A Better Best Friend

2

Tonight was the big basketball game, we've lost this game the last two years and missed out on the playoffs, but the team seems very determined especially Jack. Most teams underestimate him because he's not as tall as everyone else, but what he lacks in height he makes up for with speed, handles, and determination. He's excited for this game, all week he's been practicing and getting ready, pumping up his teammates and now 5 minutes before the tip off there is most likely only one thing on his mind. Winning. Emily, Jen, and I sat in the top row in the corner of the bleachers, it was like our special spot so jack knows where we are. Every time he scores he points at us and jumps and does a full circle spin. Alex is a cheer leader and Finn and Jaeden play on JV so they get to sit behind the home team basket. The game finally starts. Each team gets in position, then. The tip. We win and the ball gets tipped to Jack, he runs down the court and does a cross over at full speed. The boy covering him slips and bumps into his teammate which sets up Jack for an easy pass to his tallest teammate Erik who laid it up. The game kept going and we kept scoring. The coach of the other team was going crazy, he hadn't seen a game like this in a long time. Jack was on fire, the whole team was on fire. The other team called a time out and our team started dancing on the court. I think that really pissed the other team off. The other team inbounded the ball and started to bring it up court, the guy with the ball tried to pass it but it got stolen by Jack who passed it to Erik who passed it back to Jack when he got to the basket, Jack acted like he was gonna shoot, but passed it to his teammate Zach who was wide open in the corner. When Jack passed the ball one of the other teams players jumped up to block Jack and kneed him in the side of the head and then fell on him. Zach made the shot and the crowd went wild right when Jack hit the ground. After a few seconds everyone realized Jack was hurt and quieted down. His coaches and players went over to him to check on him. He stood up and took a few steps before hobbling and loosing his balance. They called the trainer who took Jack out of the gym and into her room most likely for a concussion test. We kept watching the game and could immediately tell that jacks presence was missed. The other team scored 22 un answered points and tied things up
with one minute left. Jack still wasn't back. I decided to walk out and see if he was out in the athletic lobby. I saw his mom,

"Hey Sweetie, how are you?" She said coming up to me. She was so nice I loved her.

"I'm great how are you? It's been a while." I said smiling.

"It has, we'll have to have you all of for dinner sometime soon." She said. "Have you seen Jack? I heard he hit his head and rushed right over." She said.

"That's why came out its been like 20 minutes since he came out here." I said. I started walking towards the room and the trainer walked out with Jack. He looked up and had a massive bruise on the side of his head.

"Hey guys, how's the game going." He asked. I bit my lip not wanting to tell him, but I had to.

"It's all tied up." I said avoiding eye contact. He eyes widened he pushed off of the trainer and ran into the gym to see the other team up by 5 with 10 seconds left.

"What the hell happened?!" He yelled. He was holding the side of his head which meant it hurt. The trainer caught up to Jacks mom and I,

"Unfortunately he can't finish the game, he has a very severe concussion. I was trying to keep him in my room so he wouldn't see this, but he said he wanted to find Elyssa. Do you know where she is?" She said. That made my heart warm knowing he was thinking about me.

"I'm Elyssa." I said.

"Oh okay." She said, Jack was on the sideline talking to the coach. He started to walk onto the court and she ran over to him. "He can't play he has a very bad concussion." She shouted. Everyone got quiet, Jack turned around and just looked at her with a very blank face like he didn't know what was going on. "Jack you're going to have to get an MRI." She said. His mom walked over to him,

"Jack come on let's go." She said. Jack sat in a chair on the sideline.

"I want to see the end." He said. The whole gym was watching this happen even the referees. It was like they knew there wasn't much hope for the team without Jack. Then a referee blew his whistle and the game continued. Our team inbounded the ball, Erik passed the ball to Zach and he quickly shot it at the 3 point line and made it. 2 point game 3 seconds left. Now everyone had to guard their man on the inbound. Somebody got open, it was the point guard, jacks backup was no where near as good as he was. The other teams point guard took it down the court and made an easy lay up. Game. Jack stood up, and walked out of the gym, he didn't react or anything he just left.

"What a night this has been, the lions are now out of playoff contention. The late spree after Jack Grazers injury was unexpected. Thank you everyone for supporting this team throughout the season and tonight. Have a great night everyone." The athletic director said over the loud speaker. I ran outside to find Jack, sitting in his moms car, they were about to leave. I knocked on the window. Jack put it down,

"Do you think I could come with you guys?" I asked.

"Well of course you can." Mrs.Grazer said. I sat in the seat behind Jack.

"Are you okay Jack?" I asked.

"Yeah of course we're going to the playoffs." He said. That was weird he just witnessed them lose.

"Honey, we lost the game." His mom said.

"What?" He said. I think this concussion was worse than we thought it would be.

"Okay, I think it's time to get you to the hospital. Elyssa are you okay coming with us or should I drop you off at home?" Mrs.Grazer said.

"I'd like to come if that's okay. I'll text my mom and let her know what's going on." I said pulling my phone out. I texted my mom and let her know what was going on and she said it was fine. We drove to the hospital and got Jack his MRI.

Note-I like this book.