Cute Short Stories

Practice Makes Perfect -- Short Story 36

Practice Makes Perfect -- Short Story 36

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The end of the bell rang, signalling to all of the kids to jump up and get out as fast as they can. Me, on the other hand, took my time packing up my binder. I'm suppose to go into the school's gym right now and practice for basketball, but who wants to shoot around by themselves? Not me.

Yanking and pulling on my bag, my locker finally decided to release it. I took as long as I could getting to the gym.

Once in, I went into the change room to... well... change. Being on the basketball team has its perks- like getting another locker in the change room to store all kinds of crap in. I replaced my skinny jeans and sweater for basketball shorts and a girl type of muscle shirt.

I grabbed my basketball shoes and water bottle before heading out to the gym. There's usually 3 or 4 senior boys practicing their shots as well, but today the gym was empty.

Taking a seat on the ground, I unlaced my shoes and slipped them on. I tightened the laces before asking one of the P.E. teachers if he could please open the equipment room for me to grab a basketball.

I bounced a couple around before deciding which one would be the best. Thanking the teacher, I made my way to one of the hoops- the one furthest from the gym doors. With my back to anyone coming in, I stood on the far end of the gym.

I lined up my shots and all of them swished in. I've been getting better and better every time I come in. My coach asked me away from the team if I would mine working on my shot a while back. I agreed to it because I knew I kind of sucked compared to the other girls.

At first my coach came in to practice with me. He would make sure I lined up properly, followed through, and all that nice stuff. I hated it. It was embarrassing to have to have 1 on 1 time with your basketball coach to practice shooting. But luckily I caught on fast and he only had to come for a few times.

Now, I still come in here and there to keep up all of my hard work. It feels good to know my practicing is actually paying off and I'm making most of my shots now. The other girls on my team are proud of me too.

I just hate coming in.

After making as many shots as I could handle within 45 minutes, I decided to pack it in. With one last shot, I grabbed the ball and started towards the change room.

I heard the gym doors opening as I got closer to an escape. A group of boys could be heard coming in. I set the basketball by the equipment room as the boys came into view.

Taking a fast glance at them, I only recognized one of the three tenth grade boys. Eric smiled at me. I blushed, looking away.

"Hey, Jessica." He nodded towards me, "Just finishing?"

"Yeah." I nodded, wanting to make a break for the change room.

"I didn't know you played basketball." A small chuckle slipped from his lips, "That's really cool."

Giving him a small smile, I looked at the ground to see that my shoelace was untied. I took a seat to retie it; even though I would be taking my shoes off once in the change room.

The three boys mumbled and whispered amongst themselves a few feet from where I was sitting. Not wanting to eavesdrop, I tried getting away before things got awkward.

"Ask her." The tall blonde boy I didn't know pushed Eric in my direction as I still sat on the ground.

"No way." Eric shook his head- I could see him in my line of vision.