Love On The Court

𝕋𝕨𝕠

📅: Feb 13th, 2022
📍: community youth gym~New York, Manhattan

Toni breathes out as she makes her way over to the seats. The coach is writing down some plays for them so she gave them the go-ahead to shoot around.

Toni grabs her orange Gatorade and puts the bottle to her lips, downing the drink to quench her thirst. "Alright, ladies. Gather up!" Penelope stands up with her clipboard. "So, we're going to split into two groups. 6 on 6. Topaz team captain, Dolson team captain. Pick your girls."

Toni chooses Rebecca, Sabrina, Lorela, Michaela, and Marine. Dolson chooses Betnijah, DiDi, Sami, Jocelyn, and Han. Crystal sits out as a sub.

The women split off into their teams after coach Boltt discloses the gameplay. Toni chews on her mouthguard as her team stretches for warm-up. "Follow the plays accordingly. Two quarters and the game is 15." Penelope announces, blowing the whistle.

Toni clicks her mouth guard into place before rushing up to DiDi, guarding her. "You aren't ready for this Topaz." the woman grins.

"And how would you know that, Richards?" the brunette smirks. Richards flashes her mouth guard playfully and Toni rolls her eyes as she effortlessly knocks the ball from DiDi's hold, the ball now in her possession. "Shit!" her opposing teammate grumbles as the brunette makes a layup.

"We told you not to underestimate, Toni," Sabrina smirks causing the other women to laugh. Richards rolls her eyes playfully before getting back into the game.

Throughout the game, Cheryl enters the gym, a raven-haired woman and a dusky ginger-haired man not too far behind her. This catches Toni's attention and she gets distracted, Dolson being able to steal the ball.

"Toni!"

"Oh, come on, Topaz!" her teammates complain, Sabrina, nudging her shoulder. Toni snaps out of her daze and apologizes to her teammates, focusing back on the game.

"Crushing on the coach's daughter? Wow." Lorela teases.

"Shut up, Lor." the brunette chuckles, passing the ball to Rebecca.

"What are you two doing here? And dyl, why aren't you in school?" Penelope addresses her kids.

"Chill, mom, they canceled classes for today." Dylan divulges, leaning on his sister. Cheryl rolls her eyes and pushes him off of her, Dylan pouting in response.

"Okay, and Cheryl?" her mother raises a demanding eyebrow at her.

"Mother, I'm 21, I'm sure I can do whatever I want. But if you really wanna know, I wanted to come and watch the girls practice."

"You didn't have press today?"

"Nope. That's why V is here too." the redhead turns to look at her best friend. She rolls her eyes slightly upon seeing the Latina on her phone. The woman is never not on her phone. 

Sighing, Penelope waves them off and Cheryl squeals, kissing her mother's cheek before taking a seat by the team's chairs. Purposely, of course.

Her eyes settle on Toni, the brunette looking extra fine in her basketball attire. She sports basketball shorts, leggings, and her practice jersey, her hair in two frizzy braids. Cheryl keeps her eyes on Toni only, clapping each time the brunette scores or steals the ball.

The buzzer rings as Toni scores the final shot of the game. "16-12, you guys never had a chance." she teases.

"Whatever, Topaz." Stefanie bickers in return. The sweaty, heavy-breathing athletes make their way back to their coach, the woman allowing her team to drink their Gatorade. Toni approaches her seat, smirking when her hazel eyes settle on Cheryl. "Hi." Cheryl is the first one to speak up.