There are ten seconds left in the game when the coach pulls me off the bench and subs me in. We are behind by one point. The ball is in our possession and the guard brings it down the court. The other four of us get into our positions to run whatever play may be called. The defense is playing man-on-man, barely giving me room to breathe. I fake left and run to the free-throw line, calling for the ball. Seeing I am open, the point guard bounce passes me the ball. I stop, pivot and square up to the basket. As it leaves my hands I mutter under my breath, "come on, winning shot!"
The buzzer sounds as the basketball falls cleanly through the hoop. We won!
The team flocks from the bench and slaps me on the back, cheering and laughing. We just one the first play-off game.
"Audrey, you were amazing!" My best friend congratulates as I hike up the bleachers from gathering my things in the locker room. Bree squeezes me in her signature crushing hug.
"Thanks," I laugh, "we made it! Only two more games until the championship!"
"You definitely deserve it, considering how hard everyone has worked," she nods convincingly.
Her older brother, Adam, smirks, "just don't play like Leo and you should be fine."
Bree's stepbrother, Leo, pats me on the shoulder with a glare to Adam while her other brother, Chase, says, "You know, the trajectory on that last shot was perfect. If every person on the team used that same method, about eighty-eight percent of all shots would go in."
Leo pretends to take air notes with an invisible pencil. "Thank you, Professor Chase. And what else should Audrey study for the test?"
"Well, we have to go," Bree says, cutting through their bickering. "See you tomorrow?"
"See you tomorrow," I reply, giving her another hug. "Thanks for coming to watch the game," I tell the boys.
Adam nods and Leo smiles. Only Chase says, "it was fun, even though I know nothing about sports. The popcorn at the concession stand is delicious." He holds up the two bags in his hands. I give one last smile before hoisting my bag onto my shoulder and walking to where my parents are waiting.
"Great job, honey!" Dad slaps me on the back. "How many shots did you make in that game?"
"Only four: two free-throws and that last basket."
"I'm very proud of you," Mom say, taking my backpack, "And to celebrate, we are going to eat pizza for dinner."
Yes! Making the winning shot in our game, having my best friend and her siblings come watch me play and getting pizza for dinner? This day is going amazing!
Hi everybody! Hope you liked the first chapter :) This is a work-in-progress and I hope to update regularly but chances are I will fall behind so I'm sorry in advance. Please leave a review. I should have the next chapter published soon!