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"I wish I could make it go away Brie, I really do," I muttered, gently brushing away tears that fell.
"Thank you, Troy, for being there for me. I don't know what I would have done without you," she sniffed, as the tears kept on falling.
"I'll always be there for you Brie, whenever you need me."
Wednesday 21st – Gameday
Troy's POV
There were two events that seemed to be on everyone's lips these days. The upcoming musical, and the basketball game. It was the last lesson of the day, and I found it hard to concentrate. I kept looking over at Chad, seated beside me, and it didn't look like he was paying any more attention than I was. My mind kept drifting towards everything we had planned for in the past couple of practices. Play tactics, each player's position, their strength, and weakness as opposed to the other team we were meeting.
I nearly jumped out of my seat as the bell rang, ending the school day. "All right class have a good day, remember the reading assignment for next class, and go Wildcats," our teacher encouraged us, as we all started packing up our stuff.
"Are you ready?" I asked Chad as I shoved my books into my backpack.
"I am Hoops, we got this," Chad stated confidently as Zeke and Jason walked towards us.
"He's right, the Wildcats got this," Zeke stated rather confidently, a smile spread on his face.
Our conversation came to an end as we heard a rather loud commotion going on out in the hallway. "What in the world?" Jason questioned confused looking at us. The sounds of cheering, whistles being blown and a beating drum seemed to intensify, and we all walked towards the door that had been left ajar. The sound seemed to intensify even more and looking outside I quickly spotted Martha along with the other cheerleaders, already dressed in their uniforms, making their way down the hallway. Two kids at the front held up a rather large red banner, painted with E.H.S RULES! Go Wildcats! Along with several paw prints. Behind them and the cheerleaders I spotted Ryan inside the school mascot the Wildcat. A lot of the students who followed were wearing Wildcat's gear or colours, and I even spotted a few teachers joining in on the pre-game cheering.
"Hey go Wildcats!" someone cheered as they spotted us before we were dragged into the madness. Looking around me as I moved with the crowd, I saw the rest of the team around me, as we all moved towards the gym. Along the way, more students joined and the volume only seemed to increase. Arriving at the gym the students flocked onto the bleachers as the team moved towards the locker rooms.
"It's a complete mayhem out there," Zeke commented as he entered the room.
"Absolutely, was it like this last year?" I wondered looking over at them.
"Oh, not at all," Zeke stated opening his locker.
"You see Hoops," Chad started sitting down beside me, "last year we were seen as the underdogs. People knew we were good, but not good enough to get a title. However, we proved them wrong, and this season has been phenomenal, so therefore people are expecting to see a Wildcat win tonight."
"No pressure then," I muttered darkly as Chad grinned.
"That's the spirit," he laughed grabbing his bag, walking over to his own locker. The locker room was rather quiet as the team changed into their uniform, the sounds we could hear were the cheering of the crowd out in the gym.
"All right people keep it down in here," coach mocked as he looked at everyone, "come on Wildcats, huddle up," he stated as the rest of the team entered our locker area. Looking around I could see the anxiety coming from the team. People didn't want to look up at coach, some were gently bouncing their foot on the floor, while others had their arms folded in front of them, their body leaning against the lockers.
"All right team this is the night we have been waiting on! You guys have had a phenomenal season, and look where it brought us. This is all because of you and your team's efforts. I know a lot of you are feeling the pressure to perform out there today, not wanting to disappoint the crowd, but why does it matter what they think as long as you are happy with the result? You can't manage to please everyone no matter what you guys do. You win, the Wildcats will remember you well into the next school year for getting the title two years in a row, but you'll disappoint the Knights. The same would be if you lose, the Knights crowd will be ecstatic that they won, but the Wildcats will be disappointed. Therefore, tonight, I want you to play for the results you want, and no matter what that scoreboard says, at the end of the night, I'll go to bed with a smile on my face. Captains!" the coach called as a sign to me and Chad.
"He is right you guys," Chad started, rising from the bench, looking at each and every one of us. "We can't please everyone out there, and we will never be able to do that, but why does it matter? This is supposed to be our night, something we have trained for all season. Something some of us are experiencing for the first time," Chad stated looking at me, Jimmy, and a couple of other new players on the team, "but despite how we are all feeling, I know we're ready," Chad stated and looked at me, indicating me to continue.
