Learning Curves || Rise Donnie x Reader

↻Nineteen↺

The half-time buzzer sounded, and you stood from your spot on the bench. Normally you would be starting out and ending each half of the game, but you had been so on edge even Coach Anderson noticed and pulled you to the side. Other than the obvious, something else had been bothering you a lot.

You looked up at the bleachers one last time. Yup, Donnie still wasn't there. It was an away game so it was possible he didn't know, but you had sent him the full list of your games, what times they were, and where. Donnie said he would be here. But he lied.

Right before you walked into the lockers, you spotted April in the benches with two guys wearing similar purple jackets. Must be a club she's part of. But why was she even here? It was possible she just wanted to watch women's basketball, but you had your suspicions. Something about her rubbed you the wrong way, but you couldn't put your finger on what.

"(Y/n)!" Coach called, and you jogged past him, mumbling a quiet "sorry". He put his hand on your shoulder to stop you where he could talk to you in private. His dark eyes held genuine confusion and concern. "Are you ok?"

"Fine, Coach." You pulled out of his grip to head into the locker room where your teammates were waiting. The score was 24-30, and the other team was winning. This just agitated you more. "What's going on out there girls?" you asked the team at large as Coach walked in behind you, his arms folded in that dad way where he's concerned but unsure how to talk to his daughter about it.

"The other team is kicking our ass," Madelyn replied, her arms folded with a deep frown on her face. She was sweating, and she had been out there the majority of the game. "And our Captain is benched." You bristled, your anger happy to pick a target.

"I thought I would give you some more time to play, Mad," you shot back, mimicking her pose.

"Guys, it's alright, we've still got the second half of the game!" Layla interrupted, forcing positivity into the air despite the obvious tension. It was quickly smothered.

"But our Captain isn't on her game," another girl added, unable to meet your eyes. You glared at her.

"Stop pointing fingers y'all." Coach stepped into the middle of the group, his disappointed fatherly gaze sweeping around the room. Your resolve only hardened.

"You know what? You're right." Every girl in the room had their eyes on you now. "I'm not on my game tonight, which is why my team should have my back and cover for me." Your glare had heat. "But because I'm not carrying you this game, we're losing." Immediately multiple girls jumped to their feet to protest, but Coach held up a hand.

"(Y/n), take a walk." Coach's voice was stern, but you knew it was more for your benefit than theirs.

"Tell me I'm wrong." You backed up towards the exit. You put in more work on this team than any of them, and they knew it.

"Get walking you arrogant prick!" Madelyn called sarcastically. You took a step toward her but Coach put his hand on your shoulder, dragging you towards the exit.

"Walk," he said firmly. You glared at him, mumbling curses under your breath.

"You know I'm right."

"Telling them that divides the team more than it already is." He stopped at the locker room doors, sighing. "Whatever's going on with you, I hope you figure it out. Until then, just take it easy. You're hurting your team right now."

"Yeah, a team that takes any opportunity to rag on me about everything I do!" you shouted. You knew the girls could hear you. "The second I'm not doing everything in my power to carry them to the win and they have to start relying on themselves, they get pissy with me." Coach put his hand over your mouth, a clear warning in his eyes.