Chapter 9 - Tournament

The end of the year were approaching yet again. Meg Bowman were excited yet anxious as the year was about to come to an end. The Basketball game is bound to come soon, and it was exciting for everybody.

If the coolest kid going to be out there; more-and-more on the field, they're bound to see it. They were also a little nervous about what school they're going up against.

According to some, the rival team have won many tournaments at many other schools. No one wanted their gold star Basketball team of an school to be taken away from them. The rival time was called Buskfield Middle School.

Everyone was relying on Meg and the girl's Basketball team. Hell, to be honest, the second the coolest kid in school is going to be playing in an game immediately sparked reactions. All of the kids at school instantly went to buy a $5 ticket to see the game's outcome. Many adults are bound to be out there with their kids since the game is to happen at 7:30 and would likely end at 9:00 - 10:00. While this would have spark worriedness had it been on a normal weekday, it was not a big deal due to it being on a Friday and no one cares about the aftermath of an Friday.

Meg shot several hoops with her Basketball that her parents brought for her so she can trained on that Thursday. She were wearing an blue t-shirt and green pants. "Anxious for the big game?" Her father asked, walking up towards her as she landed another hoop.

Meg smiles. She was eager for this game but yet some said that this team cheated yet there was never proof about it. Luckily, Meg's father taught her how to cheat as well and she's teaching her teammates, whom is not telltale and not wanting to be shamed for their school to come so they keep it an secret.

"Yeah," Meg said, a sigh coming as she said that. She couldn't believed she'd allowed one of her best friends to convince her to join the Basketball team but than again, everyone is looking forward to see her moves.

Tomorrow is the big game for her. "I'm sure you'll do splendid out there," her father praised. "After all, you sure did caught many kids wailing before with those tricks of yours."

"You got that right," Meg said. "I can't believe it."

"What is it, my dear?" Her father asked.

"At first I'd regretted running away from..." Meg would never call those horrible parents her family, "those people." She finished. But yet now I am feeling like I've an calling that I have never felt with the Griffins. It's all thanks to you. Thanks, daddy." Meg ran up to her father and embraced him in a tight hug.

He had taught her many things. While many teenagers would hate their parents shadowing them, Meg looks at him for comfort and love which always warmed his heart. He had many boxing equipment and things he is going to eventually give to her when she's grown up. Same for her mother whom is going to give her all of her cars which would also be paid off by them own expenses.

Some parents would not give their life insurance to their kids but yet he is still going to be watching after her even past his retirement and death. That is a long time away though. For one thing, he is just in his late thirties and by the time she reach adulthood he would likely be in his early forties.

She didn't care about the Griffins and hoped that if she ever steps back into that horrible, forsaken town, she would knock on their door and show how successful she had become and than spit on their rug and storm out. Than again, that wouldn't heal Meg's wound and pain from the past.


The next day, the game in the evening have been an big talk. Meg Bowman would be competing in the game and they all couldn't wait. For those whom never saw her moves before would finally get to experience it for themselves and record it for their friends who wouldn't be in the game. Even the teachers seemed thrill. One of their smartest student would be out there. This did caused little fear because some smart students should be behind the books sometimes and Basketball can injured somebody but yet Meg Bowman ignored them all.

Eventually, the hour came. Meg Bowman's father entered the building with a bunch of shirts. As promised to the gym teacher after him and she came to a compromise because he didn't want her to wear those cheap knockoffs, he have buy "the real thing" which would actually protect the students and deemed acceptable because his wife have planted the school name on it like it was always there. To add more, the team can take the shirts home without comprised. That only made others who haven't signed up wished to join the team but it was already too late.

Meg loved how great her parents are. They always keep an promise and came down to a negotiation. Unlike another man who would have went out drunk and come to the game just to act like he was the boss of everybody else only to embarrass their child, they are supportive and will not allow their little girl to be alone whenever she needs them. Upon realizing her tournament, both of her parents called out on their job and asked for a vacation and wants to see how she'll played and her talents.

The seats were filled with many people from both towns, and Meg were given an opportunity to see the audience. She only smiled as she had manage to scanned out her parents who was there with a flag with her and the whole team due to them coming together a while ago and have managed to get a picture. That brought joy to Meg's heart. Smiling warmly, she went back inside.

"I have to give it to you, M'," Perry said as she entered. "These shirts are badass and would be useful out there." Before the tournament they all have came to an agreement to what color the shirts should be and red were chosen since the other team would be wearing green.

After all, it is called Redbrook Middle School so they shouldn't be hesitant to embrace their school color. Meg hoped to win a picture up there with her team and gets an gold metal which seems to be hard to get but is determined.

"Yeah," another taller girl states. "I can't believe we can actually take this home with us. These shirts are better than those hold shirts and what's impressive is that they have good symbols. Like your people are cool, Meg."

