From the start the game is fast paced, so much so that our guys can barely keep up. For every bucket we score the opposing team scores two. By the end of the first quarter we are down by a whopping twenty points. I want to yell out in encouragement to push the guys forward and remember that I am not in the stadium. The restaurant we're in is so quiet that you could hear a pin drop as we all watch the screen astonished at the way our guys were completely dominated. The coach makes a few substitutions and keep the stars on the floor hoping to make some kind of improvement to the gloomy way the game started. Watching the screen we can see the coach saying more than a few choice words to get the guys motivated and ready to go.
The second quarter begins with a little more enthusiasm from our guys as they step onto the hardwood floor. Cameron, Parker, and Mekhi possess the ball for majority of the quarter, setting plays and assists for one another and the other guys on the court. Seeing them play hard to close the gap in points, everyone else feels their spirit and work hard. From blocks to rebounds, their persistence carries them to halftime, cutting the opposing teams lead down to just five points. Seeing the score the atmosphere in the restaurant gets lighter, we all collectively stop holding our breath and release.
As the halftime program begins, the wing place becomes a more lively and optimistic place. We order a round of appetizers as more conversations break out.
"Whew, girl this game is intense," Rylie says as she sips her drink.
"It is! It's so nerve wracking," I say with a sob.
"I wonder if they will be able to continue to play at such a high level," Susu says playing with her straw paper.
"Hopefully this break gives them a chance to get reinvigorated and allow them to come out fighting harder," Nova adds.
"I hope so, I can't imagine them coming back with a loss," I say nodding my head.
"Yeah, it would be a little tough for you since you're dating Mekhi. I'm sure the vacation won't be much fun if he's not victorious," Rylie says sympathetically.
"No, I don't think so. I think he would try his best to push those emotions to the side so that we can enjoy our vacation. He isn't so selfish to ruin our vacation," I say confidently.
"Still, I hope they are victorious it would be good for the school and the town," Nova says dipping a chip into spinach artichoke dip and placing it into her mouth.
"It would definitely be a good thing! Let's send positive vibes and energy to the guys and will them to play even harder to bring the championship home," Susu says placing her paper straw ornament on the table.
"Yes, let's do that," I say excitedly and we all hold hands and send positive prayers and vibes to the guys getting ready to come back to the court and play the hardest second half they have ever played on the world's greatest stage for college basketball.
When we're finished a few guys gets everyone in the restaurant riled up with chants and cheers. When the guys finally step back onto the court for the second half we can see that they have a different attitude and approach to the game. The commentators are getting excited as the game continues, our underdog team is making their presence known and earning a much earned respect amongst the people present. We are no longer silent, we cheer and fuss at the screen when we feel as though we've been cheated. The teams now seem evenly matched and I assume that the guys have found their groove and are sticking to it.
Fourth quarter gets underway with the defense playing much tighter and the offense struggling to make buckets on both sides of the court. With all of the starters on the court the guys seamlessly closes the gap and overcome the opposing team taking the lead for the first time in the game. A senior captain named Wesley, slowly dribbles the ball up court signaling his guys to go to their positions. After a few quick passes and smooth crossover we finally score another bucket extending our lead. The guys get excited with this change of momentum and dominate the last few minutes of the championship game. Mekhi lazily dribbles the ball down the court and right before the final buzzer goes off, he shoots the ball into the air and makes a beautiful final shot. Although the game is already won, the shot still causes an uproar in the stands and the restaurant as confetti falls over the court and the players embrace one another. The restaurant patrons sang victory song after victory song and embraced one another as though they had been friends for some time.
My voice was lost as I was drunk from the happiness of the team's victory and Mekhi's success. When the girls and I finally paid our tab and left we could see the entire town dancing and celebrating in the streets. I send Mekhi a series of congratulatory texts as we are deciding what to do with ourselves. Tonight, we wander the streets with our arms linked taking in the very victorious and harmonious atmosphere until we can no longer take it and go our separate ways. Reaching my house, I drag my exhausted yet excited body up the stairs to my room after locking the door.
Wanting so badly to just lie on my bed and go to sleep, I resist long enough to put my belongings away and take a shower. Thanking the universe that I have a silk pillowcase on one of my pillows, I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
Buzz!
Buzzz!!
Buzzzzzz!!!!
I roll over and rub my very sleepy eyes before I answer the phone.
"Congratulations," I say in a somewhat cheery voice trying to mask the sleepiness I feel.
"Congratulations? Are you alright," Jay's voice say coming through my phone.
"Wait, why are you even calling me," I say as I fully awake in confusion as I am reminded of his unwanted call from earlier.
"Come on, don't be like that. I just want to see how you are doing," he says in a pleading voice.
"So you call me in the middle of the night to ask me this? I'm sorry, I refuse to have any type of conversation with you," I say to him and prepare to hang up the phone.
"Wait, I just want to apologize for hanging up on you and from the things that have happened before," he says in a rushed voice.
"Listen, now is not the time to have this conversation. I'm sorry I even answered your call, I thought you were someone else, with that being said good night," I say and end the call not giving him the opportunity to prolong the conversation.
I shake my head and roll my eyes to the high heavens as I calm myself down. Feeling my heart calm and my eyebrows unknot themselves, I take a deep breath, place my phone back on the night stand, and lay back down. Not long after I close my eyes does my phone vibrate again and this time I check to see who is calling before answering.
"Congratulations," I say cheerfully with a smile plastered on my face.
"Thank you baby, did you wait up for me to call," Mekhi's deep velvet voice asks worriedly.
"No, something woke me up and I was just falling back asleep when you called," I say to him.
"Mm, okay. How are you feeling now," he asks.
"I'm better now that I can hear your voice," I say with a soft flirty voice.
"Ahem, is that so," he says clearing his throat first and his voice gets even deeper.
"Yes, now enough about me. How are you feeling? You are a champion it has to feel amazing right," I ask him happily.
"Honestly baby, it feels so surreal. That was by far the hardest game of basketball I have ever played in my life. Once everything clicked and we got over our worries we were able to mount a comeback and in the end win the game. The only that would have made it better is if I was able to see your face in the stands," he says smoothly.
"You didn't get to see me cheering for you, but know that I lost my voice tonight cheering the loudest for you," I say blushing at his straightforward honesty.
"I believe you. There will be a parade in the morning when we get back, will you be there," he asks.
"Of course, there's nowhere else that I could possibly be," I say assuring him.
"Alright baby, I really appreciate you. Get some rest and I will see you tomorrow," he says with his panty busting voice.
"Okay. Good night Kai, dream of me" I say as I yawn.
"Always. Good night baby," he says and ends the call.
I place the phone back on its charger on the nightstand. My mood is restored and I am no longer bothered by that other call. With my thoughts full of Mekhi and seeing him tomorrow, I fall asleep with a smile on my face.