The Immigrant Who Played Basketball

Chapter Fourteen-"You ready to party?"

WHAT??? COUSINS??? Lara, Logan and Maria!!!

I'm speechless.

Lara laughs.

"I guess that means Mr Annoying Boy and Miss Know-It-All hadn't told you," Lara assumes while pointedly staring at Logan.

"Maria and Luna are no longer friends," Logan states as he glances at the floor.

"And what's your excuse?"

"Luna and I haven't been on good terms."

"Not surprised if you annoy her all the time like a few mins ago."

I suddenly find my voice.

"No... it was because of basketball."

"Oh... about you not wanting to play."

Anger rises in me.

"How much have you told her, Logan?" I question angrily.

"It wasn't his fault. I heard you like basketball, so I asked."

"Thanks, Logan. Sharing my personal life with a stranger."

Before he can apologise, I throw my food in the bin and leave the cafeteria anger and confusion taking control off my emotions all at once.

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After last period, I slowly stroll to the gym. I've decided not to care about who's going to be there as too much emotional pain has got me here. I go into the girl's locker room and change into my sport clothes and tie my shoe laces tight. I pace in the room to get myself together before making a fool of myself in front of everyone. I open the door to see Lara about to come in. She must have seen my puzzled face and starts the conversation by saying, "I wanted to check if you were okay," she explains.

I answered back quickly, "I'm fine, thanks", while moving around her to head to the gym.

She gets me by the wrist and gives me a guilty look, that I'm sure refers to the conversation we had earlier.

"I'm so sorry about this morning. I shouldn't have butted in and please don't be angry at Logan because I did really want to know you and talk to you," she says.

I take in her words and give her a small smile telling her everything is fine and we both walk into the gym, which makes everyone turn to look at us. Lara squeezes my shoulder and whispers 'a have fun', walking over to the seats where Maria is sitting. I look at her and she gives me a small smile that I know holds a bit of sadness over everything that has happened. I snap out of it and walk towards the team that are huddled in the middle of the courts with coach in the middle of the huddle. I stand by him, which then causes him to drag me right next to him and announce to the boys I'm the new member of the team. The boys don't say much and look completely uninterested while Logan looks at me differently, probably because of the argument we had this morning.

"Okay, now that we are all done here, let's start practise with some drills. First are suicides so get to the line."

 We all shuffle to line and somehow I find myself standing next to Logan who is about to open his mouth, but I quickly jump in, "Not now Logan."

His shoulders slump inwards a bit and he looks to the ground sighing, which then makes me feel bad. I stop looking at him when coach blows the whistle and we all start to run. After the suicides, we then start to work on our footwork and passing skills. Coach pushes hard and at the end I'm drowning in my own sweat. I'm sorry that was disgusting. Coach blows the whistle twice meaning that practice is over and everyone basically sprints for the locker room, including me. That is before coach says, "Luna, my office."

Everyone starts to share glances at each other and watch as I follow coach into his office. I take a seat and gulp down my nerves as the silence threatens to kill me. The silence is interrupted when coach asks me a question that leaves me baffled on how to answer.

"What's your story Luna?"

"What do you mean, Coach?"

"Where are you from? How did you start playing basketball? What do you want to do in the future and why were you so reluctant to join my team?"

Each question makes me think of how I want to answer it. Spilling my story isn't the easiest and I barely know Coach to tell him of all my struggles.

"I'm from a small town in southern Italy. Grew up there my whole life 'till I moved to America with my mom a few months ago for a job offer she had. There was a court outside my house that I used watch people play on. I went there and asked to play with a boy who was 2 years older than me. Santiago was my best friend and introduced me to the game. I went there after school every day and became best friends with another girl who dreamed of playing basketball in the future like me. Moving here means I have opportunities to be a pro which I love and I was reluctant to join your team because of personal issues." All of this I said was with my head down as I was worried what coach would think. But all coach says is: "I see, you're dismissed."

Jumping out of my seat, I go into the locker room and change quickly, wanting to go home. However, I'm stopped by the one and only Lara who says the words I thought I would never hear:

"You ready to party?"