Double Time

  About the Book

  DID SOMEONE PRESS FAST FORWARD?

  Ellyse is bursting with excitement – she’s been invited to try out for a new youth soccer academy along with her friends Hu and Jamie. Could this be the start of something big? Fingers crossed!

  But that’s not the only thing. Cricket season has started up again and there’s both school and club competitions to play. Certain that she can do it all, Ellyse won’t slow down. That is, until she finds herself in danger of disappointing everyone around her. Man, growing up sucks sometimes!

  Will Ellyse finally have to choose between cricket and soccer?

  Contents

  Cover

  About the Book

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Ellyse Perry: My World

  Copyright Notice

  Also in the Series

  Ellyse paused in the doorway of the classroom. Busy chatter filled the air while the teacher wrote on the board. She’d chosen debating again, instead of golf or tennis. Now she was wishing she hadn’t. Her feet felt twitchy, as if they wanted to be outside running or jumping or kicking.

  Someone nudged her in the back. It was Hu. ‘Hey, you came back. Thought you were going off to climb Mount Everest.’

  ‘Pfft,’ Ellyse said. ‘You know your debating team would totally suck without me.’

  Hu laughed. ‘Yeah, right.’

  ‘Come on, girls,’ Ms Wheatley called. ‘Sit down so we can get started.’

  Ellyse and Hu headed for two desks at the back, and Mia waved at them both, mouthing a hello.

  ‘Great news,’ Ms Wheatley said. ‘In a few weeks we’re going to have a real debate against the Year Nine team.’

  Ellyse made a face. Yep, I should’ve picked golf.

  Mia put up her hand. ‘Do you mean the whole class is going to be in the team?’

  ‘No, I’ll choose three students,’ Ms Wheatley said. ‘We’ll find out the topic by the next class, and we’ll brainstorm and practise, and then I’ll announce our team.’ She beamed. ‘The principal is keen for the whole school to watch.’

  ‘Oh no,’ Ellyse groaned. ‘Leave me out, then.’

  Ms Wheatley frowned. ‘Everyone will be considered. Now, let’s do some instant topic responses.’

  While the teacher handed out topics on small pieces of paper, Hu whispered to Ellyse. ‘Did you know the Aztecs Football Club were starting a youth academy and girls can try out?’

  Ellyse nodded. ‘Ms Beattie gave me a flyer a little while ago. Did she give you one too?’

  ‘Yes. My dad had a fit and said I couldn’t apply.’ Hu crinkled her nose. ‘The weird thing was, my mum talked him around. She told him I’d thrown out all my dolls four years ago, and girls are just as important as boys.’

  ‘You threw out your dolls?’ Ellyse smothered a giggle as Ms Wheatley glared at them.

  ‘They were annoying me, sitting around looking pretty and doing nothing.’

  This time Ellyse couldn’t stop her giggles from spurting out.

  ‘Enough chat, girls,’ Ms Wheatley snapped. ‘What are your topics?’

  Ellyse and Hu unfolded their pieces of paper. ‘Homework should be banned,’ Hu read aloud.

  ‘Every household should be limited to one car,’ said Ellyse. She looked up. ‘But I’d never get to all my sports training, then.’

  Ms Wheatley held up a plastic disc with FOR on one side and AGAINST on the other. ‘Don’t forget: you won’t know which side to argue until you flip the disc.’

  As everyone started making notes, Ellyse whispered to Hu, ‘So have you heard anything about your application to the Aztecs?’

  ‘No. You?’

  ‘No.’ Ellyse saw Ms Wheatley glare at them again and thought she’d better stop talking and pay attention. The teacher was liable to pick her first.

  It seemed like weeks since Dad had posted her application to attend trials at the Aztecs’ home ground. She’d almost given up believing she had a chance. But at least I know Hu hasn’t heard back either.

  After class she and Hu stowed away their books, collected their lunches and went to meet Charlie. As Ellyse ran down the steps, a voice called out to her.

  ‘Hey, Ellyse! I’ve been looking for you.’

  Ellyse turned to find Maddy Dawson smiling at her. Maddy was a famous cricketer and NSW selector who’d started coaching the Callinan XI last season. Ellyse’s heart leapt. I hope this means she’s coaching us again! ‘Hi,’ she said. ‘Are you here for cricket?’

