A Cup of Cold Water

 By Faith Holsten, age 15

FINALIST (ages 14-17) Writing Contest Winter/Spring 2024  

 

Ella bit her lip to keep from sighing in frustration.

Why? That one word had been continually appearing in her mind lately.

With a little huff, she turned down the school hall and made her way to her locker. Still running the rhetorical question of why over in her mind, she didn’t notice her best friend come alongside her.

“Hey, Els!”

Ella jumped, startled, her face losing its consternation for a moment. “Addy, I didn’t see you there.”

Addison gave a lighthearted laugh. “What’s up? You look all upset.” She made an angry face.

Ella smirked.

Addy playfully pushed her friend and chuckled. “Seriously though, Els,” she said, using the nickname she called Ella, “what’s up?”

Ella slowed her step and sighed. “Well…” her words faltered and Addy seemed to understand.

“You didn’t make the team?” she asked gently and Ella nodded. “I’m sorry.” She paused. “It’s okay, Els. You’ll make it next season! I know you will.”

Ella stopped abruptly in the hall and let out a frustrated sigh. “What’s the point, Addy? I tried out for the team last year. I failed. Then I was foolish enough to get my hopes up again and what happens? I fail again! Why?! Soccer just isn’t for me. I guess I’m not as good at it as I thought I was.”

Addy was opening her mouth to respond when a small group of girls brushed past them, all wearing stuck-up expressions. The leading girl turned to face Ella as they passed and gave a crass smile.

“Good job for making the team, girly,” she sneered in a sickly pleasant tone. “Or maybe not a good job. Now, maybe, you’ll know your place. A servant.” The girls around her burst into giggles. Smirks on their faces, the group of girls continued down the hall.

Ella groaned and slammed her palm into her forehead.

“Wait, you made the team?” Addy asked in confusion. “But I thought you said…”

“That was Stella, Addy,” Ella replied in an annoyed tone as she pushed forward. “You shouldn’t believe anything she says.” Addy ran to catch up.

“Okay, so you’re still not on the team,” Addy said slowly, still confused. “Wait, but she said you’d be a servant. What did she mean by that?”

“Well…” Ella stuttered. Focusing steadily onward, she tightened her grip on her backpack straps. “I guess I sort of made the team but…”

“Yes?”

“I’m gonna be,” she winced, “the water girl.”

_____

 

Addy stood leaning against the bleachers, arms crossed and knee cocked resting behind her as she watched Ella struggle to pull on a hoodie with a grunt. It was a dark blue hoodie with the soccer team’s name Conquerors written in bold white letters across the back. As Ella finished adjusting it, she looked up and met Addy’s look. Addy raised an eyebrow.

Ella held up her palms questioningly. “What?”

Addy frowned. “Ella,” she began, “you’ve been wanting to be a part of this girls’ soccer team for the last year and a half. Now you finally are. I’m expecting to see you jumping as high as the sky with happiness but instead,” she waved at her, “you’re moping about trying to get a hoodie over your head.”

Ella plopped down onto the bleachers with a sigh. “I know,” she said, fiddling with her nails, “but I wanted to be a part of the team. Not the water girl.”

Addy came and sat beside her. “Els, I—”

“No, wait,” Ella interrupted her friend. She looked her in the eye. “I know I should be grateful. I’ve been praying to get on the team and now I am. But… I really should’ve declined the position and done something else,” she muttered. “What Stella said is true. Now I’m just a servant! And why should I be serving the likes of Stella?!” She palmed her forehead and groaned.

“What I’m wondering is why are you wearing a hoodie of all things?!” Addy swiped at her forehead. “It’s hot!”

Ella glanced down at the hoody then back at Addy and rolled her eyes. “Seriously, what’s wrong with my brain today?” she laughed and pulled the hoodie off again.

Addy shook her head with a smile and patted Ella’s hand who laughed again.

“May I suggest something?” Addy asked, clearing her throat.

“I always love to hear your opinion. But about my fashion choices or my soccer dilemma?” Ella asked with a smile.

Addy laughed.

The sound of a crowd of footsteps filled the air as the Conquerors and the opposing team filtered out into the field. This was the first game of the season and the bleachers were filling up quickly.

Ella caught sight of Stella and her smile disappeared. I really shouldn’t be angry at Stella though. She is pretty good at soccer; I just don’t like the idea of serving her anything! Especially something as refreshing as cold water.

The coach blew a shrill whistle and Ella, snapping to attention, sprang to her feet. “I’ve gotta go.”

“Wait!” Addy said quickly.

“What?” Ella glanced at the field and then back at Addy.

“Just this,” Addy nodded. “What you said a moment ago, about being a servant? Just remember, Els, that Jesus wants us actually to be a servant to each other. Even He the very true Son of God washed his disciple’s feet.” She gave an understanding look, “I— I know it’s hard to be a servant…especially to someone like Stella…but remember, that’s exactly what Jesus would want us to do. And besides! You have a chance to give something to someone who really wants it. A cup of cold water to sweaty and tired soccer players.” She ended with a smile.

