Triple + One (FINISHED)

Old Habits

"Alright people! This Friday we have the first game of the season. And you all need to be ready. While many of you have been on the team for the most of your time on the school, many of you have just started. So we are going to train hard and get some focus! And most important thing, we need some teamwork!

So let's start with some two and two exercises. Two players, one ball. Run back and forward on the gym court and play to each other. Let me and Chris demonstrate", Ian said and he and Crevan walked onto the gym court standing in front of each other.

"You will stand in front of each other with about sixteen feet apart. You'll turn towards the right end of the gym and the person with the ball will dribble some feet forward before playing it to your partner. Your partner will do the same while you back away and you will continue like that until I say otherwise. Let's go people"

The players quickly found partners and began the exercise as Ian had instructed. Ian and Crevan walked towards the benches and took some water while they watched the others.

"They are getting better right?", Ian asked and Crevan smiled nodded in agreement.

"Definitely. They are definitely improving", he said and not even a second later two of the new beginners lost the ball, one of them throwing it across the gym.

"Some of them are at least", he then added and Ian groaned out.

"Dude seriously, you know it's important to win the first game. It's good motivation for the rest of the season", the boy said and Crevan nodded in agreement.

"And I agree. But we shouldn't pressure them too much either. Yes the victory is important, but there's no victory in a team that's too beaten or too damaged. They need support and assurance. Not yelling and screaming", he explained and Ian nodded in understanding. His best friend was right. They didn't need pressure, they needed support.

"You're right. And we will support them all the way", he said turning to his friend only to discover a girl sitting on the seats a few rows up.

"Look", he said calmly and nodded toward her. Crevan frowned and turned around, instantly met by his sister's best friend, Ash. She reminded him a little bit of Rooney. A tomboy, yet girly. She was one of those girls who could wear off anything. He smiled and nodded at her, receiving a shy smile and little awkward wave.

"Go. I got this", Ian said before walking over to the team, giving them a new exercise. Crevan sighed and turned back to the girl and took a deep breath before walking up the stairs. He could see from afar that Ash began to blush and panic inside.

"Hey", he said once he reached her row and the girl smiled nervously at him.

"Hey Crevan"

"Why are you sitting here? Alone, I mean. I thought at least Violet would be here with you", he said and Ash shrugged, feeling a little more relaxed, but still very nervous.

"She told me she wanted to spend time with your brother as much as possible before he leaves. And I respected that"

Crevan smiled at the answer. He was glad that at least one of the three of them could find good friends in their lives. He and Rooney failed with Laura after all.

"Yeah, she loves him deeply", he said and walked closer sitting down next to her.

"So do you", Ash said smiling at him and Crevan smiled back at her before turning to look down at his team.

"I've never actually sat here before", he said, coming up with something to say and Ash raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Really? Never even before you got on the team?"