill
How does the Donovan Transition Drill unfold?
- The coach initiates play by rolling a ball to a midfielder entering from the box area
- The drill begins with a 4v3 fast break scenario
- Play continues with alternating possessions, progressing through 4v4, 5v4, 5v5, 6v5, and 6v6 situations
- After a save, turnover, out-of-bounds play, or goal, the opposing team transitions to offense
Key Coaching Points for Transition Drills
To maximize the effectiveness of transition drills like the Donovan Drill, coaches should focus on the following key points:
Offensive Strategies
- Emphasize passing and cutting
- Encourage movement without the ball
- Stress the importance of creating and exploiting numerical advantages
- Reinforce fast and slow break concepts
Defensive Tactics
- Teach players to quickly identify and match up with opponents
- Develop zone defense concepts for numerical disadvantages
- Emphasize communication and cooperation among defenders
General Coaching Tips
- Rotate player positions to ensure all team members experience different roles
- Maintain a high level of energy and intensity throughout the drill
- Provide continuous feedback and encouragement to players
Enhancing Transition Defense in Girls Lacrosse
While offensive transition often receives more attention, mastering transition defense is equally crucial for success in girls lacrosse. Effective transition defense can neutralize fast breaks and create opportunities for counterattacks.
Key Principles of Transition Defense
What are the fundamental principles of transition defense in girls lacrosse?
- Quick recognition of numerical disadvantages
- Rapid communication among defenders
- Proper positioning to limit high-percentage scoring opportunities
- Forcing attackers to take low-percentage shots
Transition Defense Drills
To improve transition defense, coaches can incorporate the following drills into their practice sessions:
- 2v1 and 3v2 Scramble Drills: These drills focus on defending numerical disadvantages
- Full-Field Transition Defense: Simulates game-like situations with varying player numbers
- Clearing Under Pressure: Improves players’ ability to transition from defense to offense while under defensive pressure
Incorporating Technology in Transition Drills
Modern technology can significantly enhance the effectiveness of transition drills in girls lacrosse. Coaches can leverage various tools to analyze player performance, track progress, and provide more detailed feedback.
Video Analysis Tools
How can video analysis benefit transition drills?
- Allows coaches and players to review and analyze drill execution
- Helps identify areas for improvement in individual and team performance
- Enables comparison of drill execution to game situations
GPS Tracking and Performance Metrics
GPS tracking devices and performance metrics can provide valuable data on:
- Player movement patterns during transition drills
- Speed and acceleration in different game scenarios
- Distance covered and intensity levels throughout practice sessions
Adapting Transition Drills for Different Skill Levels
Effective transition drills should be adaptable to suit the needs of players at various skill levels, from beginners to advanced athletes. Coaches can modify drills to ensure all players are appropriately challenged and continue to develop their skills.
Modifications for Beginners
How can transition drills be adapted for beginner players?
- Simplify rules and reduce the number of players involved
- Focus on basic skills such as passing, catching, and movement
- Provide more time for decision-making and execution
- Emphasize proper technique over speed
Challenges for Advanced Players
For more experienced players, coaches can increase the difficulty of transition drills by:
- Adding defensive pressure or time constraints
- Introducing more complex scenarios and decision-making elements
- Incorporating multi-step plays and advanced strategies
- Simulating specific game situations and opponent tendencies
Measuring the Impact of Transition Drills on Game Performance
To ensure that transition drills are effectively translating to improved game performance, coaches should implement methods to measure their impact. This data-driven approach can help refine practice strategies and identify areas for further development.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
What are some important KPIs for evaluating transition play in girls lacrosse?
- Successful transition percentage (offense to defense and vice versa)
- Goals scored in transition situations
- Turnovers forced during opponent transitions
- Time taken to complete successful transitions
Game Analysis and Statistical Tracking
Coaches can use various methods to track and analyze transition performance during games:
- Video analysis of game footage
- Statistical tracking software
- Player and coach evaluations
- Comparative analysis of practice drill performance vs. game performance
By consistently measuring and evaluating the impact of transition drills on game performance, coaches can make data-driven decisions to optimize their training programs and improve their team’s overall success in girls lacrosse.
Building a Comprehensive Transition Training Program
To truly excel in transition play, girls lacrosse teams need a well-rounded training program that incorporates various drills and exercises. A comprehensive approach ensures that players develop all the necessary skills and can adapt to different game situations.
Essential Components of a Transition Training Program
What elements should be included in a comprehensive transition training program for girls lacrosse?
