9781250209153

12
The morning of the Christmas Classic game, I wake up to a FaceTime call
from Danielle, who’s still in bed with her hair scarf on. “I’m freaking out,”
she says scratchily. “My stomach’s twisted up like a pretzel. Tell me I’m
allowed to quit the team.”
“Don’t ask me, ask our captain,” I say, rubbing my eyes. “But just know,
she’s a hard-ass.”
“Ha ha.”
We get out of bed and go to our respective toilets, in our respective
houses, and carry on our conversation.
“I can’t even pee,” Danielle groans, screwing up her face. “I hate sports.
I hate them. I’m only meant to be a bookworm. I am Hermione and I will
never be Cho Chang.”
“You’re both,” I promise her. “I’m nervous, too, but I have a great
feeling about tonight! Aren’t you at least a little excited?”
She groans some more. We hang up after she promises to play upbeat
music during her shower.
My sisters bolster my confidence when they barge into my room singing
“IT’S GAME DAY! IT’S GAME DAY! FUCK CANDLEHAWK, IT’S
GAME DAY!”
“Daphne!” I gasp theatrically. “Did you just curse?”
They smoosh me into a hug. Thora plants kisses all over my head, and I
can’t do anything but laugh.
“I’m wearing your old practice jersey to school!” Daphne says. “My
friends are gonna be so sick of me talking about you!”