Chapter 29 #2
The cheerleaders and mascot take the floor after the music and lights stop. Gabby waves up at us before a song starts. The team performs a complex routine, pumping up the crowd for the first game, cheering in front of the bleachers. I look back at Troy. “Gabby is fantastic out there.”
“She is,” he says, full of pride. “Her team came in second last year at the state championships.”
“Wow, that’s amazing,” I smile. Turning back around, I notice Alex pulling his container of lemon squares out. He offers one to Troy, who happily accepts and takes another for himself.
“These are superb Summer. I might get addicted,” he says.
Laughing at him, I tell him I’ll make them whenever he wants more.
The music dies down when a spotlight comes on towards the locker rooms. Someone announces the rival team and starters as they take the floor.
It’s like being at a mini-NHL game. We all clap for them as they enter, despite being the opposition.
Flashes of light fill the room as our team is announced.
Everyone rises and cheers as Seb and E step onto the court.
They both wave in our direction, but I’m not sure they can actually see us right now.
Regular court lights come on after the announcements. As the coaches deliver their final pep talks to their teams, I notice Seb glance back and spot me among the crowd, giving me a wink. I smile and wave.
The game is fast-paced right from the start.
Both teams are good, but ours is better.
Seb and E work like a well-oiled machine, scoring points and intercepting passes.
Seb gets a few three-point shots in to lead his team in scoring.
By halftime, we’re up by 10 points. The cheer team entertains the crowd during halftime as the teams head to the locker room.
The second period starts just as fast. We’re up by 15 pts by the end of the third quarter, and the visiting team looks desperate as the fourth quarter starts.
As Seb goes in for a layup, a hard check, like a hockey player, sends him crashing into the wall.
We all jump up as the ref blows his whistle.
E rushes over to Seb as he gets up. He looks okay, if a bit dazed, and starts slowly walking back to the bench with E helping him, as the ref calls a technical foul.
The other starting guard on our team takes two shots for Seb and sinks them.
We win the game by 20 points with several more fouls being called, but none like Seb endured. The visiting team played dirty for the rest of the period, though.
After both teams leave the court, much of the crowd disperses. “We'll wait here for the guys,” Bay tells me.
Gabby joins us shortly after. “You were fantastic, Gabby,” I tell her.
“Thanks, Summer,” she beams as Troy gives her a hug. Everyone talks about the game highlights while we wait. About 20 minutes later, Seb and E come walking over. I jump up and meet them at the bottom of the bleachers. “Are you okay Seb? Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine, Sunshine. Promise. I’ll be a little sore later, but I’m okay,” he says, putting his uninjured arm around my shoulders.
We walk back up the bleachers to our group.
Everyone checks in with Seb and congratulates them on their win.
They don’t play again until tomorrow morning, but they want to watch the next game since their biggest rivals are playing.
I open my backpack and pass each of them a granola bar.
“What’s this?” E asks, inspecting the bar closely, trying to discern its ingredients. He should definitely be a chef.
“I made you guys high-protein granola bars with minerals. I figured with all the games you’ll be playing, you could use them.”
“Sunshine, these are so good,” Seb says around a mouthful. “You’re the best.”
I pass E the container with the rest of the granola bars. “Keep these with you for the weekend.”
“I will,” he smiles. “They are delicious.”
“I have to meet the coach and make a phone call. How long until the next game?”
“Only 10 minutes,” E says.
“I’ll try to be quick.” Giving Seb’s hand a squeeze, I stand up and walk to the hallway. There’s only about a quarter of the people from the game here now, so it’s easy enough to get outside.
Cara, Ana, and Stacey are in the hallway, still in their cheerleading uniforms. “She looks so desperate,” Ana says. “Did you see her rush over to Seb after the game?”
“They just feel sorry for the new girl,” Cara says confidently. “She’s the boss’ daughter, so what can they do? Seb loves working at Finn Enterprises. He told me Wednesday after practice he feels obligated to be friends with her because of his job.”
That stings a little. I know it’s probably not true, but doubt creeps into my mind.
After all, I lost all my friends once before.
Would Seb really do that? He is an outgoing guy and easily makes friends.
I guess it’s possible. Maybe the rest of the guys are just following Seb’s lead?
Trying to refocus, I walk down the hall and knock on the coach’s door.