- Conditioning exercises to improve endurance and speed
- Skill-specific drills focusing on passing, catching, and shooting on the move
- Decision-making exercises to enhance players’ ability to read the field
- Team-based drills that simulate game-like transition scenarios
- Mental preparation techniques to help players stay focused during fast-paced transitions
Balancing Individual and Team Development
A successful transition training program should strike a balance between individual skill development and team-oriented exercises. This approach ensures that players can perform well both individually and as part of a cohesive unit during transition play.
How can coaches achieve this balance in their training programs?
- Incorporate both individual and small-group drills to focus on specific skills
- Gradually progress to full-team exercises that integrate individual skills into team strategies
- Provide opportunities for players to rotate through different positions and roles during transition drills
- Offer personalized feedback and development plans for each player while emphasizing team goals
Incorporating Transition Drills into Game Strategy
While mastering transition drills is crucial, the ultimate goal is to effectively apply these skills and strategies during actual games. Coaches must help players bridge the gap between practice and game situations to maximize the impact of their transition training.
Translating Drill Success to Game Performance
How can coaches ensure that the skills developed in transition drills translate to improved game performance?
- Regularly discuss the connection between drill scenarios and game situations
- Use video analysis to compare drill execution with game transitions
- Implement game-like conditions and pressure during practice drills
- Encourage players to identify and capitalize on transition opportunities during scrimmages and games
Developing Transition-Based Game Plans
Coaches can leverage their team’s transition skills by incorporating them into overall game strategies. This approach can create advantages and put pressure on opponents throughout the game.
What are some ways to integrate transition play into game plans?
- Design set plays that initiate quick transitions after defensive stops
- Develop offensive strategies that capitalize on fast breaks and unsettled situations
- Create defensive schemes that disrupt opponent transitions and force turnovers
- Implement substitution patterns that maximize transition opportunities
By focusing on these aspects of transition play and consistently incorporating them into practice and game strategies, girls lacrosse teams can significantly improve their overall performance and achieve greater success on the field.
Donovan Transition Drill – Coaches Insider
• By Human Kinetics
By: Jack Kaley and Rich Donovan Originally Published in: Lacrosse Essentials Provided by: Human Kinetics While attending the National Lacrosse Coaches Convention in 1984, I noted the large number of clinicians who presented on the topic of transition offense. I had lengthy conversations with two defensive coaches I have always relied on through the many years for their insights and expertise. Bob Shillinglaw (University of Delaware) and Dave Slafkosky (United States Military Academy and University of Maryland) agreed that a presentation on transition defense was long overdue. Purpose This drill teaches and highlights all settled and unsettled situations that can occur during a lacrosse game. It also is a disguised conditioning drill because of the number of times the ball goes up and down the field. The coach introduces each progression as play develops in sequence. Players learn to identify whether the numbers are even, they have an offensive advantage, or they are playing at a defensive disadvantage. Setup Divide the team into two equal groups. The teams each have three attack players, three defensemen, and a goalie on its end of the field within the box area. Player positions are the same as before the face-off in a game. All midfielders report to the substitution box on their defensive half of the field. Execution The coach rolls the ball out to a midfielder entering the field of play from the box area to begin the drill with a traditional 4v3 fast break. The opposing midfielder remains on his side of the box area ready to enter the field of play in his defensive half by moving toward the ball after a save, turnover, ball out-of-bounds, or goal. Any defensive teammate can pass the ball to the player at the box area. This creates a 4v4 opportunity going in the opposite direction. The sequence of play continues with the progression of 5v4, 5v5, 6v5, and a concluding 6v6 (see figure 12.5). Coaching Points
Once the drill is completed, the advantage rotates in the next cycle. This provides the opportunity for all players to play with and without the numbers advantage. Emphasize conditioning and playing at full speed. Role reversal is strongly suggested and can be accomplished by rotating all positions (attack, midfield, defense) in the substitution-box area and on the field of play. This also creates a high level of energy. |
I presented a transition drill at the following year’s convention in Philadelphia. While coaching at the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University, we called the drill full field transition. Jack Kaley introduced it as the Donovan drill in his practices that spring.
The coach is at the face-off X with at least a dozen balls. Each goal should also contain a dozen balls.
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Transition Drills for Defense | Lacrosse Library
These are some of our favorite practice drills and games to work on attacking and defending numbers-advantage game situations that are really what lacrosse is all about- the “2-on-1”.
We love this video of Pro and Team USA Player Mitch Belisle from the US Lacrosse Convention this past year. He talks about Defending Transition situations where your team, our team doesn’t have as many guys in the play. He really hits the nail on the head when he says, “The game of lacrosse is all about creating 2-on-1’s, and eventually a 1-on-0, which is an open shot on the Goalie.”
