I've Changed

12. damaged

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"HIGHER KNEES!" Coach Hale blares his whistle unnecessarily loud.

"Omg," Ashley flinches, covering her ears while she's at it. "There's no need to blow it that hard, old man."

I glance at her.

"Yeah, that's what I said. Pun intended." She takes pride in her double-meaning statement.

I won't lie. I was quite anxious about my assigned partner for the year.

One reason was I wanted someone that I cooperated well with. This position involves a lot of teamwork, so if we were to lack in such an important requirement, the entire team would essentially...suffer.

The players have their team bonding. The staff have their own. Then, both parties come together. Thus, it is one of the most crucial traits for us interns to acquire in order for everyone to succeed.

Considering my exhaustive rant about teamwork, another reason for my anxiety was the possibility that my partner would be Cassidy.

Actual crickets.

I was convinced that she'd be my second-in-command because there was speculation about her return. Truthfully, I hated every second of that process. Especially after the little performance she pulled at Theo's party—she did not stand a chance.

She was already on the top of my hit list, yet she managed to get herself even higher. With that in my mind, I really hoped she wasn't my partner or else she'd beat her own record. And who said she deserved that achievement either!

You should've felt the relief when I found out it was Ashley instead. She had saved my sanity, and I'd repay her the favor for the rest of my life.

"Good thing I applied to this internship." Ashley admires the half-naked team with heart eyes, as I watch her attention shift from one end of the room to the other.

The team is currently finishing up their end-of-practice drill. They jog back and forth, all sweaty and panting.

"Move! Move! Move!" Coach yells again. "My grandma runs faster than some of you. Pick it up!"

"Yummy," Ashley comments.

I laugh, "Don't you have a girlfriend?"

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I can't swing this way as well." She gestures to the meh-looking players.  "Kidding!" I'm already aware that she's joking but she proceeds to explain, "Lisa would totes admire the scene with me. I should probably take a picture while I have the chance."

"Whatever," I roll my eyes playfully, noticing the team has finished. "Help me with these." I hand over a pile of towels and water bottles. She takes them easily and helps with passing them around.

"Miller," I shift my gaze towards the benches where Coach Hale is busy rummaging through his chart. "Do you see it as well?"

All I see are worn out men. Each of them lay on their backs, catching their breaths, and muttering something about 'killing themselves'. To me, it sounds like the drills are paying off and they're one step closer to championships.

However, out of all of the exhausted men, a particular someone catches my attention. It must be a natural habit of mine, or it's more of the fact that he's radiating 'hbk' wavelengths.

"Foster?"

"Yes," Coach looks—as a matter of fact I feel him look in between me and Jae. Due to this, I tear my eyes away so he doesn't get the wrong impression. "He's had some tough practices, but I admire his determination for persevering through all of them. He's keeping up to the veterans as a rookie which is...impressive. He's a great player, Miller. The kid should not waste this potential. Alas, there's something bothering him, and it's holding him back."