Can't Seem To Hide It

From the Ashes

The tension in the air was palpable as the final whistle blew. The scoreboard blinked mockingly: UConn 70 - USC 72. The team trudged back to the locker room, their heads hanging low after a nail-biting game that had slipped through their fingers.

Sarah, the freshman guard, sat on the bench, her face pale and her eyes glued to the floor. She had missed three crucial free throws in the final seconds of the game. The crowd's noise still echoed in her ears, and the sharp words of USC fans rang even louder: "Freshman choke!"

The locker room was silent except for the muffled sounds of players taking off their shoes and jerseys. Paige noticed Sarah sitting alone in the corner, clutching her knees to her chest.

Azzi was the first to break the silence. She knelt down in front of Sarah and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't do this to yourself. One game doesn't define you."

Sarah shook her head, her voice trembling. "I lost us the game, Azzi. If I had just made those free throws—"

"Stop it right there," Paige interrupted firmly. "Basketball is a team sport. We win together, and we lose together. Don't put this all on yourself."

Kk chimed in, her tone lighter to ease the tension. "Yeah, if anyone's to blame, it's me for missing that fast break layup earlier. Or Paige for bricking those three-point attempts."

"Hey!" Paige protested, but her shaking her head showed she wasn't really mad.

Azzi stood up, addressing the whole team. "We're not letting Sarah carry this alone. USC fans can say whatever they want, but we know who she really is—a fighter. We need to show her that we've got her back, no matter what."

The team nodded in agreement, and an idea began to form in Azzi's mind.

The Next Day

After practice, the team gathered in the common room, putting their plan into action. Azzi had spent the morning brainstorming with Paige and Kk, and now everyone was pitching in to create a gift that would remind Sarah how much she was valued.

Caroline worked on a scrapbook filled with team photos, funny captions, and moments from their season so far. Ice designed a custom shirt that read "UConn Strong, Freshman Proud" in bold letters. Kk recorded a short video where each teammate shared words of encouragement.

Azzi took the lead on the final touch—a handwritten letter from the entire team. She started it off, writing:

"Dear Sarah,
We know last night was tough, but we want you to remember that one game doesn't define you. You're an incredible player, and more importantly, an amazing teammate. We believe in you, and we're so proud to have you on this team.
Love, your UConn family."

Everyone added their own notes, filling the page with personal messages.

Later That Evening

Sarah was in her dorm room, still replaying the game in her mind. She hadn't checked social media, too afraid to see the comments from USC fans. A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she said quietly.

The door opened, and the entire team poured in, carrying the gifts they had prepared. Azzi stepped forward, holding the scrapbook and the letter.

"We wanted to give you something," Azzi said, sitting beside Sarah on her bed. "Because no matter what anyone says, you're a part of this family, and we've got your back."

Sarah's eyes widened as she flipped through the scrapbook, laughing softly at some of the captions. She held up the shirt, a small smile breaking through her sadness. When she read the letter, her hands trembled, and tears filled her eyes.

"You guys didn't have to do this," she whispered, her voice cracking.

"Of course we did," Paige said, sitting on the other side of her. "You're one of us, Sarah. And we're not going to let anyone tear you down—not even yourself."

Kk grinned, holding up her phone. "And just so you know, this video we made? It's already gone viral on my TikTok. USC fans are gonna have to deal with how much we love you."

The team laughed, and Sarah couldn't help but join in, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.

The Next Game

When Sarah stepped onto the court for their next game, she noticed something different. The UConn fans were holding signs that read "We Believe in Sarah" and "Freshman Strong." Tears welled in her eyes as she took her position on the court, the weight of the last game replaced with a newfound confidence.

As the ball tipped off, Sarah knew one thing for sure—her team, her family, would always have her back.

A\N: been a while but I had to show something for big rah. And how many chapters y'all think left 😏 might stir sum up before the end