***

Ashley pulled into the closest parking space she could find and tried her best to sneak into the building without anyone knowing she was late.

Unfortunately her normal way in via a student she paid off wasn't at school that day (out with the swine flu go fucking figure) and so as a result, the brunette was left to go through the main entrance.

She hadn't put one foot through the door when Principal Dick Newman cornered her.

"Ah, Miss Davies, nice of you to show up to school late once again," he said sarcastically.

He had on a grey suit with a plain white button up underneath, shiny black dress shoes that looked like they had never even seen dirt, and a bow tie to top it all off.

Ashley put on a fake smile. "Dick, nice to see you again," she said.

The principal shook his head at her attempt at belittling him with her sarcasm.

"You know this would be your what…third tardy this week?"

"Hmm, who's really counting anymore," Ashley replied, still using the same generic tone and keeping her smile in place.

"Your reckless abandon for the rules and respect might suggest that you don't take me or your education seriously," Principal Newman commented.

"That's funny…" the brunette said. "Because your name being Dick and the fact that constantly feel the need to get on my case might suggest that you're lacking in…other areas."

Ashley made sure to take the time to look him up and down after making this comment.

Dick Newman looked down at his pants and appeared to be taken off guard by this suggestive comment because his face turned some shade of red…hmm maybe maroon.

A small silence ensued and before words could be said, the bell rang to signal the end of first period.

"Oh, that's my cue. Been nice talking to you though. Catch ya later Dick," the sly brunette said with yet another grin, and then went on her way to class as if nothing had happened.

Principal Newman was stuck standing there, mouth slightly agape.

As the students started to fill the hallways, he closed his mouth, stood up straight, tugged on his suit, and adjusted his bow tie, trying to regain his composure quickly.

The day went by monotonously for Ashley and just when she thought she couldn't draw, text, or sleep anymore to make the time go back faster the 3pm bell finally rang signaling the end of the school day.

Finally…basketball practice she thought to herself as she walked out to her car to get her gym bag.

From there it was straight to the locker room because Coach had the team on a tight schedule. Practice started at 3:20 and if you got there on time, you were already late.

Ashley walked in right at 3:19 and the team was already out on the gym floor, stretching while Coach Morton watched.

"Almost late Ashley," Coach said, glancing down at her watch.

"I know Coach M. I'm sorry," Ashley replied and jogged to center court to join stretches.

When the team was done stretching and attempted to start their routine jog warm up, Coach Morton stopped them.

"Hold up girls," Coach said. "I need to talk to you all for a minute before she we get started today."

Uh oh…she found out about my little encounter with the Principal earlier…Ashley thought.

"I know you all are ready to go and practice, and everyone was on time getting to the gym, which was good…" Coach M said, pausing to eye the brunette.

"But bear with me for a moment because I have some news. Do you girls want the good or bad news first?"

Random shouts of "good" and "bad" were heard but there wasn't a clear consensus.

So Miss Morton did what any coach would do…asked a captain.

"Ashley, you're a captain. So good or bad news first?"

"Uhh…" she said, trying to think while hearing the whispers of choices from her teammates. "Good news first."

"Good news it is…Today practice will be a little different. I know that we already had a set team established, but we will have a new person joining the team today. She's from a different school and was playing ball there as well so she should pick everything up pretty quickly," Coach said.

A buzz of the girls talking amongst themselves prompted Miss Morton to keep talking.

"I know, I know, it's a shock. But from what I can tell, she's got some game, and after talking to Principal Newman, it's the best move for the team and to get her accommodated to our school."

"Bull shit," one girl mumbled.

"What's that Keri?" Coach asked, challenging the junior and daring her to respond.

Keri's eyes went wide in surprise and she shook her head.

"Good. She should be here in the next 30 minutes. Now, on that same note when I spoke to Mr. Newman, he graciously informed me that Ashley Davies was late to school..again. That would be the bad news, so ladies, you know what that means…" Coach Morton said getting her whistle out.

There were groans from the girls on the team as they all turned to walk to the baseline.

"Suicides!! Let's hustle ladies and get them done before your new teammate gets here. You've got 18 of them for Ashley's age plus 1 since she wants to act older today!"

And just like that, the whistle blew. The sweating, lack of oxygen, and muscle fatigue stemming from basketball practice and punishment began.