Recognize the numbers! It happens dozens of times every game. If your players are slow to get back on Defense, substitute off the field at the wrong time, or even just let their man get past them, closer to your own goal, you are left with fewer guys than the other team. Top college coaches spend lots of time minimizing these numbers-advantage situations.
As a coach, you can be very successful if you spend a lot of your time simply counting out the numbers that your players are involved with during games. It might be 4-on-3 Fast Breaks, 5-on-4 Slow Breaks, or it might be 3-on-2 situations that come from the sideline.
If there are penalties, it will be 6-on-5 or even 6-on-4. It’s all about the numbers!
Time favors the Defense! These unsettled, numbers-advantage situations don’t last very long in games. If your Defense can force the Offense to take extra time or make extra passes, eventually they will make a mistake, more of your players will get back on defense, or time will run out on the game or penalty clock.
Here are the most important things to teach your Defense in transition situations:
- Stopping the Ball is Job #1! Communicate which Defender is covering the “Ball!” and who is going to cover “Back!” or “Split!” the other Attackers at all times.
- Get back in the “Hole”. Play Defense “From Inside-Out”. Don’t try to take away the ball at midfield when your team is short on guys. Get back, cover the middle of the field first, then come out to challenge the ball.
- Sticks Up! Everyone on Defense needs to have their sticks up in the air to knock down passes and block passing lanes to open players.
3-on-2 from the Sideline:
This is one of our favorite summer camp drills. 3-on-2 situations are only slightly more complicated than 2-on-1’s. This drill starts with a ground ball then turns into a scoring situation.
Make sure your players communicate who is covering the “Ball!” and who is covering “Back!” to “Split!” the other two Attackers.
1-on-1 Ground Ball to 3-on-2:
We use this simple and fun variation every week. It starts with a 1-on-1 ground ball, then moves into a numbers-advantage scoring situation. Whoever wins the ground ball goes on Offense, the other player goes on Defense.
Your players must still communicate who is covering the “Ball!” and who is covering “Back!” to “Split!” the other two attackers.
3-on-2 to 4-on-3 “True North” Drill
We have seen plenty of high school teams using this as part of their pregame warm-up drills. We got this great drill from Pro Player and Coach Cam Holding, who got it from one of the best Defenders of all time- Brodie Merrill of the Hill Academy in Canada.
This is a continuous series of man-down numbers advantage situations- 3-on-2 to 4-on-3 situations, then back to 3-on-2 again. Your players will play Offense and Defense in the same rep. We run this drill all the time, and our kids love it!
The Mason-Dixon Drill
This is a lacrosse classic. Coaches have been using this drill for decades, and our kids love it. It’s very similar to the True North Drill, except your players can go all the way up to 5-on-4 and 6-on-5 if they understand how the 2-on-1’s work.
Your players will get to play Offense and Defense multiple times in the same rep with this drill! Tons of reps and tons of fun with this one.
2-on-1 Build-Up Drill
This is another one we see teams using in their pregame warm-up drills. Your players will get to go through every variation of man-down transition situations in this drill, starting from 2-on-1, all the way up to 6-on-5.
This drill is great for giving your players tons of reps covering the “Ball!” and making sure the other Defenders are “Back!” to cover the other Attackers.
Switch sides after a few times through, move the Offense to Defense and make sure all your players know how to play both sides of the ball!
The Numbers Game
This is probably our favorite practice game of all time! We use this drill at all our camps and clinics to give our players lots of experience in unsettled situations where they learn “how to play” the game, instead of learning plays.
Coach throws out a ball and calls a number. Whatever number he calls, the Defense sends one less player, so you are always working on random man-down numbers-advantage game situations. Our kids love playing the numbers game any day at pratice!
Let us know if you see improvement in your Defense after using any of these unsettled situation drills at your practice!
Athletics – Essex North Shore
Essex Tech offers student-athletes the opportunity to participate in 27 varsity sports (sub-university levels vary by sport) as an MIAA member.
We believe that education through sport can be an extremely valuable tool for shaping the whole student as part of our alumni profile.
Through competition, teamwork and perseverance, Essex Tech student-athletes can learn valuable life lessons that will help them in their future careers, from college to work.
Fall Sports Registration Information
Summer Strength and Conditioning: Monday 26 June – Thursday 10 August.
Registration Essex Tech Athletics
All fall sports registrations are now open!
