LS: The Beginning (19 page)

Strangely, the team players shouted my name as I entered the bus, believing I was their key to winning the match. I nodded my head in acknowledgment as I ambled to a seat, hoping they were right.

The ride to Wisconsin was smooth. Derrick expectantly sat with the cheerleaders, rambling about his basketball skills. I, on the other hand, kept thinking of the beautiful girl I left behind. She weighed more importance than the game ahead of me. I joined the team not to win championships, but to play the sport I loved.

Shortly, a familiar tempting voice called my name and then she moved to sit beside me. I didn't recognize her when entering the bus. Julie was looking so pretty with her hair wrapped. She had a red ribbon on her head, which made her look like a young teenager. Her skirt was a bit shorter than the other girls in the squad because as she sat down and crossed her legs, her lap was bare. It was a seductive posture for a lady to take, wearing such attire.

“So you’re a cheerleader?” I asked.

“Yeah, I am,” she answered.

My expression was wary. “I thought you were in the women’s basketball team.”

“Yeah, I was, but I quit and became a cheerleader.”

Although I knew the reason for her sudden change, I wanted to see if she was bold enough to tell the truth.

“Why did you quit the team?”

“This is more fun and less stressful,” she replied, which concluded she was bold enough to lie.

“Oh, I see,” I said. “Why didn't you tell me you were now a cheerleader when we saw earlier?”

“It was meant to be a surprise,” she said, switching her crossed legs.

I looked away from her legs, trying to resist temptation. It was so tempting to sit beside her because she possessed the body of a model.

“I guess it worked then.”

With those last words, I fixed my earpiece to my ears and listened to my favorite genres of music as the coach gently moved to its destination. There was a clear difference between the two teams’ cities. The greenly atmosphere of Wisconsin reminded me of where I grew up. Though, there was a distinctive difference between the aforementioned city and Nigeria. Wisconsin was a mixture of Sloutenville and the place I grew up.

The trees and green leaves were entangled between massive tall buildings; the atmosphere was less humid than Sloutenville. There were more amazing features to note, but I had more pressing issues to look at: the game ahead.

Soon, we arrived at our destination. Coming down from the bus, the stares from people around gave us a presidential welcome. As we walked into the sports hall, I saw Lisa’s car parked at the parking lot. Thanks to the license plate, I was certain it was her car. She was definitely not in the ladies’ room at college when I called. I was surprised, but at the same time, agitated. Why did she have to lie to me? Maybe she wanted to surprise me, or maybe she doesn’t always say the truth. Nevertheless, I still trusted her.

We strode as a team to the basketball court, passing through various sports rooms; badminton, table tennis, etc. Entering the court, I observed we were a bit late: the seats were filled with stimulating supporters, and the home team was making free throws on one side of the court.

“I’m over here,” a soft voice said in my head.

I turned to look and there she was, wearing a yellow top and skirt, and a red band covering her upper forehead. Lisa was in the building. I was shy due to the mighty crowd, so waving at her seemed impossible.

“Thanks for coming. I really appreciate it,” I telepathically answered.

"You're welcome," she said.

The game began and I sat on the bench, as usual. Even though I'd made the starting five during training session, the coach decided to rest me for the first two quarters of the game. During this time, Lisa and I sent text messages to each other just to keep us from leaving the court; I was bored watching the team play and she was bored because she’d come only to see me play.

So Y did U ave 2 lie 2 moi?

I wanted 2 surprise U. Did it work? :)

Yeah, kinda

By the way.. Ur team sucks...lollol....

ur gals re chairliding, u're spectating

LMAO. Re u gonna play 2de

I kip on askin miself d same question.

ROFL. U beda do play, or else?

Lol... or else wat?

You'll find out if you sit ur lazy ass truout d game...lol

Just then, the first half finished and the home team was leading by seven points. They'd emerged victorious the last time both teams played, according to Coach Jerry, the assistant coach. The game was heading for déjà-vu, so the coach called for a team talk during the break.

“What’s going on, boys? We can’t allow them to beat us this time around,” he said.

Derrick, the captain, said, “They play really good, Coach.” He looked at me. “We need Stephen inside the game.”

The coach had forgotten I was on the team and with a tentative glimpse toward me, he called, “Wilson, replace Bennett.”

Bennett was a tall, light skinned guy with golden hair. We’d only spoken during practice, so I knew little about him and I wasn’t interested in reading his mind to get more information. I slowly unbuttoned my tracksuit and was contemplating on whether I should storm out of the building or do as the coach ordered.

“I believe in you,” a voice said.

I didn’t bother looking around for the owner of the voice; only one girl could be in me: Lisa. With that, I rapidly removed my tracksuit and moved forward to meet my teammates.

“Hope you know your position?” the coach asked. Without allowing a word to come from my mouth, he answered, “If you don’t, it’s No 1.”