Meg sat against in her bench and decided to tie her hair up into a pony tail, deciding she didn't want her hair to risk getting ruin out on the field. "Thanks my mom for that," Meg said vigorously as she made sure it was perfect in her small mirror. "Like they may be living endless jobs, but yet they still know how to do things in style. The school won't know what hit them."

"You got that right," a girl around Meg's size and age agreed. "But the fact that they are giving us seven graders an chance to stand out is appealing as well. Guess that they need more money."

"Well, this school is cool," Meg pointed out. "And has much money. No wonder they have schools connected. But should we win, it would be cool because around twenty years from now they would see our pictures."

Meg have seen pictures from twenty years ago on the walls. This school may be very older yet this city as an whole has better schools than modern schools do. College opportunities are high over here and the best part is that you can get into them for free.

The whistle being blown let the kids know the game is about to be started. The girls ran out, with Meg taking the lead. Since they have practiced this so many times, they knew their position. This would be a long game.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the upcoming school, which have won many games yet one point away from earning a golden medal, is Redbrook Middle School." As the students ran out, most in the crowd cheered due to them either belonging into the school or their kids are in the school or on the track. The other's team side 'boos' but clapped anyway. None of the girls at Redbrook didn't care because honestly, they got more cheers than boos.

"And on the opposite side, the school which have won many games is Buskfield Middle School."

The ball was placed between them by their school's referee since they aren't the challenging team. Meg saw an taller athletic girl leading the team and the two locked eyes. The other girl smiled at the girl whom is 'shorter' than her, while Meg had an determined look in her eyes. She would soon learn the lesson of her overconfidence. After explaining the rules, he threw the ball up and Meg and the other girl reached for the ball but it came into Meg's hand.

Meg levitated the ball in her hand, allowing it to return from the floor, as she ran down and passed the plays. She had to study their tactics and make sure they don't cheat and get away with it. She got her methods. One of the tall girls ran up to snatch the ball out of her hand even should she make contact. From the crowd point of view, it wouldn't be cheating. Easily, Meg collapsed as she made contact.

Now, they were near the rival team's hoop which mean they can easily get a shot. Meg gotten the ball with the other player trying to blocked her attempts. Throwing the ball to Perry, she caught it and dodged around the enemy team.

She look she was about to throw it into the hoop but instead she threw it at another girl. The girl tossed it to another girl whom tossed it to Meg. Meg fooled them and ran back and went for three shots. She threw the ball into the hoop and it landed into the hoop perfectly.

It was now the other team's ball. Meg prepped her self as she dealt with the one whom is trying to block her. She manages to run pass the one whom is dodging her and ran up to the mix skin tallest girl on the team. Seeing her other member's freight at her height, Meg didn't back down and latched the ball out of her hand.

"Thanks!" Meg states cheerfully as she ran down with her team members flanking her. Perry was beside her. Meg threw the ball to Perry. Before the other enemy players and even some in her team can even catch up, Perry jumped and the ball flew to the hoop, earning their team another three.

She didn't even knew how these cheaters won so many games. To be honest, she had face people who is not even that good and they're better than these noobs. She barely even broke a sweat whereas they were sweating and breathing deeply.

The team gotten the ball again. Instead of running and gaining the ball where she can easily get it, Meg decided to be cool and not shamed so much by allowing them to gain the ball. Her team was surprised by her allowing them to gain a shot. Her teammates were surprised.

"Meg," Perry whispered, her voice showing how surprise the girl is with her friend's choice of allowing them to get the ball.

Meg manage to gather them up. "Let's boost their confidence," she declared silently. "Now that we have the ball, throw it to me, I can get us three shots by a false foul. These methods they are using is going to eventually tired them out."

Nodding, the team dissembled and two girls were handed the ball. Meg separated from the rival girl and watched as the girl threw the ball to Perry. Perry tossed the ball towards her, and Meg had to timed this correctly. As the girl ran up, Meg jumped but allowed herself to fall as the girl made contact to her leg. She fallen back and let out a large hissed. Of course it didn't even hurt, but Meg had to make it look convincing.

"Foul!" She heard the referee announced. She saw the girl pouting and storming away. Smiling, Meg look into the crowd and saw her father winking at her, in which she returned smugly. Most of the time, she would play fairly but yet this team has been known for cheating in the past.

Meg smirked deepened as she and her team and the other team assembled around her. She smirks as she threw the ball into the hoop, gaining another point for her team. She have repeated the action two times; the final time, the team have gotten the ball.

The girl ran down with Meg purposely falling behind. She knew her team have gotten 9 points whereas the rival team has 2 points. They attempted a 3 shot only to fail miserably. Meg was unable to hold back her laughter as did her team members.

The taller girl growled and glared at Meg. She clearly was getting annoyed with Meg and her tactics. Whereas that girl's height would have terrified anybody, not the fearless Meg Bowman. Meg barely showed any fear as she shot her a smug glare.