Football start date: Friday 18 August 2023
Start date for all autumn sports: Monday 21 August 2023
Autumn sports offered in Essex Tech:
| cheers | University and SP |
| Cross country boys and girls | University |
| University and SP | |
| football | University, SP and freshman |
| Golf | University and SP |
| Boys football | University and SP |
| Girls football | University & JV |
| Girls Volleyball | University, JV & Freshman |
HOW TO REGISTER FOR ESSEX TECH ATHLETICS :
Essex Tech Athletics will now use referee registration/family ID for everyone registrations.
This link can be found here: Essex Tech Athletics Registration
- User fee must be paid during the online registration process;
- Online registration must be completed and submitted;
- A current medical examination (for the last 13 months) will need to be uploaded during the enrollment process.
Payment Methods for FREE or REDUCED Athletic Fees:
If a student-athlete is approved for a free or reduced lunch, they are automatically eligible for free or reduced ($50) sports nutrition fees. Parents/Guardians must sign and return the “Sharing Information with Other Programs” form. This will allow administration to communicate the status of your son or daughter’s lunch at the Athletics so that waivers can be approved. This form can be found in the Sports Office, Associate Principal’s Office, or in the Families tab at Essex Tech. Web site.
Payment:
- During registration, in the “Participant” section of the process, there will be an option “Discount Code”.
- The Free code must be entered in the discount code field if your student-athlete has been approved for Free Lunch and this information has been shared with the Athletic Department.
- The Discount Code must be entered in the discount code field if your student-athlete has been approved for lunch discount and this information has been shared with the Athletic Department.
- ** All registrants must pay full payment to register with Athletics. If a discount code is associated with a registration, the Sports Department will make the appropriate adjustments and refund money as soon as the information is confirmed.**
Arbiter Sports Technical Support: [email protected]; 1-800-311-4060
Fall Tryouts and Training Schedule
Joy:
- Tryouts – Tuesday, June 13th – Thursday, June 15th.
- 5:30-7:00
- Alumni Gym @ Essex Tech
- Practice – the beginning of the autumn season
- Monday 21 August – Friday 25 August 2023
- Alumni Gym @ Essex Tech
- 3:00 – 5:30pm
Cross Country – (boys and girls)
- Monday 21 August – Friday 25 August 2023
- Danvers Rail Trail (26 Hobart Street, Danvers, Massachusetts)
- 4:00 – 5:15pm
- Monday 28 August and Tuesday 29 August 2023
- Choate Farm (401 Locust Street, Danvers, Massachusetts)
- 4:00 – 5:15pm
Field hockey
- Monday 21 August – Friday 25 August 2023
- Essex Tech Stadium (Turf)
- 12:00pm – 2:00pm
football
- Handout: (changing rooms in the stadium)
- Thursday, August 17, 2023
- 9:00 am – 10th, 11th and 12th grades
- 10:00 am – Grade 9
- Thursday, August 17, 2023
- Practice – Friday 18 August and Saturday 19 August 2023
- Essex Tech Stadium (Turf)
- 9:00 am – 11:00 am
- Training Schedule Week 1
- Monday 21 August – Friday 25 August 2023
- Essex Tech Stadium (Turf)
- 3:00 – 5:30pm
- Football calendar 2023
Golf
- Monday, August 21
- Paradise Family Golf Course (Middleton, MA)
- 8:00 a. m. – 10:30 a.m.
- Monday, August 21
- Reedy Meadow Golf Course
- 12:00 to complete 9 holes.
m. – 10:30 a.m.Boys Football
- Monday 21 August – Friday 25 August 2023
- Essex Tech Stadium (Turf)
- 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Girls Football
- Monday 21 August – Friday 25 August 2023
- Essex Tech Stadium (Turf)
- 8:00 – 12:00 (depending on class)
- Women’s football schedule
Girls’ volleyball
- Monday 21 August – Friday 25 August 2023
- Essex Tech Main Gym
- Volleyball Trial Schedule – Week 1 – 2023
Sports Offered
Meet the Athletics Department
Mr. Michael Murphy
Athletics, Wellness and Medical Coordinator
[email protected]
Ms. Donna Cabral
Administrative Assistant for athletics and transport
DCabral@essextech.
net
Read online Our Frontiers by Julie Days – Litres
Prologue
Fall River,
7 years ago 9031 9
The heart was beating a frantic somersault, which caused a furious pulse even in the temples. The legs themselves rushed to the car, not paying attention to the audience, who watched the unfolding picture with interest and apprehension. The guy’s thoughts have long been entangled in a ball that neither he nor anyone else can unravel.
“Why did I even come here. Why did I meet him. Why was he seduced by a provocation?” arose in the guy’s head, and was immediately replaced by another question: “Will she forgive me?”.
Pulling the handle of the car, which surprisingly did not break from the force that was applied to it, the young man jumped into the car and quickly started the engine, which at the same moment growled.
