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Payton shakes her head. “It’s fine. I just don’t normally talk about that stuff.”
“Then let’s talk about something else.” I sit on my stool facing her. “Like how great it’s going to be to have you at my game on Wednesday.”
***
Ugh. We’re going to lose this game. I look up at the clock. One minute left, no timeouts, and down by five. It’s not completely impossible, but seeing as how we can’t get a play set up correctly, I know exactly what’s coming. The other team now has the ball and they’re passing it around to run down the clock. We’re trying to foul them, but even that’s unsuccessful. I’m guarding the best player on their team, so I’m the last one who should be fouling their man, but when she gets the ball and time continues to tick away, I have no choice.
She makes both and I check the clock again. Down by seven with twenty seconds to go. When Samara misses an open shot and the other team gets the ball back, Coach signals for us to back off. It’s over.
We made it farther than I ever thought we would before the season started and we did just as well as last year’s team, but I’m still disappointed. After congratulating the other team, I sit back down on the bench. I just need a little bit of time.
After a few minutes, my coach comes over and puts a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve still got another year, kiddo. And a lot to be proud of. Keep that head up.”
I nod but continue to stare at the ground. I’m not ready to face anyone yet. At least, that’s what I think until I feel a more delicate hand squeeze my shoulder and look up to see Payton. Suddenly, I have no interest in being alone anymore.
Payton tilts her head to the side as she stares down at me. “Are you okay?”
“I will be.” I smile and pat the spot next to me. “Not sure how your parents feel about you staying out late on a school night, but any chance you could come over for a movie?”
“That won’t be a problem.”
“You’re not too tired, are you?”
Payton shakes her head. “I’ll be fine. I’ll get an energy drink to chug before I leave your house.”
“Nonsense. There’s a convenience store right by my house. Let me get it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I’ll also get some pickles.”
Neither of us can say anything else because my coach announces we have to get on the bus to head home. I wave to Payton as I walk away. As she smiles at me, I memorize the way her lips curve up. The game is forgotten, and all I can think about is how excited I am to get home.
Chapter 25
*Love Interest*
I can’t do it anymore. It doesn’t feel right. I need to tell Marjorie the truth. But how? And when?
Chapter 26
Marjorie
When are you free? I’m sorry to keep bothering you about this, but I really need to talk to you.
I stare down at my text from Jocelyn and chastise myself for dropping the ball on this. She’s been asking me to talk for weeks, and I have yet to find the time. I can’t even blame basketball since our last game was over two weeks ago.
The truth is, I’ve been taking more shifts at work to spend more time with Payton. Whenever I work up the courage, I ask her to get dinner or a snack with me after work. And by whenever I get the courage, I mean twice. I’ve done that two times. Both times were great, and I still can’t be sure since she hasn’t told me, but I have a suspicion she likes girls. Maybe it’s a hunch or intuition or maybe it’s just wishful thinking.
How does Friday night after school sound? I have to be at work at five, but that should give us enough time, right?
Now that I’ve finally done what I should have done weeks ago, I lay down on my bed and reward myself by taking out one of Mystery Girl’s old letters to read. Our letters haven’t been as frequent as before. I know some of that is my fault since my mind is preoccupied, but it’s also taking longer for her to write back to me. I almost wish I could say that has helped me get over the crush, but it really hasn’t. Every time I see a new note and another chapter of her book attached to my locker, my heart rate picks up and my hands get clammy. The letter I read this time is the one I got a few days after losing our playoff game.
Hey! This is probably a stupid question, but how are you doing now that basketball season is over? I just wanted to let you know again that I’m so proud of you. You did amazing this season. I know right now all you can think about is how it ended, but if you play well enough, it’s always going to end in a loss (unless, of course, you win the state playoff, but let’s save that for next year). Anyway, you’re great. I’m proud. End of story.
I included TWO CHAPTERS this time to help cheer you up. I really hope you enjoy them (crossing everything). Thanks for encouraging me to write so much. It means more to me than you’ll ever know.
I really hope you know how much you mean to me. If things change or this stops or something goes wrong, I want you to know that these notes have meant the world to me. This time in my life is one I will never forget and that’s all thanks to you. You don’t understand the extent of it, but you’ve changed my life <3
