pic of Maddi up top^
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I sit on the bleachers, nodding my head gently in tune with the song I'm listening to. I probably shouldn't be playing it as loud as I am, because the people around me can surely hear the music leaking from my beats headphones.
I've been working hard to erase the embarrassment from earlier by drowning it out with music. However, the task of forgetting about Maddi is a lot easier said than done considering everytime I look up, I see her looking way too good for someone who's been running for an hour.
Coach calls us into the locker room to start stretching before the girl's game finishes. I stand with my team, slipping my phone into my sweatpants pocket. Once inside, we all change into our uniforms and shooting shirts. I finish before anybody else and find a comfy spot to sit against the wall.
I close my eyes to focus back on the lyrics of the song, getting myself pumped for the game, when someone flicks my forehead.
"What the hell?" I say harshly, tugging my beats down onto my neck.
Devin gives me a mocking look, "Listening to love songs about Maddi, Nolan?"
"How'd you-" I say standing up. My eyes fall on Jacob who's a very guilty shade of pale and unusually quiet. "Oh."
"Is she gonna wear one of your jerseys tonight? Or does she have another three or four guys to choose from?" Devin says. There's no playfulness in his voice.
The truth is Devin has always hated me since I was named co-captain instead of Devin holding the title alone. It really was embarrassing for a senior to have to share the title with a junior. And Devin got Caleb to start rumors that I was sleeping around with every girl I could. It was all fun and games until somehow it started going around that I slept with Devin's sister just to spite him, which wasn't true at all.
"What about-"
"Hey, cap. I'd shut up if I were you," Dakota says humorously, trying to lighten the situation even though I was seconds away from taking off my knee brace and beating Devin with it.
"Shut up. We all know how bad you wish you were me," Devin rolls his eyes. Dakota's jaw tightens, but he doesn't do or say anything else.
"Do you really wanna cause trouble before the championship, dude?" I say calmly, yet I'm definitely not feeling very calm.
"Oh, I'm causing trouble?" Devin says with a low chuckle. "You're the one who can't keep it in his pants, and has to stick it in a girl from Charleston County, our biggest rival school!"
"Devin, maybe you should chill," Another teammate, Caleb, says, coming up behind us, eyebrows drawn up in concern for his friend. When Caleb has to tell Devin to slow down, that's how everyone knows Devin has majorly crossed a line.
"Why? Because, y'know now that I think about it, I bet Nolan and Maddi are perfect for each other. They're both gross slu-"
"Devin!" Jacob snaps, putting his hand on Devin's arm. "Shut up!"
I figured after all the crap Devin has caused, a knee to the balls was calling of the situation. And that's what I would have done, shoved my big metal knee brace covered joint into Devin's little man parts if coach hadn't walked in right then.
"Is there a problem?" He says, accessing the situation and walking in between Devin and I.
"No, Coach," Devin says, giving me a smirk.
Coach looks at me with raised eyebrows.
"No coach," I sigh, clenching my jaw.
"Good," he states, "We have a big game tonight and I need all of you completely focused."
We all nod in agreement, but Jacob flashes me a look that I ignore.
"The girl's game is almost over. Get out there and be ready to warm up as soon as it's finished."
I take my beats off from around my neck, zipping them up in my bag. I'm about to walk out when Coach calls my name.
"Hey Nolan, Jacob, and Dakota. Can I talk to you for a minute?"
We give each other a look, but walk over to where he's standing.
"Wassup Coach?" Jacob asks.
"I wanted to let you guys know I have scouts here tonight watching you all. I didn't include Devin in this because I know he's already committed, but I wanted you to know who's watching tonight. Our team is counting on you guys to do what you know to do. You guys are practically running this team and I know you won't let me down. Now get out there," He finishes, and turns back to look at his clipboard.
I guess all of us are a little bit shook because it takes a few seconds before we turn to leave. Once we are out of the locker room Jacob speaks up.
"Talk about pressure," He says with a low whistle.
"For real," Dakota mutters quietly.
Jacob opens his mouth to say something else but the roaring and cheering from the audience interrupts him.
Next thing we know, the Charleston County girls team is jogging by us heading into their locker room, cheering and laughing.
"Wow, I wonder who won," Jacob says sarcastically.
I don't answer, too busy scanning the girls for Maddi. When she walks by, I grin at her and say, "You played great!"
She doesn't answer me right away, making me think she didn't hear me. I almost sulk away in embarrassment when she turns around and jokes, "Oh, I bet you say that to all the champions."
Jacob has to dead leg me before I can move again.
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What do you guys think of the bad blood between Nolan and Devin?
thanks for reading. love you guys!
-lauren<3
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It's About Heart
Jugendliteratur"There is nothing more important than basketball to me. Nothing. Except her. She's more important than everything." ********** Nolan Carpenter has always been the subject of the spotlight. After gaining the position of co-captain of his varsity prev...
