Rumor Has It

Chapter 4

Ty's POV

The principles walk onto the middle of the court with a microphone in their hands.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it our night, to look back at our students who went into the military." One of the principles say.

"Jackson Antemon," he says as Jackson walks out with his girlfriend and family," he had a 4.0 and went into the Air Force after highschool. He has served for the last 4 years and has decided to continue serving." The crowd applauses and he nods while being handed flowers.

"Andrew Bates," he announces while Andrew walks out with his family," Andrew had a 3.5 and played baseball his highschool years and went into the army. He has served his 4 years and is continuing to serve by his father." The principle finishes while flowers are being handed to him. He smiles and waves at everyone.

"Sam Brooks," the principle says making the crowd clap and applaud," Sam was the number 1 goalie in state for his highschool years, awarded best sportsmanship, had a 3.5, and joined the Air Force after highschool. He has served in the Air Force for 4 years and has decided to serve 4 more years. His younger sister, Ezmerelda Brooks has decided to go into the navy after highschool to follow in not only his footsteps but also her fathers who was and still is a marine." He finishes as the gym goes silent.

The parents in the crowd applaud but the students don't. Ezmerelda stands right by her oldest brothers side and he has his arm around her. He stands a good 6 inches over her and has a proud smile while looking at Ez. After 10 seconds of silence everyone applauds and the gym erupts in cheers. I look at Ez who is looking back at me.

She still has no emotion in her eyes or on her face at all. Sam follows her gaze and it lands on me. He narrows his eyes and sends me daggers. I move around uncomfortable of his state. He bends down to her ear and says something. She looks back at me and nods. I stands straight up and nods keeping his arm around her.

"Alright boys, let's go back to the locker room shall we?" Coach Mark asks us after they finish applauding the soldiers. We stand up and walk back to the locker rooms. I feel the gaze of Sam still burning holes through me head and how he's gonna kill me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There's 5 seconds left till game over. We are losing by two points. I look at Cade and he nods to me.
"Diamond!" I yell to everyone on the court. They all nod and Cade passed the ball to Jacob. The timer starts and Jacob throws it to Max. Max fakes a shot and throws it to me. I jump up and shoot the ball for three points.

The buzzer sounds as the ball hits the rim. No one moves and it's quiet except for the sound of the ball circling the rim. It goes around once, twice, three times, before it stops and falls into the basket. Our team mates on the bench jump up and run over lifting me off the ground.

I look around with a smile on my face and my gaze falls on Ez. She's talking to her brother and he's laughing with her. He hugs her and puts his chin on her head and laughs as she hugs him. She pulls away and turns around. Her other brothers, Colton and Ryan, they stand looking around when they see me staring. Ryan waves while Colton keeps a straight face.

What is with this family and emotionless faces? It's like they enjoy being statues. The team puts me down and the crowd starts to disperse into the cafeteria for food. I'm left standing in the middle of the court with Cade, Sam, and Ez. Ez sees me and goes to walk away but Sam holds her shoulder firmly.

He walks over to us and I gulp down the fear that had been building up in me.
"Great game. I was really impressed." He says to us. I give a warm smile.
"It's been a while huh boys." He says looking back and forth between us. We both nod and he motions to Ez who has stayed quiet since the beginning.