The Player and the Played

20. We're On Each Others Team

The best part about being on a team was being friends with the other teammates. Which is why I felt extremely awkward as I walked to the basketball court. The last time I had played basketball in a school, I had made some great friends. And then my best friend betrayed me, I dated my other best friend and then left. Oh, and my sister also died of cancer at around the same time. Then, I shifted to another school. So yeah, that didn't turn out well.

Now, I would be forced to play with a bunch of tall guys I didn't know. Oh, wait, they'd also target me because I was new and a girl. I had been playing basketball for years and was pretty good but gaining respect from arrogant jocks would be hard.

Some of the kids were already there, practicing free throws and three pointers. I took a ball and joined them. As I had expected, almost all of them gave me 'the look'. They looked at me like 'Oh, who's this new person-it's a girl-she won't be that great-why's she here-oops I've been staring I better look away'.

I hated that look.

"Hey, I'm Jesse," said one of the guys. He was pretty tall, with messy blonde curls, piercing blue eyes and a friendly grin. I was thankful that he had spoken to me because I wouldn't have the guts to say hi to anyone.

"Hailey," I said, returning his grin.

"You new?" he asked.

"To the team? Yeah" I replied.

"Well, duh. I meant to school," he explained.

"Nope,"I said, popping the 'p'. "I joined in sophomore year."

"How hadn't I noticed you?" Jesse asked, genuinely confused. Most new kids got pretty famous for at least a few months.

"I lay low," I shrugged. He nodded.

After a few seconds, he called the other guys.

"Idiots, this is Hailey. Hailey, these are idiots," he said gesturing towards the guys. He then named all of them but the names were just a blur. They analysed me. I tried not to look uncomfortable. Thankfully, Coach Evans came then and practice began.

Practice was tiring. I was ready to go home and sleep. The guys had become pretty comfortable with me after they saw how I played. Jesse was especially nice.

Unfortunately, my plans were ruined by none other than Tyler Mendes.

"Hailey! I didn't know you played basketball!" he exclaimed on seeing me. Unfortunately for me, his soccer practice ended at the same time as my basketball practice. For some reason, even after seeing his annoying face, I felt a smile tugging on my lips.

"Hey, Ty. And I've been playing since the second grade. I'm pretty sure I skipped our so called date because of tryouts," I explained.

"But I've never seen you," he said, kind of confused.

"I didn't want to play for the school for a while because of Ashley and everything. I decided to try out this year because it's senior year and I wasn't sure if I'd continue in college," I said.

"Oh. Want a ride?" he asked.

"Nah, I'd rather walk."

"That was a trick question. I'm walking too. I could, however, accompany you."

"Ugh, no! You're sweaty and annoying," I said, laughing a little.