The boy took a breath to calm down. The only thing that will help him now is prudence.
He can, in a fit of emotions, say too much, do something that he will regret and further down the list.
“You already did what you did. It won’t get worse, believe me” , – the conscience creaked in my head.
Out of anger at himself, the guy slammed his palms on the steering wheel, pushing himself away from the idea of hitting that bastard who ruined everything. He caught himself thinking that he would gut the crap out of him if Alicia didn’t forgive him. Her eyes, at that moment, reflected disappointment, which contributed to the cessation of his actions. And he will remember this look for the rest of his life.
Having unscrewed the steering wheel, he drove onto the road, looking for a yellow car with his eyes. She couldn’t go far. Alicia had poor driving skills, and when they left somewhere, he always sat behind the wheel. Thanks to this, now it was not difficult for him to notice a familiar car.
He pressed the gas pedal and rushed after Alicia at full speed.
He liked these cats and mice, because he knew exactly what was waiting for them when he caught up with her. He had an anticipatory smile on his face.
At that moment, another car overtook him, becoming the only barrier between him and Alicia. Fury in the young man’s chest gurgled, accompanied by ill-fated pictures in his head.
He reached for the phone and dialed her number.
Horn. Horn. Horn.
At this time, Alicia turned her tear-stained eyes to the phone, on the screen of which the name of the cause of her tears was displayed. She looked at the phone for a long time, thinking whether to take the call.
In an instant, he heard the sound of broken glass and the squeal of car tires, which fell silent as quickly as they sounded. Frightened, looking at the road, he saw how the yellow car, or rather, the remains of it – blazed with fire.
Chapter 1
Princeton
Our days.
From early childhood I was told that nothing is impossible, but how can you say this to a person whose hands are shackled by family customs, traditions and deeds?! Bullshit, nothing is impossible for someone who is relaxed, living life, guided by his own choice, and this is not about me.
Even a thousand miles away, my parents manage to keep me on a leash, like a dog desperately trying to chew through this line that stretches from the neck to the arms of its owners. But somewhere I manage to pull the leash out of their hands, and then I come off to the fullest, allowing myself much more, something perhaps a girl whose family line is partly adjacent to the “blue blood”.
We are not part of a royal family that lives in a palace, where on the table on your left side are a pair of forks of different sizes, on your right side there is a knife and two spoons, right there is a dessert fork and a spoon. Plus, on the right side are three glasses, a cup and a saucer, and opposite them – another plate with a knife and a napkin. No, this is not about us, but these rules of etiquette have been known to me since the time I was transplanted from a highchair to the royal throne in the form of a chair at the table. My parents from some third or fourth cousin decided that we were part of the family in the palace and were obliged to follow all the rules of such a life.
Of course, I fundamentally disagree with them, but who will ask me? It is a duty, not a choice.
Thanks to my parents’ connections, I could enter any university in America and Europe. But, without thinking twice, I chose the very place on the map where the “royal” nose of my parents would definitely not stick, and thanks for that. Their disappointed faces make me vomit and dream at night, so getting rid of at least their appearance is already happiness. But, unfortunately, from their influence, as I believe, I will not be able to get rid of even in a coffin.
I bet my ass is already blue from the many hours of driving from the airport to the university building. And, finally, Princeton, unfamiliar to me, appeared on the horizon, for which I am extremely glad. Yes, I am glad for everything that will save me from my parents, and then for four whole years, which is absolutely amazing.
Chauffeur Joshua, who drove me as a child and accompanied me on planes, rolled down the window separating the passenger side of the car from the driver’s side.
The man smiled at me through the mirror. And it was definitely not the smile that others send to our family. It was that sincere, disinterested smile that made my bravado fall and smile back.
– Almost arrived. The only thing left to do is to find a parking space, which I’m afraid will not be so easy, considering how many students study here.
Turning my head in different directions, I also noticed that there are a lot of cars here, which means that my faithful Joshua will be looking for a parking space for eternity. I leaned back in my chair, wondering how soon I could take a hot shower and get into a warm bed. After the trip, this is the only thing I need.
Eventually Joshua did find a place, and I was lucky enough to get out of the car into the fresh air and warm up, because now I was resilient like a tree.
At that moment, a heavy man with greasy hair and the most disgusting look jumped out of nowhere to me. No, it’s not about facial features. It’s more of a concern for me.
But the smile that he sent me, the look of his eyes, disgustingly sliding over me, forced my inner “I” to attach it with something heavy, without even waiting for words from him.
