Number 15. That's what they called me on the court and at school. Fighter. That's what nine calls me. Ava is what the guard call me and it's my name. But many people still call me Number 15. Today is Thursday. That makes tomorrow game day. I'm out on the court dribbling the ball. Paul try's to take it from me I move away from him, and then through it to Steve. He dunks it in the basket. The couch blows the whistle. "Good practice. Now go change and go home. Remember tomorrow is a home game no need to worry about the buses." The couch says, as we all go to the locker rooms. Me being the only girl on the team means I get the locker room all to myself. I love home games because that means I don't have to wear my basketball jersey to school. It's also easier because I'm the captain. I don't have to map out the school in my head. I change back into my regular clothes. Which consists of: a tank top I hate because it shows the scar on my stomach from where they had to cut from my chest down to remove the cancer I had when I was little. It's a white tank top with a green alien face with black lettering around it that says: 'I don't believe in humans.' Listen Sam got it for me ok. I then pull on black soccer shorts. I know I didn't dress for the weather, but my alarm didn't go off and Sam was threatening to leave with out me. I pull on my black sneakers, and slip on my grey jacket. I keep it unzipped. I slid on my sky blue vintage style book bag, and I through my basket ball lanyard with my house key on it over my neck. I stuff my uniform in my locker. I undo my ponytail slipping the rubber band over my pale wrist. Me and Sam may be the same age and siblings. But I'm adopted. He has brown hair. I have ginger hair. His skinny. I'm athletic. He has somewhat light skin. I have pale skin. He doesn't have freckles. I do. He's average hight. I'm tall. See complete opposites. But space interest us both on different levels. He finds aliens fascinating. I find the stars fascinating. I walk out of the locker room and into the gym.
"15!" I hear Paul call us he runs up next to me.
"Yeah."
"Ready to go up against the evil gunslingers tomorrow? I heard they're rough this year."
"So was Edgewood. We still beat them."
"Barely."
I stop as soon as we get outside I turn him around so his brown eyes meet my grey ones. I place my hands on his shoulder. Staring dead in his eyes. "Listen, it doesn't matter if we're going to lose. It matters if we play until we can't. It matters if we give it our all. So that's exactly what we'll do. Do you think I'm not nervous? I'm the only girl on the basketball team and where going against a boys basketball team. I'm nervous. But as long as you get out on that court and play your heart and soul out. Then it doesn't matter because you gave it your all. You are Paul. You are number 22. You play to win." With that I let go of his shoulders and begin to walk again.
"15!" I turn around and look at him.
"You have a point." I smile at him and then I keep walking. I take off my lanyard as I walk up my driveway. I walk on the porch and Insert the key. I forget how dark it gets when the sun goes down. I walk in closing the door behind me. I see Sam walk out of the kitchen.
"How was practice?"
"Good. Are you going to the game tomorrow?"
"You can count on it. How does leftover pizza sound?"
"Sounds good, but I'm going to take a shower first." He nods and walks back into the kitchen. I walk into my room that's covered in basketball posters. I sit my bag over in a corner and pull out a black t shirt that says 'I need my space.' And pajama pants with planets all over them. I walk into the bathroom, and let the warm water run down my back. It feels good to get the sweat of todays practice off of me. I get out and change wrapping my hair up with the towel. I then get out and eat dinner with Sam. Nothing happens until the next day. A new kid sits next to Sam. "I'm Ava. That's Sam."
"John smith." He responds, when the bell rings he panics and runs. I grab his bag and walk around mark. I follow the line of people to the dark room. A man with greying hair is standing outside.
"I take it this belongs to John smith." I say to him. Handing him the bag.
"Yes, thank you."
"No problem." Nothing else happens until the game. I put on my uniform and pull my hair hair up in a ponytail. I get out on the court before anyone else. The other teams captain walks over to me.
"Edgewood. 27." The captain says, he's a little taller than I am and very athletic. He has blond hair and brown eyes. We don't introduce ourselves with our names it's always number and school. I shake his outstretched hand.
"Paradise. 15." We both let go.
"Good luck 15."
"Same to you 27." With that he walks over to his couch I walk over to mine. I watch as his team fills the floor.
"We don't have much of a chance do we?" I ask,
"No, but your job is to uplift their spirits." The couch responds,
"I will." I say, once everyone gets out we form a huddle. "Alright listen I know they've won every game. I know their team is bigger, and they look tougher. I know it looks like we're going to lose. But as long as we play with our hearts and souls we have a chance. We give it our all. If we lose to bad we played the best we could. We win we prove to everyone that we aren't just some sad team with a girl as a captain. We prove to them that we're the underdogs. So I won't say we have to win, I'm not going to put that pressure, but I will say this: we can't lose." Everyone nods in agreement.
"Alright on the count of three we yell pirates." The couch says, we all put our hands in and yell.
"Pirates."
"Alright go team." I say, as we start first quarter.
YOU ARE READING
Lorien legacies- underdog
FanfictionAva Goode was born with a rare form of cancer and was given up for adoption. She beat the cancer, she was also adopted by the goodes. She's the only girl on the basketball team and is also the best. Ever since she was born she beat the odds. So when...
