Courtside

Alone

"No one is ever going to love you so you might as well just give up Danielle." Amber sneers

"Its not like you anything special, if i haven't gotten a bae by now yet then you definitely dont have a chance." Gabby says scrolling through her phone

"Bitch you never will." I mumble but she doesn't hear me

"Yeah look at how you dress and those hideous locs, you look like a boy!" Heather laughs

"Hey You should change your name to Daniel! " Amber suggests

The 3 girls stood over me throwing evil remarks at me while i sit bundled up in my corner, reading my book. They're all 18 but have done nothing with their life and haven't left the house yet claiming they're staying home to help ma for now... but I know they're just too incompetent to move out and get a job or go to college.  I try to ignore what they say hoping one day I can have enough money to move from this hell hole.

My name is Je T'aime Danielle. Im 17 years old and I ve been here since I was about 2 I think. i don't know my last name who ever dropped me off at the front door just left a card

First name - Je T'aime

Middle - Danielle

Last-

Birthday : July 19th

I know my first name means I love you or some shit in French so i just make everyone call me Danielle or JT Why would you say you love me and then leave me at the front door of some strange place? I think i know thats not love.

"Hey Daniel, you should cut your hair off. Want some help?" Amber says the circle closing in on me

"Touch me and ill break your fucking hand" i growl and they gasp stepping back

"Ma Danielle cursed and threatened us!!!!" Heather screams fake tears forming in her eyes

"JT is there a problem?" My foster mother asks stepping into the room

I shake my head no and stand up walking around her.

They're words leave somewhat like welts on my skin but never cuts im too strong to let them damage me more than that. I walk to the linen closet by the door and grab my basketball and make my way to the court around the block

"Be home by 9!!" Mrs. Pitman screams from the window "Be safe baby girl!!!"

Mrs. Pitman was sweet and kind but she was also oblivious. Her husband did things to us girls and even some of the boys when they were younger while she was on trips but none of us opened our mouths for he threatened to get us put out on the street. The group of girls tortured me since I was about 8 but they never got far enough to put they're hands on me cuz they know I'm stronger than them. Its 8 of us in the house or 7 now that Kalah is moving out 4 girls and 3 boys.

I play basketball to get away from everything in my head. Its my way out. I love the feeling i get when i run to the basket, i love the sound of the net when the ball goes in, the adrenaline, the sweat, the fun. I love it all. Ive been playing since I knew how to dribble a ball and could never stop since then.

When i get to the court it empty like usual and i clear my mind and let go.

I visualize myself on a professional court, brand new Nike's, and a blank jersey. No one knows who i am, where i come from, all they know is that this girl is a champion.

Im the team captain starting our first play. In front of me is a tall girl with an ugly glare on her face. Shes blocking me from my players but not for long.

I fake it left and head right. Pass it too the first open girl i can see and head down the middle. My teammate shoots and misses i get the rebound and lay up. Yes! 2 points for us.

I beat the others to the opposite side of the court. Were playing man to man and our defense is so strong they struggling finding an opening so she tries to drive it to the basket and ends up fouling me. 2 shots... I stand at the free throw and close my eyes

*Breath in.... Breath out*

*Bounce, Bounce*

*Breath in... Shoot!*

Swish!! Yes!

Okay *Breath in... Bre...*

"WATCH OUT!!!"

Wham!! Something hits me on the side of my head and i ben over in pain clutching my head.

"Oh God im so sorry!!!" Someone yells from across the court

I look up and chuckle passing the ball back to the group of boys that now posses the other side of the court

"No problem!" I say tossing the ball back them

I chuckle remembering when the same incident happened years ago ..

Flashback

The ball smacks the side of my face and I fall over seeing double

"Ouch" i say rubbing my head and look up at a tall boy. he's kind of cute I guess

"Are you okay?!" he asks frantically "Do you need any ice?" he says helping me stand up

"No thanks im good." i say brushing myself off

"Are you sure?" he asks again a worried look overtaking his face

"Yes, Im sure im fine." I say looking for my ball

"Ill get it!" he says as it rolls into the street.

I watch him run into the street to get it and some idiot with his lights out comes zooming up the hill. Before i could think i take off running

"HEY WATCH OUT" I scream pushing him out of the way of the on coming car as soon as he's out of the way i drop to the floor and curl into a ball. I scream as the car zooms past me but runs over my hair pulling harshly. My heart is racing and i cant breath, tears are streaming down my face endlessly and the car comes to a screeching halt

"Get out of the street dumbass! Next time ill just run you over! Je T'aime get your ass home now!" Mr.Pitman screams

I run and grab my ball from the boys hands as he looks completely dumbfounded and head for home...

I stare at the net remembering his face so clearly. Warm brown skin and hazel eyes...

I shake my head wanting to forget instantly. He was part of the reason I came back to this court for all these years... wanting to see his face again.

That'll never happen though I think shrugging and continuing to play until it gets dark.

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