Hard To Love (Professor / Student)

Benched

The next morning Vanessa POV

I wake up with yesterday still on my mind. He claims he loves you but doesn't tell you something as important as a child? He doesn't tell you that his ex-girlfriend is still in his life?

Sitting up in bed, I grab my phone and read a text from Pat clearing me to play tonight. Soon after noon rolls around and Meghan's bed is still made from last night. She and Daniel really do spend a lot of time together. I wonder what it's like to not have a care in the world. To not have to watch your back every time you're with that special someone. I wonder what it's like to date someone who's absolutely right for you and being able to tell the world. Jumping out of bed and opening my laptop I think there is no better time to get some homework done. Calculus problems, an English paper as well as another project for his class is all that is due the next day. Hmm, maybe they should teach a course on time management that would be useful instead of multiplying invisible numbers by their reciprocal shit.

My alarm starts to ring and I look at the time, 4:30pm along with 3 missed calls from coach and 4 missed calls from Shannon. The voicemail from coach isn't the nicest thing he has ever said. Actually he may have been a little pissed. Montgomery. Where the fxck are you?! Game started at 4 meaning your ass should be in the stands. You either get here before halftime or forget about playing tonight! End message. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Thank god everything is already in the locker room. I throw on a pair of shoes and run across campus. The halftime buzzer sounds just as I step into the gym. I walk past coach and up the bleachers to the girls.

Shannon stands and pulls me aside from the other girls. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Honestly? I lost track of time doing my calculus homework."
"Cut the bullshit Ness."
"Shan, I swear. That's what I was doing."
"I've known you for a few months now, you don't get lost in your homework, you get lost on the court. Is there something going on?" She asks and I shrug

"Nothing important and certainly nothing that is going to stop me from playing hard out there today"
"Good. Did you see Coach?"

"No. I don't think he really wants to talk to me..."
"Well you may be right, but he's staring at us right now." Shannon whispers and I turn around and smile an uncomfortable smile.

"Oh shit." I mutter as he gestures for me to meet him in his office. I trudge down the bleachers and walk upstairs and stand in front of Coach's door.

After knocking on the door I heard Coach yell "Just get in here." I step inside and shut the door behind me.

"Look, Coach.." I begin but he puts his hand up.

"I really don't want to hear it. You're new to this team and you're not playing tonight."
"What? Why? I'm cleared to play, Coach."

He shakes his head "Quite frankly, I don't care."

"Than what is it? Because I was late today? I was doing homework and lost track of time."
"You're just not going in."

"But Coach."
He stands up and shakes his head "Don't do this to yourself Ness. You're off your game and not playing tonight."

I look at him and stand up "How can I be off my game if you won't even let me in it?!"

"Take this time to focus and heal as the strong player we know you to be."

"Coach, come on. Please?"
He shakes his head "I'm sorry Ness. My mind is made up. The team would love your support from the bench tonight." He says and walks out of his office and down to the gymnasium.

"This is bullshit!" I yell and slam his office door shut and storm back down to the court. My eyes meet Mark's from across the court as his assistant coach takes charge of the huddled team. I pull my eyes away from Mark's and storm back up the bleachers to where the girls are sitting. The rest of the guys' game plays out and they win by a few points or so, I don't really know by how much, my mind isn't exactly set on the game. The girls take the court and I trudge my way down and help with warmups.

From the corner of my eye I see Coach Belton and Dan talking to each other in hushed tones. Belton looks pissed as he walks away and Dan retreats to his office.

"Listen up Ladies!" Belton yells as the girls all circle around him. "You all know this is a big game tonight. I want you to go out there. Everyone should have brought their A game with them tonight." He says and glances towards me and I roll my eyes. "Go out there and play like you've been playing for the entirety of the season." His words are strong but nobody is convinced.

"But Coach? How can we play like we've been without the entire team playing?" Shannon asks. Belton glares at her as she returns the star e with a 'fight me' look.

"There is no one on this team that is entitled to anything. I told you the starting lineup and I'll consider changing it for next game. Do I make myself clear?"

Shannon looks at him and shakes her head. "If there is a next game" she mutters and I can't help but let a laugh slip past my lips. Immediately I look down at the floor, feeling Coach's deathly glare burn through my eyelids.

"Locker room, NOW!" He yells "Let's go Montgomery. Move your ass!" Shannon and I go sit in the locker room as Coach has the assistant coach take over for a few minutes. The rest of the girls are too afraid to speak up or argue. The two of us stand in the middle of the locker room as Coach busts through the door rounding the corner. Geez, what a hot head.

"What the FXCK is wrong with you two?! You...." He points at Shannon. "You're the captain of this team and you're going to argue with me in front of them?! What kind of leader is that? And you..." He points at me, shaking his finger. "You have so much God damn potential. God, do you have potential. But you treat this team like garbage. Girls who are juniors and seniors on this team look to you, look to both of you for guidance and support."

"Coach." Shannon says "Why did you bench Ness? I know she was late, but that can't be the only reason."
"Don't question my decisions Shannon or you'll join Miss Montgomery on the bench."

Shannon looks at him. "No. You're not being fair."

Belton pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head "Shannon, give me a minute with Ness. Go back to the gym." He says pointing to the door. "Now!" After she leaves Coach looks at me.

I take a step forward "Coach, being on this team means the world to me. Every damn time I step onto that court I give it my all. How can you come in here accusing me of treating it like garbage?"

"Quite frankly Montgomery, since you stepped foot on this team there has been nothing but drama. The captain of this team is arguing with me in front of the team, in front of the crowd. How do you think that makes me look?"
"Like you can't handle it." I mutter and he throws his head back in laughter. Oh does he laugh, this scary, menacing laugh.

"Yeah. I have been coaching here for 10 years now. And never has someone been so hot headed."