The Fierce Pride

Chpater Three - Our new teammate is....

Here's something I learned today, if you're an asmatic,don't be sportless, try to get into sports that will help you to try to control your lung work and breathing...

But anyway this chapter took me two periods of English to think up so enjoy....

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After school, Leyona drives me home early to grab an old sports shirt and shorts plus an old pair of trainers that were at the back of my almost empty closet. I prided myself in being able to find clothes to wear because I do not go shopping and I love that my mum,bless her soul,buys me clothes that are few and simply.

She drives us both to the baseball court and then heads for the benches to watch. There were six boys there and no girls in sight.

Just my luck.

There are some boys and girls sitting on the benches watching. Probably here to either support or to just watch some us make total idiots of ourselves.

As always I notice that as soon as Leyona has seated herself down,the boys start ogling her and the girls glare at her with envy. Leyona still remains ignorant and gives me a thumbs up.

Suddenly,a sharp taxi whistle is blown. Everyone grimaces and turns to the source. I am surprised to see that a girl with long blonde hair and sharp green eyes had made that sound.

She stood tall with a prideful smirk as she observed all the students here to try out. Behind her were her teammates which consisted of an asian boy , two were black American twin brothers, two boys who looked like they came from somwhere European and a girl who dressed like she was Kat from Victorious. That was disappointing, only two girls on the team?

"Now listen up everyone. The knights are a strong team. To get to wear our uniform is an honour. We have a winning streak of two years and we'd like to make it three. So here's how its going to go down. You'll first run some laps to test your stamina,then you'll all have turnes to catch,hit,run and even slide. After that we'll talk and choose. There are seven of you here so only one of you will make it, regardless of your gender."

I let out a relieved sigh.

At least judgment will be fair. I was liking this girl more and more by the minute.

"Oh and one last thing, when you get selected, you have to deal with listening to me while our captain is away because I'm co captain so don't get shocked that you'll have to take orders from a girl."

With that one of the boys blew a whistle to start the tryouts. After a thirty minute warm up,we ran five laps around the court which actually,wasn't that bad.

I can honestly say I didn't even break a sweat. After that everyone had a chance to catch, hit, throw, run and even slide. Honestly speaking, I think it went horrible for me because when it was my turn to hit, the ball went all the way out the fence.

Later on whilst everyone rested and waited, I couldn't help but feel bad but ,hey, I was suppose to not get selected,right???

Finally, the team assembled in front of us and the girl stepped out with a uniform in hand, "Okay, I now it was a tough decision and you all did so well so just don't feel bad after this. We've talked it over and our decision is final."

Everyone held their breaths.

"Our new teammate is....Zarlula Axel."

I stood still. Not moving or saying anything. It didn't even sink in until the girl stepped forward and handed me my uniform.

My uniform!

"Congratulations Zarlula,welcome to the team," the girl said with a smile as I nodded in thanks slowly. No one came to congratulate me because they didn't even know who I was but I was fine with that.

"So Zarlula, quick intro and info. I'm Jamie Wright, cocaptain and these are some of your teammates so feel free to annoy them."

I chuckled as she turned and pointed everyone out with a smile.
"The Japanese boy is Lee Yamamoto, the two twins who are my brothers from another mother are Dwayne and Isaiah Mitchel, the Brits are Edward Fowl and Joe King. Lastly our very own New Orleans princess Irene Munroe."

"Hi,"I said and gave them a slight wave.

" Welcome to the team Zar,"Dwayne said as he playfully punched my shoulder,"Is it OK if I call you Zar?"

I nodded.

"OK Zarlula ,practice starts as soon as school ends at three thirty every afternoon except on the weekends.Got it?" Jamie asked as I automatically nodded,"I guess this is real."

Irene laughed,"Take it easy Jai. The girl's still in shock. You alright sugar?"

I laugh nervously and said,"Yeah, I am now...hey...umm... I have a question?"

"Shoot," Isaiah said as everyone around us started to leave.

"Where's your captain?"

All the others looked at Jaime who sighs,"Family emergency so he had to leave town but he'll be back next year. He actually wanted to do the tryouts early so we wouldn't have to worry about it when the season started."

"Oh" I said with understanding. So the captain was a boy. Great.

"How come we've never seen you before?" Lee asked.

"Probably because I 'm a social outcast,"I answer with a small smile."Everyone at Silverton High school seem to think so."

Jaime shook her head as the others eyes widened," No, that's not it. We go to different schools."

I frown, "What?? Where do you all go to school??"

"St Micheal's Academy," Dwayne answered as I pursed my lips and tried not to look intimidated. St Micheal's was high school for rich kids who were also very smart. Mum once considered sending me there but then quickly changed her mind because she said I might get intimidated and I guess she was right.

"We're going to Lisa's to hang out. Wanna come?" Irene said lightly, probably to ease the tension.

Lisa's was a famous diner for all the sporty teenagers to hang out. Even Leyona goes there and it was definitely not for me. Back then.......but now...I smiled and shook my head, "Sorry I've got to get home before my mom worries about me. I realize that I didn't leave a note for her."

Jaime smiled,"OK here's our numbers. Call if something comes up and you need to reschedule practise or if you simply need to hang out."

She then hands over a piece of paper that has all their numbers,even the captains number, whose name is Adam Conner.

They all left after saying bye to me. I then turned to see a smiling Leyona,"I guess now, you owe me a day of shopping."

I shrug,"I guess so."

She laughed and hugged me tight,"Congrats cuz. You made the team."

"I know," I reply as we separated and walk arm in arm to her car even though I am very sweaty. Like really sweaty.

"Wait till your mum finds out."

Of course, mum screamed the roof off when she found out and said that she was so proud of me but only after scolding me on the importance of telling her where I go after school.

Unfortunately my good mood did not last long because I was starting to feel the aches from the tryouts. The aches got so worse mum sent me to bed early after dinner with painkillers. The last thing I saw was my baseball uniform on my night stand before I went to sleep.

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