“Pardon? Young Cyrus? Sir?” I asked, confused.
“Ah, don’t mind that.” He smiled, flashing yellowish teeth. He turned his back on me to face those that made it to the team. “Tomorrow, 8:30 in the morning, you have to go here. Practices.” He explained, walking away.
“Yes, Sir!” all of us said.
“Congratulations,” someone greeted me and I faced him.
“Thank you,” I gave him my genuine smile; I mean, the most genuine of all.
“I’m Gabe,” he stuck his hand out; I shook it.
“Jean.”
“You did great a while ago with Vin. You deserve being on the team,” he snickered. “Nobody has ever did that after me.” He continued.
“Huh?”
“Ah—I did stole that ball from him when I tried out for the team. But nobody successfully did what I did. Then, there you came. A girl got success,” he said.
“Oh.” I picked my bag up. “Sorry but I have to go now. Thanks, again.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiled, as he picked his bag up, too. I went out of the gym, meeting a cheerleader.
“Hi! You suit the squad! Mind trying out?” she smiled.
“Sorry but I just made it on the basketball team.” I smiled apologetically. “And besides, I don’t dance.”
“What? A girl; as beautiful and charming as you joined the team? No freaking way.” She insisted on handing me a form.
“But, I did.” I took the form, crumpled it and threw it on the trash can.
She gasped. “Every girl in the school would have died just to join the squad. And here you are; throwing the opportunity just for the basketball team. How peculiar.” She gave me a suspicious glare. “Or maybe you just want to flirt with boys.”
My fists formed. I was ready to kill because of what she said.
“You don’t know me. I can crush your bones into a million pieces. So don’t freaking judge me.” I tried to calm myself.
“Admit it.” She crossed her arms across her chest.
“I don’t have to admit anything.” I threw her a dirty look.
“I should see you play then.” A single eyebrow of her arched up.
“Okay then. Tomorrow, 8:30. Head here, at the gym. We’re having a practice game.” I nodded and walked away. I’m done with all these squad invitations.
Just because I’m blonde, has blue eyes and tall doesn’t mean I’m a cheerleader material. I’m a basketball player, for God’s sake!
~ ~ ~
“I’m home!” I shouted as I entered our house.
“Sweetie! I’m in the kitchen!” Mom shouted back. I dropped my bag on the couch and head off for the kitchen.
“Hi Mom. What’re you doing?” I asked, as I kissed her on the cheeks.
“Obviously, I’m cooking.” Well, that’s what I like about my Mom. She’s sarcastic.
“I thought you we’re washing clothes.” I said as I laughed my ass off.
“Never thought you’re dumb, sweetie.” She stuck her tongue out, but you know I can’t do the same thing as pulling her tongue just like what I did with my sister earlier this morning.
“Guess what?” I asked her.
“What?” she asked.
“I made it on the team, Mom.” I smiled.
“Really?! I’m so proud of you sweetie! You are a true daughter of your Dad.” She hugged me. And, at last, I felt home; I felt accepted.
“But, Mom. There was this cheerleader; she asked me to join the squad.” I laughed.
“You joined?” she asked.
“No. I told her that even though I have blonde hair and blue eyes doesn’t mean I am a cheerleader material. But then she said she wants to see how I play.”
“That’s good, Sweetie. Rub it in her face.” Yes, it sounded rude. But, serves that girl right.
“Yeah. Mom, if you need me, I’ll be upstairs.” I smiled as I went to my room.
~ ~ ~
8:30 AM; Basketball Gym.
“Hey.” I greeted Gabe. He was the only one in the gym when I came.
“Hey. You’re early.” Gabe greeted me back, with a sly grin on his face.
“Early bird here.” I sat down on the bleachers.
“Where are they?” I asked.
“I don’t know. They are always late.” He shrugged.
“Ah.” I stood up, got the ball and shoot. Successful 3 points.
“What’s your height, anyways?” Gabe asked out of nowhere.
“I know it doesn’t suit me but I stand at 6’0”.” I shrugged. “Dad was tall, I might have inherited it.”
“Oh. Yeah, you’re taller than me; and it’s shameful.” He giggled.
I just laughed and then shot the ball. Half court!
“You play great, you know. I can’t even do some half court shots.” He confessed.
“Well, Dad taught me how to play.” I smiled.
“Good morning, early birds.” Someone said. I turned around and it was coach.
“Good morning, Sir.” I greeted him back.
“Show me that half-court shot again.” He nodded.
“Yes, Sir.” I positioned myself and threw the ball. Success!
“You play good. We’re happy you’re on the team, Cyrus.” He said. As if on cue, everyone walked inside the gym and we started off for the practice game. We divided the team into two.
I was on the team of Vin, Gabe, Leo, Ken. We are opposing the team of Mark, Lee, Justin, Tyler, and Tyrone.
We played for almost an hour and our team won; gaining 101 points.
I picked my bag up, then walked to the comfort room.
“You’re not taking shower?” Gabe asked.
“You’re all guys. I’m a girl.” He took the hint and nodded.
“Okay then. See you later.” I nodded, too.
I took a shower in the comfort room and got myself dressed. A shirt that bears the words ‘Poseidon’s Daughter’, skinny jeans and my signature white Converse shoes.
I walked to my next class, Biology. I have the cheerleaders as my classmates.
“You played well.” Someone said, and I turned around.
“Thanks.” It was the cheerleader. The one that confronted.
“But… can I ask you a favor?” she said; looking hopeless.
“Shoot.”
“I like Gabe.”
“WHAT?”