"He's right, we have all been training in the early morning, late nights, and everything in between. All for this moment! We haven't done all that training for the crowd out there, no, we've done it for ourselves and the team. To be ready for this moment. This game. This experience and that is what sets the Wildcats apart from everyone else! We're a team. Chad," I finished as I could see the team looked more confident about what we were about to walk into.
"What team?!" Chad yelled, starting the chant as people began smiling.
"Wildcats!"
"What team?!" he yelled again, as the energy in the room was increasing along with the chant.
"Wildcats!"
"What team?!"
"Wildcats!"
"Wildcats!"
"Get'cha Head in the game!" we all finished as the energy was completely changed. Running onto the court with the team was a huge adrenaline rush. I barely registered the large roars coming from the crowd on the bleachers as they cheered us on. There were no words that could describe this feeling, no other match this season could compare to the feeling I had right now. Starting our pre-game drills, I tried to zone out the crowd as much as possible, focusing only on the team.
"Everyone good?" I questioned the team as we had one last huddle before the game.
"We're golden hoops," Chad stated rather confidently as the rest of the team nodded in agreement. "What team?"
"Wildcats. Get'cha head in the game!" we finished as those of us who were starting the game ran onto the court. Chad walked to the middle waiting for the drop. Everyone took their place as the referee blew his whistle signaling the start of the championship game.
I quickly glanced at the scoreboard, seeing the Knight leading 36-34 as it was only a few seconds until halftime. Chad noticed my look and passed me the ball, as I started dribbling towards the hoop. Noticing one of the largest Knights players in front of me I tried making my way past him, but he ended up slamming right into me, knocking me onto the ground. I heard a thud as I landed on the floor, the ball lightly bouncing on the floor. A gasp came from the crowd as the referee paused the game.
"You all right hoops?" Chad questioned concerned as he ran up to me.
"I think so, just landed on my arm," I confessed as he extended his hand, helping me up from the floor.
"Danforth, you're up," Coach called from the side-line, indicating for Chad to take the shot. Chad lined up at the mark, ball in hand, as the game started again. Almost effortlessly Chad aimed at the hoop, letting the ball soar through the air, as the buzzing sound of the timer echoed through the gym. Everyone was anxiously following the ball as it eventually went through the net, falling onto the floor.
The crowd went crazy as the scoreboard change into a tie.
"Great job Chad!" I stated giving him a high five, as our team started making our way towards the lockers.
"Thanks, how are you after that fall?" Chad questioned concerned, slinging an arm around my shoulder.
"Eh, it's been worse. It hurts a little, but it'll be all right," I assured Chad with a nod of my head as we walked through the hallway towards our lockers.
"Oh, you better, you're not missing out on this because of a new injury," Chad stated confidently opening his own locker. Spinning the combination, I pulled out a roll of sports tape, leaning against the cool metal of the lockers. Tearing off a string of tape, I started wrapping it around my middle and ring finger. Lastly, I started wrapping a new piece of tape around my wrist.
"You good?" Zeke wondered concerned, as he noticed me taping up my hand.
"Yeah, just unlucky," I shrugged, chucking the tape back into my locker. "It should be better now," I stated plopping down onto the bench.
"Any wise words for us?" Zeke wondered looking between Chad and I.
"Keep it up?" Chad offered as I shrugged my shoulders, not knowing what to say.
"Wildcat's what is all of this?" coach wondered standing in the doorway. "If you continue to play like you did at the end of this round, then you're going to win this! Remember what I said before the game," coach stated trying his best to encourage us, but it wasn't working.
"Honestly, what is on your mind, you all seem to be miles away?" coach wondered looking at everyone, but people kept quiet.
"There is a lot going on," Jason eventually spoke up, having gathered enough courage to look up at coach.
"Right, prom, the musical, guys I get that you're excited and nervous, but that is tomorrow. This game is right here, right now. Think of all the hours of training you have put down to get to this point, do you all want to look back tomorrow morning, regretting you didn't give it your all? Give it your all tonight, and look back no matter what the scoreboard says, knowing you gave it your all and be proud of your accomplishment as a team. Therefore, whatever is weighing you down, family, friends, relationships, school, college, leave it at the doorstep when you walk out there and get'cha head in the game!" coach finished leaving us to our own.
