slow falling

Chapter 1

June 2017- Cleveland

"Are you sure you don't want us to sit in for your tryout honey?"

Azzi's leg shook violently as her mother craned her head to the back seat, placing a gentle hand on her daughter's thigh.

"There's no shame in having us be in the stands, cheering you on! You're on the younger side of all the girls trying out."

The 14-year-old violently shook her head, "Absolutely not. I can't have the girls there thinking I'm weak because I'm younger. I might as well be planting a target on my back by bringing my parents along."

Azzi's Dad bellowed with laughter as he rolled up to the front of the Team USA training facility. The building was more grand than she let up to be and the awe was apparent on her face. She was a long way from her high school gym.

"Is the building even open? I know you wanted to come two hours early to practice shooting, but I don't see any other cars here." Azzi's father states.

Azzi exits the car swiftly, reaching in to grab her backpack before heading to the front doors of the facility, "I'll find my way in. You guys can go now."

She knows she's being curt with her parents, but she can't help it. The nerves leading up to this day have been inexplicable and she knows now is the time where utmost focus is essential. She can't have distractions getting in the way of one of the most important moments of her basketball career.

"Love you, sweetie. Good luck you got this!" Her mom yells from the car, sending her daughter off with a wave as they drive away from the facility. Azzi gives a small wave back before facing forward again, continuing her journey to the entrance. She stops directly in front of the door, grabbing the door handle, yet not moving to open it. She takes a deep breath with her eyes closed. Azzi has made this a small ritual before any big game or tournament, taking a moment to calm her nerves.

It's become something sacred in her routine, the sole reason she wanted to arrive at the facility early. She didn't like to be interrupted. So when she feels a hand brushing her's in an attempt to open the door handle, her eyes snap open.

"So are you going to go in? Or are you just going to stand here for the next two hours?"

Azzi jumps so hard she bumps into the figure behind her, making both their hands let go of the door handle. She turns around and sees a blonde girl a few inches taller than her staring down at her, a blank expression on her face.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. If you could move aside though..."

Azzi silently moves away from the door, allowing the girl to move towards the door. She watches as the girl grabs the door handle and she falls as she's met with rejection as the door is locked.

"Damn. No way they aren't here yet. There's no way no one else thought to come early to practice. I know those other girls got here earlier and locked us out."

Azzi just stared silently, trying to swallow the disappointment she felt at the door being locked. She wanted to get a few extra shots up to get a leg up on the other girls. She notices the taller girl glancing over at her, and she feels her arm being pulled in another direction.

"C'mon, I'm sure there's another way in. An unlocked window? Maybe we can find a nice rock to throw..." Azzi could tell the girl was genuinely considering breaking into the building and quickly pulled her arm back to her side.

"There's no way you are actually considering breaking into this facility. That could get us in trouble, maybe even kicked out of tryouts."

The taller girl just smirked in response before turning and quickly walking towards one of the side windows.