Falling Out of Place by M. G. Higgins

Author:M. G. Higgins [Higgins, M. G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Saddleback Educational Publishing
Published: 2019-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

13

Istand in the locker room, just outside the gym. Listen to players yelling. Shouts from the crowd. The echoey boing-boing-boing of the ball dribbling down the wooden floor.

Coach Matthews cries, “Shoot, Johnson!”

A groan from the fans. Shawnie Johnson must have missed her shot. Or lost the ball. It’s sounds like there’s a pretty big crowd tonight. That’s cool. Crowds always help us play better.

I want to be inside. But I’ll feel lame if anyone sees me. Like I don’t have a life. Like I wish I was playing. I do wish I was playing. I just don’t want them to think I do. Like I’m desperate.

Slipping through the door, I hide next to the bleachers. I’m on the Crusader’s side of the court. No one from our bench can see me. The guys on the court can, but they’ve got other stuff to watch. Randi’s under the basket. She grabs a rebound. Lays it up, but the ball hits the rim. A Chief grabs the ball, takes it down the court. They score. Crap.

I glance at the scoreboard. The Crusaders are down 35 to 42. They’re in the second half. Not so good.

“C’mon, guys,” I say under my breath.

Alicia passes to Tiana. She passes to Celeste. Celeste tosses from the three-point line. It hangs in the air, hits the rim, and goes through.

“Yes!” I punch my fist.

Every play, every block, every run down the court, my muscles twitch. I’m out there with my team, dribbling, making those shots. The Crusaders fight back. Tie the score. Randi is under the basket again. She misses a layup. Grabs the ball.

“C’mon, Randi!” I scream.

Her rebound goes in this time. Nice. She looks over. Sees me. I can’t read her expression. Surprise, maybe? She panting, sweating. Runs back down the court.

It’s a tight game. A great game. Two minutes left. I should slip out. Randi saw me, but no one else has. It would be like I was never here. But I can’t leave. A good player doesn’t desert her team.

The score shifts back and forth. Ten seconds. Five seconds. The crowd gets on their feet. Coach Matthews is screaming. Bench players are standing, screaming. Tiana gets the ball. She shoots. The buzzer blares. The ball rises, arcs, sinks.

Score!

The Crusaders win by a point. I’m crying. I can’t help it. I sprint through the locker room. I run outside, still crying. At first it’s a happy cry. I’m happy we won. I’m surprised how happy I am. But as I run home, the cry turns into something else. More like a wail. Like someone is reaching into my chest and ripping out my heart.

Instead of climbing quietly through my bedroom window, I barge through the front door. The TV is on. Marta and Rosie look up from the couch. Their eyes are wide. I must look crazy. I’m panting, sweating, still crying.

My parents are standing in the kitchen, talking. Arms crossed. Serious expressions. They look at me when I walk in. Mom’s jaw drops a little.

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