9781250209153

1
You would think, based on the fact that I’ve played varsity basketball for
three years now, that I know how to score a basket.
You would be wrong.
“Zajac!” Coach screams, waving wildly at me. She’s only using my last
name because she can’t remember my first name. “No more shots! Give the
ball to someone else!”
It’s almost as humiliating as the air ball I lobbed up a second ago. I play
shooting guard, so I’m supposed to, you know, shoot, but this is the third
time I’ve taken a shot that hasn’t even touched the rim. The ball is usually
so controlled in my hands, but tonight it’s like I’m chucking a giant potato
through a wind tunnel.
The opposing team grabs the rebound and my ears burn as I run back to
play defense on the other side of the court. I can’t bear to look at my
teammates. This is technically just a preseason game, but it’s against
Candlehawk Prep, our rival high school, and right now we’re trailing them
by eighteen points. On our home court. If we lose this game, we won’t have
the chance to redeem ourselves until we play them in the Christmas Classic,
which means these dickheads will have the upper hand for the next two
months.
I dig my sneakers into the court and try to focus on playing defense.
We’re playing man-to-man, which is usually my strong suit, but tonight it’s
tripping me up because the opponent I’m guarding happens to be my exteammate.
She also happens to be my ex-girlfriend.