Chapter: 322 Drive
Tuesday, January 31st Evening
(Song lyrics in italics)
In the bleachers, Candi sat squeezed between people; she looked down onto Center Court and watched as her uncle announced the first six players. Except for Ashton, Candi had been teammates with them, though with Ashlyn, it was college. There was a story to go with each, which included her sister Kay.
Dedication and drive that's what Candi saw when she saw these six women. When they played, they put their energies towards getting better. Drive, most of these women were successful because of that drive. Candi sighed and looked over the court.
"What's on your mind?" Madyson asked.
"Trying to figure out the next person called out," Candi said.
"Why's that?" Madyson asked.
"Number twenty-one is next, and she's, well, she's passed on," Candi said.
"Wouldn't it be her parents or significant other?" Fawn asked.
Candi shrugged, "It could be her mom or one of her brothers," she said.
"Why are you concerned?" Madyson asked.
"I played the same position as her, and when she got injured the first season I played, I was next up," Candi said.
"So, there's some connection there," Madyson said.
"Yes, there is, and I miss her. We would, after practice, play one-on-one trying to learn and get better," Candi said.
Fawn nodded, "Yeah," she said.
Nathan looked to the crowd and spread his arms out, which quieted down the crowd. "Our next player was the on the court general, the point guard, next up, representing number twenty-one, his mom, Faith Brown, is her son Dexter Matthews," Nathan said.
Out of the shadow, a young man, no older than fifteen, walked out to Center Court. He's a powerfully built young man. The six previous teammates turned to look at him. Once he reached Center Court, each of the previous women greeted him and hugged him.
Nathan came over to Dex, and they talked for a moment. Nathan walked away, and Dex stood in what seemed like silence next to Ashlyn.
A cheerleader came out of the dark and walked over to Dex; it was Keni. He embarrassingly took the flowers and thanked Keni. She left the court, and Dex looked around. Ashlyn gently put her hand on his shoulder. Dex nodded slightly and looked towards the item covered with a cloth on the easel.
Now it came to that time of the night. The crowd is about to go crazy, Candi reflected. This entrance will be one of the biggest pops tonight; only one will be crazier. Then again, when this one person is announced, the people would go nuts all the time. One year made them a legend.
Drive or driven is a good word to describe the person about to be announced. Whatever she did, she pushed herself to succeed. Her knee is an example of that; she rehabbed too hard after her surgery and did more damage.
"Is whose next is who I think it is?" Fawn asked.
"Yes, they seem to be doing it by jersey numbers," Candi said.
"How crazy do you think they'll go?" Fawn asked.
"Ever hear of the Road Warriors Pop?" Candi asked.
Fawn nodded, "Yeah," she said.
"What are we talking about?" Madyson asked.
"The next person that will be announced," Fawn said.
"Who's that?" Madyson asked.
"The legend and measuring stick for every girl that puts on the Tree Hill Uniform," Candi said.
"Oh wow!" Madyson said, "There was someone on this team like that?"
Candi nodded, "Yes, and you met her," Candi said.
"Oh really?" Madyson asked, "Who?"
"Just wait and see," Fawn said.
Nathan looked around the crowd. "The next player is not only your co-captain, the leader of the team, please welcome, at guard and forward, number twenty-two, Angela Scott," Nathan said.
Candi nodded and looked to the corner where the team and collected. Angela stepped out of the shadows and onto the court. The PA stayed open, and now music came out of it.
Every drop of blood
Every biter tear
Every bead of sweat
I live for this
Live for this, Live, live
Live for this
Live for this, Live, live
If you don't live for something, you'll die for nothing.
Angela arrived at Center Court and greeted each of the previous members of the team. Candi noted that Angela hugged Kay, Ashton, Ashlyn, and Dex. Angela finally took her spot next to Dex. Nathan walked over to Angela, and they exchanged words. Once they finished talking, Nathan kissed Angela on the cheek, shook hands, and then hugged.
Candi watched her sister Sawyer step out onto the court. Sawyer walked over to Angela and handed her a bundle of flowers. Candi swore she saw Angela smile at Sawyer. Sawyer nodded and left the court.
Drive, Angela was the perfect example of drive. One of the things Candi could say about Angela was she inspired and motivated people. The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do, a quote from Kobe Bryant. Candi reflected on, summed up how Angela handled herself.
There was only one difference, Candi noted, in Kay and Angela's play. They were both technically sound, and in some cases, Kay was better than Angela. Angela had that one thing that separated her from Kay is that Angela elevated the people around her. Angela could inspire people to be great; Kay didn't or couldn't.
"You're thinking, again," Fawn said.
"I'm always thinking," Candi said.
"What are you thinking, instead of just enjoying?" Fawn asked.
"Just reflecting on my sister and aunt," Candi said.
"What about them?" Madyson asked.
"Trying to answer the age-old Tree Hill question," Candi said.
"Which is?" Madyson asked.
"Who is better, Kay or Angela," Candi said.
"That is a debate that no one could answer with any satisfaction," Fawn said.
"True," Candi said.
"Where do you come in on this debate?" Madyson asked, with air quotes on the debate.
"Mads, it's her sister and aunt; why put her on the spot?" Fawn asked.
"I'm curious," Madyson said.
"It's Angela," Candi said.
"What? Why?" Madyson asked.
"Angela raised the players around her; Kay doesn't," Candi said.
"Oh," Madyson said.
Candi shrugged and looked to Center Court. Nathan looked over the crowd.
"Our next player I'm calling out is the sixth man, at guard and forward, number thirty, Cara Stille," Nathan said.
Cara stepped out of the shadows. Of all the teammates, Cara was also booed a bit by the hometown crowd. Candi reflected on this and knew it was because Cara coaches at a rival school.
Cara took her spot next to Angela. Nathan greeted Cara with a smile, a handshake, and a few words. Cara also exchanged some greetings with her former teammates.
The cheerleader that emerged from the shadows is Keni, again. Of course, it would be Keni, Candi reflected, because Keni had zero fucks to give when it came to rivalries. Keni handed over the flowers and headed back.
Candi nodded; Cara was one of her closest friends when they played. They also graduated together. Candi nodded one more time and looked to her right and left; the world is good.
That moment of peace broken when Candi looked down and saw a platinum blonde-haired woman sitting next to Izzy. She hadn't noticed this woman was here before, and knowing who this person is, she knew things weren't going to end well.
