Hey guys! I tried to make this chapter the least technical as possible, since it's about a basketball game. Don't worry, it's not boring statistics, the two of em are about to really get into it (hehe). Enjoy!

One month into senior year, and life was hell. Especially when it comes to college. I was scared to death that I wouldn't get into Stanford. My best chance is if a college recruiter comes to see me play basketball, then I could probably get a scholarship. My grades weren't exactly something to be fascinated by, I was just an average student. I really wanted to become team captain this year. The last captain graduated the previous year and Coach hasn't picked a new one yet. That brings us to Friday.

The team was in the locker room getting ready for today's practice. I tied my hair up into a ponytail, staring at myself in the mirror and nervously tapping my feet. Today was the day Coach was going to pick the captain, and I was already sweating like crazy.

"Hey, don't worry Alex, you're totally going to make captain." My friend Stacy told me, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks Stacy."

"You're Coach's favourite. No way he doesn't pick you."

I smiled at her gratefully and proceeded to put on my basketball sneakers. I still wasn't completely reassured though. It had come down to me and another girl- Tracy Johnson. She was a pretty damn good player, and she was fierce. She totally had a chance of making it as captain.

A few other girls also came to talk to me, reassuring me that I'd make captain. We were a tight knit group (not exactly best friends) but the team did hangout together from time to time. You know, keeping up that team spirit. Casually talk in the hallway type friends.

I walked out of the locker room and onto the court, surprised when I found the boys team also warming up there. I totally forgot that it was a combined practice today. The boys' team is pretty tough, so I've got to play ten times better today so Coach would consider me as captain. Just great.

Stacy and I started warming up together, waiting for Coach Dixon to show up. I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my throat. I could not stop shaking my feet, and I kept pulling my jersey away from my neck again and again, like it would help me somehow.

Tyler walked up to me from behind and slung his arm around my shoulders, almost knocking me into the ground. "Jeez Tyler! Don't do that."

He just gave me a kiss on the cheek and grinned. "Don't worry Peirce. You're going to make captain, I guarantee it."

I heard the shrill sound of a whistle and we all jogged towards the two coaches. Once we'd all gathered around, Coach Dixon started to speak.

"All right boys and girls, we've decided that we're just going to play a match today to determine where you all are at. As you know, the season is going to be starting soon and we have to be as prepared as possible. Now the boys captain is already Shawn from last year, but for the girls I will be choosing a new one by the end of today's practice. Hm... Johnson and Thompson pick your teams."

Tracy picked first, and obviously she chose Shawn. Tyler chose me and I grinned, walking over to his side and fist bumping him. The choosing went on, until there were ten people on each team. Only five could play at a time of course, so we would be taking turns.

Stacy ended up on the other team which was a bummer, because we're pretty great as assisting each other. I shook out my arms and legs, and took a deep breath, closing my eyes to compose myself. "You can do this." I mumbled and went to take my place on the court.

Shawn and Tyler went for the jump ball. The opposing team got in possession of it and the match started.

At first, Stacy had the ball and started dribbling it down the court. She then passed it to another guy, who passed it to Shawn. One of my other teammates attempted to block him, but he easily went around him and shot a basket. Crap.

The match continued and this time I got possession of the ball. I dribbled down the court, easily going past a guy who tried to stop me. Another girl came up to me and I did a turn table around her, still keeping possession of the ball. I reached the basket and attempted to shoot.

Then Shawn intercepted it.

You have got to be shitting me.

He ran down the court, passing the ball to his teammate when he got blocked. He ran back to the front and soon enough the ball was passed back to him and he scored.

Holy shit, this guy was good. No wonder he made captain as a junior, which was virtually impossible. I've got to beat this guy. The score was four to zero.

The game went on and soon enough, the score was tied ten to ten. I had the ball again, and I had managed to get to one end of the court. I was about to score, when suddenly I got elbowed in the gut, and fell over. Cursing, I looked up to see who it was.

Stupid Shawn Hunter. He took the ball and scored easily after that. "What the hell?" I asked, pushing myself off the ground. "That was a foul!"

Both the coaches looked at me confused. "That wasn't a foul Peirce, he just took the ball from you. I didn't see anything of the sort." Coach William said.

"What?!"

"I think the reason you fell is because your shoe lace is untied."

I looked down at my feet and saw he was right. Holy shit this guy was good. I turned back to the court angrily and saw Shawn smirking at me. He then winked and ran back to his team.

Son of a bitch, did he just wink at me? Oh, it is on.

