The Only One

Chapter 1: The Big Game

Coach nodded and walked away, making me glare at my older brother. "You'll thank me later," he said with a smirk.

I groaned and practically dragged my feet to the bench I was sitting on not even twenty minutes earlier.

I had to admit, the team was really good. They were co-operative, friendly to each other, and not to mention very skilled.

The cheerleader squad was practicing in the gym was well, encouraging the basketball team to do their best. Annie Hudson, the head cheerleader, would often smile at Luke. They were dating, of course. I mean, what school wouldn't have the head cheerleader date the top jock?

It wasn't long before the game started. Robinson High showed up, looking like their usual snotty selves. I swear every single student was required to take an Attitude 101 class, judging on the looks they gave everyone.

I rolled my eyes and went on the bleachers, knowing that I would have probably gotten hit with a basketball if I stayed on the bench.

The first five minutes of the game bored me to death. I grabbed my sketchbook from my bag and continued my drawing. Every once in a while, though, I would look up to see what the score was. It stayed pretty much tied the whole time.

During half time, I got off the bleachers and went to Matt, who was drinking water from his bottle. "This is boring!"

He almost choked on his water. "Boring?! How could it be boring?"

"I don't like sports," I reminded him. "When is the game over?"

"We have two more quarters left," Matt said. "Both twelve minutes."

I groaned and went back to the bleachers. Back to drawing.

The sudden, "Twenty!" from the crowd made me look at the clock. Twenty seconds left and the score was 64-63. For Robinson High.

The crowd began counting down with the clock, building up to the suspense.

Matt had the ball and tossed it to Luke. Luke dribbled it down the court, but something made him slow down. And I knew exactly what it was. Annie was flirting with one of the Robinson High basketball players sitting on the bench. Trust me; it was full on flirting. She was twirling a lock of her hair in her fingers and giggled. And not to mention the lack of space between them.

"Luke, shoot!" I heard Coach yell. Luke turned his head back to the hoop, suddenly remembering he was in a game. He lifted the ball high in the air and tossed it towards the neat.

Everyone watched anxiously as the ball rolled around the rim of the hoop. Some people shifted in their seats, leaning forward, their eyes not leaving the ball. Not even blinking.

The buzzer sounded, but the ball was still deciding if it was going to go in our not. Finally, it tipped...

And rolled off the hoop.

Robinson High burst into an obnoxious cheer, while the Lakemoat High students just sat there in disbelief.

After being handed the trophy, our enemy school left the gymnasium, yelling, "RO-BIN-SON!" repeatedly.

All of the Lakemoat students left, their head hanging in shame. The only people left in the gymnasium was me and the basketball team. Even Coach had left.

"What the hell was that?!" Briggs yelled at Luke. "You missed a free throw shot! You never do!"

Luke shook his head. "I'm sorry! I just... I got distracted." Poor guy sounded heart-broken.

"Rule number one," Briggs said, holding up one finger, "NEVER be distracted! You cost us the championship!"

"It wasn't my fault!" Luke said.

"How many of you think it was?" Briggs asked, addressing the rest of the team. They all raised their hand, even Matt. "There you have it, Luke. And you know the rules. Cost us a game, you're out for a week. But cost us the championship..." He looked at the rule-book he was holding in his hand. "And you're out for the rest of the year."

Luke just stood there, completely flabbergasted. "You're kicking me off the team?!"

The whole team nodded. Luke just scoffed and stormed out of the gymnasium. I, for a short amount of time, contemplated on following him out. I knew it wasn't his fault. But we never even talked, so I decided against it.

"You ready to go, Mel?!" Matt called, gesturing me to come. He had a hint of sadness in his throat.

"Yeah," I said. "Coming."

I followed him outside and to his car. On the ride home, I concluded that tomorrow would be an interesting day. The championship was huge. And now, it was gone.