 Visitors 62 Home 60!! The scoreboard seemed to shout the score, as Vicky and I sat on the edge of the stage, amid the noise and excitement of the crowd around us. With only a minute left in the last period of the game, it would take two more points ... just one basket ... to give us a shot at winning. Maybe Rick would sink one. That would be sweet! He'd already made at least half our points, and he was the only reason we were still in this. He's be a hero after tonight's game. Rick is my boyfriend. He's also a great basketball player! The clock started again, and the crowd grew quiet. The opposing team brought the ball up the court quickly, passing it back and forth. Then their center, a tall, stringy-looking guy who always reminded me of that Muppet character, you know, ... Big Bird? ...with the big feet? ... anyway, he barrelled right in under the basket and laid one up that looked like it would end it for us right there! But it didn't go in! Then our forwards got the rebound. Quickly they passed it up the court; when the opposing team came out of thin air and tried to steal the ball, our forwards rolled right over them and up the court. Rick had the ball, and was at the three point line. He shot! The ball hit the rim. It looked as it was about to go in, but then it started to roll around the edge. I couldn't believe it ... the ball rolled arount the rim three and a half times before sinking! But we'd won! Rick and I had planned to ride to bus home together after the game,but Vicky's brother, Jake, left early with Korie, his grilfriend. Vicky was just barely 15, and had only had her driver's permit a week now. I couldn't let her drive home alone, it was late and had started to rain an hour ago, and Lakeview was nearly 25 miles away. I really wanted Rick to drive us back, but coach Ryan said, "Rick, you're the hero of the game. You can't leave the team now! What about our Victory Ride home?" So Rick, being the 'team guy' he is, kissed me at the bus and said, " See ya later, babe". The ride home wasn't much fun without Rick. But the moment I got in the door at home, I called him. He wasn't home yet. I called five more times in the next hour and a half, and despite assurances from his brother that he would be home 'any time now', I eventually gave up trying. The next morning the phone rang early. I picked it up, and on the other end of the line was Rick. He'd phoned to say he was sorry he went out with the guys. I told him it was all right, and said I had to get ready for school. It always takes me forever to get ready. When I got to school, everyone was talking about the last-minute shot Rick had made to win the game. I was so proud to say that Rick was my boyfriend. I walked up to him ... he was standing with his buddies talking about the game. Rick saw me coming and put his arm around me. I stood there smiling while Rick talked to his friends. The bell rang for class and Rick walked me to my class before he headed for his. But I had a bad feeling. Rick suddenly took me aside and looked at me. "Listen", he said, "I'm really starting to realize that I think basketball is really my sport. You and I both basically know that, but I feel like I just don't have time for you anymore. I can't keep walking you to class and stuff. I'm sorry, I guess it's over." It's amazing how fast word spreads around our high school. By second period, the whole school knew Rick and I were history. No one said a word to me, but every hall I walked, and every person I passed looked up at me with a knowing stare, their eyes bright. In losing Rick, I had lost my identity. No one knew me as anyone else but Rick's girlfriend. People who I had thought were my friends now looked at me fearfully, like if they hung out with me I would jinx them! At lunch I tried sitting at my usual table of girlfriends, and as soon as I sat down, the table became quiet, and they all looked at me in awe. I resorted to sitting alone. I knew I was no longer wanted. As for Rick, over the next few days, life went on. He was popular, the top basketball player on his team, and already it seemed like he had a new girlfriend; I saw them together in the hall, holding hands, and in the cafeteria, staring at each other from across the table. I was quickly forgotten. But I would have my revenge! Thanks to all who submitted to this second story: Owen G. for our first contribution, Josh W., and Barbara Holland, a regular contributor to our first story, Dave S., ,Jennifer S., Gina, and Ashley! |