The moment he got the ball again, I knew it was time. No one had been able to intercept him all game, the best anyone could do was try fronting him so he couldn't shoot, but no one could get the damn ball from him. The guy had the godamn reflexes of a cat.

I looked back at the side lines and saw Coach watching me closely. I had to do this.

I ran towards Shawn, stopping him from running. Suddenly, everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. He moved to one side like he was faking, taking the ball in one direction then stepping in the other, but instead of going in the opposite direction he stayed on the same side. I anticipated it and stepped out, stopping the ball mid dribble by using my hands, snatching the ball from his possession.

I then ran back to the court, stopping at the three-point line. No one even tried to stop me, as they were still trying to figure out what the heck happened.

I shot a basket.

My teammates cheered, running up to me and clapping me on the back. Tyler looked ecstatic. "Holy shit, I cannot believe you just intercepted Hunter!"

The other team was still in shock, wondering how on earth their captain just got intercepted. He had a reputation of no one ever being able to intercept him, and I'd just done it. I looked at Coach who was smiling and he gave me a thumbs up. I turned back to look at Shawn, who was literally fuming, his fists clenched and nostrils flared. Now it was my turn to wink at him.

Shawn and I were at each other's necks as the game went on, never letting the other go. The next time I got the ball, the idiot openly shoved me and our team was awarded a free throw. He kept up the same thing, slyly injuring me so quick, no one ever saw it.

I tried to keep my cool and didn't injure him once. Each time he tried something, I got so pissed I wanted to smash his face into a wall, but I kept my composure. I had to if I wanted to make team captain.

Coach Dixon blew the whistle and called me over to him. "I can see you're getting frustrated Peirce, but don't let him get to you. Keep your concentration yeah?"

Five minutes left into the game and the score was twenty-two to twenty-three with our team in the lead. It was getting more intense every passing second, everyone on their toes.

One minute left in the game, I went to block Shawn again, and he kept trying to get past me but with no avail. Frustrated and his face contorted in anger, he finally passed it to his teammate, but his eyes were still on me.

Then he pushed me onto the floor.

Next thing I know, I was flat on my back on the court, my elbow scrapped due to the friction. My head was pounding and my legs stung. Suddenly, everything was a blur and my heart sped up to an unnatural rate. I heard the whistle blow in the distance, but I didn't care. I felt the rage boiling up inside me, my patience lost and I just couldn't take it anymore. I stood up and looked straight ahead, right into Shawn's darkened eyes.

Then I punched him in the face.

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"What the hell is wrong with you two?! This is not proper sportsman ship! This is incompetent behaviour! Mr. Hunter, if I see you do this one more time, I'm going to strip you of your captaincy! And as for you Ms. Peirce I'm not your Coach so I can't punish you, but if you mess with my boy again I will."

Shawn and I were standing next to each other on the middle of the court, getting yelled at by Coach William, while Coach Dixon stood there shaking his head. The rest of the team were on the bleachers, drinking water and speculating about what just happened.

I was pleased to see that Shawn had a black eye and was very visibly in pain, as he pressed an ice pack over it. Still, I was afraid that my chances of becoming captain were screwed. Tracy also played really well the last match. She was responsible for a lot of points on the other team.

Shawn gave me one last death stare, and then stalked off with Coach William to the boys team. I turned back to face Coach Dixon, scared to death of what he was going to do. The rest of the team was also watching me anxiously, waiting so see what would happen. I felt like he was just looking at me for hours, his expression hardened.

Then, the impossible happened and he smiled.

"It's okay Peirce. Mr. Hunter was way out of line. I could see you very clearly trying to keep your cool. You certainly did better than I did. When I was playing, two minutes into the game I ended up fouling someone. Now I'm not going to hold this against you but you still have to be cautious. Sportsmanship is also a very important part of this game and... you've certainly had it over the last two years."

I'm pretty sure I wasn't breathing at this point, hanging onto every last word. Shit, I really hope he makes my captain. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god...

"That's why I'm making you captain."

I don't think I've ever been happier my whole life, than when I heard those words. I finally let out a breath, and I think I had the dumbest, goofiest smile on my face. The team cheered and surrounded me, all of them as happy as I was. Of course, Tracy wasn't, but she still tried to be a good sport about it.

Once it had all subsided, I went back to the bench and picked up my gym bag. Tyler was already there, grinning at me. "I told you girl. Congratulations."

"Thanks Ty."

"I mean, I'd hug you but we're both pretty sweaty."

"No arguments there."

"Want to go find the others and tell them the good news?"

I smiled at him. "Heck yeah."