The Match {A Short Story} -- SELF-PUBLISHED

Part 2: Final Test

Soon, nine other guys filed inside the court already in their practice jerseys.  Zach introduced me to them and I’m pretty sure he told me their names. It’s just that without a printout, any information wouldn’t stick to me pronto. Unless there’s something remarkable to remember someone by. It’s a flaw of mine.

I was about to ask Zach where the female players were because everyone looked male to me even the names sounded male. But on a closer inspection, four of them have…erm…more pronounced chests subtly hidden under loose jerseys. Hell, they look and act like boys to me. And I’m not talking about the boyish types of girls because these ones had clean-cut hairdos, and some of them have defined muscles too. If I’m rude, I’d say they look even manlier than most men.

“These are the starting players: the best of the best, if I may,” Zach proudly told me as we watched them in awe by the sidelines. They all moved in sync, like each was an extension of the other. Even without looking, every pass was received on cue, every shot was aimed accurately. It was like watching a perfectly choreographed dance where everyone moves in harmony with each other.

This is a solid team, I thought. And my motivation to belong to this group grew even bigger.

After doing a couple of warm-ups, one of the…erm… girls passed the ball to me, hard. If I wasn’t ready to catch it, I could’ve sprained my hand. “You better gear up, bro,” she smugly told me. “Cap will tire you to the ground.”

“Yeah dude, you better step it up. Cap’ll notice if you’re not at your hundred percent,” another chimed in.

Zach jogged to the group that began to gather around me. “Hmm, I think we’ve got Cap’s match right here,” he grinned and there were audible ‘oohs’ and ‘aahhs’ from the other team members who looked me up and down like they were inspecting something under a microscope. However, although they scrutinized me, I didn’t feel intimidated at all. As a matter of fact, my face brightened up in anticipation.

I’m actually excited to play against the Captain.

“What? Practice is already over? It’s still too early!” someone called out loudly and everyone turned to see the newcomer.

Walking towards us was a lady, wearing her basketball jersey two sizes bigger. Her form was lithe and she moved with both grace and pride while she tied her hair into a bun. Since her bangs still obscured her eyes, she pulled up a stretchable head band to free her face from the fringes. What caught me was her smile. She was grinning like a kid who just got a Christmas present.

“Head’s up, Jazz!” someone shouted and unceremoniously threw the ball to her which she easily caught with a hand.

“I’ll treat you all to pizza if she misses,” Zach murmured to the group.

The girl dribbled the ball once then in a fluid motion, drew the thing towards her upper body and positioned it above her head. With a flick of her right wrist and a little bounce on her feet, she sent the ball flying inside the hoop for an easy three. She walked to pick up the ball and kept it between her left hand and hip before approaching us.

There was a collective groan from the rest of the group. “That’s a lame bet, Anderson. You know she never misses from the arch.”

I didn’t hear them talk. I was busy staring at this girl who just stared back at me with big curious, tentative gray eyes. “Hi, I’m Jarlin Trance.” I immediately introduced myself the moment she got in range. I noticed that I only had two to three inches on her but that didn’t hold me back from sticking my hand out. Everyone fell silent as if I committed a crime.

Jazz arched her eyebrows. “Hello. I’m Justine Marthens. But everyone calls me Jazz,” she chirped. And just like her graceful posture, her voice was music to my ears. She gripped my hand once and let it go. Holy shit, there was no trace of ‘lady’ on her palm. They were calloused just like mine. What the hell had she been doing?

“Mind if I call you Justine?” Because I personally like the sound of the name leaving my lips.

She just simply shrugged. “Hmm… Trance,” she murmured and looked at me straight in the eyes her big gray orbs studying me. “So you’re the new starting forward?”

I mildly smiled at her. “Looks like it.”

She nodded at me with a smirk. “Let’s see what you can do.” Justine threw the ball to me and the other players spread out. As they dotted the bleachers, they wore the same expression on their faces: excitement.

“You seriously wanna play me?” I asked almost in a mocking voice, as I dribbled the ball and followed her to the half-court.

“Didn’t Zach tell you? You have to play against the Captain,” she told me with a smug smile before falling into a defensive stance right outside the perimeter area.

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A/N: Since you're my avid reader/supporter/friend and the second one to comment on this story, I dedicate this to you Rachel.

In case you're wondering why each chapter is so short.. I intended it that way. :)

To my fellow Pinoys who are reading this... I'm so sorry if I'm turning into a different person when I'm writing in English (_ _")v hahaha