Chapter eight:
The match! Part 2: Alibaba meddles!
Ja'far groaned as he watched himself in the mirror. He had heard the start signal, and knew he should head back quickly, as the second half was about to begin. Both teams sounded pumped up. ''I can't go trough with this, what was I thinking?'' Ja'far asked himself. 'You know he'd like it. Do it for the sake of Sindria high, and more importantly, for the sake of Sinbad.' he could almost hear Sharrkan lecturing him. ''For god's sake, just do it.'' he told himself.
He nodded once, then marched back, slipping in almost unseen, before finding himself a seat. Alibaba definitely didn't notice, though Ja'far was sure that the Fanalis siblings had smelled him. That conviction was verified when he heard Masrur breathe, ''Looks good.'' ''Thanks. How are we doing? It looks more spirited.'' Ja'far said.
Alibaba, who hadn't noticed him coming back, nearly jumped, ''Holy hell, you're a like an assassin! When did you return?!'' he asked. Morgiana nearly smacked her forehead, her crush was sweet, but definitely not the most aware person. ''I just came back.'' Ja'far deadpanned, then continued, ''Don't mind that! How is the team doing?''
Morgiana said, ''They are obviously struggling. The other team scored sixteen points in an impressive second quarter, and our team is tired from the strain they put on themselves during the first quarter round, causing the other team to be able to go all out. As Sharrkan pointed out, they didn't properly manage their energy.''
''Mor? You know that much about basketball? How?'' Alibaba asked flabbergasted, as Ja'far wondered when she had started talking that much. Morgiana didn't have the nerve to say, 'Because I always watch when you play.' so instead she chose not to reply. For some reason, whether his own or the other team's fault, at the end of the third round, Sinbad suddenly tripped, and didn't get up. ''Sin!'' Ja'far yelped, as he grabbed the first-aid kit and rushed forward.
''Sin, where does it hurt?'' he repeated more sternly, as he reached his friend, kneeling beside the ace player. Sinbad groaned, ''My ankle.'' Ja'far examined it right away. ''Ouch!'' Sinbad said, as Ja'far twisted it slightly. ''Sorry Sin, please bear it for the time being.'' Ja'far said, using his sympathetic voice. ''I wanna play.'' Sinbad whined, wincing as Ja'far touched his heel. ''Can he play?'' Sharrkan asked, but Ja'far shook his head.
''It's obviously sprained. It will need time to rest and heal.'' he said. ''Come on, please. My team needs me. Without a replacement we'll be forced to resign.'' Sinbad begged. ''You don't have a replacement? No-one to stand in. That's too bad.'' Cassim taunted. Ja'far started to see why everyone disliked his personality, as Sharrkan was ready to tear him a new one. ''Actually, he does.'' a feminine voice added to the conversation.
''Morgiana? No offense, you're plenty strong, but..'' Sinbad started. ''Not me.'' she said, stomping her foot, before pulling her friend forward. Alibaba-kun can play'' she said. ''That's a great idea.'' Sharrkan agreed, as Cassim frowned. ''But, but...'' Sin tried to protest. Ja'far leaned forward to whisper in his ear, ''Do you really want them to win by default? Alibaba's good, and you've still got a small lead.''
''I approve.'' Sinbad said stiffly. ''Hear that?'' Sharrkan said, ''Game is on. Nii-san, take your tenue, and join us.'' The game was stopped for five minutes, so that Alibaba could change, and Ja'far could help Sinbad towards the bench. ''It will take roughly three to six weeks without training, well, you can still give them orders of course, just not participate.'' Ja'far told him, bandaging his ankle.
''I've got my co-captain for that. I really wanted to beat them.'' Sinbad pouted, watching the other team prepare for the final round. ''I know you do, and you did really well, so far. Just have faith in the others. They will get each other through this, it's what makes them a team.'' Ja'far said, wondering if the bandages weren't too tight. ''Do you really think Alibaba can do it, though? They attacked me already, surely they will go after him next.'' Sinbad said. Morgiana frowned at his words. ''He will.'' she said, and Ja'far nodded. ''He can do it, Sin. And Sharrkan will make sure that his little brother is safe, even at his own expense.'' he added. "Face it, they're all better than you."