My teammates looked at the coach wondering why he was so hard on me, knowing most coaches would treasure a player like me. I'd read his mind and acquired the answer: he believed I was too good to be true.

“I want to see a better game this second half,” he said.

We all placed our hands together in unison, creating an inverted cone. Derrick said, “Slouten Lions on three. One, two, three.”

We, the team players, chorused, “Slouten Lions,” and our supporters cheered.

Meanwhile, the cheerleaders did their thing on the side lines after each quarter. I’d thought Julie’s performance would be terrible, but she proved me wrong. She was very good at cheerleading; her flexibility was remarkable, but still not close to Lisa’s

The second half began, and I was passed the ball. I dribbled to the opponent’s side of the court and easily lost the ball to an opponent, which led to the home team gaining two points.

“What's wrong with you, Wilson?” the coach shouted.

He couldn’t guess the reason for my awful performance. I had never played basketball when there were thousands of people watching. I couldn’t block all their thoughts from entering my ears, and if I covered my ears, I’d be considered a crazy person and would be taken off the court.

“
What’s the problem
?” Lisa asked, knowing as I bounced the ball.

“
Too many thoughts
,” I said, passing the ball to Derrick.

“
Try to focus on something or someone or somewhere.
”

I smiled hearing those words, and focused my thoughts on the girl I was becoming irrevocably infatuated with.

Presently, we were down by six points.

“Move in,” I told the rest of the team, including my side man, Derrick.

I ran with the ball, dribbling everyone who came to me, and when I got close to the basket, the coach screamed, “It's yours!”

The away team's supporters got up from their seats, all filled with suspense. At the same time, an opponent was running full speed to knock me down. All this happened in a split second. So, I positioned myself to take the shot – but my opponent had already arrived in front of me. I gave a quick glance at my back and found Derrick. I performed a skill called the dummy: I feinted as though I was going to throw the ball, and so my opponent jumped in the air, but I stylishly passed the ball to Derrick, who was beyond a two-pointer line. He balanced with the ball and made an excellent three-pointer shot.

Our team supporters came to life, and I spotted Lisa cheering as well. During the last two quarters, I did all the running, dribbling and stealing, but not most of the shooting. I worked as a team player and didn’t want to be a selfish player. Strangely, unlike most active players I had no free throw. I dodged any intentional and unintentional fouls.

Soon the third quarter was over and we led the opposing team by fifteen points. Both team coaches had perplexity shown all over their faces due to my remarkable performance. Lisa cheered every time I made a basket.

The team’s tempo increased, as Derrick led the team to victory, winning by thirty points. The game was over, everybody from the winning team exchanging hugs and handshakes. Some kissed their girlfriends. Losing had changed the mood of the home supporters and their team players; they bowed their heads and left the court with dashed hopes.

Lisa was walking down from where she sat, while I was busy receiving hugs from girls I’d never met, some I had never even seen. Then Julie gave me a peck on the cheek, which I reluctantly received. I didn’t want her to use her lips in any manner to touch me, although the feeling of being hailed was good. I felt Lisa’s presence as she stood some feet away, and I immediately left the celebrating crowd and ran to meet her hoping to steal a handshake. Fortunately, she wrapped her arms around me – far better than my expectations. The feeling her body bestowed on was breathtaking; it took a while before I let her go.

“You were brilliant,” she commented.

“Thanks to you,” I replied.

I felt everything I did was because of her. She was my strength.

“So are you riding with them?” she asked.

Obviously I would rather go with Lisa than leave on a noisy coach full of delirious people, particularly Julie.

“Nah, I’ll be riding with you. I can’t be away from you anymore. I made a silly mistake this morning and I won’t let that occur again,” I said.

Lisa grinned.

Just then the referee called our coach as he was about to leave the court; the opponent’s coach stood next to the referee. It didn’t take me a minute to decipher the problem: probably the same time as Lisa.

“He's definitely on something,” the opponent's coach said.

“Why the hell would you say that?” our coach asked.

“No human being can move the way he did if he or she is not on drugs,” the other coach stated.

“He has a point, Coach. Your boy moved pretty fast. The best way to find out is to take his blood sample,” the referee said.

Meanwhile, Lisa and I were shocked about their observations and discussions about my blood sample. I’d never being pricked with a needle, and maybe there was a catastrophic reason for that.

Their discussion ended with our coach assuring the other coach he would get a sample of my blood. I really wished he knew he’d promised an impossible task. There was no way in the world I would give him my blood sample.

As we drove back to Sloutenville, the cool breeze swirled through Lisa's jet black hair. Slowly, I began to shiver. It was a bad day to be riding in a convertible, but I'd chosen to ride with Lisa, so I couldn't grumble. Glancing at me, she used her less busy hand to grasp my icy, shaking hand. A sudden current flowed through my veins. At that very moment, the issue of producing a blood sample was the least of my worries. I was falling in love for the first time.