Diary on The Shelf!

Chapter 8

'My voice, a melody in your ears'

THE SUN was up and glaring down on the basketball court as the players got ready for their tournament. It was one of the most important games for The Eagles- Lorna's basketball team. If they won, all the three games they had today they'd move to the National and since the team hadn't been to the Nationals in over four years it would be such a huge deal for all of them.

Lorna and her teammates were shooting hoops at the net, doing lay-ups, passing the ball, and doing some of their trick shots.

"Ayo Leti five o'clock." One of the male players nodded over to the benches with a playful smirk on his lips.

Lorna held the ball by her waist and slowly turned towards where the benches were situated, instantly, a wide goofy grin formed on her face when she saw Halima taking a seat. She bit her bottom lip and sighed softly. Halima.

"I'll be right back."

"Damn, she is fine!" One of the guys commented and made whistling sounds while staring at Halima's ass. Lorna threw him a hard glare making him raise his arms in mock surrender.

"Asshole!" Lorna muttered clenching her jaw, she threw a hard pass at him almost hitting his groin with the ball, and left the court.

A smile replaced her frown face when she saw Halima waving at her, she licked her lips and went closer to their seats. She noticed that Halima had on baby blue sweatpants and a matching hoodie which almost matched their basketball uniforms, she felt her heart warm at the thought of the girl making that much effort even if it wasn't intentional.

"Hi, Lorna." Catherine chirped first wanting to tease her flustered friend.

"Hey, Catherine." Lorna nodded towards Catherine and then turned to Halima who was still gathering herself.

"Halima." She called softly. Halima inhaled sharply, she wore a nervous smile, still in disbelief that Lorna was actually talking to her.

"L-Lorna." She squeaked softly.

"Thanks, for. . . um . . . coming to the game."

Halima gulped and gave her a smile. "Sure."

"Can I see you after the game?"

Catherine nudged her friend with her elbow when she saw how silent Halima grew. "Yes, I'd love that," Halima muttered, unable to conceal the huge grin on her face.

Lorna heaved a sigh of relief. "Okay, well. . . um . . . see you after."

"Good luck," Halima said causing Lorna to smile and nod at her.

As Lorna left the two girls squealed softly while holding each other's hands, "Thanks for bringing me today Kate." Halima hugged Catherine tightly, she was grateful that Catherine managed to convince her parents to let her spend the day with her.

After a long time of deliberation, they finally let her go on the grounds that she would spend some quality time with Ismail the next day which she wasn't looking forward to but she bargained on it. It didn't matter how wonderful he was; she just didn't want to spend any time than needed with him.

"Of course, can't let your lady mess up her scores again." Catherine winked playfully.

"Nobody says your lady anymore." Halima chortled rolling her eyes.

"Whatever, she was a mess last time you weren't here." Catherine waved her off exaggerating her wave while rolling her eyes.

Halima was very flattered, she felt warm bubbling inside her stomach, a massive grin on her face, and a soft beating of her heart. It felt amazing to know she had an effect, though small, on Lorna.

Soon enough the game began, and Lorna knew she not only needed to impress her coach but also someone special seated on the benches. So every shot she made was precisely calculated so she wouldn't miss, her defense was on point, and overall their coordination was impeccable.

"Damn Leti, trying to impress Ms. Thick thighs." A guy called out from the causing her teammates and some of the guys outside the game to laugh.

"Fuck off Ian!" She flipped him off, her jaw clenched and eyes glaring at her teammates who laughed.

"Don't mind him, he's an asshole babe." Catherine wrapped her arm around her neck and hugged her close.

"Yeah." Halima plastered a faux smile on her lips and watched the game, she hated how that comment made her feel. She wasn't insecure about her body, she loved how she looked, loved all her curves, and dips, all of it.

It just made her feel so uncomfortable that the comment was intended in a sexual manner, even in her abaya she knew her curves were hard to miss. That was why her mother insisted on her wearing bigger clothes.

"Do you want us to leave? I'm sure Lorna will understand that you were uncomfortable."

"Oh no, no, I want to stay. I told her I'd see later." Halima waved her off and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Alright then."

Halima chewed on her lips while sitting at the edge of the bench, the game was getting aggressive with the other team trying to score but failing. She watched as Lorna got pushed hard and fall on the court by a girl from the other team in a jersey labelled ten.

"Come on!" Halima protested, as Lorna's team did. The referee blew his whistle and signed to the guy keeping the scores. Catherine watched in amusement as her friend cheered when Lorna was given the ball to score.

She cheered even more when she scored all the two fouls given, if she knew how to whistle she would have willingly done it. Her supportiveness did not go unnoticed by Lorna who was high on her voice, she drank every applause she heard from the girl, and it pushed her to play even better.

Halima soon got over her nerviness and was soon standing on the benches cheering hard as Lorna's team scored more. They were ahead of the other team by twenty and were in the last set, in the last few minutes Lorna's team looked like they were stalling.

They were holding onto the ball for quite a long while before passing it to anyone, they would communicate by signs, with Lorna directing them to different positions until she heard her coach's call and then they picked up. In the last minute, they were able to score a three-pointer and one basket.

As the whistle was blown the whole team went in chaos as they celebrated their win, Halima clapped her hands wildly cheering at Lorna.

"Look at you being all chirpy for your girl." Catherine teased.

Halima grumbled while stomping her feet "She's not . . ."

Catherine cut her off chuckling "Your girl. Yeah right. We'll see about that."

As Lorna was being embraced by her team, her eyes were trained on Halima who smiled and gave her a thumbs up. Lorna chuckled softly and nodded in response, she couldn't wait to be with her after the game.