Chapter 251: High School Halls
Thursday, January 26th, Morning
The hallways of Tree Hill High School were a hive of activity as the kids moved about. Outside the doors to the locker room was a group of people collectively, and hilariously, known as the Brett Pack; seven people stood around watching the other students wandered by.
"You would think with a week off from basketball; the students would be excited about the game coming back," Avril Popova, the tallest of the young women, said.
"Av, the game is tomorrow," Baylee Miller said.
"Still, I want to get out there and play. It's been too long," Avril said, looking around the hall, "I need to play!"
Baylee laughed, "If you were a guy, I would say you've got blue balls," she said.
"Bay, that's not nice to say," Forrest Nez, one of the two young men in the group, said, "Especially with Garvan here."
"Hey, careful there," Garvan Muir, the other young man in the group, said, "It's not my fault."
Brett shrugged, "Sorry, I was grounded," she said.
"At least she had the balls to sneak into the club," Avril said.
"But got caught soon after," Forrest said.
"Even that's risky," Nessa Coleman, one of the younger ladies in the group, said.
"Babe, what are you doing?" Forrest asked.
"Just pointing out the facts," Nessa said.
"What's wrong, Forrest, a little jealous that Garvan and Brett snuck into Absolution," Alexis Moura, the only cheerleader in the group, said.
"Not at all," Forrest said, "Brett, what gave you the idea to sneak into Absolution?"
Brett shrugged, "Why not? It's a challenge, and if we got in, it would be a wild time," she said.
"So, what do you think about this long layover?" Avril asked.
"It makes my body feel better since I get a chance to heel," Brett said.
"Yeah, it's nice to have some time off," Baylee said.
"What did you do with your off time, B?" Avril asked.
"Spent time with my siblings and worked out in the gym," Brett said.
"You're at your mom's this week?" Alexis asked.
"Yeah, which is great for working out, and the sauna helps with the muscle aches," Brett said.
Baylee nodded, "How is your mom dealing with this big thing happening next week?" she asked.
"She's been keeping herself busy," Brett said.
"I'm surprised they didn't do it on Senior Night," Avril said.
"I heard Coach Scott shot that down, so we can have our night, and the past time could have theirs," Baylee said.
Brett nodded, "That sounds like Coach," she said.
"Wasn't your Auntie Tall on the team they're honoring?" Alexis asked.
Brett nodded, "Yeah, as was my mom, and Sawyer Scott's sister," she said.
"My Aunt Mack was on the team, too," Avril said.
"I wonder how many are coming back?" Nessa asked.
"Well, my Aunt Mack is already here," Avril said.
"Many other women from the team live nearby, I heard," Alexis said.
"Laney's coach was on the team," Baylee said.
"So, do I get to meet this Auntie Tall?" Garvan asked.
"We shall see; I don't know when she's coming in or leaving," Brett said.
Baylee nodded, "So, if we win the state championship, would they do the same for us?" she asked.
"Bay, we'd have to win the title first," Brett said.
"Anyway, if we did we, we'd be the fourth, not the first," Avril said.
"I think you're going to need to be more optimistic," Nessa said.
"Why?" Baylee asked.
"You keep saying if, not when you win," Nessa said.
"You have to play the games," Baylee said.
"What?" Nessa asked.
"Any given day when two teams meet, one team wins, the other loses," Avril said.
"Is that true, Brett?" Nessa asked.
"Yes," Brett said.
"Are you going to be jealous of your mom getting all the attention next week?" Garvan asked.
Brett shrugged, "She deserves it; she helped win that title," she said.
"Wasn't she on the bench for the championship game?" Forrest asked.
Brett nodded, "Yeah, she was injured during the season and couldn't play," she said.
"That's got to suck, working hard all year, being the number two on the team, but not get to be on the court for the endgame," Baylee said.
Brett shrugged, "I don't know, my mom never talks about her playing days," she said.
"Doesn't your Auntie Tall have several championships?" Alexis asked.
"I've heard of a few," Brett said, "But I'm not sure how many."
"One high school, two college level, at least one in Europe, several gold medals, and three WNBA titles," Ness said, reading off her smartphone.
"Thanks, Nessa," Brett said.
"You're welcome," Nessa said.
"Well, we get to see one of the women we're honoring tomorrow on the opposite team bench," Baylee said.
"We'll go out and play like we do every game, no matter who we play against," Brett said.
"Even though that same coach was a mentor to you?" Avril asked.
"I'll be fine," Brett said.
"The bell is going to ring soon," Nessa said.
The group nodded and disbanded, heading off to their classes.
