The summer solstice festival (8)

Talia moved to the center of the playing field gingerly while trying to ignore the fact that there are hundreds (or maybe thousands!) of people staring at her.

Her heart was pounding so hard that she pressed her lips into a line firmly, out of fear that her heart might escape through that cavity if she speaks.

"We don't have much time between kicks, so we need you nearby.", Keith explained when Talia reached them. "The referee said that it's fine."

Talia jolted when Pierce held her hand and she couldn't believe that he was getting on his knees.

Pierce was the first in the queue to kick the ball from the penalty mark.

"Do we need to do this here?", Talia asked Keith in an urgent whisper.

"You will be fine. I'm counting on you.", Keith said while patting her shoulder and then he jogged out of the field.

Talia looked at Keith's retreating back and she felt like crying.