10 minutes before Alyssa’s life collapsed, a bus barreled down the road. It was filled with excited chatter, since the octopus’ had won their game. 

“Do you think we’ll be able to win the tournament?” Cadence asked, balancing a soccer ball in her hand. 

Niomi didn’t answer. She didn’t care if she won or not. As long as she got enough games in. As long as she scored goal after goal. That’s all she cared about. The other girls on the bus weren’t as passionate as Niomi. They were all obsessed with _boys, _of all things. They were 11. 

Niomi shook her head, then refocused. Soccer. That was all she cared about. Well, except for chocolate. Chocolate always came first. 

“Are you even listening?” Cadence demanded. 

Niomi turned her attention to the window, tucking her long brown hair behind her ear. Cadence stormed off, her arms crossed. She was always so dramatic. 

Niomi put her headphones in, and drowned out the world around her. She tapped her foot along with the beat, gently humming the song. Niomi would be home soon. She smiled at the thought. Her family would rush up to her, yelling how proud they were of her. Embarrassing her. Niomi chuckled, shaking her head. They might go out for ice cream afterward. No, they would go out for ice cream, knowing her family.

Niomi could almost taste the butter pecan melting in her mouth. And then she would steal a bite of her sister's triple fudge.

Then the bus came to a quick halt, lurching Niomi forward. She heard the squeals of the brakes and shouts and cries of pure terror and the soccer balls bouncing off the bus’ side and the music still playing in her headphones and everything everything everything and… 

Nothing.