Sport Tournaments : Part 6

The semifinal match had just ended, and 12-A had defeated 11-C on penalties, 3-1. On the shore, as the town’s waves crashed against the rocks, Pınar, Beste, and Zeynep huddled around a boulder, whispering.

Pınar tossed her hair back, pursed her lips, and said with a sharp edge of irritation, “Did you guys see that? The second the match ended, Yiğit ran straight to Gizem. They were practically glued to each other—disgusting!” She threw her hands up dramatically and rolled her eyes.

Beste giggled, crossing her arms. “Are you serious, Pınar? The new girl hasn’t even been here for two weeks, and she already snagged Yiğit,” she said mockingly. “She just sits in the stands like a princess, cheering, and Yiğit follows her around like an idiot. Does she think she’s someone special just because she plays the drums?” She flipped her hair, smirking at the waves. “Everyone in the cafeteria is talking about her—it’s annoying.”

Zeynep nodded while fiddling with her phone. “Yeah, she’s way too comfortable,” she said, raising an eyebrow at Pınar. “I heard yesterday that Yiğit gave her his medal. She’s shameless! How did they even get that close so fast? Pınar, you’ve been Yiğit’s best friend for years. The audacity!” She shoved her phone into her pocket. “We need to do something. This can’t go on.”

Pınar pressed her lips together. “It’s getting on my nerves,” she said, her voice low but sharp. “I should be the one standing next to Yiğit like that, but now she’s everywhere with him. I have a plan.” She snapped her fingers, her eyes gleaming. “Tomorrow, in class, we’ll suggest having a dinner party if we win the final match. Everyone will agree, and during the party, we’ll humiliate Gizem.”

Beste squinted, grinning. “What do you mean? Are we going to spill something on her?” she asked, a devilish excitement in her voice.

Pınar nodded. “Yep, we’ll ‘accidentally’ drop pizza and soda on her,” she said, making air quotes with her fingers. “We’ll make it look like an accident—no one will suspect a thing.”

Zeynep burst out laughing. “Oh my God, just thinking about it is hilarious! Her clothes will be ruined, everyone will laugh, and even Yiğit won’t be able to say anything,” she said, covering her mouth as she giggled, eyes squinting with amusement.

Pınar crossed her arms. “She deserves it,” she said firmly. “She needs to pay the price for getting so close to Yiğit. I’ll keep an eye on everything during the party tomorrow—be ready.” The three of them exchanged looks, giggling as they walked away from the shore, the waves foaming gently behind them.

When Gizem woke up the next morning, sunlight filled her room. She wrote in her journal: Day 28: Yesterday, after the match with Yiğit… Every moment I spend with him warms me inside. I think I like him. Today is the final—I hope they win. She put on a gray sweater and jeans, tied her hair up, and headed to school. The courtyard had a festival-like atmosphere, with students waving banners for the final match.

During class that morning, Pınar stood up in the middle of the room, flipping her hair. “Guys, I have an idea,” she said, her voice overly cheerful. “If we win the final match, let’s have a dinner party in the classroom! Pizza, soda, music—sounds great, right?” The class erupted in applause. “That’s an awesome idea!” voices chimed in.

Yiğit and Gizem exchanged glances, smiling. “We’re in,” Yiğit said, and Gizem nodded, their mutual attraction growing through small gestures.

That evening, the gym was packed. In the final, 12-A faced 12-B. In the locker room, Yiğit, Mert, Emre, Kaan, Can, Okan, Baran, and Ali gathered. Yiğit gave an inspiring pep talk. Everything was set for the final match. The game began.

2nd minute: 12-B attacked from the left, Okan tried to stop the winger, but the ball was crossed into the penalty area—Kaan headed it away.

5th minute: Yiğit took possession at midfield. “Mert, run!” he shouted, passing the ball. Mert dribbled forward and took a shot—the goalkeeper deflected it. The crowd groaned, “Ah!”

8th minute: 12-B launched a counterattack. Their striker dribbled forward, Kaan slid in but missed—the ball reached the penalty area. Can rushed out and punched it away.

12th minute: Emre surged down the right and crossed to Yiğit, who volleyed—off the post! 12-B’s defense cleared the ball.

14th minute: 12-B won a free kick. The shot deflected off the wall, their player took another shot—Can stretched out and saved it. The first half ended 0-0, tension rising in the stands.

The second half started fast.

16th minute: Mert stole the ball at midfield. “Okan, go!” he shouted. Okan sprinted down the left, received the pass, dribbled, and shot—the goalkeeper barely tipped it away.

18th minute: 12-B won a corner kick. The ball was sent into the box, their center-back jumped and headed it—Can saved it off the goal line. The crowd held their breath.