  ‘I am indeed.’ Maddy patted Ellyse’s shoulder. ‘Got your bowling arm ready?’

  ‘Sort of. Dad and I did some batting and bowling in the nets last weekend.’ It had felt a bit strange to be back in pads and holding a bat after several months of touch footy and soccer.

  ‘We’ll begin training next week,’ Maddy said. ‘I’m really keen to have two teams this season, so it’d be great if you could talk to all your classmates about joining.’ She glanced at Hu. ‘You’d like to play cricket, wouldn’t you?’

  Hu hesitated. ‘Er … I don’t know.’

  ‘I can ask them,’ Ellyse said. ‘Is the training at lunchtime?’

  ‘Yes, each week we’ll have one lunchtime session and another after school,’ Maddy said. ‘Most of the games will be after school too.’ She looked at Ellyse’s face. ‘Is that a problem?’

  ‘No, it’s fine,’ Ellyse said quickly. Especially if the Aztecs trial goes nowhere.

  ‘Good. I’ll be putting notices up all around the school, so keep an eye out for the starting day and time.’

  As Maddy left, Ellyse and Hu joined Charlie by the fountain. ‘Cricket starts next week,’ Ellyse told Charlie.

  ‘Mmm,’ Charlie said. ‘That’ll make you happy.’

  ‘You could play too,’ Ellyse said.

  ‘No thanks, not if I have to play with the Year Elevens and Twelves.’ She grimaced. ‘Jazz says they’re really snobby in rehearsals and order her around.’

  Jazz had won a role in the school’s upcoming production of Cats, but she was only in the chorus. Still, she was at rehearsals three lunchtimes a week.

  ‘That’s not fair,’ Ellyse said. ‘But the cricket girls aren’t like that. Besides, Maddy wants two teams, so maybe she’s thinking the Second XI will be for us younger ones.’

  ‘Yeah, but you’re so good that you’ll definitely be in the Firsts.’

  ‘Will you have time to play?’ Hu asked. ‘What if you get in –’

  ‘It’ll be fine,’ Ellyse jumped in.

  Charlie held up her bright pink lunch box. ‘Come on, let’s eat and then check out the new gym.’

  ‘Ooh, yes!’ Ellyse grinned. The school had renovated a big storeroom and turned it into a gym with treadmills and weights and exercise machines. It had just opened and Ellyse couldn’t wait to try it out. She and her dad had been talking for a while about the possibility of doing weights training to increase her strength and fitness.

  The three girls walked across the quadrangle to find a spot to eat their lunch. When Charlie went to fill her water bottle, Ellyse explained to Hu the reason for cutting her off earlier. ‘I haven’t told anyone about the Aztecs.’

  ‘Why not?’ Hu asked.

  ‘I’m not sure.’ Ellyse sighed. ‘Maybe I don’t want to jinx myself. But also … some of my friends think I’m weird for playing sport all the time. If they knew about the Aztecs …’

  ‘Then they’d know you
were weird?’ Hu giggled, and Ellyse punched her lightly on the arm.

  ‘Thanks a lot!’

  Charlie came back and gulped down half her bottle of water. ‘I was so thirsty. Maybe I’m really a camel.’ When Hu raised her eyebrows, Charlie added, ‘They’re supposed to store water in their hump, aren’t they?’

  Hu pretended to check Charlie’s back for a hump and they all burst out laughing. After eating, they ventured into the gym and gazed around at the equipment.

  Hu pointed to one machine with a seat in among what looked like metal arms and legs. ‘What the heck do you do with that one?’

  Ms Beattie popped up from behind a rack of weights. ‘Aha! My favourite soccer players. Would you like to try it out?’

  ‘It might strangle me,’ Hu said.

  ‘Not at all,’ Ms Beattie said. ‘It’s one that works on your arms and shoulders. Come on, Ellyse, want to be the guinea pig?’

  ‘Awesome!’ She sat on the seat and waited while Ms Beattie adjusted the weights to the lightest setting, then listened intently to her instructions. Soon she was pulling the top parts in to her chest and out again, and then lifting the bottom padded bar with her feet.

