Kathy's dad had gotten a job opportunity in Louisville. They were moving there one week after the school year ended, eleven weeks. Mel sat on the bleachers waiting for practice to start, thinking of this. She stayed away from her notebook, it reminded her too much of her friend. As she stared at the floor she heard someone snapping, "Hey, wake up. Practice started two minutes ago, we were waiting to see if you'd notice". The whole team stood behind Coach Andy, trying to seem like they weren't starting even though they were. "We've talked about this, take off", he emphasized that last part. Melstood up and began to run, away from the other girls, "Five laps", yelled Coach Andy, and that's what she did.
After running and trying to hold her tears back, Mel felt exhausted aand practice had just started! "You ready to work Mel", this time the girls did stare. "Yes sir", she answered firmly. "Perfect, now girls, the final game of the tournament is in a few weeks, so we have to work our butts off. We're going to be going against a pretty tough team", he paused. "Who", asked Laurel, a really extroverted, popular girl in the team an probably the prettiest. She had long, black hair that almost went up to her waist. "The tigers", answered Coach Andy quietly, as if he were scared of something. "The frickin fancy school", asked a girl behind Mel, who she never knew the name of. "Nelson Middle", said coach, "That is absolutely correct".
Half of the practice was made up of shooting, passing and ball handling drills. It was all extremely difficult, but even more foe Mel, she couldn't stop thinking about Kathy. This didn't have ti happen, Kathy's dad didn't have to accept that job offer. Her thoughts were interrupted yet again by the voice of her coach, "Pick a partner, we're doing one on one", at least they got to pick their partner this time, yet Mel knew what was going to happen. All the best friends were going to pair up, the spares would pair up and then she would have to end up with whoever the heck was left.
"Mel want to be my partner", said a voice, "Sure", answered Mel without even looking. Then she noticed, Bella. Of course it was her, trying to be friends. Mel felt annoyed but just followed along, knowing that no one else would want to be her partner. They stood in two lines, the partners in different lines, but right across from each other. "And", coach began, the two girls at the front stood on the tips of their toes, ready to pounce. Coach looked at both of them, "Go", he yelled and threw a basketball into the air, ready for someone to reach it. The girls ran towards the ball and the blonde one on the right ended up grabbing it and running to the basket. The other girl, Rayah, ran behind her to defend the basket. Just as the blonde girl was about to make a lay up, Rayah smacked the ball from the air and sprinted to the other side of the court, making a three pointer. "Whoo", yelled Coach, "Great job Rayah, Iza, take off". Iza, the blonde girl, ran to the other side of the court and back. "Next two" he yelled, as he always did.
After three more pairs had gone, it was Mel and Bella's turn. "And go", said Coach. The two girls ran to the ball, Mel grabbed it and went for a lay up. Right as she got the basket, the thought of Kathy slipped through her mind and the ball almost slipped. Mel fought this, and proceeded to make her lay up. "Bella, take off. Great job Mel, we almost lost you there though". "I know", she answered and walked to the back of the line.
The rest of practice was just a short scrimmage, in which Mel's team had lost by five points after Iza had lost the ball again. After changing into her comfortable clothes, Mel picked up her backpack and walked off, ready to go home and just relax. But when she was passing the main office, something caught her eye. A blue sheet of paper taped to the wall. It said, HARRISON MIDDLE SCHOOL TALENT SHOW, PERFORMERS NEEDED! Then she saw, in smaller letters, pick up participation sheet at the main office, all entries due by March 8th. Mel thought about ignoring this, but she couldn't, she walked straight into the office. "Can I please have a talent show participation form".
© Azul Morales