The following day I had to go to school.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I actually missed. . . no I won't say it.
I hate school.
All the lessons were a walk over more so the History and Economic classes which both me and Jenny had together, I had two lessons in the whole day. Jenny was a gift from up above she'd done all the work and assignments for me.
When I thanked her she acted like she didn't care but she did.
" I was bored so I scribbled for you " she had said.
I had taken a short break from the last history lesson when I bumped into Sydney.
" Bro where have you been all these days " he said.
" Just family issues " I lied.
" Tough. Coach's been asking about you everyday " he said. And as if on queue we started walking in the same direction.
" He has ? " I had completed forgotten I was on the team.
" Yeah, don't think you're off the line up " he said and I was surprised.
" The game is today "
" What ? "
" Oh, you didn't know, just pray the coming team goes easy on us "
Sydney was the type of guy you'd like even before talking to him. He was friendly, and so was he's face and unlike other guys on the school team he wasn't a showoff and he rarely hang out with them he had other friends, just like me, I rarely hang out with them, they always followed their Alpha, Ralph.
He was just himself so much so that it attracted girls.
" I don't know man "
" You'll do good, I've seen you play " he patted my shoulder.
So I was missed.
****
It was game time.
Our school was versing another school called Vixen high just two km ahead from ours. It was also a private school, the only difference there was it was a boarding school. I heard kids say girls from that school are pretty hot so I wanted to check them out. And also ' they say ' it's more fancy than our school.
Two swimming pools each with a small part that contains a jacuzzi, There classes have AC and each student had there own room like an apartment.
Okay that last one is a bit exxagerated.
The rest of the lessons for the day were cancelled due to that match. I had taken all of my lessons, which wasn't fair.
The kids of Vixen High had already arrived. I prepared for disappointment and surprise at the same time.
I went to the locker room to change .
" So you decided to turn up on the day of the game " Ralph said something about the way he said it messed with my mood.
" Had family problems " I said and started dressing up, I wasn't even sure I was on the line up anymore.
Coach entered and I felt a bit nervous.
" Gather up guys " he called all of us together.
We all gathered around him.
" So you decided to show up after all " he looked at me.
" Family stuff ? " I nodded.
" You're still on the line up, I've seen you play I don't think a week can trash you but you're off the moment you screw up " he said.
Ralph scorned.
" Come on give him a chance " for the first time coach seemed to bargain. How shocked I was ?
" Coach his been dodging practice for over a week now, give Elvis a chance "
Coach starred at Elvis.
" I think Kizito has played enough games " Now that was his normal self. Final and conclusive.
Ralph just stuffed whatever he wanted to say inside him.
" Now let's go out there and kick ass " he pretty much looked confident.
We all gathered around a circle and coach commanded Gideon to give us a short prayer. The prayer was a bit funny and abusive and vulgar but hey, they say He listens.
" Go out there and show those skinny guys whose boss around here " coach said his chest pumped up.
" It's time , go out there and make me proud " coach commanded.
" And as for you Mr. Mike or Mr Troy or whatever. . . it's time to show that you are worth being on the team, I'm risking it " he said looking at me seriously .
I just nodded my head .
" Go and make the school proud " he commanded and blew his bloody whistle. I could already hear noises from the court. I felt a bit uncomfortable and thought about swallowing one to give me some confidence. I had this other feeling that I would screw up, I always do.
Sydney patted my shoulder as if he'd noticed my discomfort. I cleared my mind and reminded myself to play well for the hundredth time.
I had seen the indoor court more than a few times but that particular day it seemed bigger and scarier. Maybe because it was full of a bunch of kids, some days it was cold in there but it was just the right temperature that day.
' You'll do good ' I kept saying to myself.
We got out of the locker room jogging up to the court, the noises got louder in the court. The prolonged beep hit my head. I wasn't going to do anything now. I clearly wasn't fine. My breath increased by the minute but no one noticed because of the roaring noises.
When all seemed lost I saw her.
Jenny, my pulse got steady when she winked at me and seemed to say ' good luck '
" Go Team " the cheerleaders cheered in unison.
They stole some attention when they danced and did flips to put the whole court in mood for the game.
The benched guys on the team sat on a bench near the cheerleaders in the top right most corner of the court, the greatest view in the court. Gideon and the rest seemed un bothered but one look at Elvis and I could make out he didn't like me, I was standing in his spot light.
We came in a line and shook hands with the opponent team.
After that the referee blew the whistle we went to our positions and so did the opponent team.
Ralph and another guy from the opponent team went to the center to start the game .
Another whistle was blown and the ball was tossed in midair. They jumped for it and the guy from the opponent team got it, he was taller than Ralph anyway, he dribbled a little and passed it to his teammate who was defended by Sydney so it was now on our side.
Sydney passed it to me I dribbled with my sweaty hands to the other side of the court and passed the ball to Ralph who was open he jumped and the ball was in the hoop.
The vixen guys stepped up there game, guys had skills. One dodged me passed the ball to his teammate and it was in before I knew it.
****to be continued.....