Ella smiled back. “You know Addy, you have a way with words, but I still—”

The piercing whistle sounded again. Ella spun around to meet an annoyed look from the coach who stood next to where the team sat on the benches. Without losing another moment, she sped off toward the benches where she began passing out water to the team.

She grabbed a cup, filled it with water, and started to walk toward a girl near the end of the bench to hand her it. Suddenly one of the players stuck out her foot and Ella, who didn’t see it, went sprawling face-first onto the ground and landed in an awkward heap. The team burst out laughing.

Ella rose to her elbows just in time to see Stella bring her foot back behind her and throw her head back in laughter.

Ooh, Stella, you are so mean! Ella clenched her fists as the anger rose in her heart. Then she looked beyond the bench and caught Addy gazing at her with a sad expression on her face. The anger in Ella quickly evaporated as she looked at her friend's compassionate countenance. She breathed a little easier. All right then. For Addy’s sake. I won’t blow up at Stella, for Addy.

“Okay, team!” Stella cried, leaping to her feet. “Let’s win this!” The team exploded in an obnoxious cheer as they followed Stella excitedly onto the field.

Ella sighed. She stood up, brushed the dirt from her elbows, then went back to the small water table and began preparing more cups of water. When enough cups were filled, she sat back and watched the soccer game.

It was a close one. Both teams were doing exceedingly well and were neck-to-neck in points. The Conquerors were ahead, but just barely. Ella couldn’t help watching Stella in wonder. She was playing marvelously well and with smooth ease.

Tensions rose and onlookers sat on the edge of their seats. This was the game point. Stella dashed for the ball but an opposing team member quickly sent it flying with a powerful kick. Ella kept her eyes on the ball as it almost scored until the goalkeeper blocked it at the last possible moment. The ball found its way back to Stella. There was a sudden opening and Stella saw it.

To Ella, the moments seemed to be passing in slow motion. If Stella scored this point, the Conquerors would win the game. If not, they would lose.

Stella snorted determinedly and, giving all the power she had, she wound up her leg to prepare for a powerful kick. All of a sudden, the ankle she was putting all her weight on slipped and the leg she was trying to kick with flew in the opposite direction, flipping her onto her back. She groaned as the ball slipped out of her reach and flew toward a player from the opposing team. The opposing team player immediately saw her chance amid the confusion and seized it.

A single, perfectly aimed kick and the ball sped toward the net. The goalkeeper’s eyes opened wide and she jumped to block the ball but was a fraction of a second late. Ella watched in disappointment as the ball struck the net and scored. The opposing soccer team burst into wild cheers.

Stella stood up and limped miserably to the benches. She looked up and the moment she saw Ella a regretful look passed over her face. Ella quickly turned away. Anger began to simmer again as she remembered all the times Stella had mocked and embarrassed her in front of others. Gritting her teeth, Ella determined she would use her position as ‘water girl’ to her advantage.

If she doesn’t apologize then I won’t give her water. A stab of guilt pierced her heart the moment the thought entered her mind.

Stella plopped down onto the benches with a groan and began rubbing her ankle. Sweat soaked her hair and back and she looked exhausted. She chanced a glance at Ella then looked away shamefully.

Ella tried to stiffen but it was almost like she couldn’t. Suddenly the words Addy had told her earlier now echoed in her ears.

Jesus wants us to be servants toward each other…now is your chance to give something to someone who really wants it. A cup of cold water to a sweaty and tired soccer player… that’s exactly what Jesus would want you to do.

Suddenly, and unexpected to Ella, compassion flooded her heart. Lord, please help me be a servant. For Your sake. I’ll serve Stella for YOU.

She reached for a cup of cold water and walked towards Stella. With a surrendering sigh and a final silent prayer, she held it out to her. Stella slowly looked up. Disbelief flew across her face.

“What are you doing?”

Ella smiled. “You look like you could use a cup of water.”

“But I thought you wouldn’t serve me water,” Stella said with a tired smirk.

“I’ll admit I didn’t want to at first,” Ella began by looking at her feet but then stood straighter, “but then I remembered something a friend told me. Jesus would do just that, so I want to, too.”

“Even though—”

“Yes, even though…well, everything.” Ella rolled her eyes playfully and laughed. She held out the cup again. “Would you like a cup of water?”

Stella paused for a moment, then a slow smile cracked her confused face. “Sure.”

“Well, I think the others do too,” Ella said jokingly as the soccer players poured in from the field, wet with weariness and sweat. Stella nodded.

Ella turned.

“Ella?” Stella plucked her sleeve and Ella turned back to face her.

“Yes?”

“Well,” Stella stammered. Then she took a breath. “Thanks, Ella. I…I appreciate it.”

“Of course,” Ella replied smiling, “And good job on the field. Even if you didn’t win, you came pretty close.”

“Thanks.” Stella nodded then went back to rubbing her sore ankle.

Ella turned and started handing out water to the thirsty soccer players, a weight lifted from her heart.

Thank you, Lord. She silently prayed. Thank you for showing me how to be a servant to others. Just then she caught Addy beaming at her from the bleachers and Ella couldn’t help the relieved grin that spread over her face. Oh, and, Lord? Thank you for Addy!

 

And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. -Matthew 10:42