Back in the lounge, some were stretching, while others were lieing down. Okay listen everyone you have to be very serious for the next match okay? They turned to look at him.
The coach sighed he knew this game wasn't gonna be easy as soon as he saw coach T. He overhead Sophia's conversation with them and he knew she was telling the truth that PJ was no small fit at all.
Coach T was very talented, so it was natural for his players to be very good. Ted you won't play for now.
What! Ted stood up immediately, he looked at the coach intensely. Oh! Calm down and let me explain okay. What I mean is you won't play till the fourth quarter, you'll come in at the last minute and I'm pretty sure coach T will do the same.
PJ won't play till the last minute, I'm very sure of it. He turned to the other players don't let the gap between us to be much okay. He discussed the plans and positions with them. If the gap is too much I'd have to send ted in before time, so do you best.
*****
Finally it was time for the match, they all came out. They took off their trainers and went to the court.
Sophia watched and saw that ted didn't take his off. He sat down with the coach and other players. She knew it was part of their strategy so she didn't probe into it.
It was as the coach predicted, PJ was also benched, he knew coach T was reserving his strength for later.
Tweet..... The whistle was blown and the game started. They both started strong, no one wanted to back down. They played back and forth, the scores were changing by minutes.
Falcons: 12: eagles: 10
It kept increasing throughout the match, everyone increased their pace.
****
Third quarter
Tweet.....the eagles, player change.... Everyone stopped. PJ quickly took off his trainers and jogged into the court.
Ted turned and looked at the coach, his coach was also stunned, they didn't expect PJ to enter at this time. Coach what do we do? should I enter now as well? No we'll stick to the plan. let's just hope the gap wouldn't be much, but if it's much, like I said earlier you'll go in.
The game started. The scoreboard showed; falcons 38: eagles:34, in less than 5 minutes it changed.
Falcons: 38: eagles: 44
It continued increasing till it got to falcons: 40: eagles: 60.
PJ really changed the flow of the game as soon as he stepped in, he's dribbling skills were top notch, no one could keep up with his pace, he was like a machine on the court.
Mehn! Sophia whistled as she watched the match, she couldn't help but video the scene, PJ's dribbling skills were mad, it was even better than the last time she watched him play. Some players even fell as he dribbled them, he was so sly, they fell for his tricks, time and time again.
Tweet.....falcons..player change.... Ted quickly ran to the court, the teammate that was subbed out, couldn't even talk, he was panting trying to catch his breath.
With ted's presence the game also changed they were reducing the gap between them. They played for a while, before the whistle sounded. It was the end of the third quarter.
Everyone was trying to catch their breath, the game was really intense. Sophia stared at PJ and noticed that he wasn't as flustered like the others he just got a towel and wiped his face and other sweaty parts, he looked like he was enjoying the game, with the obvious smirk on his face.
***
Break time was over. it was the final quarter, the players were set, once the whistle sounded, the intensity was back, it was like a battle of life and death.
The falcons were trying to reduce the gap. The eagles were trying to increase the gap even more.
Everyone unconsciously held their breaths this match was really intense.
Falcons:58: eagles : 68.
10secs left, everyone's heart was pounding. There was a face off between ted and Pj.
PJ looked at him and smirked, ted blocked him as he wanted to score again. PJ took a step back, titled his hand upwards as though he wanted to shoot, ted quickly jumped to block the shot.
PJ laughed and quickly passed him, ted was stunned, so that was a fake, he quickly gathered his senses and ran fast to stop him.
PJ quickly dribbled the others, then he jumped and slammed the ball in.
Buzz... The game was over.
It took some minutes for everyone to come to their senses, and then screaming could be heard.
Falcons:58 : eagles: 72
Everyone's attention was on PJ. Wow he actually scored a buzzer-beater. That guy is impressive, he even looked as though he was actually going easy on them.
Sophia stared at the people close to her, she smiled and tried to cheer them up, don't worry it's okay you guys still qualified for the semi-finals even though you lost.
It didn't help at all as they all lowered their heads.
Shish...how I'm I supposed to cheer them up. Ted came over and was quiet, she passed the towel and water to him, he smiled bitterly and said thanks. Don't worry it's okay, you'd beat them next time.
*****
Coach T came over, he stretched his hand forward. Nice game your team isn't bad, Ted's coach looked at him and stretched his hand to meet coach T's hand. They talked for a while and the tensed atmosphere finally became normal.
Let's eat together to reduce the tension between the boys. They both agreed and turned to tell their players about their agreement.
PJ was about to turn coach T down when he heard the other team, trying to poach sophia to eat with them, he changed his mind and agreed to join them.
