The Nerd & Basketball (completed)

10: Maybe, I Like You‼

- ♤ Jade's POV ♤ -
(Thursday: Afternoon)

I was failing, and knowing that she was watching this happen makes it so much worse. I can practically feel her smirking at me even though my back was to her. My hands nearly shake from annoyance because all I can think about is how she was going to see me fail.

With that on my mind, I screw up even worse. Attempting to throw the basketball again but it doesn't even make it to the rim. It flies right past the board behind the hoop hitting the ground. Each time the ball bounces off the ground my mood darkens bit by bit.

Ms. Jenkins, our coach gives me both a look of sympathy and disappointment. "Come on, Brooks. Get your head in the game. You can do this." She tries to encourage me but even I can tell she doesn't really believe her words. Why would she? I've been nothing but a mess, knowing that she was right behind me, looking down on me, and making slick comments with her new "friends" we at first made together.

It bothered me knowing that the only person I truly hate now was not only on the basketball team with me, but somewhere deep inside my heart. And, her being the dumbass she is, she never misses an opportunity to remind me of it. She's always showing off which isn't hard because annoyingly everything is so effortless for her.

"Even my two yeard old niece could make that shot. But aye, "Brooks" take your time. Don't let it bother you that if it wasn't for you and your fuckin' hopeless ass aim we'd be outta practice early." Jasmine fucking Centiago says. Snickers and catcalls following her words until Coach Jenkins tells them to shut it. Okay, Jade... don't let her get into your head. I say softly to myself trying to calm down. I won't let her drag me down, not today.

I shoot the ball once again but unsurprisingly I fuck up again.
My rising temper only gets worse by the second. As the basketball hits the side of hoop's rim, I can clearly hear Jasmine laughing hysterically.

"God, you suck ass. And, probably not just at this..."

I snap.

I turn around and with the athletic skills I knew I was blessed with I throw the basketball the hardest I could right into Jasmine's face. But, of course her being Jasmine Centiago she catches the ball right before it hits her face. By the confusion mixed with anger in her eyes, I can tell she felt the power behind the throw. I meant for the ball to go through her.

The court goes dead silent and considering that our basketball team was made up of 15 kids. Jasmine slowly lifts her eyes from the ball that's still in her hands and looks at me, "You're going to regret that." She says in a low voice but I have no trouble hearing her. Everyone, even Coach Jenkins, still standing there just staring at us.

"I don't think I ever will." I reply coldly. My voice not shaking even though my intestines were in knot. I'm pretty shorter and slightly scrawnier compared to Jasmine, her being 5'11, and me being 5'7. But, I could beat her ass without a doubt like previously earlier this  week.

Today, was my first day back from suspension and she's already pushing my buttons. Michelle finally clears the tension going on between us as she looks at Jasmine grabbing her by her shirt's collar, "You wanna finish what we started on Monday?"

"That's enough ladies!" Finally spoke Coach Jenkins, "You're all dismissed!"

Mimi then let Jasmine go pushing her aside as we all retreated to the locker rooms to change.

--

I was the last left in the locker rooms. Today, took a bit longer for me to get dressed since I was still recovering from the beating my dad gave me after discovering I got into my first fight, my first referral, and first arrest all in one day. Three days later, and I can still feel the pain as if it were just yesterday.