20th minute: Yiğit dribbled past two defenders, entered the box, and shot—off the post again! Mert ran in to finish, but the goalkeeper grabbed it.

23rd minute: 12-B counterattacked, their striker got past Kaan and faced Can one-on-one—Can slid in and cleared the ball. The crowd chanted, “Can!”

27th minute: Yiğit won a free kick. He stepped up and struck it hard—the ball curled over the wall, into the top corner! Goal: 1-0. The crowd went wild. Gizem clapped excitedly, and Yiğit waved at her.

29th minute: 12-B pushed for an equalizer, crossed from the left, their player shot—goal: 1-1. The match ended 1-1, leading to a single 10-minute overtime period.

2nd minute of overtime: Mert stole the ball at midfield. “Okan, take it!” he shouted. Okan crossed from the left, Yiğit jumped and headed it—goalkeeper saved it!

4th minute: 12-B attacked, their striker shot—off the post! The crowd gasped.

6th minute: Yiğit dribbled forward. “Mert, run!” he passed, Mert entered the penalty area, dribbled past a defender, shot hard—goal: 2-1!

In the final minute, 12-B took a last shot—Can punched it away. The match ended 2-1. 12-A were the champions! The crowd chanted, “12-A!”

At the center of the field, the trophy and medals were ready. The physical education teacher took the microphone.

“The champions of the festival football tournament: 12-A!” he announced.

Yiğit and his team received their medals one by one, Mert lifted the trophy into the air, and the crowd cheered. Yiğit looked at Gizem, kissed his medal, and grinned. Gizem smiled back and waved. The team took a victory lap on the field as confetti filled the air.

After the match, Yiğit approached Gizem. “We won,” he said, breathless. “Everything feels easier when you’re in the stands.”

Gizem smiled. “I’m proud of you,” she said. Their hands brushed lightly against each other, deepening their bond.

In the classroom, the party preparations began. The desks were pushed together, pizzas, sodas, and chips arrived, and music played from the speakers. In the corner, Pınar, Beste, and Zeynep whispered among themselves.

“It’s time to humiliate Gizem,” Pınar said.

Beste smirked. “The plate and soda are ready.”

Zeynep added, “It’ll look like an accident, and she won’t be able to do anything.”

Gizem was at the head of the table, chatting with Yiğit and Beyza. Yiğit offered her some chips, and they laughed together. She had no idea what was coming.

Around noon, Pınar approached Gizem, holding a plate of pizza and a soda. Just as she passed by, she suddenly gasped.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed, “accidentally” dropping the plate—pizza and soda splattered all over Gizem. Her gray sweater was covered in grease stains, her jeans soaked. The room fell silent as everyone turned to look. Pınar covered her mouth and giggled.

“Oh my, I’m so clumsy! Sorry about that!” she said, but her eyes gleamed with malice.

Beste burst into laughter. “Gizem, you look disgusting! What even is this? You smell like a trash can!” she mocked, clapping her hands.

Zeynep smirked. “Is this how the ‘princess of the stands’ looks? You’re filthy! Did you forget how to take a shower?” she added, pinching her nose. The three of them laughed, while whispers spread across the room.

Gizem froze, her face burning red. Her hands trembled. Without saying a word, she grabbed her bag and rushed out, slamming the door behind her.

Beyza was furious. “That was disgusting, Pınar! What a pathetic prank!” she shouted.

Yiğit narrowed his eyes. “What are you trying to do?” he asked, his voice cold and sharp, but he didn’t wait for an answer. He ran after Gizem. Seeing him leave, Beyza decided not to follow.

Some of the students turned to Pınar.

“That was too much. You’re awful,” someone muttered.

But Pınar shrugged. “Oh, come on. It was just a joke,” she said, still laughing with Beste and Zeynep.

Yiğit rushed through the hallway and found Gizem in the back garden of the school, sitting under the trees, her head buried in her knees, silently crying.

“Gizem…” he said, crouching beside her.

She turned away. “I don’t want to talk,” she mumbled, her voice shaking. “I know Pınar did this because I got close to you.” Tears filled her eyes as she traced lines in the dirt with her finger, avoiding his gaze.

Yiğit took a deep breath and sat beside her. “I don’t care about them,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “Every moment I spend with you… I like you, Gizem. At first, I was just curious, but now… Every time I see you, I feel warm inside. Nothing they do will change that.”

He reached out and took her hand, holding it tightly. Gizem lifted her head, staring at him in surprise, her eyes still wet but now shining with a glimmer of hope.

Yiğit leaned in. “I want to be with you,” he whispered. He moved closer, his lips brushing against hers in a short, heartfelt kiss. Under the shadows of the trees, the world fell silent.