Short Stories

The Game

"...Ok guys this is our first game. Remember we have many more to go. Don't stress yourselves out if we don't win." Coach Williams made a speech standing in front of everyone on the bus as we made our way to Maple Ridge High School.

On the bus was seated the boys basketball team in the first four rows, then the girls basketball team, then the cheerleaders. I sat by myself shaking with nerves. Not because of how the game was gonna go, but because of who we were playing. The Cardinals. The team of my old crush.

Why should I be nervous if I don't like him anymore? Well he just moved away, seeing him again would bring back all the feelings I had a year ago. I think I loved him. Then he just moved away. No goodbye. No nothing. For the rest of the year I was devastated, now for the first time in 10 months I'm seeing him again.

We finally arrived behind the school in the bus yard. Time was limited. The game started at 5 and we just got at the school at 4:58. Luckily they gave us extra time to warm up before we put our starters on.

At first I didn't see him. Then I looked closer in the crowd, and I saw him, my old crush, my first love; Ethan Colquitt. I was nervous as ever now. Nervous to get out on the court and play. Nervous to mess up. He was watching my every move, and I did the same.

"Get ready to get Lauren," Coach O motioned to me. I slowly made my way to the taped X on the ground. The referee called me in.

As I stepped onto the court, my heart rate picked up speed. This was different from practice. There was people watching us, our every move. And Ethan-he was one with the crowd.

The game went by. I was being rotated in and out, and each time I went in, I got more nervous. Until close to the end of third quarter when the whole team of Boys went into the locker room. Then I finally calmed down and could actually play. Made two layups and a free throw. It's funny how one person made a difference with my performance.

Then the boys team came back out, one by one. We were on the far end of the court, so I could see each and every face clearly, and I was closer. Ethan-he walked out behind a tall boy- looked directly at me. For a split second eye contact was made, and everything around was a blur. Before I got knocked back into reality by a ball hitting my skull.

The sharp and sudden pain made me fall to the ground clutching my head. They sat me out for the rest of the game, and all I could think about was him and his intense stare. I didn't pay attention to the coach scolding me, or that we were behind 10 points; he was the only thing on my mind.

All the memories came back. I remember the first time I saw him. I wasn't attracted to him, didn't even notice him. Then my friend, Tori, told me he liked me.

It was the first week of school. There was still some nerves as I entered my 7th period class. My friend Tori came up to me.

"He asked do you have a boyfriend?" She said pointing towards a guy I didn't recognize.

I made my way to my desk, which, just so happened to be right behind him. They were in a dispute over wether or not he actually said that. I turned to listen.

"..I didn't say that!"

"Yes you did!" Tori interjected.

I looked at him and he smiled a little, I didn't know it at the time but I just met my first love.

When I was finished reminiscing it was time for us to clap hands. The score ended up being 21 to 32. Not perfect, but way better than last year. Everyone entered the locker room, changed, and went back out. I took a little more time than the others to get dressed. When I made it out the boys were already warming up.

I left. I didn't want to think about him anymore, it would hurt to much not seeing him again. I was almost out the door when someone tapped my shoulder. I turned to look at who it was. My breathing hitched.

"Hey." Ethan said.

I stuttered, trying to grasp for words. But I couldn't. So I stayed quiet. We were just standing there, it was really awkward. Especially with people walking past us.

He hugged me, without a warning. I was as still as a stone, didn't move. I was in shock after all. He let go-to soon-and began speaking.

"Sorry I didn't say bye, but now I am. Bye." He smiled and walked--ran off, but not before leaving a piece of paper in my hand.

I opened up the crumpled paper; it was his number. I tried to hold in my blush, but I couldn't. I bit my lip and walked out.

We might've not won, but I did.