"All right coach has a point. We have put down so many hours on that floor, not only training, but playing games to get to this point, so Zeke how is it going with those socks of yours?" Chad wondered as I looked at him puzzled.
"Still haven't washed them since our first game."
"That's what we like to hear, Hunter?" Chad questioned looking at him.
"Still got the paw, haven't touched it this season," Hunter confirmed showing a part of his head that had the same outline of the Wildcat paw he stated would take us to the final.
"Jimmy?" Chad wondered as Jimmy looked like a deer caught in the headlight.
"Um, I mean… I still use the same socks since I joined the team… Wait, is that a bad thing?" Jimmy questioned concerned, looking over at Zeke sitting beside him.
"That is how a tradition is started my friend," Zeke assured him, giving him a pat on the back, before people began splitting up, preparing for the final half.
"How's Gabriella?" Chad questioned me, lowering his voice seeing as Hunter was still in the room with us.
"She's doing all right given the circumstances. She was discharged before noon on Monday but choose to stay home yesterday too. Maria was told she had to come to a meeting out of state for the weekend and Gabriella took it pretty hard. She knew it would happen, but you know with what happened last time…"
"That must suck, especially with prom and everything this weekend."
"Yeah, I stopped by her house yesterday after school and we talked. She has spoken to Taylor already because she offered Gabriella to get ready at her place tomorrow so they could take pictures and whatnot. Gabriella and I have been talking about spending more time together soon, and because Gabriella wasn't too comfortable about staying home alone while Maria was out of town, she's staying with me this weekend."
"That seems like a great alternative, but I mean Mrs. Montez seems like a great lady but is it smart for her to you know, leave Gabriella?"
"Gabriella doesn't know this," I sighed, "but Maria talked to me alone and explained that she didn't want to do this business trip, however, her old boss quit a little while ago and the new boss isn't quite as understanding about the situation. Maria revealed she was supposed to have participated in a meeting shortly after the new boss took over their department but Maria refused, explaining what had happened and her agreement with her old boss. While she was barely able to get out of that trip, she was told this time around that if she didn't go, she was going to get fired."
"Damn, that's not fair. She must be devastated," Chad stated as I nodded. "Wouldn't it be better to tell Gabriella, I'm sure she would understand?"
"I don't know Chad; I'm sure Maria has her reasons. I just wanted to give you a heads up in case you noticed something this weekend, and Taylor already knows so…"
"Of course, hoops, I get it. Thank you for telling me, I appreciate it. Is Gabriella here today or?" Chad questioned uncertainly and I immediately noticed I started smiling.
"Yes, she is. She said she was meeting Taylor and Kelsi so they could sit together and watch the game."
"That's great news hoops, when you see her say hi from me."
"I will."
As the team entered the court again for the second half of the game, everything had turned for the better. Our team was more focused, and it almost seemed like the Knights had taken their victory for granted. Hunter was amazing at snatching the ball from the other team, passing it back to us, while Jason and Jimmy were doing a great job in defense, enabling the rest of the team for an effortlessly play towards the Knight's hoop. The cheers coming from the Wildcat's crowd were increasing more and more, as we continued to increase our lead. In the last few seconds of the game, I couldn't stop the smile on my face, and looking towards my side I could see Chad smiling too. Taking a final look at the scoreboard as I heard the sound of the buzzer, signaling the end of the game, the Wildcats had won 63-85 against the knights. The crowd went absolutely crazy as they realized what was happening, and the team was rushing onto the court. Before our own team had fully understood what was happening, people started rushing down from the bleachers and onto the court. Phrases like, "Congratulations!", "Great game!" and "We won!" were cheered amongst the audience as we were surrounded, everyone wanting to talk and congratulate us!
"Great game hoops!" Chad cheered as he was finally able to make his way towards me.
"Thank you, Chad, but this is all thanks to the team," I grinned as I felt a pair of arms thrown around my torso.
"Congratulations Wildcat!" Gabriella giggled as I turned around facing her.
"Thank you, Brie," I smiled as we quickly share a kiss before I was dragged back into the crowd, along with the team. Our coach was trying to make his way towards us, holding up the large golden trophy with the plaque, where our achievement was engraved. Chad and I accepted the trophy, as we lifted it up in the air to the cheering excitement of the crowds.
