Hilltoppers (Season 2)

Chapter 8: Game On: Breanna's Basketball Triumph

Soundtrack:

1. Sicko Mode" by Travis Scott (pregame)

Basketball Game Songs:

"God's Plan" by Drake"Lucid Dreams" by Juice WRLD"In My Feelings" by Drake"Nice for What" by Drake"I Like It" by Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin"Taste" by Tyga ft. Offset"Nonstop" by Drake"Better Now" by Post Malone"Girls Like You" by Maroon 5 ft. Cardi BMo Bamba by Sheck Wes

Breanna's alarm clock blared its insistent tune at precisely 5:30 am, dragging her from the comfort of sleep into the reality of another school day. She groaned, smacking the alarm button with a bit more force than necessary, then blinked away the last remnants of drowsiness. With a deep breath, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up, rubbing her eyes. Outside, the sky was still draped in darkness, the world silent save for the occasional passing car. Breanna grabbed her phone from the nightstand, squinting at the screen to check the time. 5:32 am. She had a good half-hour before she needed to start getting ready for school.

Stretching her arms above her head, Breanna contemplated the day ahead. It was Wednesday, which meant a packed schedule of classes and extracurricular activities. But today held something special – a basketball game in the afternoon that she'd been looking forward to all week. She scrolled through her notifications, briefly catching up on messages from friends and skimming through social media updates. Then, with a sigh, she set her phone aside and swung her legs off the bed, ready to face the day.

Breanna sprang into action as soon as her feet touched the carpeted floor. She had perfected her morning routine to a science, knowing exactly how long each task would take to ensure she wasn't late for the bus. First, she headed to the bathroom, splashing her face with cold water to shake off the last remnants of sleep. With her mind now fully awake, Breanna moved efficiently through her morning rituals. She brushed her teeth with precision, the rhythmic sound of bristles against enamel a familiar soundtrack. Next came the shower, where the warm water cascaded over her, awakening her senses and preparing her for the day ahead.

Breanna glanced at the clock. 6:05 am. Right on schedule. She grabbed her backpack, double-checking that she had everything she needed for the day: textbooks, notebooks, and her basketball gear for the game later. Downstairs in the kitchen, the smell of brewing coffee greeted her. Her mom, already up and about, flashed her a warm smile. "Morning, Bre. Ready for another day?"

Breanna nodded, pouring herself a quick bowl of cereal and grabbing a banana for breakfast. She checked her phone again as she ate, scrolling through messages from her friends to see if there was anything important, she might have missed. By 6:30 am, Breanna was fully dressed, her backpack slung over one shoulder. She gave her mom a quick hug before heading out the door, the cool morning air a sharp contrast to the warmth of their home. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon as she walked down the familiar path to the bus stop, anticipation for the day's events bubbling inside her.  Breanna stood on her porch, the cool morning air brushing against her face. She checked her watch, noting the time ticking closer to when the bus would arrive. Today was different—it was game day, and anticipation hummed in the air like a charged wire.

The familiar sound of the bus engine echoed down the street, signaling its approach. Breanna adjusted her backpack, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling within her. As the bus came into view, she took a deep breath, readying herself for the day ahead. The bus pulled up with a hiss of brakes, and Breanna stepped aboard, greeted by the usual hustle and bustle of students finding their seats. She settled into a spot by the window, watching as houses and trees blurred past, her mind already on the game.

Conversations around her buzzed with pre-game chatter, plans for strategies, and a shared determination to give their best on the court. Breanna joined in, exchanging encouraging words with teammates and friends, the energy of the upcoming game fueling her spirit. As the bus rolled to a stop in front of the school, Breanna's excitement peaked. She gathered her things, eager to start the day that would culminate in the basketball game she had been preparing for. With a focused mindset and determination in her heart, she stepped off the bus, ready to tackle whatever challenges the day would bring before hitting the court.