Elements of Us /// Jimmy Butler

Chapter 33

Hey guys, its Kendra and I just want to give a quick disclaimer: I ONLY own the plot and characters that I have created. I don't own anything related to the Bulls, thank you.

Allison was the first one there that morning, the first day of work again. She hated 'firsts'. First kisses, pimples, boyfriends, jobs, dates but she especially hated first days. Firsts make it seem like everything was changing, and Allison wasn't so good with change.

She stepped out of their brief administration meeting and couldn't help but feel a sense of butterflies in her stomach. She was nervous. Taking a deep breath, she shook out her jitters with slowly walking to the track. Figuring this wasn't exactly going to be as easy a first day as last season, she reminded herself that she'd at least have Andy there to make things uncomfortable.

"Hey!" She heard him yell from behind her.

"Huh?" She questioned, turning around.

"You weren't gonna walk down without me, where you?" He asked quizzically, hands on his hips.

"Well hurry up then." She exclaimed, waiting for him to speed walk to where she had stopped.

"What's that?" He asked her, referring to the folded blue shirt and some other items she had secured in a plastic bag.

"Oh," She said looking down, "It's nothing...just some of Jimmy's stuff that he left, I wanted to give it back."

"Ah," Andy understood, "Well," He began, trying to change the subject, "you excited?"

"Kinda nervous." She admitted as they made their way to the last flight of stairs, "Lots of pressure this year," She nodded, "You know for a championship, just want to give them the best I got." She had gotten some new advice this year from the administration, although, they were quite happy with what she had done with the team last year they were looking for more. This year, they wanted her to 'crack down' a bit, be stricter, not as laid back. She was going to try her best.

"Hey," Andy stopped, knitting his eyebrows together in confusion, "That's not on you." He reasoned, "that's on them." He assured, pointing to the players who had arrived early and were stretching on the track.

Allison's breath hitched in her throat once they reached the final step. She could do this, she had to.

"Okay." Allison called out, trying to get everyone's attention, "Listen up." She managed to get out, as the players came closer and created a sort of huddle around her. She was dazed for a moment when her eyes landed on Jimmy, but she quickly skimmed over him and took a deep breath, "Things are gonna be a little different this year."

"What do you mean?" Joakim asked, from the back of the group.

"I don't know what you've heard," Allison sighed, "But, according to the front office we were too lenient around here last year." She explained

"What?" Taj whined. Some of the other nodded in agreement, they had thought that last years training was some of the hardest of their careers.

"Look," Allison addressed, "I don't make the rules," she claimed, "I just have to follow through with what they give me," she continued, referring to the administration, "And they say I have to be stricter on you guys. I know it's probably not what you want to hear, but it's going to happen." She shrugged, "So be ready."

"Hey wait, coach!" Tony exclaimed, trying to get her attention to possibly understand the situation more.

"We're not going to talk about this anymore, we have to get started." She noted, "Sorry guys."

"Ah," Andy smiled, "I know you're all just so glad to be back."

The guys rolled their eyes at Andy as Allison quickly skimmed over the plan for todays practice. She gave out the workout swiftly and seriously, she was told it was just best this way.