Keeping it Real by Aleesah Darlison

Author:Aleesah Darlison
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Published: 2016-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

When Sienna woke on Saturday, she heard the pitter-patter of rain on the roof.

‘Mmmm.’ She snuggled under the covers. ‘Sleep-in time.’

‘Rise and shine, Sienna!’ Mum poked her head around the doorway. ‘Up you get.’

Sienna groaned. ‘Do I have to? It’s raining.’

‘Nice try.’ Mum laughed. ‘The rain is clearing already and netball’s not for another hour. Come on.’

Mumbling to herself, Sienna slipped out of bed and trudged over to the desk where Mum had laid out her matching Marrang Gems dress, socks, shorties, hairband and team visor.

Sienna couldn’t help smiling. Mum really spoiled her. She dressed then studied her reflection in the mirror. Sienna loved the Gems’ uniform. When she’d first started playing netball in NetSetGO, she’d worn her uniform everywhere: after school, on the weekend and to the shops. Sometimes she’d even worn it to bed!

Sienna gazed at the display of netball trophies, certificates and team photos that lined the shelves of her bookcase. She took one of the photos down to study it more closely.

‘I remember that game. You were playing in the Under 10s.’ Mum had come in and was peering over Sienna’s shoulder. ‘You played Goal Keeper and intercepted so many shots for goal. You had tonsillitis but refused to stay home. You said you couldn’t let your team down and that you couldn’t miss a single game if you were to play for the Diamonds one day, like Laura Geitz.’

‘That’s right,’ Sienna said. ‘I was so sick!’

‘You were also determined.’ Mum laughed. ‘You missed a few days of school afterwards – although I remember you making a miraculous recovery for training later that week.’

Sienna grinned. ‘I remember.’

‘Well, enough reminiscing,’ Mum said. ‘Breakfast first, then we’ll head off.’

‘Woo hoo! Let’s do it!’ Sienna cheered, feeling energised and ready to play.

When Sienna arrived at the netball courts, she did her warm-up with the other girls.

‘Okay, Gems,’ Janet said as she handed out the bibs. ‘Unfortunately Maddy is sick today. Her mum called to say she has a tummy bug.’

Sienna remembered what Maddy had said about missing netball games. ‘Oh no, she’s going to be so disappointed.’

Janet nodded. ‘She is, poor thing, but I’m sure she’ll be better soon.’

‘I’m sorry Maddy’s not here,’ Jade said, ‘but at least that means we don’t have to sit out. I hate sitting out!’

‘We know,’ Prani said. ‘You tell us every week.’

Jade giggled. ‘Sorry, but it’s true. Who does like sitting out?’

‘Not me!’ Eve said.

Sienna waited expectantly for Janet to hand her a bib. I wonder what position I’ll get?

Janet handed her the Centre bib. Sienna liked playing Centre. It was one of the busiest and most popular positions on the team.

‘You’re captain too, Sienna,’ Janet said.

Sienna felt a little thrill. Just as the girls changed positions each game, they also took turns at being captain.

It’s up to me to lead the team to victory, she thought. No messing up, especially because we’re playing Waroona and they’re always tough to beat!

The Gems had come up against Waroona twice during the winter competition and their games had always been tightly contested.

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