meant to be

chapter 7: mikaela

"Mikaela, could I talk to you for a second?" Coach Kelly asked.

Mikaela looked at Jake slightly concerned. She didn't want him to lift the heavy drink packs by himself-and he was already gone.

"What's up Coach Kelly?" Mikaela asked.

Was she in trouble?
"Mikaela, I just wanted to let you know of an opportunity. Basically it's this program where we have younger elementary school age children come in and you can help teach them basketball. There are a couple of games, and practice is every Monday and Friday."

"Coach, that sounds great I'd love to!" Mikaela said, excited.

"Great, I'll email you and your parents the info! I think it'll be really great."

"Definitely!" Mikaela said smiling. "Thanks for letting me know!"

"Anytime!" Coach Kelly said, and she walked away and into the back room of the gym.

Mikaela turned around and started to head towards the gym exit, hoping to find Jake who had been gone for quite some time, when she noticed Munch, standing there glowering at her.

Munch was so stoic, normally she couldn't read his emotions, but now? He looked... confused? Shocked? Maybe both?

Mikaela avoided eye contact and continued walking before she saw Jake coming back inside.

'Perfect timing.' She thought.

"Thanks so much Jake. I really appreciate it." She said as he set the drinks down on the table.

He looked thoughtful for a moment, then he replied.

"Anything for you, Mikaela."

Mikaela felt like she was going to explode.

"Haha" She laughed nervously, her face reddening fast.

"EVERYONE, COME AND GET IT!" Coach Kelly shouted, holding 6 pizza boxes. She opened the one on top and people swarmed around the pizza. The first box was done in seconds.

*    *    *

After everyone finished eating they all grabbed a basketball. The boys team went to one side of the gym and the girls team went to the other.

"Who wants to scrimmage?" Lili asked the group. Everyone raised their hands. "Okay so we gotta make teams. Let's see..."

Mikaela looked around the gym while Lili was making teams. The boys had already started playing. Her eyes landed on Munch.

For the first time, she finally felt like she was finally getting over him. Seeing him didn't hurt anymore, and he didn't make her nervous anymore either.

She continued to glance around the gym, and noticed Jake sitting on the bleachers alone. He looked... kinda sad. None of his friends were sitting with him, and he was just looking down at his shoes. Something inside her, maybe an instinct, told her to be there for him... but she stayed rooted to the court. She couldn't just leave, anyway. Lili was finally done making teams.

"Uh ok so there's an uneven number of players-"

"I'll sub out" Mikaela said quickly, interrupting Lili.

"And now we don't have an uneven amount." She said. The others chuckled lightly. 

Mikaela stepped off the court and watched the scrimmage start, but then she walked down to the other end of the gym and to the bleachers, where Jake was sitting. He was sitting on the highest row of bleachers.

He just couldn't make it easy for her.

She hoisted herself up the bleachers until she was right next to Jake, who finally looked up. He had a blank look on his face, but his eyes were shiny. Then, recognition washed over his face.

"Oh... hi Mikaela." He said, surprised.

"Can I sit?" She asked.

"Yeah of course." He said, sliding over to make room for her so she wouldn't have to climb over him.

She sat, and the two both watched the game closest to the bleachers, the boys. Mikaela had no interest in it though.

"You look sad... are you okay?" She asked.

He continued watching the game before finally opening his mouth.

"Me and Sofia broke up."

"Oh-"

"But that isn't why I'm upset. And I'm not sad, I'm honestly kinda pissed. She keeps acting like I'm still her boyfriend, sending me... pics and stuff."

"NUDES???" Mikaela cried.

"What? No! Pictures of her and her family! They went... somewhere. I don't even remember. They arrived yesterday. Jeez, why were nudes your first thought?" Jake said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Man, I wouldn't put it past you." Mikaela laughed.