Part IV

"Ok huddle up!" The coach yelled.

It was the first day of the tournament and the girls basketball varsity was first to play. Classes have been rescheduled so students can watch the games. Alex sat on a particular corner listening to their coach's last instructions. The rest of the team sat away from her as if there was an imaginary bubble that protects her. Obviously everybody was nervous. Alex was just too quiet to show it.

"Now this has no bearing whatsoever. But play like you never played before. Pretend this is a finals match. Give it your all girls. We'll win this!" Then the room was filled with roars.

Alex still sat silent. Standing up she made a sign of the cross.

I'll do my best Lord.

Just help me make the right decisions.

----

Marissa was sitting on the front row. She came in the gym early to make sure she had a good seat. She dragged Summer and Jodie who were more than happy to keep her company. Watching Alex burn her shoes off on the court was also a good incentive.

"What time does the game start?" Summer played with Jodie's hands as the other girl scanned the court.

"I think in a few minutes." Marissa replied nervously.

Just then the crowd stood up and cheered. The Yale girls varsity were first to come out from the dugout. Inna was the last to come out.

"God she's gorgeous!" Jodie stood up and yelled, whistling at the sight of Yale's star player.

"Knock it off! You won't get smooches if you tend to make me jealous!" Summer frowned and crossed her arms.

"Aw… Come on! Can't I appreciate pretty girls?" Jodie turned and made a mock frown.

"I'm your girlfriend remember?" Summer swatted Jodie with her handbag earning giggles from Marissa and Jodie.

"I know babe. I was kidding." Jodie smiled and kissed Summer on the forehead.

"Here comes Alex and her cavalry!" A guy screamed from behind the three girls.

Looking onto the court the Harvard girls' basketball team went out. Of course, Alex was last to appear.

Alex scanned the crowd and found Marissa. She smiled and waved at the sight of her girlfriend who smiled and wave back at her.

Summer who was still preoccupied with the sight of Inna Van Stein noticed the brunette looking at Alex.

I could be wrong but she is looking intently to Alex's direction.

Summer shrugged the thought and joined Marissa and Jodie as they cheered for their team.

Both teams met at center court and shook the each others hands. They waved to the crowd who eagerly cheered for them. After introducing the starting line-ups, Inna and Alex found themselves on center court. They were of course going to guard each other for the rest of the game. They prepared of the jump-ball. Inna smiled at Alex who nervously smiled back.

Alex Cohen…

I'll take you to a game you'll never forget…

And with that the game officially started.

First possession was in favor of Harvard. Angel, who matched up with a much smaller center, was able to tap the ball to Alex. Alex in turn passed the ball to Tiffany, their point guard. Inna, who was slightly taller than Alex, took her defensive stance. She didn't allow Alex to get pass the three-point line.

"Well isn't that wonderful… She's rubbing her body to your girlfriend's…" Summer said sarcastically.

"Summer do you always get jealous even with your best friend's girlfriend? It's a contact sport Babe… She will rub some parts of her body to defend." Jodie replied rolling her eyes.

"It's part of the game Sum." Marissa smiled.

"Go ALEX!" They all yelled.

By half time Yale was ahead by five points, 49-44. But much to everybody's surprise, Inna Van Stein scored only 10 points by the half. Alex, on her part had 22 points, but the rest of the Harvard team wasn't as lucky as she was.

"We're sorry Cohen… the shots aren't falling." Angel apologized.

"Hey… it's ok. Let's just try and catch up on the next half. We can still do this. Ok?" Alex clapped her hands to encourage her peers.

I need more fire power from them…

Hope things change by the second half…

On the other side of the court Yale wasn't really celebrating with the score. It was for the fact that Inna wasn't really taking her shots and she was two fouls away from fouling out.

"Inna you're guarding Cohen very close. You should loosen it up. We can't afford you to foul out."

"I will guard her the way I see fit."

"But she's getting the points Inna."

"I know. DO YOU THINK I'M BLIND? I can see the scoreboard. Don't you see? It's all hers. Her teammates can't get points for her. She will get weary. Worry about shooting yours. I'll take care of her."

"Girls defense is the key. If we shut Alex Cohen down, you have to shut the rest of their team down. Ok?" Their coach yelled as they geared up for the second half.

"Jodie I wanted butter flavor… Not cheese…" Summer frowned at the sight of the cheese flavored popcorn.

"Gee… You forgot to mention that before I went out to get them…" Jodie rolled her eyes.

"Guys stop the bickering. Second half is about to start." Marissa said as she stood up to cheer.

Possession was in the hands of Yale. Inna was dribbling on their part of the court and signaled for an isolation play. She stared at Alex's eyes which was guarding her with eagle's eyes.

Come and get me tiger.

I want you to eat me alive, Alex…

With a grin Inna drove pass her current defender to meet head to head with Alex. Knowing if she stopped Alex would have just stood her ground. She decided to take it to Alex's face.

Might earn me a charging foul…

But who cares?

I want to be on top of her.

She barged into Alex who fell down on the floor. Inna found herself on top of Alex. She grinned at the other girl whose eyes were still closed.

PRRT!

FOUL No. 10! CHARGING!

At the sound Alex sat up slowly only to find herself face to face with a grinning Yale superstar.

"Um… You can get off me now…" Alex said casually.

"I will… But tell me…" Inna leaned in to whisper into Alex's left ear.

"Do you always stay on top of Marissa? Or do you like it better when she's on top?" Inna grinned and slowly stood up.

For a second Alex felt sheer tingles in her spine. It wasn't like the tingles she gets when she was with Marissa. It was more of the scary tingles. She quickly stood up and motioned her coach for a substitution. Of course Inna would be sitting the rest of the game till maybe the last five minutes. But to Alex, she needed time to breathe.

She is obviously into you.

But you can't let her get into your head.

Mind games are fairly inappropriate.

Since you're in love with someone as wonderful as…

As Alex walked back to the bench she found Marissa who was relieved she was alright. They smiled at each other.

Marissa Cooper.