Sophia we are going to eat out, will you come with us. No! how can I come with you guys, don't worry about me go ahead and eat.
Oh sophia you're here, coach T turned to her, c'mon let's eat together. Yes they urged her.
Taking a deep breath she tried to reason with them: look I'm not part of the team so there's no way I'm going to sit with you guys and eat, absolutely not.
******
At the BBQ stand, coach was at head of the table while Ted's coach was on the side, the players sat across each other and stared daggers at themselves.
Sophia sat opposite ted, with PJ by her side. she could feel the tension in the air, as both teams sat across each other.
People looked at the scene, it was so beautiful, huge handsome guys all sat in one table with two huge older men on both sides. Then they saw a little figure in between, she looked like a little child, as she sat with them. They couldn't help but wonder about their identities, some people even secretly took pictures.
Omg...if you guys are gonna be like this, why on earth did you drag me here. They didn't pay attention to her and just continued to stare at each other. Sophia couldn't help but massage her temples.
Once the meat appeared and they started grilling it, the aroma quickly changed the atmosphere. they suddenly remembered that they were very hungry and totally forgot their rivalry.
You guys shouldn't think much about it, you'll get to play each other again. Coach T said.
Yes and we'll be stronger then, Ted's coach chipped in....
Sophia stared at the huge meat in front of her, I can't possibly finish this. It was huge.
oh! Don't worry I'll help you, the guy that took her cap smiled as he winked at her.
Hmph...like I'd give it to you. She turned and looked at everyone they were eating so much and so fast, the atmosphere was full of warmth and they didn't seem like people that were at each other's necks, some minutes ago.
Sophia placed the meat in her mouth, and couldn't help but sigh. Mama mia this is so good, she quickly picked up more, she totally forgot her surrounding and ate with delight. She hummed as ate and wiggled her legs.
PJ who was beside her, turned and looked at her actions, he laughed and took out his phone to capture the moment, he even secretly videoed it. You're so cute sophia, even the way you eat is cute.
Uhm mm... She was so into the meat, that she answered casually. Ted also looked up and laughed.
After eating for a while, the meat couldn't go in again. Sophia's stomach that was so little couldn't possibly take in so much. She sighed as she really wanted to eat, but her belly said otherwise. PJ took her plate and added it to his own. Her eyes popped open as she stared at him.
What? He raised his eyebrow. Oh! Nothing she awkwardly said.
Oh! Sophia how are you gonna get home? coach T asked.
That's true I haven't even thought about that. She placed her hand on her chin as she thought about it.
Don't worry I'll take her home, my driver is outside. PJ said.
Everyone was shocked, especially he's teammates, when did he become so kind. He scoffed as he met their gaze, he lowered his head and quickly finished his food, he turned to sophia. Aren't you going home?
She finally got herself back as she heard the question. Oh! I'm coming can you give me some minutes, she rubbed her tummy, I think I ate too much, well I've been doing that lately.
PJ signed he extended his hand, come on, I'll help you. Sophia was still motionless so he gently grabbed her hand, he turned to the coach and told him he was going, he waved at his teammates and walked away with sophia.
Wait a minute what's going on here. Ted finally came back to his senses, things happened too fast, he didn't react till they were out of sight. He quickly chased after them.
Sophia hold on, PJ halted and raised his brows, sophia turned to look at him a little lost.
I'm the one that invited you, sorry I didn't pay much attention to you, I was just carried away because we lost.
Sophia smiled don't worry about it, even if he didn't offer to give me a ride I would have taken a cab, or called my dad. So it's fine really.
Okay be careful, if anything happens make sure you call me okay, he stared at PJ as he made the statement.
Okay no problem, I took a lot of pictures and videos of your game today, you looked really awesome no wonder those girls were screaming your name. She winked at him.
Ted blushed and smiled sheepishly. Sophia laughed as she saw him in this state.
The black tinted mercedes could be seen close by, she waved and walked towards it with PJ.
Ted watched until they drove off before going back to the others. When he got there PJ'S team were leaving, so he sat with his teammates and was finally comfortable.
Awwn.... Shorty has gone, she's really a cutie, I like her! One of them said and the others agreed with him, yh she's a nice person.
The guy that took her cap, quickly brought out his phone. look guys I made a meme with her pictures, from the game till this point. Ted quickly snatched the phone the others titled their heads to look.
It was very funny, Sophia really looked cute, her hair was a mess, when ted lifted her was also captured, her mouth was slightly bent. There was also a video as she was busy eating, she really looked cute as she stuffed her mouth.
Hahaha....ted she's really cute, can you send it to me, they all requested. Ted had a brilliant idea, he sent it to his phone and edited it before sending it to a certain person. He couldn't wait to see her reaction.