The game started again, and Sindria high was more on the offensive then ever before, furiously playing like they meant it. ''You can still cheer them on, if you want.'' Ja'far told a sulking Sinbad, but he shook his head, choosing to watch. Sinbad suddenly looked at Ja'far. ''That jersey.'' he said, making Ja'far blush. ''Did you know I designed that? Sharrkan was the only one to wear it, aside from me of course.'' he added.
''I had no idea.'' Ja'far lied. ''But it would be your style.'' he added. ''It looks good on you. Wanna borrow mine next time?'' Sinbad offered. Ja'far blushed beet-red, but nodded anyway. After all, Sinbad had invited him to the next game, and offered his jersey. A dream come true. ''I'd like that, Sin.'' he said, before focusing on the match.
Despite the rough play style, and the sheer talent Alibaba possessed, the other team still managed to tie the game. The clock stopped just as Cassim had barreled Sharrkan over, making him fall to the ground. ''Fault! That means we'll get some free throws, if Sindria scores, we can still win.'' Morgiana said. Sinbad looked up, ''You know, you do know a lot about basketball, why not try out sometime?'' he asked. "I'm flattered, but my schedule is slammed, maybe next year." Morgiana smiled, as she settled in to watch the free throws.
Alibaba walked over to the bench, sitting down. ''Well, that should settle it, Sharrkan just has to make one out of three and we win, how are you doin', Sin?" ''He's grumpy, thinks he could've done better, but you played well.'' Morgiana said, and Masrur nodded in agreement. ''But, isn't Sharrkan really bad under pressure?'' Mor whispered to Alibaba, who nodded. ''Sharrkan is talented when he has people he that he wants to protect, or to pull through. Alone, not so much."
'You should have more faith in him.' was what Ja'far wanted to say, but then he watched Sharrkan throw the ball, and miss the hoop by at least a meter. 'He's terrible!' Ja'far shouted in his mind. 'We might not have that much to celebrate at the get-together.' Alibaba thought, then frowned, if Sharrkan missed the next two, this would go into overtime.
Sharrkan seemed a nervous wreck, and the crowd was silent, as they held their breath. He shot, and once more, he missed. ''If he misses the next one, it'll have to be decided in overtime.'' Sinbad agonized. Ja'far was getting fed up with this talk, weren't they supposed to cheer him on. 'I love it when someone special cheers me on.' he remembered Sharrkan saying. But as far as he knew, Sharrkan didn't have a special person at the moment.
Ja'far sighed, then stood up, ''You can do it! Just focus!'' he suddenly yelled, breaking Sharrkan's concentration, making him miss the shot so badly the ball bounced back at his head, hitting a distracted Sharrkan in the head and dropping him to the ground.
''Sharrkan!'' Both Alibaba and Ja'far rushed forward. ''Sharrkan, what is two times two?'' Ja'far asked. ''He can't answer that, he's a moron.'' Alibaba deadpanned. ''Right. How many girls do we have at school?'' Ja'far asked. ''With or without Miss Pisti?'' Sharrkan asked, groaning. ''He doesn't seem to have a concussion. We should give him some time to rest though. To be sure. Can anyone take his place?'' Ja'far asked, helping Sharrkan up. ''I can!'' Sinbad yelled. ''Not you, you are forbidden to play.'' Ja'far scolded, helping Sharrkan sit next to the school king. ''I can still play.'' Alibaba said. ''But Alibaba..'' Morgiana started, Ja'far stopped her. ''It will have to do. He's our only chance.'' he told her. Alibaba shook Cassim's hand, ''Mind if step in? Seems like you need a real challenge.'' he said, a playful glint in his eyes.