The Courts

Trish

   “Trish, come here!” Coach called out to me as I was in the middle of practicing my jump shot. I always come after school to practice even if we don’t have one scheduled. Can’t be the best if you don’t practice like the best. I dropped the ball and made my way over to Coach. “What is it Coach? I was practicing.” I rolled my eyes. He knows I hate being interrupted while I’m practicing. “Follow me to my office Trish. I got someone I want you to meet.” I followed behind him as we made our way to his office. I stood at the doorway while he went to sit in his chair behind his desk. I took a look to my left to see someone vaguely familiar. “Trish, this is-“

“Craig Crippen, basketball MVP of the boys division in the state of Philadelphia, 5’9, and point guard for 3 years of Philadelphia Eagles”

    “I see someone’s a fan” Craig smirked at me. I flashed a fake smile. “Don’t be so full of yourself. I just do my research on competition.” I rolled my eyes. “Well Trish, I called you in here because I wanted you to show Craig around the gym and show him where everything is kept.” Coach said. “And why can’t you get someone else to do it?” I questioned. “Because you’re the only one here.” He’s got a point there. “Well, come along Craig. I wanna hurry up and get this over with so I can finish practicing.” I said walking away from the Coach’s office with Craig following behind me.

    “Okay so, the balls are kept in the closet over there,” I pointed to the closet in the far right corner, “locker rooms are that way,” I pointed to double doors to my left, “and that’s basically all you need to know. Now if you could be so kind to leave so I could finish practicing, that’d be great.” I said as I made my way over to where I had previously left the basketball. Just I as quickly as I picked up the ball, it was token out of my hands. What the actual f*ck? “Give me back the ball!” I shouted. “Play me.” “and why on earth would I do that? Just give it back!” I tried snatching it, but he just moved it away from me. I rolled my eyes. “You’re eyes will get stuck up there one day,” I sighed heavily. “The only way you’ll get this back is if you play me for it” he smirked. I just wanted to slap it off his face. I haven’t known the guy for more than 15 minutes and I already don’t like him. “Fine” I gritted through my teeth. “Game goes up to 25.” he checked the ball to me and we began the game.

*

     The score was tied and last basket wins. One more layup and I win. I crossed up Craig and made a clean get-away to the hoop. Once I threw the ball up to the hoop, Craig’s big a.ss hand smacked the ball straight down and grasped it with other. He took the ball back up to the 3-point line. By the time I ran back up to him to play defense, he had already shot the ball into the air and made the basket.

     “Seems like I’ve got you beat little girl. No one can’t beat me and you sure enough aren’t about to change that,” Craig whispered into my ear and then pecked my cheek. “see you later babygirl” and with that he was gone.

    What just happened?! No there has to be something wrong here. I DON’T loose. This just doesn’t make any sense. No one in this school has beaten me, not even the guys. I’m not about to let this boy come in MY territory and think that he can take my spot as number one in this school. I am the best basketball player in this school. I grabbed the ball and continued on with practice. If it’s a challenge he’s looking for, well challenge accepted.

 *

I woke up the next morning with one thing on my mind. I have to play Craig again. It's just been bothering me that he beat me. I mean, like obviously I was off my game at the moment. He just got lucky. Yup, that's it.

   I walked into my bathroom and did my morning hygenine routine. I left my bathroom and went to my closet to look for an outfit to but on. I decided on wearing jean shorts, a baby blue tank top, my jeans vest and my Jordan retros. I like to keep things simple. I'm not a girly girl but at the same time, I'm not a tomboy.