It was now their team's ball. Meg decided to not hogged the ball and tossed it to another girl whom threw the ball by a three shooter. She didn't want people to see her as an hogger. Now they have 12 points. The anti team clearly didn't practice as much as Meg and her team did otherwise they wouldn't be getting so much two shooters or continues missing their shots. Many times, the cameras were pointed at her and she knew that she would perhaps be a big talk about earning her school a gold metal.

The rival team called for a timeout so Meg, Perry, and the rest of the team gathered around her coach. "Well done Meg, girls, you all are doing fabulous but I do believe they're going to switch their tactics."

"Let them," Meg said. "We have to allow them to gain a few shots to get overconfident so we can get three shots." The coach nodded with agreement at the smartest and most athletic girl on the team.

The coach was right: they have switched their tactics in hope to catch the girls offguard and now they're gaining more points. Now they have seven points over Meg and her team but they seemed tired and more exhausted due to them giving an hard time. Meg stood back and allowed everybody to make it look like she was tired by the mock breathing out loud. As her team passed balls to each other, Meg stood in the back, and her team knew exactly what tactic she was using at that very moment. Meg watched as the other team managed to practically destroyed her team.

Now it was time to act! Meg easily ran through the track, caught the ball from a girl on her team, and earn her team three shots. Although they were all having fun, they want to have their picture on the wall so they're aiming to send the ball to Meg who gain three shots and only a few two shots. But still she allowed other players to gain a few shots, such as Perry to assured they were all having fun. Nonetheless, the game would end soon but it soon came to a stalemate as the game was tied.

As the game carried on, to place this nicely, they were being absolutely destroyed by Meg's team. This was so unlike the real Basketball games where they have four rounds, you only get one chance. Soon, Meg were given the ball as she walked down and stood infront of the hoop. Her team was cheering her on as she took a second to glance at the scoreboard to show that the enemy side is tied with them. They all knew if she miss, their team is bound to lose but they have to finish the game. She had to gain one more shot and they would win the game.

Meg nervously bit her lip as her whole town cheered her on, including her parents. "Meg! Meg! Meg!" She heard the audience cheering. With adrenaline and pressure burning through her bones, Meg aimed the ball, not wanting to miss this shot and let her team down.

With one mighty yelp, Meg jumped with such willpower and strength along with the adrenaline and pressure still burning through her systems. She threw the ball, the air coming with her, as the ball left her hand and flew through the air slowly in a dramatically way.

The audience's eyes and faces traveling with the ball, determined to see is the ball going to make it. As it all came back to full speed, the ball made contact inside of the hoop perfectly.

Meg closed her eyes as silence fallen for a minute. For an second she had thought she would miss due to the long silence. Cheering ringed out, and Meg smiled and saw everybody cheering her and her team. Pouting, the other team literally marches off the court as Meg's team surrounded her.

"You did it! Meg!" Perry shouted.

"We all did!" The co-leader of the team added. She was almost as good as Meg but yet Meg have practicing Basketball for years and have outmatched many times.

"Right! Hip Hip Hooray!" Meg started, her team joining her as they literally took off the one whom made the most shots off the court. She easily was better than some of the ones on TV and would likely get better as the years passed.

Most likely, they were all taken a picture of with the ball in the hand because she'd saw there was someone outside of the court continuously and constantly taking picture and since some time a ball was in each of the member's hand they most likely gotten an picture of it.

The referee walked over with an camera, "Say cheese." The referee said with a proud smile. Perry couldn't get the feeling that something is missing and it added on when she had seen the ball. Abruptly, she stopped the referee which shocked the referee and ran over and gotten the ball and threw it up to Meg, whom is holding the ball firmly up in her hands. They all did with wide smiles, and the referee snapped an picture of the girls whom holding Meg. Full of pride and honor, Meg knew she had gain some respect today for keeping the school Basketball team in check. Also; since they have won, they get to stay home for all of next week which means they have several weeks left.

Sitting in her chair, Meg checked over her messages only to see all of the kids in their group chat constantly praising her and Perry and anybody else whom is in her group chat with Basketball emoji, which is practically all of the kids at school. She had started an group chat with her fellow students at the school when she had gotten a lot of popularity because everybody has a phone at school.

Meg grins as she replied: "Thanks for y'all support. You guys are real ones." Than she changed her clothes back into her normal clothing which is top model pink pants and a green shirt along with an awesome supreme jacket and raised her hood.

She walked up to her parents car. "Mom, dad, I couldn't done it without you." Meg states hugging her parents. Her parents opened the car door, and Meg gotten into the car like an boss.

She had notice stuff were resting around the car. Bemused, Meg glanced at her parents. "Mom, dad, what is this?" She asked.

"We're going on a trip for an bit;" Tesla told her with a smile. "Since you have only three weeks of school left, we don't want you to not feel like you wouldn't be awarded for your successes. We would be gone for three months. Here's an blanket." She tossed her an blanket in which she caught and wrapped around her.

Although she have enjoyed that game, her energy was low now. Meg had decided to text her friends, telling them that she would be leaving for a bit. Likely, no one that are adults would make such an big deal, due to Meg being one of those kids who comes to school every day.