Diary on The Shelf!

Chapter 18

Anticipation buzzed in the air, electrifying the atmosphere as the competitors mentally steeled themselves for their inaugural match. A symphony of cheers resonated from distant corners, each faction vociferously rallying behind their favored teams. Amidst the cacophony, the girls were changing into their uniforms, their determination shining through every hurried motion. While most of the team dared to change openly, shrouded only by flimsy shawls, Halima and Catherine sought a semblance of privacy in a nearby bathroom.

Against this backdrop, Halima's team convened in a circle, a constellation of determination orbiting their leader, Mercy. Each face bore a unique blend of grit and hope, expressions illuminated by the fire of competition. Amid the flurry of excitement, Mercy's voice emerged as a rallying beacon. Every word dripped with conviction, each phrase a testament to their shared purpose. To undoubtedly win and have fun.

"Anyone else notice that one side appears hilly?" she asked gazing around.

"I did." One of the girls responded.

"Who here has better luck with making choices?"

Catherine, ever the supportive one, raised her chin and jutted a thumb toward Halima, setting off a cascade of reactions. Halima's eyes widened, her lips parting in protest, yet a nod from Mercy swiftly redirected their focus.

"Okay, so don't forget. One tug and then rest, lying back, until Irene's signal." Irene was their starter at the front. "Do not pull until she says so. One more thing, watch out for the line, if we step outside of the marked zone we're out. Good luck everyone. I'll be watching from the sidelines. The most important thing is to have fun. And win of course." She winked with a smile. "Now let's do some warm-ups."

They commenced with the warm-up exercises in the small space, jumps and squats serving as a prelude to the imminent showdown. As their bodies stretched in unity, the referee's whistle cut through the air, heralding the imminent commencement of the match.

"First teams, Skydrivers versus Queens." The man bellowed signaling the teams closer. Apprehension could be felt by everyone; a group had just gathered around the small field. In the corner of her eye, Halima saw Lorna and a few of her teammates approaching along with other people she didn't recognize.

The approaching group howled out 'Queens' cheering yet the game hadn't even started, this attracted attention from passersby and onlookers from the hallways who stopped to watch.

Palms moistened with trepidation, Halima drew a deep breath, combatting the twinges of anxiety gnawing at her. A slow exhale granted a semblance of calm, bolstered by the memory of Catherine's encouraging words. The referee's call prompted the captains to step forward and select a side through a coin toss; Halima represented Mercy.

"Heads or tails?" the referee inquired.

"Tails," Halima replied, her heart fluttering with hope. If the coin favored tails, they could opt for the more advantageous side, a prospect they ardently yearned for. The coin was released into the air, gazes tracking its trajectory as it danced against the backdrop of sunlight. Eyes shielded by raised hands followed its descent into the referee's palm, held in a fleeting suspension before being unveiled.

A whisper of wind, a collective intake of breath, and then the coin was unveiled, the referee's palm parting to expose the outcome etched upon the coin's surface. 

In a fraction of an instant, Halima's heart danced on a razor's edge between elation and trepidation, her every fiber attuned to the unveiling. The world stood suspended, as if holding its breath alongside the onlookers, before exhaling with the truth.

Halima let our battered breath and the three stared at the coin in the man's palm. A smirk of victory formed on the girl's mouth as she nodded towards the slightly slope side. Her team erupted in a small victory while Halima's team sighed collectively.'