BALLER FROM BULGARIA // a UCONN story

2. The first day

"Okay so this is our facility." Paige says as she presses her keycard against the censor. "We will get you your own card in a minute, you need it for a lot of stuff here." I just nod, not knowing what to say.

"Here is the gym and over there are the courts, but I'm sure Geno will want to show you himself. His office is upstairs I'll show you." This time I manage to mutter a thank you while following her up the stairs.

"Alright miss talk-a-lot, this is you then." Another thank you while I feel my face turning red, and Paige knocks on the door.

A voice calls for us to come in and Paige opens the door. "Got the newbie for you coach!"

"Thanks Paige, Nataliya come in!" While Paige turns around and leaves, I walk into the office. I notice the small husky plushie sitting on his desk, with a team foto right next to it. My new coach, Geno, gets up from his chair en walks over. He gives me a hug.

"Glad to see you made it! Take a seat and we'll get started." I comply before saying something back. "Nice to meet you, I am happy to be here." My heavy accent even more present because of my nerves.

"So you already met your housemates I assume? Was the apartment alright for you?"

"Very much so, thank you sir." A smile on my face.

"No sir please, Geno or coach is fine." I smile and nod slightly.

"Okay so before we will get you sorted for your own card and gear, I want to go over some details to make sure we have everything correct. Is that okay?"

Without waiting for an answer he continues. "Your full name is Nataliya Gabrova, you were born in 2006 and are now 17 years old? We had to sigh the forms saying we are responsible for you until you turn 18. It didn't say your birthday, when is that?"

I swallow before replying, "I'm not sure sir, me and my brother were left on the steps of the orphanage, so they don't actually know." Coach looks at me with a sympathetic smile on his face.

"No problem at all, know that you are welcome here or with any of the girls if there is anything you need to talk about. Do you have any questions for me?"

"Just one sir," I look away, "is it possible for me to get a job? I have a little money saved up from this past summer but it's not a lot."

"Don't you worry. You will be way to busy for a job beside basketball, but I'll inform about getting some funding for your school supplies. You're meal plan is part of the scholarship, and I have an extra laptop you can have."

My eyes widen a little when he tells me that, feeling a weight lifting of my shoulders. "Thank you sir!" "Coach!" He tells me with a bright smile.

We spent the rest of the afternoon taking care of a lot of small things. I got my own facility pass, and a big box with my very own huskies gear. After handing me my schedule, with both classes and practices on it, coach bids me goodbye.

I almost got lost trying to find my way back to the apartment. Okay so I did get lost but I got there eventually. I must look ridiculous, carrying my big box full of gear while wearing my flight clothes.

As I finally make it up the stares and up to the door, I put my key in the door and awkwardly push it open with my elbow. Luckily, Nika is sitting at our table and quickly gets up to help me.

"Everything alright with coach?" She asks while putting my box in my room.

"Yeah! I don't have classes until next week, but I did get my keycard and everything!"

Nika gives me a little side hug and walks back to the table where she continues tying something on her laptop. I decide on taking a shower, as I feel incredibly gross. In my room, I collect the outfit I'm going to wear. Some grey swears, and one of my new, navy UCONN sweater, with my last name and number on it. I take off my right-ears hearing aids, and my entire left ear prosthetic to put them on my bedside table.