“Hi Coach,” I say as I take a chair in front of her desk.
“Summer. How is Seb doing? I saw the hit.”
“Okay. No permanent damage, although I expect he’ll be sore by tomorrow.”
She nods at that. “Good. Your times yesterday were slower than qualifying, but not by much. Which is impressive, considering you haven’t run in a year. I’d like you to train with the team, starting Monday after school.”
Yay! “Thank you, Coach,” I smile.
“I’ll keep you on a similar schedule to what you were doing in Virginia.
You’ll run six days a week with specific training at the 400m and 800m with me on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Rotate distance with interval training, otherwise.
I’d also like you to consider the 200m relay.
We’re one person short this year for a team, and I think you could have a decent time if you work at it. ”
Considering I’m being allowed on the team over a month late, trying a new distance is the least I can do. “Okay, I can try it.”
“I’ll introduce you to the other 3 girls on Monday, then. Head back out to your friends,” she waves.
“Okay, Coach, bye.” I get up and head out. I’m smiling from ear to ear when I find Nick in the hall. He raises an eyebrow at me. “I’m officially on the track team,” I beam at him, bouncing a bit on my toes.
“Congrats, Shortie.” I think there’s a slight tilt upwards to his mouth. Not a smile, but it’s something.
“Thanks. Um, I need to make a call. Is there a quiet place around here where I can do that?”
Nick smirks and starts walking, so I follow him to room two. He unlocks the door and ushers me in. “Really? Here?” The place I caught him having sex?
“It’s private and quiet,” he shrugs.
“Okay…but I’m not going near those mats,” I point.
Nick chuckles, and it's deep and vibrating. “Fair.” He goes across the room and sits on the floor, putting earbuds in, and l can hear music playing from here.
I take a seat against the wall opposite and call Mal.
It’s a little unnerving talking to Jake with Nick in the room, but he doesn’t look up at me once.
I update him on everything since Tuesday, including that I made the track team.
After I’m done, I glance up and notice Nick still listening to his music, eyes closed with his head back on the wall, so I send a quick text to Zander letting him know I officially made the track team.
Walking over the Nick, I tap his foot with mine.
He opens his eyes and puts his earphones away, then we head back to the court.
I follow Nick back to our seats. The game is still in the first period as I sit down between Alex and Bay again to watch.
This game is not as close as the first one.
At halftime, our rivals are up by 20 points.
“So, what did the coach say?” Seb asks.
“I’m on the team,” I announce. The guys all congratulate me. I look around and notice we’re missing Troy and Gabby.
“They went home, Sunshine.”
“Okay,” I say. “Can I ask you a question?” I whisper, leaning forward to reach his ear.
“Of course, Sunshine.”
“It’s probably nothing, but Cara said you were only friends with me because I’m the boss's daughter,” I tell him.
“Dammit, no way,” he swears. “I haven’t talked to her since the cafeteria incident. She’s lying, Sunshine. If I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t be friends with you. My job has nothing to do with it.”
“Thanks for the reassurance, Hurry,” I say, squeezing his arm. “You may want to know she’s telling her friends you were with her Wednesday after practice, though.”
Seb is shaking his head and muttering, so I turn to everyone else.
“Do you mind if I read the driver’s manual while you guys watch the game?
” Everyone shakes their heads no, so I settle in to read.
I’m having trouble getting comfortable now that I’m not invested in this game, but Bay tells me to lean on him, so I do and get through much of the manual again.
I’m hoping to be ready to take my test next week.
When the game ends, the guys gather up their things. “So, what’s the plan now?” I ask.
“There’s a party tonight, but the basketball team isn’t allowed to go,” E tells me.
“Why don’t we order some pizza and hang out?” Bay asks.
“I’d like to, but I have to run tonight and soak after,” I say.
I hear a grunt and turn to see Seb standing up stiffly. “I think I need to give Seb some of my salt soak and recovery cream, too.”
“Everyone can come to my house. My stepmother is away. Summer, I have a gym you can use, and there’s a tub for your soak in. Seb can use it too,” Alex offers. Everyone is nodding at the plan.
“Okay, I’ll text Zander. Can someone drive me home to get my stuff?”
“Can we have a slumber party weekend?” Seb asks. “Please? I’m injured after all. I need extra comfort,” he says with sad puppy dog eyes.