Chapter 26. A game to win
Ava arrived at class and met Diana at her seat. The moment she got close, Diana pulled her close into a warm hug.
"Hey Dia, what's up?"
Diana looked at her as she bit down the tears that were forming in her eyes. "Nothing". Diana knew that Ava was trying to be strong. "Don't worry. I'd be here for you too. Alex and I".
Ava smiled. "Thanks".
"Any plans after school?", Diana asked
"Uh...Miss Riley asked for a meeting this afternoon after classes"
"Is there a game coming up?"
"I guess".
"Alright. I'll let Alex know about it. We can come and accompany you", Diana offered.
"That's quite a task Dia".
"It's okay. Allow us to be here for you".
Kaitlyn met this happy conversation when she entered the class which got her face scrunched up in a scowl. How can she be still happy?! I hate her! Stressing me up!
Lectures came to a quick end. Ava got the members of the team gathered at the lawn tennis pitch. There were seven teammates in total. All being girls.
Miss Riley stood in front of them with a bat in hand.
"Good afternoon girls", she greeted.
"Good afternoon Miss Riley", they chorused.
"Yeah. It's another time of the year where we get to compete with other schools. However, this time we're having an intercollege competition with Valor university. The competition is in two weeks time. Practice is everyday at five in the morning and after classes. Two hours practice".
The players looked at each other.
"You guys have something to say?", Miss Riley asked but no one said anything. "Queen?", she called and everyone looked at Ava. However, the latter was lost in her own world of thoughts.
"Ava Bateman!", Miss Riley shouted, bringing Ava back to the present.
"Miss Riley?"
"Did you hear all that I just said now?"
Ava didn't say anything. Miss Riley sighed. "Ava Bateman, you have to listen to instructions. That you're the queen doesn't mean you can't miss a step. Even queens have flaws".
"I'm sorry Miss Riley. I wasn't listening", Ava apologized.
"Get your thoughts together. We have a game to win".
"Yes Miss Riley".