Running a puffy, callused hand through his hair, tucking it back even further, he exposed his tobacco-stained teeth.
Hello Miss Melton, my name is Ethan Harris. We are honored to have you here.
I won’t even ask him how he knows me: everything is so obvious.
– Good evening, Mr. Harris.
The man quickly glanced at his watch and looked at me with an even bigger sugary smile.
– You are right. It’s just evening now. May I walk you to your dorm room? he asked, but something tells me it was just a formality. And I was absolutely right.
Without waiting for my answer, which would have been negative, Harris clasped his hands behind his back and took an important step towards a tall building near the university.
– Do you escort all new students to their rooms? I asked, laughing frankly.
Harris’s lips curved into a nervous smile, but immediately returned to their original position.
Annoyed by my direct question, he rubbed his neck and waved to Joshua, who had been following us all this time, holding the suitcases with my things.
– Third floor, room 1703B. The woman at the entrance will help you,” Joshua nodded and walked off in the indicated direction, leaving us alone.
Mr. Harris turned to me without a false smile or a sugary look.
– No, not everyone, Grace. You know your worth in society even without me, so why was this question?
– Here is your true face, Mr. Harris – we are familiar with this Don Juan without five minutes, but he no longer inspires the slightest confidence in me. He will definitely not be the person to whom I turn for help even with a banal schedule.
Wrinkling his nose as if he smelled a fetid smell, Harris rocked on his heels, continuing to drill me with a hard look.
– You have nothing to worry about, I assure you.
For me, your achievements in sports matter, and nothing more.
– What are you getting at?
The man sighed in annoyance. Let him think I’m stupid than he thinks he can influence me. I just got rid of the constant attention and onslaught of my parents, and I don’t need a new guide.
“We’re adults, Grace,” he hissed through gritted teeth, looking around as if there were bugs somewhere out to watch us, “our women’s football team leaves a lot to be desired.” And, no doubt, seeing your person in the list of candidates, I have high hopes for you. And I really hope that you will justify them.
From his statement, the blood in the veins began to seethe with renewed vigor.
I love American football. It’s the only thing that helps me deal with my anger control issues. In sports, you do not need to follow movements, words, emotions. At least in sports, I can let you do what I think is necessary, unlike life, where the maximum that I can do on my own is breathe.
I guess that’s why I did so well in American football when I was a teenage girl in high school. Although I can assure you that most of my rivals from other schools were twice my size, or even three times. Therefore, to call this sports period in my life a child, I can’t turn my tongue. It was a real mess: my hands were broken twice, I got a concussion a couple of times, and endlessly I lay at home, overlaid with ice, due to the numerous bruises. But even injuries will not be able to diminish my sympathy for the sport. That is why Harris’ proposal, which sounded more like a statement, pleased me much more than it should.
“Here we are,” the man announced, pulling me back from my own thoughts as we reached the room. He was already moving towards the stairs to go down, but he stopped abruptly – I hope that you will think carefully about what I have told you and make the right choice. See you soon, Miss Melton.
With these words he disappeared.
Standing and looking at his back while he disappears from my sight, I did not see the point, especially when this man becomes disgusting to me with every word he says.
I opened the door of the room Harris had led me to and entered. But I did not have time to examine the room, being distracted by a really loud squeal next to my ear.
“Don’t yell.” I tried to cover my ears to block out the girl’s scream, but that didn’t help much.
Indignantly, this banshee opened and closed her mouth, greedily gasping for air, unable to say anything.
– Am I still screaming? Who the hell are you? She clenched her hands into fists and pressed them to her hips.
In the darkness of the room, I couldn’t even see her face. Only the light of the sun, which is about to disappear over the horizon, helped me to see at least the size of this beast. As if she heard my thoughts, the girl walked past me to the other side of the room and turned on the light, the flash of which immediately blinded me. When my eyes got used to the lighting, I was able to see my interlocutor.
Her black hair fell in large curls from her shoulders, her hazel eyes looked at me angrily, later quickly darted, and the girl’s expression became confused.
Just at this moment, I looked around the room: white, red and blue balloons were hung all over the room; the stars, attached by a thread to the ceiling, developed in a light draft coming from the window.
Just as the girl opened her mouth to say something this time, the phone in my jeans pocket rang. A picture of me and Alan popped up on the screen, where I jokingly kissed him on the cheek while he ate a hamburger.
– You were supposed to arrive two hours ago, Grace. Where is your ass? – I heard from the tube and behind me. I don’t know where in my life I have sinned so, but, by a magnificent coincidence, Alan stood in the doorway and looked at me with his mouth open.
