Early morning games were never any of the girls’ specialties. Not even close.

The sun hadn’t even fully risen when the Yellowjackets piled out of the van in various states of barely-awake. Hoodies on backwards, socks mismatched, half-empty water bottles clutched like lifelines.

Lottie yawned so hard her eyes watered. “I had a dream I was still sleeping. And then I woke up to this nightmare.”

Natalie snorted, pulling a beanie low over her bedhead. “It’s not a nightmare, it’s just soccer. At hell o’clock in the morning.”

Jackie marched ahead of them, ponytail already perfect. “Let’s keep the complaints to a minimum, yeah? Focus.”

“She’s right,” Taissa said, cool and clear as ever, though she was cradling a thermos like a sacred object. “This team is running on fumes and muscle memory right now.”

“God provides strength when we are weak,” Laura Lee whispered with absolute sincerity, doing a tiny cross over her chest as she stepped onto the frosty grass.

Shauna blinked at the field, arms crossed tightly over her Yellowjackets sweatshirt. “This place looks haunted.”

“Or cursed,” Van muttered. “Either way, definitely not regulation size.”

“That goal’s leaning,” Misty chimed in cheerfully, clipboard in hand. She was somehow already ten steps ahead, fresh-faced, and inexplicably peppy. “And I brought fruit snacks. For morale!”

“Do they have caffeine?” Natalie asked without hope.

“No,” Misty said. “But I also brought extra shin guards. Two girls on the other team are wearing metal studs. I already filed a report with the ref.”

Jackie blinked. “You already what?”

“Pre-game safety check!” Misty said proudly.

Coach Martinez jogged up just in time to cut off further questioning. “Alright, girls. I know it’s early, but wake up your legs. Two laps, then dynamic stretches.”

A round of groans echoed across the dew-covered field.

Natalie jogged beside Taissa, still rubbing her eyes. “Wanna just fake a twisted ankle and go get breakfast?”

“Absolutely not.”

“…but like… hypothetically?”

Shauna jogged silently beside Jackie, their breath puffing in the cold air. “You think we’ll win?”

Jackie glanced at her. “We always win.”

Shauna cracked a small smile. “Yeah. Just checking.”

Lottie, jogging backwards, looked up at the sky. “The sunrise is kinda pretty, though. Maybe that’s a good omen?”

“Or maybe it’s just the sky, and we’re all half-dreaming,” Van said, passing her.

Laura Lee called from behind them. “God made the sky! And this team!"

The Yellowjackets were awake now.

Just in time.