  ‘There you go,’ Ms Beattie said. ‘Now, I’d like to say come and use the gym whenever you want, but you’re only allowed in here with me or a trainer. We don’t want you getting carried away and injuring yourselves.’ Ms Beattie caught the disappointment on Ellyse’s face. ‘Don’t worry, the trainer starts next week. Talk to your parents about signing the permission form and then you’ll be able to come in.’

  Ellyse sighed with relief. ‘Great. I will.’

  The bell rang and, as they were leaving, Ms Beattie called Ellyse back. ‘Did you apply to the Aztecs?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes, but I haven’t heard anything.’

  ‘Uh-huh.’ Ms Beattie winked. ‘A little birdie told me you might hear very soon.’

  Ellyse stared at her, a grin spreading across her face. Does she mean what I think she means?

  All the way to her fifth-period class, hope and excitement bubbled inside her. Until she realised that Ms Beattie hadn’t said one word about the Aztecs to Hu, and then the excitement fizzled right away.

  When Ellyse got home from school, the first thing she did was run to check her emails, but there was nothing there.

  ‘Expecting something?’ Dad asked.

  Ellyse flopped into an armchair. ‘Ms Beattie said I might get some news soon about the Aztecs.’

  ‘It does seem to be taking a while,’ Dad said. ‘How’s school going?’

  Ellyse told him about Maddy Dawson coming back for cricket, and the gym and the permission slip and how Hu had applied for the Aztecs too. Just as she finished, the computer pinged.

  ‘That’ll be more spam,’ Ellyse said, but she went to check anyway. As soon as she opened the email and saw the Aztecs logo, she stopped breathing. What if … The words of the email blurred and she had to blink hard to read it.

  Invitation to trials at Aztec Park … wear suitable boots and plain polo shirt … you are required to bring a parent or … be ready to start by 10 am.

  She let out her breath in a big rush. ‘I got in, I got in!’

  Dad smiled. ‘That’s fantastic! But remember, it’s just the trials.’

  ‘Yes, I know …’ Ellyse could already see herself in the Aztecs colours, running onto the field. Then Dad’s words sank in. He was right. These were just trials. A couple of hundred kids would probably be there, and they might only take fifteen. But she’d been playing soccer all season, as well as touch, and she was fit and ready. I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. ‘I wonder if Hu got an email too,’ she said.

  ‘It’s very likely,’ Dad replied. ‘I imagine they’d be keen to try out as many good players as possible.’ He laughed at Ellyse’s grimace. ‘You’ve got a strong chance, little one, don’t worry.’

  She didn’t know whether to text Hu or not. What if Hu didn’t get an email? I hope she does. We can cheer each other on. Just as she decided to wait until school the next day, her phone pinged with a text and it was from Hu. It was a picture of her waving an Aztec flag and the words: Did you?

  Ellyse quickly texted back: Yes!

  She was so happy that Hu would be trialling too. For a moment, she wished her best friends were going as well, but Charlie had played in the rep team with her for touch, and Jazz was in the musical. We all have things we’re good at. Still, it’d be one more thing that Charlie and Jazz wouldn’t be doing with her. It sure wasn’t like primary school anymore, when they did every single thing together.

  As she helped to set the table for dinner, Mum said, ‘Remember how we talked about the time commitment if you get into the Academy program. It’ll be wonderful if you are chosen, but you might have to give up something else.’

  ‘Yes, Mum.’ Ellyse also remembered how behind she had got in her schoolwork last term. If I ruled the world, she thought, I’d make sure each sport was on at different times so I could fit them all in. And there’d be no homework!

  It was great to share her and Hu’s news at school the next day with Charlie, Jazz and the others, and with Ms Beattie. ‘Brilliant!’ Ms Beattie said. ‘I bet you both get chosen.’

  ‘I hope so,’ Ellyse said.

  But some unexpected news was waiting for her when she got to cricket training that afternoon with her club team, the Hoppers. Jamie was high-fiving half-a-dozen teammates when she turned up. He ran up to her with a huge grin on his face. ‘Guess what?’ he asked.

