Right Person Too Late

chapter 17

Noah

"You make me feel like I've been locked out of heaven."

Song: Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars

Today's the day. After months of having it easy the pre-season is finally starting today.

Our old coach retired at the end of the last season, so we've now got a coach that no one knows anything about, despite how much stalking Gabriel did. To top that off our gym flooded over the winter so the school is hiring out the Melbourne Sports Centres' gym in Albert Park for the pre-season. Meaning that we have to drive to practice until our gym is fixed.

Although some may argue that a change of scenery may be good for us I'm scared that it might push the guys off their game. Which we can't afford because as great as we played last season the tiniest slip up caused us a huge loss in the finals. And I'd wanted to stay consistent this season, with the same place to practice weekly and same team members.

"TURN IT UP MILES!!!" Gabriel - my power forward and the life of any and every party - yells from the back of the car, pulling me out of my thoughts.

My eardrums feel like they're about to burst. For some unknown reason I agreed to picking up some of the guys on the team to go to training with Miles and I. And they've now taken over my stereo, playing one of Miles' playlists at an ungodly high level.

I slap Miles' hand that's about to actually turn up the music and shut it off instead. Cries echo around the car as everybody complains.

"Awh c'mon, Noah!"

"Don't be a party pooper, mate!"

"Look who's all grumpy again. Surprise surprise!"

"Have you guys forgotten where we're going?" I sigh wearily, turning the car into the Albert Park car park. I park near the gym, turn off the ignition and get out. I enter the stadium - Miles, Abel, Tyson and Gabriel on my heels. We're already late so we rush through the hallways as I pray that they won't pull any of their usual antics, especially since we don't know what this new coach is like.

"Do you guys think the new coach is a girl?" Abel asks in a hushed voice, which makes no sense because we're the only ones around, probably because it's 6 am on a Monday morning.

Gabe makes a pssh sound, "nah, doubt it. Zack texted earlier saying he found his name."

The others all crane their necks in his direction, waiting. Not wanting to encourage them I just keeping walking.

"And his name is...?" Miles asks.

"Thomas. That's his last name though, Coach Thomas."

Tyson scoffs, "Thomas isn't exclusively a guys' only last name, mate. It could be a woman."

"Yeah, but what are the chances that it is a woman? Every coach in this league is a guy, I'm just saying. It makes more sense." Gabe argues.

Finally turning around I shove my finger into his chest."Look mate, woman or man you're gonna respect this coach. And you better step up your game this season otherwise we might have to replace you with one of the rookies."

Offended at my suggestion he backs up. "I was just saying, Noah, you know I'd respect the coach if it's a girl."

Gabriel Sousa's a good guy and a damn good baller, but like I said earlier he likes to party. A lot. As in at least twice a week, which doesn't really go hand in hand with basketball.