The Immigrant Who Played Basketball

Chapter Twenty Four-"I'll always be proud of you, no matter what."

I can barely walk when I enter the locker rooms and change back into my clothes.

"Hi!"

It turn around and find Lara behind me. If she was a five-year-old child, she would be jumping in excitement.

"How was the workshop?"

"Amazing! No, not amazing! Out of this world!" Lara exclaims.

"I guess you asked him if he could give you contacts of people who could give you chances of writing for a minor paper and he said yes?" I guess.

"Even better! In the end, he asked us all to write an article on any subject and he said mine was impressive that he called someone and said that she's given me a chance to write for a paper. I searched it up and it's not a big paper but still!" Lara gabbles that I just about manage to understand what she says.

"That's fab, Lara! I'm over the moon for you!" I say, trying to sound enthusiastic but all I sound is tired.

"OMG! You look so tired! I guess Coach was in the mood for working you hard," Lara gushes.

"Yeah especially because he's getting us to try out for the American High School Basketball Teams Tournament."

"Isn't that the competition Logan told me about that they didn't qualify and Coach took it badly?"

"Yep."

"Ouch. Good luck! You sound like you need it," Lara wishes.

"Thanks," I say as we walk out of the locker rooms and find Logan waiting.

"There you two are!" Logan exclaims impatiently.

"Soz, cuz. Luna was just updating me on the situation," Lara explains apologetically.

"I think that if we qualify it will benefit Coach, the team and the school. I mean Coach will be more recognised and the school will be know for another good thing and us-," Logan starts.

"How will it benefit us? If we only qualify and don't actually win then nothing will change," I question, confused.

"Think, Luna. Who'll be at the tournament?" Logan prompts.

"People, obviously!" I reply.

"Yes, but who specifically?"

"Parents, organisers, family, people from school..."

"And?"

"Scouts, obviously!" Lara jumps in.

"Yes, strangely enough Lara got it right!" Logan remarks.

"I'll show you that I'm smarter than you think: scouts will be there and even if you don't qualify etc. they can still give you an interesting offer," Lara explains, smiling to herself, victorious on proving her point.

"An offer like playing basketball at the college that the scout represents," Logan adds.

College. As soon as I was introduced to basketball, discovered my passion for it and met Ella, I knew that was the place I wanted to go. However, since what happened to Ella, I've felt so empty that my bright future vanished into thin air. It was like I just had to survive each day and that's it; I had believed that it was the only accomplishment I could achieve without Ella by my side.

Now, slowly, my bright future that had disappeared is revealing itself, showing it's true colours it had once before.

"Luna, are you still with us, buddy?" Logan asks.

"I think she's daydreaming! Luuuna! Are you in thereee!" Lara calls me back into the real world.

"Uh-yeah. Soz. Daydreaming, you know. We should probably start heading home," I insist.

They both nod. Lara's mum waits in the car outside so I wave goodbye to the cousins and take the school bus home.

For some reason, whenever I'm on public transport, I find that I reflect on anything, really. Today, all my thoughts are about if I did get the opportunity to play basketball at college. I would be in a college basketball team and would play games that are shown on TV. A sid smile spreads on my face: Ella and I had big hopes of being famous but we both resolved that no matter what, all we wanted to do is play basketball. I know for sure that she would be proud of me. The only person I'm not sure about is Mamma...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A silence hangs over my street that is only interrupted by the sound of my footsteps and the thud of my heart. Is this how every teen is like before they're going to have the serious conversation of 'the future' with their parents?

Entering the house, Mom is dancing away to an old radio with old music being played.

"Hi, Luna? How was your day? You'll never believe! I was passing this old, vintage store and I just heard music back from my days being played so I went in to explore and found that it was being played from this radio itself," my Mum retells, pointing to the buzzing radio," The owner of the store told me that the radio was the last one in stock. So, I bought there and then."

"Last one in stock? Who else would want to buy an ancient radio apart from my weird mum?" I comment snarkily

"Silenzio(Be quiet)!" Mamma warns me," It's not my fault you don't appreciate good music."

"Good music? I think it's you who has to get your hearing checked. Along with all those other people who bought the same radio, of course!"

I turn off the radio.

"Hey! Switch it back on!" Mamma demands.

"Wait! I need to tell you something important, Mamma!" I tell her.

"What is it, then?"

"Sit down, first."

"You're scaring me, Luna. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. Actually it's something good..."

"Then, spit it out! But obviously don't do it literally! That would be bad manners."

"Ok. We had basketball training today and Coach told us an announcement. He received an e-mail from the American High School Basketball Teams Tournament to announce it's happening this year-," I start.

"That's great, Luna! I think your team's going to do well," Mom interrupts.

"Yes, but even if we don't qualify etc. think of what other opportunities we might get."

"There are lot's of sports competitions so you can always try out for them."

"Yes, but who specifically can give us these opportunities?"

"Is this a game?"

"Mamma!"

"I don't know, Luna! Who?"

"Scouts! People who can give us offers of playing basketball at their colleges!"

I expect my Mum to be thrilled for me but she just frowns, the complete opposite.

"Aren't you happy for me?" I ask her, disappointed at her reaction.

"Of course I am, Luna. But there is only one problem. We have to pay for you to go to college and unfortunately, money doesn't come from trees."

"Of course, Mamma! But scouts can also offer us a full scholarship! No payment!"

"Yes, of course! But, Luna. Don't get your hopes up!"

"Yeah, of course," I say, feeling dejected.

I feel like my wings have flown off. Seeing my downcast face, my Mum places her hand on my shoulder, full of consolation.

"Scholarship or no scholarship. I'll always be proud of you, no matter what."