girls! ✩ p. bueckers

1. nerves

My nerves are going crazy right now and I don't know how to cope.

Basketball has always been something I've not had to worry about. I mean, not to sound cocky but it's always come easy to me.

I mean, even competing in the Olympics two months ago didn't give me as much anxiety as right now is.

My headphones are on and I'm trying to go through my warmups like normal but it's hard.

This isn't just another game, it's the championship. I haven't ever been here. Jewell has but I haven't and this is big for me.

After what has to be my fifth missed shot in a row I give up and put my ball on the rack.

How am I supposed to be a starter and not be able to play like I should? How will the team be able to rely on me if that's all I have to show for myself?

I sit on the bench and watch some of the others do their routine. Two people come from the locker room and I pay them no mind until I feel them sit on both sides of me.

An arm reaches to my head and takes my headphones off of me. I glance to my left to see Gabby holding them in her hand.

"So, why are we pouting?" She asks.

"I'm not. I just don't think I can do this." I get straight to the point. No need to beat around the bush. She's always been able to read me like a book anyways. It's what always made our relationship work.

"Why do you think that? Stats don't lie, and you lead the team in every category." Even turnovers, but who needs to know that? "Plus you're like the glue for everyone. Why does this game make your anxiety spike, treat it like it's a normal game."

Gabs tries to console me but I just shake my head.

"But the problem is that I know it's not a normal game. I want a chip under my belt with my time here. What if I screw it up?"

I hear someone sigh on my right and I catch Nika rolling her eyes.

"Babe, you're like the best person under pressure. You started every game in the Olympics, scored the most, and was the most reliable. Yet you're over here stressin' for a game that you know you'll win. Because you're that bitch."

She gives me a pep talk and the last few words make me laugh.

It's been our phrase since she joined the team.

Honestly she's been the best thing for me this year. My rock to lean on and an ear when I need someone to talk to. She's one of the reasons why I'd stay on this team forever if given the chance.

Her and Jewell are my girls. And now that Gabby is back it's like we're all one big, fun group.

"You're right. I just don't want to let you guys down." I let out a sigh and drop my head a little.

"Well you shouldn't because you know what?" Gabby starts. "There's more than one person on the court."

That's a valid point. It should be obvious but sometimes you get in your head so much and you think that everything revolves around your playing, but that's not really how it works.

"You're right. You guys are amazing, what would I do without you?"

Nika stands and puts her hands out to help me up.

"Probably die." Okay. Rude.

The two of them laugh at my expression and I glare at them while snatching my headphones back.

I start walking to the locker room and they start saying apologies.

Well guys, maybe you should have thought about that before you started being dicks.