Sunday, May 25th – After prom
The clock on the dashboard in Chad's car was currently a little past midnight. Seeing as Chad was taking Taylor to prom, and Gabriella was getting ready at her place, Chad had told me that he was driving us all. The night had been nothing like I had imagined it to be because honestly, I had no idea what to expect, but I had a great night with my friends and Gabriella as my date. We were currently seated in the backseat of Chad's car, Gabriella's head resting on my shoulder as she was almost dozing off. Our performance at the musical on Thursday and Friday had been great, but with prom today, most of us were pretty tired at this point.
"Brie, we're here," I told her as Chad stopped outside my house. "Thanks for the ride Chad, see you both at school on Monday?" I wondered as they nodded.
"Have a great weekend you two," Chad wished us as we stepped out of the car.
"Bye Troy, bye Gabi see you guys later," Taylor said with a smile, giving us a small wave before they drove off. Leading Gabriella up towards the house I could see she was tired.
"Are you hungry?" I wondered as I unlocked the door, turning on the lights in the hallway.
"No, just tired and my feet hurt," she stated as she pulled off her heels. "Ugh, I don't know how people wear heels for so long every day. I thought it was bad enough for the few hours for our show this week, and tonight."
"I feel sorry for you it doesn't strike me as the most comfortable shoes."
"Well despite all of the shoe pain, thank you for a great night Troy I had a lot of fun."
"Thank you, Brie, I had a great time too and you look amazing in that dress," I stated as she moved forwards wrapping her arms around me.
"You look pretty handsome yourself, and I'm glad Taylors' mom took pictures of us so I could show mom. Hey, should I ask if she could get a few for you? I'm sure your family would appreciate seeing it," Gabriella proposed as this wasn't something I had thought about really.
"If you could, I'm sure they would love to see. I hadn't even thought about that but it would be a good memory to have, and add to the book you gave me for Christmas."
"Right, I'll speak to Taylor on Monday because I know she has connections to the school newspaper so she could probably get a hold of pictures from the game. Taylor told me Chad had asked for pictures from the game, so maybe hand out some to the team?"
"That's a great idea, Brie, they would love it!"
"Great, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to change out of this dress," Gabriella stated before making her way towards the bathroom.
She stepped out only a few minutes later having removed all of her make-up, as well as put down her hair and changed into a t-shirt, and a of shorts.
"Oh, that felt good," Gabriella stated rubbing her eyes. "What's the time?"
"Twelve thirty," I told her, filling my glass of water.
"Really? Well, I'm exhausted so I'll probably head to bed, join me?" she wondered and I smiled.
"In a few minutes, I just have to change," I told her as she nodded before walking into the bedroom. Turning off the lights in the house, I followed her into the bedroom, where I saw her texting someone. Closing the door to the bathroom I pulled off my suit jacket and shirt hanging it on the hook by the door. Turning on the faucet I gently splashed my face with some water before drying off. Taking my phone out of my dress pants I placed it on the counter before pulling them off. Hanging them on the hook with the rest of my clothes I decided to clean up tomorrow. Grabbing my phone off the counter, I turned off the lights before stepping out. Looking at the bed, I could see Gabriella curled under the cover, already fast asleep. Getting into bed beside her I gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead as I whispered "good night Brie."
Hello everyone!
I apologize for no February update, but I messed up some dates, but I am happy to announce that today is the four-year anniversary of me publishing the story, and I wanted to continue my tradition of updating on the anniversary!
So a quick life update from me, I have not forgotten this story and I do enjoy writing chapters even though updates are slow! College in America (California) is going great, but I am still living in Norway which has some challenges considering the timezone difference.
I will try to have some consistency in my updates because I believe this story is slowly coming to an end with the Wildcats graduating. However, while updates on this story haven't happened because of writers' block and life, I have found myself writing quite a lot on what will become a sequel to this story. I can't say for sure how many more chapters this story has because I originally thought it was between 2-3. However, now it seems more plausible for it to be anywhere from 5-15 chapters depending on how long I make them.
Thank you everyone for all the support, messages, reviews, follows, and favorites that I have gotten in the past four years, you guys are absolutely amazing!
-FreeFlyingWriter