Big honey eyes sparkled with joy, and his lips moved into a welcoming smile. Letting out a joyful cry, I rushed to my best friend with hugs, after which I patted his noticeably grown hair.
– Joshua was looking for a parking space for a long time. They urgently need to expand the territory not for educational buildings, but for parking spaces, – I smiled, pulling my hair, the color of dark chocolate, – a little more, and we can make you dreadlocks, or I will train on you in weaving braids .
– Then on the first day, you will leave me bald, in that case, we will postpone the idea of dreadlocks for the distant future, and go buy me a wig, – Alan chuckled with his warm smile, – you ruined my surprise. It was necessary to endure until a trickle ran from the ears.
There was a soft cough from behind. The girl clearly hinted that we were not alone here. Pulling away from my friend, I turned my face towards the stranger, who folded her arms under her chest, looking at us with some curiosity.
Due to the fact that Alan or I can hug each other at any moment – we are often mistaken for lovers, but this is an erroneous judgment. We are just friends and nothing more. We’ve known each other all our lives, and it was him who helped me pack my bags in London a week ago, grumbling about how much I have and why I need them in another country. His idea with a new wardrobe, which you can pick up here – I cut off right away. Chickens don’t peck money from my parents, but I’m not eager to take them, otherwise I’ll tie myself to the house even more, so they will follow every pound, more precisely, a cent in my wallet, and I’m already on a short leash.
“Miss,” Joshua’s voice came from behind Alan. Turning my head now to my driver, I lowered my eyes to the four suitcases next to him.
“Thank you, Joshua,” I smiled, “you can leave them here.
Pointing to a free place near the wall on the right hand, after which she turned to the girl, but my gaze quickly moved behind her back, or rather, to what was standing there – the bed. There are two beds in the room parallel to each other, which confused me, and not only me. Squintingly, I noticed that Joshua drew his eyebrows together on the bridge of his nose, looking in the direction where I was looking.
“Miss,” my best man began, “Mr. Melton was very clear when he said you had a single room. I’ll clarify now,” he nodded, and took a step towards the door.
“No,” came out of my mouth sharply, and my eyes widened to orbital size as I turned to Joshua. – I beg you, it’s not necessary. I didn’t want to live alone. Please,” I almost begged, looking at the surprised Joshua, “don’t tell them.
“Miss, but your father and mother, they…” he spoke.
“They won’t recognize,” I interrupted him in mid-sentence, “we’ll say that Alan helped me carry the suitcases, and I let you go. I ask… Joshua…
The man’s face flashed with regret: he understands me perfectly, and it even seems to me that he is the only person besides Alan who knows what I live by. Bypassing the request of my parents, they settled me not alone, but with a girl, albeit a noisy and rather strange one, but even I am glad for her, it’s still better than living alone. If this is not a gift of fate, then what is?
After building the face I always used to beg for chocolate from Alan, I tried it one last time:
– They won’t know, you don’t have to worry about it. Just please, this is very important to me.
– I think, by being careful, we can avoid punishment for this initiative. But, if suddenly something goes wrong…
“I will take care of everything, I swear,” I nodded vigorously.
Joshua’s smile, without which he is not him, flickered across his face. I already know that he will agree, but just in case, I look at him with a plea to finish him off.
“Okay, but we’re doing this at your own risk,” Jonas breathed out in defeat. “Good studies, Miss Melton and Mr. Jonas. Goodbye.
“Thank you, Joshua,” Alan and I answered at the same time, and the man left.
I was bursting with joy knowing that I would not live alone in a separate block, like a sick person, a danger to society. The certainty that parents will not find out about this mistake of the university, of course, is not one hundred percent. But I do not need a guarantee that everything will go as it should. Right now I just need to pry Alan for information about what’s going on here.
– How long ago did you arrive? Why didn’t you tell me? – as soon as I prepared to attack him with my questions, he immediately interrupted me with his own, – so that you understand, I have been sitting since morning and decorating the room for your arrival.
Yes, I even bought your favorite fucking pumpkin juice, which, if anything, is hard to find.
“Well, actually, you didn’t do everything yourself, dear,” the girl raised her voice, attracting our attention, “I also helped you. And for the most part, I did it all.
Very interesting. That is, my best friend, who arrived in Princeton a week before me, has already acquired a crush. And, funny, made me decorate a room for me that she doesn’t even know. Now I won’t be surprised if she really turns out to be my neighbor.
“Thank you, Sam,” Alan puffed out his lips in an offended tone. Yes, he was handed over red-handed. With terrible remorse in his eyes, he looked at me, not distracted by the giggles of the banshee.
