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I snap a photo of the packed court and send it to Sydney.
She took a leave of absence for her spring semester, opting to return to Pembrooke for the rest of her pregnancy. She’s living in the condo with Catherine, working at the high school as part of its theater department. She’s also been working at the animal shelter with Eileen for a few hours each week. Making the best of a difficult situation.
The loudspeaker crackles to life as players leave the court, headed to their respective benches to huddle up before the game actually begins.
“What’s happening now?” Nova asks.
I glance at her, not sure if she’s teasing. “You knownothingabout basketball?”
“Nothing.”
I decide to quiz her. “Do you know what traveling means?”
“Like literally? Moving from one place to another?”
I huff a laugh. “Just pay attention to the scoreboard.”
The announcer starts naming the starting players on each team. Unsurprisingly, Holden’s name receives the loudest applause.
He’s all business, talking with his coach intently before jogging onto the court.
My nails dig into my palm as I watch the jump ball.
Holden wins it easily, tipping the ball toward Henry. And then the game is off at a rapid pace, both teams rushing down toward Arlington’s end.
Henry passes to Robby, who goes in for a lay-up. It misses, a collective groan echoing around the gym as Arlington takes possession.
“This is fun,” Nova says. “We should come to more of these.”
I snort, my eyes focused on the play. “This is the last game of their regular season. And I’ve asked you to come since freshman year.”
Nova has always claimed she needs a break from sports after soccer season ends, which I guess is fair.
The game proceeds at a fast pace, Nova offering running commentary and me focused on the action, tracking each play carefully.
Arlington is better than I remember them being. The score at halftime is 39-33, much closer than I was hoping for.
The dance team comes out to perform. Loud pop music blares through the speakers for their ten-minute routine, then the players reappear and play resumes for the second half.
Holden makes a three-pointer to start the third quarter. But the score keeps fluctuating, the gap between the two teams never stretching more than ten points.
Richmond remains ahead, though, even as the scoreboard ticks down to the final seconds. Arlington draws a foul in a desperate bid to delay, and Robby makes both shots. Two more points get added to the board, putting Richmond ahead by seven.
Ten seconds, and the crowd starts chanting. I didn’t think it could get any louder in here, but it does. I can’t hear the munch of Nova finishing her popcorn or the squeak of the players’ sneakers on the court.
“Five! Four! Three! Two! One!”
The remaining time ticks down to nothing, and the arena erupts. There’s a decent contingent of Arlington fans who madethe trip up here, but their disappointment is nothing compared to the euphoria of having clinched an undefeated season.
I’m not sure if Nova is any clearer on the rules of basketball after the game, but she’s screaming along with the rest of us. Victory is an easy concept to comprehend.
Richmond’s players celebrate on the court, then slap hands with Arlington’s team in the typical tradition of sportsmanship before disappearing back into the locker room.
Halfway down the bleachers, Nova runs into some friends of hers I’ve met a few times before. We talk for a few minutes before they invite us out for pizza. Nova accepts, but I let them know I’m waiting for Holden.
The crowd filters out of the gym and into the lobby. I find a spot in a corner and pull my phone out, texting Sydney a few more photos from the game. Then busy myself on my phone, mindlessly scrolling as the lobby empties around me. Until my phone dies, giving me no distraction at all.
I huff, annoyed about forgetting to charge it, then slip my phone back in my pocket and opt to study the trophies in the case instead. Holden is usually quick to get changed and appear, but I’m guessing there’s a lot of celebrating happening in the locker room right now.
