Illuminate

Chapter 5- Eva

The next day was pretty normal. School was school, and stuff was hard. But, I still tried my best. But, by the time math rolled around, I had decided to try some of Blake's tips, such as highlighting the printed out notes. Our test was tomorrow and Mrs. Allen was going through the study guide. I highlighted the parts I was still having trouble with so I could go over them with Blake after basketball. He was right though, highlighting the notes helped me to engage better in class and to be sure I was paying attention. When work time came along, I wrote down the parts I knew, which gave me the confidence that there were some pieces I did know and understand. After I finished, Lacey and I talked quieter than usual. I couldn't afford to get in any more trouble.

"How did it go yesterday with Blake?" Lacey asked with a smirk.

"Actually really good, he's super smart," I told her. I didn't want to say anything about how I actually struggled in school.

"Well, yeah. But how was he?" she asked and we both softly laughed.

"Cute. I mean, he was really nice and respectful to me, which was good. It's hard to find people like that now," I expressed.

"Aw, that's good. He's so hot, Eva. I mean, if you two date I would die. It'd be so cute," she gushed.

"We aren't going to date, okay? I'm just a freshman, it's not like he'd ask me out," I chuckled.

"I don't know, Eva. You're a pretty girl and he even made the time to talk to you at Emma's party," Lacey convinced.

"I guess we will see," I smirked and she laughed. The bell rang and I took a huge deep breath of relief. I could finally go to basketball, one of the few things I was naturally really good at. I walked quickly to my locker and threw my homework into my backpack, throwing the bag around my shoulder. I then grabbed my basketball bag and started to walk toward the locker room. I always met up with a few of my friends from the basketball to go there with. I walked into the senior hall and met up with a few girls.

"Hey, Eva," my friend, Claire, greeted. A few other girls from the team were at her locker too. Claire's locker was pretty much our meeting spot.

"Hey, Claire. Hi Zoey and Brecklyn," I replied and they said hi back. We all made our way to the gym and I changed into my basketball clothes. Claire and Zoey were both captains.

The beginning of practice was tough and our coach really pushed us, but that was how I liked it. It made me do my best and reminded me that were some things that came naturally to me. 

"Alright girls, for the last thirty minutes we are going to scrimmage boys varsity," Coach instructed and I smiled. I always loved when we scrimmaged them because Austin, Colton, and I all got super competitive. And now I knew Blake too, and I wanted to show him what I could do. The boy's team started to come in, all sweaty and out of breath, just like all of us. I noticed Colton with his group of friends and Austin with his. We always got super competitive during scrimmages.

"Hey, Eva," Colton called and motioned for me to come over. He was now with Austin.

"You ready to lose?" I asked him.

"You wish, Kid," Austin fired back and I laughed a little bit.

"We'll be watching you, E. For every mistake you make it's another set of benching you have to do next time we go to the weight room," Colton joked and we all laughed.

"Alright, let's do this," Coach yelled and I walked into the center of the court. I felt some lightly punch me on the shoulder. I turned around to see Blake.

"Let's see what you got, Kole," he said and I gave him a smirk.

 Of course, I did not jump the ball because I wasn't tall enough, but I was ready to grab it. My friend Zoey always did because she was so tall and for the guys, Colton and Blake switched off, but today it was Blake. The coach threw the ball up in the air and Blake pushed the ball towards Austin. He began dribbling down the court and I played aggressive defense on him.