– I really tried, but you know that this small work is not for my hands. Moreover, I am a man. Anyway, I rushed here to meet you and congratulate you properly on the fulfillment of the American dream. Yes, I even made a poster. I did it, not myself! – he pointed to a piece of paper over a free bed with photos and the words “Welcome to American place, baby” – but on the way here, Mr.
Harris stopped me and started saying something about a new coach who will be arriving to us any day . Imagine, I will have to be responsible for bringing him up to date. Yes, I’m a newbie myself.
I don’t know how we turned from the surprise moment to Harris and the new coach, but on behalf of the bastard rector, I got a little goosebumps and vomit.
Coughing into her fist, the banshee made us look at her again. She seems to be rather annoyed that she has to make us notice her existence.
– My name is actually Samantha. We’re kind of like neighbors now. To be honest, this is also a big shock for me, but don’t be upset, it’s more fun together, right? Samantha smiled reassuringly.
– So you also had to live alone?
“No,” she waved her hand, “they were going to put me up with a friend, but at the last moment a Mexican girl was put in with her, and I was sent here.
So it was only me that my parents tried to isolate from other students. It doesn’t even surprise me, there were worse things: my mother transferred me to homeschooling because the school refused to give me a single desk, and my father once kicked my friends out of the house, after telling them that they were not even worthy to breathe the same air as me, and we, for a moment, were only nine years old.
They always put themselves above the rest, and accordingly did the same to me, which was unbearably lousy.
“Okay,” I smiled, turning my attention back to my friend, who was about to beat his chest with his fists, that he made a poster and even hung it up. But something tells me that Samantha helped him here too. Alan would not have managed alone, most likely, now two fragments, the so-called poster, could develop in a light draft. But I don’t care, he tried so hard, and I appreciate it, as well as him.
Alan was always held in high esteem and his face topped the list of the best students in the school. But many are deeply mistaken when they give him the position of a nerd or a good boy, this is absolutely not the case. My friend manages everywhere, and sometimes I seriously wonder if he sold his soul to the devil. He’s handsome, smart, as friendly as can be. Alan will drop everything and rush on the first plane at the first call, even if you spilled milk on a new blouse.
He is funny and funny, his humor is easily understood by everyone. And besides, my best friend is an athlete, which definitely makes him stand out from the crowd. For these small reasons, Alan even has his own fan club. I am not kidding. Of course, it is not he who leads it, but there are more than two hundred girls. A friend just cried with laughter when I found a similar creation on Facebook and showed it to him. Of course, Alan was pleased, but this kind of infatuation in the form of a guy they only see on the cover of a magazine in the form of a school newspaper causes him an embarrassed and funny reaction. Then he shook his head and said that these were baby gadgets: they would outgrow and calm down. Well, I can say that Alan’s fan club is still up and running because sometimes, I secretly follow him.
I have no doubt that every detail was written in his letter of recommendation for the university, even the fact that he bought whiteboard markers because the old ones ceased to exist at the most inopportune moment.
If you write and collect all the little things that Alan did, you can wrap the entire Princeton University several times. And now I’m sure without a doubt that the best – he will be here. On the first day he was noticed by a nasty rector, although my friend had not even been to the lecture yet. To introduce a person to the course was entrusted to a person who himself is not in the know. It’s hilarious, but even with that, Alan can certainly handle it.
– Tell me, do you always notice no one around when you are together? Samantha asked, which made me laugh softly as I looked at Alan, whose eyes were also gleaming mischievously. She is definitely right. We don’t need anyone, we understand each other well.
– Don’t talk nonsense, Sam, we just haven’t seen each other, – Alan smiled politely, looking at my new neighbor, – but in general, I see that it’s time for me to go, because Grace now reminds me of Pinocchio.
“By the way,” I said quite loudly, which won the attention of two people, “I’m Grace.
“I already understood, and Alan has been talking your name all day like I’m a Dory fish who won’t remember anything after three seconds,” Samantha smiled.
“Hey,” said the friend, laughing, “I just wanted everything to be perfect.
“Everything is very perfect, Alan,” I smiled, reaching out my hand to his hair and running it in the opposite direction. Alan hates it, so he immediately began to twist and straighten his tangled curls – thank you. And I really want to fall on the bed and not move, even the floor – now it will seem to me like a water mattress.
– Then, see you tomorrow? Alan lifted the corners of his lips, looking from Samantha to me. Does he not like her for an hour?
– Of course, – I immediately nodded, and accepted the hugs of my friend, who, as a sign of revenge, quickly moved his fist on the top of my head, thus magnetizing my hair, and I already hated this, so I broke free from his grip and showed my tongue, – to me still need a shower.
