𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 - An RWE / Nelson Neumann Imagine

drama drama drama

Today was game day for LLB. i had been a tad bit nervous because i wasn't sure if i would be able to compete with the team we were facing today. they were REALLY good. i had to give it my all and even more today if i wanted to win.

i woke up out of my sleep to the sound of callie shaking me. "girl wake up we're here." she said, looking at me as she shook my shoulder. i groaned and turned to look out the bus windows. here we are, chicago illinois.

i got off the bus and walked into the gym we were supposed to be playing in. nelson wasn't here with me today because rwe had a game somewhere else and cam asked me to go play with them for the girls but i knew i had to be here with llb today. in no way am i discrediting callie and audriee but without me i feel like we'd lose by 50 against this team.

i was listening to music as i set my bag down on the nearby bench and sat on the floor, starting to stretch. i took my warmup jacket off and shut my eyes as i stretched my leg. i was seriously trying to get into my zone. i heard the footsteps and talking of someone approaching me, but they were muffled.

i opened my eyes slowly and looked up. it was someone i was not at all expecting to be here today so my eyes widened. i stared at him with a shocked expression as i took my airpods out of my ears.

"you can pick your jaw up off the floor now, Ariella." he said, chuckling. "Coach J?" i said. "that's me." he said, smiling. i smiled back but before i could reply he threw out his hand, offering to help me up. i took it and when i sat up i brushed my shorts clean of any dirt the court might have gotten on them. "How have u been honey?" he asked me, smiling. "i've.. i've been great. i can't believe you're here." i said.

Coach J was a big part of my life and still is. He was my coach before i joined LLB in 2019. he coached me until i was about 10 years old and he's the reason im as great as i am. he signed me up for LLB and i hated him for it because i didn't want to join it and have a new coach.. that is until i found out my moms sister coaches it.

FLASH BACK ::
i was in the gym shooting around. coach j was on the sidelines watching me. "ariella.. come here dear" he said, motioning for me to go over to him. "so.. u know coach j is getting old right?" he asked. "yes.." i said, quietly. "well.. i can't be your private coach anymore sweet heart." he said. my smile immediately fell and i dropped the ball. "what?" i said. "but then.. who's gonna coach me?" i asked. "well.. i signed you up for a team. it's called Lady Legends Basketball. there's a wonderful coach there who will teach you even more than i could." he said, his calm raspy voice echoed through my head. "no! i don't wanna go there!" i yelled. "i need you to put the hard work i taught you and use it everytime you play okay? i understand it's hard leaving me but it'll be okay.. i'll never stop watching you..."

PRESENT ::

"Well i've been watching you play ariella. u have gotten dangerously good. im so proud of you." he said holding my shoulder. "well it's all thanks to the best." i said, smiling. "don't give too much credit to me. i only taught u what you needed to know ari. you need to give yourself credit. u took everything out there and used it. you always play on a court like you own it and i admire that" he said, smiling softly. "that's the mindset you told me to get." i said, slightly laughing. "and it's the right one to have." he said smiling. before i could reply he spoke again. "go on, this is a tough team and i don't wanna keep you from getting your pregame warm up in." he said, patting my shoulders and motioning me to go. "okay coach j ill catch you after the game." i said, jogging to the court. i saw him wave in my peripheral vision.

I began to warm up at the 3pt line. now that my old coach was here i know i needed to do my best and give it my all this game. "hey who was that?" audriee asked, coming up behind me. "it was my old coach. i really need to impress him tonight." i said. "oh.. how old is he??" she asked. "like 79." i said. "girl how long he been coach you for??" she asked. "he coached me since i was 10 he retired because he got too old." i said. "well he started coaching you old." she said. i stopped dribbling and looked at her. "i wasn't the only one he coached. he's the reason why im as good as i am" i said. "are you sure? it was definitely coach V. that old guy doesn't know a thing about todays basketball. he'd break a hip if he tried even demonstrate a play now." she said.