From Crushed To Loved

chapter 3

Today is a pretty big day for me. As soon as I got home I grabbed my gym bag and threw a towel and a change of clothes plus shampoo and conditioner. I threw on a jersey and undershirt and some basketball shorts and shoes. I threw my hair into a ponytail and called out to my mom that I was leaving. She wished me luck as I headed out the door.

Before I reachd my car my nextdoor neighbor called out ro me.

"You look so much like your daddy." She said wistfully.

She's been my neighbor as long as I can remember. When we moved to Texas shortly after my dad left us we rented out our house. When we moved back we moved into our old house again.

"Ummm... Thanks." I mumbled. I never really know what to say to her when she says stuff like that. I don't really remember him and sometimes it hurts when people bring it up. The only things I remembered about him was that we both loved basketball and talked about me joining the team in high school. And that we looked alike.

"He loved you so much." she said lost in thought.

But not enough to stay. I thpught bitterly."I have to go. Bye!" I said quickly. Before she could say anything else I hopped into my car and drove off.

When I pulled up to the school gym I started to get nervous. I parked and pulled out my gym bag and took a few deep breaths before entering the gym. When I walked in the first thing I noticed was how huge it was! It had seating for about a thousand which was pretty impressive for a high school. I walked into the girls locker room and set my gym bag down.

I took one last deep breath and walked into the gym to the Coach.

Even though tryouts were during the summer, Coach made an exception so I could tryout. He needs a good point guard and said if I do good then the spot is mine.

I walk up to coach and look around. There are about 12 girls dressed like me. My future teammates I think excitedly.

"Hey coach." I say.

"Good! You're on time. We can start now. Get in position! You're with reds" Coach ordered while blowing his whistle.

I grabbed the ball and went to the half court line. I waited and watched my teammates as they got into position and noticed for the first time that half were wearing blue and the other half red. School colors. The girl guarding me was a bit taller than me and had wavy brown hair pulled up into a ponytail. She looked determined.

"I've been PG for the past 2 years so don't think Coach is going to just give it to you. Do you even know how to play klutz?" She hissed venomously making me flinch.

It took me a few seconds to remember where I had seen her before. I had literally ran into her on my way to the Administration Office. She was also the girl I had seen Isaac wrap his arms around in the cafeteria. She looks like a whole other person without all of her makeup on. "I don't talk smack. I let my playing do the talking." I replied confidently.

I know usually I am very timid but there is just something about competition that loosens me up. It's a gift and a curse especially since I'm usually shy and reserved.

Coach blew the whistle signaling us to start. I faked left then right then threw the ball to an open teammate on my left. I hovered around the middle of the court trying to keep open so I could score or pass the ball. A short girl with a long red ponytail passed the ball to me. I looked around the court searching for an open teammate. Finding none I ran at the hoop going for a layup getting the ball blocked in the process. I looked to see who had blocked my shot and saw Amy smiling evily at me.

"I knew you sucked!" She sneered at me.

"Good play!" I replied earning a weird look from Amy.

It was Amys teams turn and I faced off against her. She passed the ball to a tall girl with glasses who immediately passed it back to her. She tried to make a basket but instead tripped and lost the ball. One of my teammates grabbed the ball and passed it to me. I got back into position and quickly passed it to the redhead once again. She quickly passed it back to me and I ran to the hoop uncontested and made a layup.

By the end of the game I had scored 18 points and had 3 rebounds and 7 assists. Amy had 14 points 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

The coach gathered us altogether and announced that I was in. He made me point guard and pushed Amy to small guard. All of the girls congratulated me except for Amy.

"I'm going to get you so watch your back!" Amy sneered angrily as she stalked away.

"What was that all about?" Kelsey asked coming over to where I was.

"Oh. Her? I took her point guard ppsition. It's ok. I can handle it." I replied.

"Ouch! Goodluck! And sorry about her." Kelsey said "Oh! You should tryout for cheerleading!" Kelsey gushed changing the subject.

"Don't they cheer during basketball games?" I asked.

"Well, yeah but our school has 2 cheer squads. One for the football team and one for the basketball team. I cheer for the football team so you will know me. Plus the football and basketball seasons are seperate." She added pleadingly, "So you can play basketball and do cheerleading! Kelsey persuaded. "Please! For me!" She pleaded with her best puppy dog face.

"Ok. Fine! I'll do it but you owe me!" I replied with a smile.

"Yay! Thank you thank you thank you! It's going to be sooo much fun! You'll see!" Kelsey gushed enthusiastically.

"Yeah, yeah!" I replied with a smile. "Oh! I gotta go! Promised my mom I would come straight home. See ya later." I said as I ran to my car.

"Bye! And don't forget about tryouts!" Kelsey yelled.

"I won't!" I yelled back getting into my car.

Kelsey walked over to her own car and honked her horn as she passed by. I waved. Just as I was about to pull out I remembered that I had forgotten my duffle bag. I smacked myself in the head for forgetting it. I strolled to the gym doors looking around as I walked. It was strange to go back when noone was here. I opened the door and was surprised to hear someone strumming a guitar. I looked around quickly but didn't see anyone. I hurriedly walked to the girls locker room and grabbed my duffle bag. Walking out of the locker room I could still hear someone playing a guitar. Squinting ny eyes I saw a figure sitting on the ground on the opposite side of the gym cradling a guitar in his arms while strumming. I didn't notice when I started walking toward him until I was halfway there and realized that it was Isaac. Suddenly his guitar strumming got stronger and he started singing harshly but beautiful at the same time

Your look is snide,

and my tongue is tied.

How do you get inside my head?

Got me hanging by a thread...

Suddenly he cut off and said "What are you doing here?" Isaac snapped bringing me back to reality.

"Oh ummm... no nothing." I stuttered embarassed.

"Stalking me again like old times. Huh?" He said with a cocky grin.

"In your dreams. " I said further snapping out of my daze. "Just came to get my duffle bag which I forgot earlier and heard some weirdo playing the guitar and decided to check it out." I said breathing hard by the end of my sentence.

"Oh... so that's why you were drooling and walking closer to me like you were in a trance?" He asked smirking.

"Wha- wait what? I wasn't drooling!" I yelled while trying to check my mouth discreetly.

"Yeah, sure whatever you say!" he replied while still smirking.

I wished that I could slap that smirk right off his face instead I said thst I had to go and practically ran out of the gym to my car.

As soon as I got home my mom pounced on me about whether I made the team or not. I told her I did and she squealed in excitement for me.

"This calls for celebration!" She squealed. "You can invite a friend and we can go out somewhere nice tomorrow night."

"Ok! Sounds fun." I replied. "Going to my room. Got homework to finish then I think I will go to bed. I'm pretty tired. Goodnight mom. Love you" I said.

My mom gave me a hug goodnight and said I love you back. Then I went to my room and finished my homework and passed out on my bed.