The Main Game

Chapter 1: The Question

The bell rang for lunch on a warm sunny day as people had soon filled up the hallways to get ready for lunch. However, today was also the very first day this year, for the intermediate girls basketball team tryouts. I had always loved watching basketball on tv, and was wondering what it was like to play it. After all, it had always caught my interest when watching it, and ever since I learned how to shoot hoops, I have been wondering if I would like to play basketball myself. Little did I know, I was in for a big treat later on down the road after tryouts. As I washed up for lunch and sat back down at my seat to eat, one of the teachers came in. He was of average height, with very short brown hair and tanned skin. His eyes sparkled, and as he spoke, you could tell he was trying his best to be as persuasive as possible. "We still need more girls basketball players if anyone is interested. Tomorrow will be the second last call for tryouts, so if your interested you should get out there now, or then." Mr. Pacston said in a raspy voice. He was a bit of an older man, so it made sense that his voice was just starting to get a bit different. My eyes lit up as I heard the information about the tryouts. I was so happy to hear about it, and I wanted to try out so badly, but I honestly had no clue about weather or not I would be okay to tryout for a school sports team for the very first time. To be completely honest I've never tried out for any school extra activities. However, this basketball idea really caught my attention, and I imagined the empty basketball court in my head, with a basket and basketball right below it at the other end. Even though I was really thinking about it, I still only imagined it as an empty court.

Later on that night, I sat up in my bed and thought about how amazing the tryouts sounded. Also, I knew that my friend Kelly was trying out for the team as well, so I was confident as I thought about that empty court with the basketball at the end right underneath the tall basketball net.

As the sun was beating down on the small elementary school, I gave tryouts another thought before zoning out in the middle of class. No matter what I had tried, I just couldn't get the image out of my head. I want to end off my last year of elementary school right. I want to try something new and interesting instead of just being a science nerd for the rest of the year. I mean, it's not like I'm gonna get into the team anyway. I've never even tried out for anything at this school except for the talent show last year with my friend. Maybe I should give it a try. After all, I have my friend with me, and it will be more different and interesting for my last year. Who knows, maybe it will even give me a boost in confidence. "Sarah? ... Sarah?! ... SARAH!" Courtney was calling out to me as she pulled me out of my head. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I've just been thinking a lot lately."

"Yeah, no kidding." she said as she saw how tired I looked. "Did you even get any sleep last night? You look so drained."

"Like I said, I'll be fine. I've been thinking about trying out for the basketball team lately, that's all. Actually, I'm gonna be late!" I said as I looked over at the clock on the wall.

"Well, good luck Sarah. You can do it!"

"Thanks Courtney." I said as I ran out of the classroom and over to my backpack. I grabbed my gym clothes as quickly as I could. "No running in the halls kid!" one of the teachers said. A few minutes later, I had finally arrived at the gym, and I hesitated a moment before opening the door. This is my last chance. Do I really want this? Or will I regret not trying? I guess it wouldn't hurt to at least step foot in there and take a look around. Besides, Kelly will be there too. She'll know what to do. I may not know much about the skills, or some of the basic ways to play the game, but if I practice and study it at home too, it will be just like any other test. LET'S GO! I thought as I slowly creaked open up the door.