Number 25

Chapter 2

Lisa could not believe what was happening. She was panting and dripping in sweat. She growled when she looked at the scoreboard.

How was this happening?

They were down ten points and the game was almost over. Lisa put her hands on her hips and walked around in circles. She didn't even want to look over to her mother because she knew she would be disappointed. No one really knew what to say to Lisa right now, she normally didn't perform like this.

Lisa had been doing good for the most part of the game but the other team scored an extra basket plus Lisa missed her shot. She missed her shot and she was kicking herself for it. Lisa wanted to blame every person around her and everything around her, but she couldn't. This was her doing. She was responsible for leading her team down the rabbit hole.

There was no way they could get the game tied or even win. Lisa closed her eyes tight and clenched her jaw at that thought. The game was 35 to 25 and Lisa knew she wasn't going to even the score at all. She was good, but she wasn't that good and it was apparent right now as she looked at her teammates. There wasn't much she could say, they were all doing their part but she missed too many shots to count and she cursed under her breath.

"Go back out there and do your best! We have three minutes on the clock, make me proud!" Coach Kim tried to encourage his team but Lisa knew it was a lost cause but she tried her best. She had made many last-second shots. It would be thirty seconds on the clock and she managed to score again and score the winning goal.

Today wasn't that day and it sucked because Ms. Kim was sitting in the stands. It was hard not to notice the woman. Lisa figured she would be the only person to show up to a game in a tight fitted dress and Lisa found herself looking over to her many times.

Lisa couldn't blame Ms. Kim for her horrible playing skills today, it wasn't her fault. Lisa had no idea what was going on. Her team didn't manage to score at all in the last three minutes. Lisa growled and kicked over the water gallon and water spilled out of it. Her teammates groaned in frustration and Lisa growled in it. She was breathing hard and didn't bother looking her coach in the eye. She couldn't get it done today and wondered what happened to throw her off.

The buzzer ringed loud in her ear, letting her know the game was over and the opposing team cheered in victory. It was a home game today and she knew she was completely disappointed in herself. The score remained as it was and Lisa grimaced at the screams coming from the other team.

"We'll win next game," Irene said quietly and Lisa shook her off. She didn't mean to be rude but she wanted to be alone and started to gather her stuff. They were on a five-game winning streak this season and Lisa looked at the faces in the bleacher and saw how they were shocked, she would be too.

She just lost the game and not by two points, by a lot of points. Lisa didn't know what to say for herself so she didn't say anything. She gathered her stuff up and turned around and left, not before looking at her mother first. She was wearing a frown and Lisa couldn't make out what she was thinking but a part of Lisa didn't even want to know. Rosé called out to her but she shook her head and left. She was halfway to her car when she heard heels sound behind her. She was a sweating mess and her basketball jersey clung to her skin. Her hair was up in a bun and she threw on a light zip-up hoodie because there was a breeze.

"Hey, wait up!" She heard the teacher say but Lisa kept walking, she wanted to get out of here.

"Oh, so you are just going to walk away like a coward?" Ms. Kim asked and Lisa turned on her.

"What do you want?" Lisa grumbled.

"You just left your team hanging back there." Ms. Kim said and Lisa looked away from her. She was absolutely right and she didn't want to face her teammates. She didn't want to shower here either, she wanted to go home so she could shower there and then face her mother.