KYLIE'S ZEAL(REWRITING)

CHAPTER 10

WEEK 10

It Friday already, the intensity that surrounded the school this week is that which can be compared to how David would have felt when he was thrown into the lion's den. The basketball qualifiers competition is not the only thing capable of bringing this atmosphere but the fact that exams are in a month's time, and that's like two times the pressure for me, I have a game of basketball to prove my worth and some exams to write to make mom proud, oh my, I've never felt this pressured in my entire life.

Despite how gross the week seemed to have been, good things happened too. My friend Laura was now in school, she's been around me all day calling me her life saver. Max now understands that he's my close friend and there is no romantic relationship with us. Sam also showered me with gifts every other day of the week, I made some pretty good headlines this week and received offers from girls in the school even some above my grade willing to be my friend just because am going out with Sam. I'm starting to feel somehow about this whole Sam situation, but I'll take my time, he has not even asked me out, at least not yet and I don't plan on replying soon too. At the moment, I just want to enjoy myself and bond with my new friends, oh my God why have I been a loner all this while, it really sucks.

The pitch also has some different kind of feeling this morning from the tiredness on the faces of myself and my teammates to how coach Lance has also been engulfed in some examination planning activities in regards of the exams in a month time, everything contributed to a rather lukewarm morning for the team. Well, the coach always has something to say.

“We've come a long way guys, and am happy we still have some people who still believe in this little dream of mine and the whole team. There has been some ups and down in the course of preparing for the event, but do not ever let that get into your way now, you've all been strong all this while and never gave up, don't now. We leave for camp on Sunday and only hope we stay long enough to qualify for the competition. We'll have our final training tomorrow morning here in the school at our normal time. I hope Zoe has passed around the list if the materials you'll need in camp?"

“Yes coach" we all reply in unison

“You all look tired this morning, I understand how the week has been. Remember you all have to read your books too if you want your parent to allow your participation in the team. We all know good grades help to win over our parents in this century. Have a nice day guys"

As usual, coach blows me completely off with his speech. Even coach had noticed the change in me and had call me over in the past week to question the reason behind my change, I told him it was one a needed, a welcomed one.

As soon as coach left, Zoe walked up to Laura to hand her the captain's band and welcome her back as the captain of the team. Oh my, we all knew how bad Zoe always liked to be in charge but right now handing over that band to Laura is some move.

“No Zoe, you have to carry on. After all, the team is still in place since you became captain, I think it something you deserved long ago" Laura tells Zoe rejecting the offer of being captain

“But, I got this because you were sick...." Zoe debates

“No....no don't say that, coach could have given someone else. You deserved it and you got it, keep it Zoe. And thanks by the way"

“Alright Laura, I'll keep it"

“Stop being girly biish!" Laura teases Zoe.

Everyone laughed, it was some moment. Zoe then addressed us and us girls shared some thoughts about how we presume the qualifying camp to be, it was hell of a talk and fun too, only that the school bell distorted our conversation half way, it was the only thing that could stop us anyway.

SATURDAY

My breathing has increased of late and today is no different. I got up rather late this morning and by the time I got to the school basketball pitch, almost all of my teammates had gotten there. I said my greetings to the team and quickly joined them in the morning jog round the pitch. We practiced for a while too, a little more intense and competitive this time around, plus we spent longer time training too. We finally came to the point where we had to sit and listen to the coach talk, my teammates and I dropped on the floor like we were never standing up again.

“Morning guys! Nice work you'll showed today. Just to get it right, we still play with the tactics and players we selected at the heat"

I finally did not make the team's first five, but for all it worth, I needed to go to the qualifiers at least to watch people play and probably get few playing times too.

“The teams you'll be competing with at the qualifiers might be from other high schools, but have it at the back of your mind that these people are professionals, most of these schools organise professionals to come train their students and also play professional games sometimes. They are more experienced than you about the camp and the competition, but there is no reason to be scared as long as you listen to camp rules and follow them strictly, you'll be fine. About winning, let's hope our training pays off. Any one got something to say?"

“Coach....when do we leave tomorrow?" Ariana ask

“Yes, I was going to discuss that too. We leave by 12 pm tomorrow afternoon. The bus leaves yen minutes after twelve, you probably will have to get here before 12 to catch the bus. There is no problem if you don't catch the bus, you can always join us at the camp at Queens road before 2pm for registration. Anything beyond that, you can as well stay at home praying for us. Not me, camp rules"

“Coach.....I've got only one sneakers, is it compulsory I get two/according to the list?"

“Well dear, if you take a calm look at the list, you would discover having two sneakers is only required, it doesn't stop you from participating in the game if you've got only one. It just if something goes wrong with your sneakers and you don't get another one to wear during the competition, you'll be exempted from playing. So take good care of your sneakers and you would be fine"

“Alright coach thanks"

“Okay......any other question(looks around to hear someone talk)...I guess am good to go. See you all tomorrow afternoon. Zoe, come with me"

**********

SUNDAY

“Are you not going to have lunch before you leave?"

“No.....no mom, am running late already"

“But how would you even get some energy when you don't eat"

“Mom.....I've been eating all this while you know, I'll ne fine" I reply finally grabbing my bag from my bed as I had arranged before leaving for church in the morning.

“Come here my baby......I wish you success, go out there and make me and your step dad proud" mom says kissing me on my cheek

“I trust you would make us proud sweetheart" my step dad adds

In my head am like whatever, okay, okay, not that we didn't get a long at all, I just hated the way he felt like my dad sometimes.

“Okay....thanks, I've to go right now or I'll miss the bus" I reply, kissed my mom and left the house banging the door right behind me.

**********

I finally get to the front of the school, oh my, I can see the school bus outside the school. I guess I didn't arrive late to miss the bus, I check my watch it 12pm on dot, wow, what a relief, I walk happily towards the bus.

“Hey ladies" I shout entering the bus

“My bitch is in the building...." Zoe shouts happily

“Ain't no one bitch girl" I reply laughing throwing my head around and spinning my fingers in the air

“Wooow! My bitch be manning up to be these days" Zoe reply jokingly. I hugged the girls and figured only Laura was missing.

“Where's Laura?" I ask

“Just got on the phone with her mom, she'll be here in a minute or two, then we leave" coach answers from the front seat.

Laura arrived after few minutes, we hit the road and soon got to Queens road then to our camp.