  Ellyse’s chest tightened. ‘You’re going to the trials for the Aztecs Academy?’

  His jaw dropped. ‘How did you know? Wait … are you going too?’

  ‘Yep!’ She tried to squash the feeling and gave him a big high five. They talked about what it might be like for a few minutes, but all the while Ellyse was conscious of the weird feeling in her chest. Am I jealous? Am I worried Jamie will beat me for a place? That’s just silly. She and Jamie had always been good mates, playing together every season in soccer and cricket since Year Four. In the end she decided it was nerves. Jamie was a really good player, and she’d have to match up to him. Well, it’s a good challenge, she told herself.

  After the warm-up, Bob put some of them in the nets and others on catching and throwing. Ellyse bowled for a while, her feet gradually finding the rhythm of her run-up in sync with her arm action. Then she batted, enjoying the smack as she hit the ball into the netting. By the time Bob set them up for a short practice game, she was totally focused on cricket and the Aztecs trials had faded from her mind.

  ‘Good session, Hoppers,’ Bob called as they began packing up. ‘See you next week. Don’t forget the season starts in two weeks with a friendly game.’

  Ellyse packed her bat and gloves into her cricket bag and thought of her touch footy medal hanging above her bed. Wow, Hoppers cricket in just two weeks. And interschool cricket will be soon. Plus training. And maybe, just maybe, the Aztecs. It could have felt overwhelming, but instead she patted her cricket bat and smiled. She couldn’t wait for the fun to begin!

  Callinan cricket training began the very next week and, to Ellyse’s joy, Charlie had decided to join the team. Maddy and Ms Beattie had done such a great job of recruiting that there were definitely enough girls for two teams, with some to spare.

  ‘You can give me lots of tips, right?’ Charlie said to Ellyse. ‘Just don’t make me the wicketkeeper.’

  ‘It’s not up to me,’ Ellyse replied with a grin. ‘Weren’t you a slow spin bowler at primary school?’

  Charlie groaned. ‘That’s ’cause I couldn’t run fast and bowl at the same time. I like the short run-up and the gentle, curly balls.’

  After watching her at training, Ellyse knew Charlie was joking. Charlie was left-handed and had a real knack for finger-spin deliveries, although she wasn’t very accurate yet and sometimes her balls missed the pitch altogether.

  Ellyse was also training hard with the Hoppers. Sudden
ly, the Aztecs Academy trials arrived almost before Ellyse had time to worry about it. Everything else was pushed aside as she got ready for the trials. She cleaned her boots – including the studs – and spent hours with Dad at the park during the week. They’d kicked, tackled, blocked and dribbled until Ellyse felt as if her legs might fall off. Mum had even bought her a new gold polo shirt for luck.

  The day before, Dad had said, ‘Rest day – or else! You’ll be too tired to play well.’

  So she’d sat with her family in the lounge room, barely hearing or seeing the TV, holding on to her soccer ball like a talisman.

  Dad drove to the trials, with Mum in the passenger seat, and Ellyse stared out the window, holding the soccer ball so tightly that her arms ached. She put it down, took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Play your best. Listen to what they tell you. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t get selected. But it felt as though it would be the end of the world.

  ‘We’re here,’ Dad announced.

  Ellyse opened her eyes and, after a deep breath, scrambled out of the car and walked with them to the home ground. A woman checked her name against a list and asked Dad to sign another form. Ellyse stared around at the other kids. Golly, there are thousands of them! All different coloured shirts, some with fluorescent boots and laces, some laughing together, some standing alone looking nervous.

  Ellyse spotted Hu and waved madly, and Hu and her father came over. ‘Wow, where did all these kids come from?’ Hu asked. ‘I thought we were the only ones mad enough to try out.’

  ‘I feel like I should give up and go home now,’ Ellyse said. She nudged Hu. ‘But I won’t. And neither will you.’

  ‘No way,’ Hu said. ‘You know, there are a lot of girls here. Heaps more than I expected. Do you think they’ll have a girls’ team?’ She leaned in close so her dad couldn’t hear. ‘Or will we be competing with the boys for a place?’ Hu’s dad still didn’t want her playing in a mixed team, even though she trained all the time with her older brothers.