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____________________________________ Charlie walks forward walking into the empty gym. Streamers and balloons sit on the court. Left over reminders of the game and the party that followed. When the team one people were setting off confetti poppers, and a bunch of balloons were let out from a bag in the ceiling.
As she walks partially down the court, kicking a balloon away from her, she sees a stray basketball rolling down the court. The ball bumps into her converse covered feet.
She laughs, looking around, seeing no one, and decides to play the game.
Grabbing the ball off of the ground, she dribbles it as she walks towards the point of the court, or as James calls it "the top of the key". Looking up at the backboard, seeing the red square that sits on top of the hoop.
Charlie squares her shoulders and shoots the ball, seeing it bounce off the rim, once and twice. Then swish.
Laughing to herself, proud she made it. As she walks forward towards the ball, wanting to grab it and shoot the ball as she waits, she hears someone clapping.
She turns around towards where she heard the clapping, she sees no one, but an empty gym. But she hears the clapping coming from a dark corner. She continues walking towards the ball, grasping it in her hands. She quickly turns around and throws the ball into that corner. She waits patiently for the ball to bounce off the wall, but it doesn't. All she gets is a sound of the ball hitting someone's hands.
"Took ya long enough"
_________________________________________
James walks out of the corner, seeing Charlie standing there with her blinding smile on her face like normal. James laughs at her comment, walking towards her as he throws the ball back into her hands, "you know coach, he never stops talking."
She laughs as she looks away from him, bouncing the ball as she walks towards the basket. "Oh yeah, Camden never stops complaining about him and his little speeches." James takes a few steps towards her, standing in front of her as she stands at the top of the court. "But you're his favorite player, so you could leave whenever you wanted"
He shrugs, not disagreeing with her but not fully agreeing. "No, that would be the other Hale, Derek." He raises his hands at her, motioning for her to toss the ball towards him.
The only response he gets back is a laugh. The normal but beautiful laugh that Charlie saves for her friends and family. It was a specific laugh, it was that kind of laugh that would and could make anyone laugh, it was contagious. It was full of humor and sarcasm, something that was perfectly Charlie.
