The ground cheered, roaring as I dribbled the ball, dodging defenders. Setting my eyes on the hoop, I circle around my defender, trying to keep the ball out of his reach. Pivoting my right foot, I tossed the orange ball into the air, watching it as it slowly reaches my teammate.
The ball reaches him and he grabs it, quickly dashing away as he dribbles. I let out a short breather, trying to pace my breathing as the crowd continued cheering in the gym. I looked around, trying to find who had the ball.
Corey still had it. I ruffled my hair, feeling sweat covering my scalp. Shaking the sweat out, I began jogging again, yelling out for the team to pass me the ball. I waved my hands freely, keeping my eye on the opposing team.
They stared at us competitively, hoping to win the competition. I wasn’t going to let them have such luck. I waved my arms frantically, watching as Corey pass the ball to Jason.
My eyes widened, shit, Jason was surrounded. I turned to the others in my team and nodded my head. Everyone in the team ran to Jason’s aid, defending all those who surrounded Jason as I ran near the hoop.
Waving to Jason to pass the ball. His eyes landed on me and he stared at me with frantic eyes. With my eyes, I sent him assurance, telling him to throw the ball. He nodded his head, and with his mite threw the orange basketball to my direction.
My arm were wide open, with a smile, I jumped up to grab the ball and that’s when I saw her sitting across the room, by our teams bleachers. It was odd, the span of two seconds seemed to turn into a millennium and all the while, I could only focus on her.
She was beautiful, not hot, or pretty but in fact beautiful. She had this odd glow to her, something I hadn’t understood then and still don’t understand now. A Band-Aid lay noticeably on the side of her face, her hair was a bit untidy (like she had fixed it last minute) and she seemed overly dressed for a basketball game. It was as if she didn’t care what people saw her as. She seemed so carefree, so open, and so lively.
The best part was the contradiction that radiated off of her; she seemed so flawless but at the same time, she was covered in flaws. She seemed so amiable yet at the same time, obnoxious. It was as if imperfection was the new perfect.
I analyzed a ten-fold about the girl in those two seconds in turn explains how I had failed to miss the large, oversized deaf boy that had knocked me over. I fell to the ground and the referee’s whistle was blown.
I blinked, confused while lying on the ground, watching as the basketball bounce up and down before coming to a stop and rolling away. Had I just been knocked from my two feet? Had I just lost the chance to make a basket?
Questions swirled in my mind, and I lied there, questioning my own actions as they seemed unbelievable. I shook my head, finally noticing the boy hovering over me and took his hand that was reached out for me.
I patted myself down and looked across the room. The girl, she was now watching intently. An amused smile playing across her face. Our eyes locked and I gave her a sheepish smile. She grinned and pushed a lock of her brown hair her behind her ear.
The whistle once again was blown, pushing me out of my reverie. The referee then yelled in his raspy, old voice, “Half-time.” I silently thanked the referee, happy that he saved me from any more embarrassment.
The team, including myself, headed to the bleachers, where all the subs sat, waiting to be sent in the game. We all grabbed a paper glass filled with Gatorade and gulped it down. I sat down, tossing the cup in the trash and breathed in.
My mind still couldn’t grasp the idea of how I managed to get lost during the game. It was impossible- or at least I believed it was. I threw my head back and took deep breaths, I was tired.
We had been playing Gallaudet School for the deaf; so far, it was 18-12, the one who scored 18 points being us. I stretched my arm above me and yawned. I looked to my side, sneaking a peek at the girl and found myself getting caught by her.
I gingerly gave her a smile and waved at her. She grinned it did the same but more courageously. I turned away, feeling a heat of embarrassment take over me. How was it that a girl like that could so easily make me feel like the space beneath me had been swiped away.
It was odd, because usually, I don’t get like that. What I mean is, that this isn’t normal. I’m not really into the whole infatuation idea, not now and maybe not later. I was a normal guy, just looking for a way into college or maybe a university.
A whistle was blown, redirecting my attention to the coach. He stood up tall and strong, eyes filled with determination. He glanced at each one of us, a stone cold eye glancing at each one of us. The whistle dropped from his lips and he harshly spoke, “Ok, now listen here! We have the other half of the game to shove their heads in dusts.”
Everyone in the team looked to each other when one, a scrawny guy named Lewis, raised his hand and said, “We’re ahead of them by like six points, plus they’re deaf…” His voice faded as he noticed the ferocity in the coach’s eyes point straight to him. With a growl, the coach spoke, “Doesn’t matter if they’re behind. We win with no mercy or lose with mercy.”
Everyone in the team, including myself, nodded our heads and spread out. Suddenly, my name was called. I turned my head and searched for the owner of the voice, when I found Amelia- a girl from my class,- standing next to the girl from before.
I frowned, mouthed, “What?” She waved for me to come over. Looking around, I looked if the other team was ready to play. Cautiously, I slipped myself away to her and asked, again, “What?”
“This is Sally,” Amelia grinned, pointing to the girl. I looked down to her, seeing a grin on her face. I looked behind me and said, “I need to get back to the game.”
Amelia rolled her eyes, waving me off, “Fine.” I looked down to Sally who waved at me bye. I walked away, not turning away from them. My named was then shouted, again, thinking it was Amelia, I yelled, turning around, “What?”
A sudden force attacked my gut, making me face down to the ball that was now in my hand. Turning to Jason, I gave him a quizzical expression to which he mouthed, “Foul.” I nodded my head, remembering that I had just been pushed over.
I took a deep breath and went into position behind the yellow line, just as the whistle was about to be blown, I crouched down a bit and focus. I glanced at Sally and Amelia, who stood at the other side of the court and shut my eyes. Opening them, I looked around me and made for a shot. However, unfortunately, it missed. I threw my head back and groaned.
The match resumed and everyone was taking part again. I looked from both sides, waving my hands for the ball. Corey nodded his head, and made a move to throw the ball at the other side, tricking the opponent. He then tossed it to me.
I caught the ball and grinned, I began dribbling, dodging every defenders coming by. I felt like I was on a role, making up for missing the ball the last time, although it wasn’t my fault.
As I dribbled, I grabbed a few glances at Sally as I passed by. I just wanted to see if she noticed that I was in fact an awesome player. Soon enough, the opposing team was chasing after me, trying to defend the members in my while at the same time, trying to snatch the ball away from me.
I stopped where I was, raising the ball above me, looking for someone to toss the ball to. Jason stood faraway, behind the majority of the opposing teams defenders. He waved his hands frantically, I nodded my head and made a move to pass the ball to one of my teammates nearby; however, just before releasing the ball, I raised my arms, and tossing the ball faraway to Jason.
The ball flew in the air, hundreds of eyes on it. I, silently, prayed, hoping Jason would catch it into his hands, and make a score.
Unfortunately, that went down the toilet when I noticed the big guy who knocked me over from before, run towards the ball. Jason’s eyes widened and he to grab for the ball but was too late. The big deaf guy had hit the ball, redirecting it to the crowds.
The ball flew into the bleachers, hitting one of the bystanders.
It just so happened to be Sally. My eyes widened and I muttered, “Shit,” before dashing to the bleachers, to help Sally up while Amelia continued screaming like a mad woman.
And that was how I met the crazy bitch known as Sally.
Sally Nightingale.
Let the nightmares begin.
--------------------------------
I know, what happened to Corn?!? I'm going to write that, don't worry. However, I won't be updating that until I can get the story down. I know, I know, I suck. :(
But here's, Hello!
I hope you guys like Sally, I do. :3