positive • jenzie

13 ⇢ whats going on

❝Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.❞
- Tim Notke

•••

Dedicated to ficsbyjackk bc neighbours is a freaking amazing book! It's on hold, but the plot twist at the end has me full on rage quitting and I really hope it continues to get written ;)

•••

Johnny Orlando

•••

"You ready for this game bro?" I hear someone say, and upon turning I spot Hayden sitting down in the locker rooms.

"Definitely." I grin. "We're going to smash 'em!"

Hayden laughs. "Too right you are– but make sure you get that girl off your mind."

I stop what I'm doing in my locker and turn around again, grin faltering. "What'd you say?"

"The girl." He states, just in time for my whole basketball team to come trailing in the doorway.

"Johnny's got a girl!" Carson teases loudly– clearly trying to make my whole team hear. He succeeds.

The boys around me start yelling "ooooh" and Hayden slings an arm around my shoulder as my cheeks flame red.

"Shut up Carson!" I yell, pretending to be more annoyed than I actually am and flinging his arm away. Everyone roars with laughter, and I hide my face in my hoodie.

"Guys!" We hear a voice yell faintly. "Be quiet!" Simultaneously, we all realise the voice is coming from our coach. We fall silent almost immediately as we have a lot of respect for him.

"What's going on?" He asks, eyes drifting over our amused faces. No one dares to say a thing as I shoot daggers at everyone with my eyes. "Hayden?" He asks again after a long time.

Hayden lets out a snigger, trying not to laugh. "Johnny's in love–"

"No, I'm not!" I repeat again furiously. It takes mere three seconds for the rest of the team and my coach to cackle with laughter again. Shaking my head, I slam my locker. It's times like these when I wish boys weren't so immature.

"Okay okay. Jokes over now." Coach says, halting the laughter and smiles. "This game will be tough boys, the toughest of the season no doubt. We really need game faces on today; so if you aren't playing well you're off. Got it?"

"Got it." We all say in unison, forgetting our previous conversation.

"John, I don't know how your knees holding up so no play in the first half." He tries to say.

"But–"

"No buts. Your benched John, and it's for your wellbeing... Plus, your football coach would kill me."

•••

I was overjoyed when coach let me get on court for the last half, as we were down by six and it was hard to watch. Successfully, when I came on our team pulled back the win and the final score was 139–130 to us. Coach complimented me on my awesome game, which I was happy about.

There was something about me today; something different. I don't want to brag, but I really did play amazing. I've never really had a purpose before though– there's never really been someone for me to win for.

Today though? I was playing for Mackenzie.

•••

[587 words]

Qotd: basketball or soccer?
Aotd: basketball for sure– I'm unco with my feet!

Oh, and before you go...

Make sure to give me a follow ;)