My Life in Rosewood

Chapter Eleven

When I walk out through the doors of the gymnasium from having PE as my last class of the day I plan on going to Aria's to check on her. The other girls got a head start because I got held up by my basketball coach to talk about the upcoming season and me being captain for the first time. It was a nice chat, he gave good advice and helped me know that I can handle it. Not only is he my Biology teacher and has been my coach since last year, but he also used to be my babysitter from the ages of 5-9 during his years of high school. So it's always like talking to a friend. He is just as hyped as I am for this season and for me to dip my feet into being in charge of the team. He knows I have it in me to be a great leader. Other than me being one of the last girls on the team that is in my junior year of high school, I'm also one of the best three point shooters. I had the most shots last year and made a lot of progress throughout the year on hitting my layups since I'm shorter than the average height of a basketball star. He had no hesitation to give me the position, but he didn't make that call for being bias since we are old friends. So he had the upcoming team from last school year decide based on the upcoming juniors who should be team leader.

I hear my name being called behind me as I get down the hallway and turn my head towards the voice to notice that Noel is running after me. He's weaving around the last minute people still hanging in the hallway, one of them being a girl from the swim team with Emily named Paige McCullers. Paige's head turned to me when Noel said my name, her bob-cut brown hair swishing when it does and I see her hand shoot up into a wave. I smile and wave back at her, being friendly from us both playing sports and having a couple classes together. From what I can tell she's a nice girl, but I always get this vibe that she's a little too competitive when it comes to Emily and it doesn't sit too well with me.

Now I'm aware that Noel is getting closer when my attention is back on his speedy body running over towards me. I'm guessing he was last out of the locker room like I was. He usually has football practice but today because of the dance all of our coaches for sports gave everyone the day off.

I fix my backpack onto my shoulder and wait for him to catch up, smiling at my guy best friend. "Hey, Noel."

He smiles back and hugs me, "Hey. I saw you with Coach Brooks, what was that about?"

I hug back and then pull away, heading to the door where the stairs are to head upstairs to my locker. "Was just talking about basketball season. Now that I'm captain he wants me to be prepared for a big adjustment."

He laughs and nods, "He's not wrong. It is a lot of work."

"Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Captain of every sport he plays." I say sarcastically with a smirk.

He gives me a playful nudge and shakes his head, "Shut it, Brant."

I laugh and shove him back, now climbing the steps. "Who are you going to Homecoming with by the way?"

He shrugs, "Abby Stewart." His voice seems a little bored as he says it, "She plays soccer."

I raise an eyebrow, "You don't sound thrilled about it."

He laughs and waves a hand, "Well there's really only one girl I wanted to ask, but she has a boyfriend. Don't want to mess with that."

I raise an eyebrow slowly, now walking through the doorway to the main floor. "Who is it?"

He smirks, making me know he isn't going to tell me. "Only the most beautiful girl at school." Very vague and very Noel like to leave people hanging in mystery.

"Wow. Thanks for the hint. That narrows it down by 0%."

He gives an oops face/hand gesture, "Gotta keep people on their toes, Brant. You'll figure it out some day." He laughs and then gives me a fist bump before backpettling down the hallway towards his locker, "I'll see you at the dance! Bet you'll look amazing."