The Summer She Turned Pretty

Put A Finger Down

Once the game started, it was going smoothly. Steven and Shayla got the first point but it took a while for the ball to hit the ground. Jeremiah and I got the next point though, and we did our original-kid handshake at least a million times today. 

The game was going great, I was sweating but I loved playing so much that I didn't care. The game was going well for both sides of the net. It was now 16-16. Jere and I were going to have to up our game. 

I took a deep breath as I was about to serve the ball. The few people watching went silent. I threw the ball up, serving it overhand. It boinked on the sand, on the other side of the net. 

"Yo!!" Jeremiah screamed. I quickly ran up to him, and we did our handshake, "Ace! Yeah." 

Then we got really close, I could feel his breath on my face. "That was it. You got it." He whispered. I looked up at him nodding. We did our handshake one more time. 

This was it. It was now 20-19. Jeremiah swiftly served the ball over, Steven hitting right back. And I went for it, hitting it back to Jeremiah who set it back to me, and I spiked it over the net. Steven tried to set it back but it slipped past his hands. 

"Oh!!!" Jeremiah screamed. "Yes! Yes!" I started jumping up and down. We won! I quickly ran over to Jeremiah he picked me up into a hug. His hugs will always be my favorite. He soon let me down and gave me a twirl. The crowd was going absolutely crazy. 

"And the winners are May Conklin... and Jeremiah Fisher!!!" Susannah yelled over the microphone. As she was speaking Jere and I went up to the net to tell Steven and Shayla they did a good job. Good sportsmanship is always important, both ways. 

Once they walked off the sand Jere came up behind me squeezing my shoulders, he was about to whisper something in my ear when Susannah and Conrad came towards us. 

"You guys were incredible." Susannah ran in for a hug. "Oh, you make such a great team." She then turned to Conrad. "Did you ask her yet?" 

"Ask me what?" I ask in confusion, as I am handed the trophy. 

"To be your escort." Susannah smiled. "I told him he had to ask you since, you know, it was taking you so long to decide." She rubbed Conrad's shoulder as my face dropped. I should have known. How did he make it sound so real? When in reality it was all for his mom. I wish I could say I can't believe it, but I should've seen this coming.  Suddenly, I felt like smashing the trophy, that I wanted and worked so hard for on the ground. Or maybe on Conrad's head, or maybe mine. 

My mom then ran up to us, taking me out of my thoughts. "Congratulations!" She hugged Jeremiah first, and then me. Conrad tried to look over at me but as soon as I saw him looking I turned away. Talking to Jeremiah. 

I found Emmy and we started walking out of the courts together. "How's your ankle?" I laugh and lightly slap her arm. She thought she could get me swooning for Conrad. Misson failed. 

She smiles, trying to hold back a laugh."Better." That's when I heard my name.

"May!" I turn around to see Nicole running up to us. Emmy and I stop in our tracks as she approaches. 

"Hey, Nicole!" I smiled. "Uh, this is my friend, Emmy, from home." I point to Emmy, I can't remember if they've met before or not. 

"Oh, hi." She smiled. "So, um, my dad's boat just came up from Anguilla. Um, so what do you guys think about a pizza and rose in a few hours? Belly and Taylor can come too, of course, I just couldn't find them anywhere." She looks around, to see if she can catch them in her sight. 

"Oh, yes, of course, we'd love to! I'll check with Belly and Taylor. I'll text you." She nods. "But, uh, will Shayla be there? I think it'd be best if we kept Taylor and her apart."