Page 99 of The Pass Protection
What’s frustrating is that the guys will only get a bowl game, and they are already acting like their season is over—especially JP, whose time at CTU will end with a bowl game instead of a national title game.
Even though life as we know it felt over, we still had to carry on. This week is our final week of classes before finals next week. Assignments are due, lectures are spent reviewing, and studying fills everyone’s freetime. Factor in the depression weighing heavy on my roommates, and it’s as if I live alone.
Cranking the volume on my Jeep, I let MGK play as my soundtrack while I drive from campus to the sports complex. Tonight is the charity intramural basketball tournament. With scheduling conflicts and the league only taking teams with winning records, the tournament consists of eight teams playing a single elimination tournament in one evening. Based on the schedule, it will be a long and exhausting night, but it’s for a good cause.
Shifting the gear into park, I reach for my gym bag and step out into the evening air. Cars coast through the lot, searching for a place to park. Doors shut and locks sound as I walk toward the sports complex. Pulling open the door, I’m met with a small line of people who are being directed to pay for admittance. The entry fee and any donations local businesses have contributed to the community center are being donated. Avoiding the line, I nod at the front desk clerk, who recognizes me from the hours spent on the court. He returns the gesture and wishes me luck as I pass by.
Inside the gymnasium, a cacophony of sounds greets me. Students file onto the metal bleachers scattered around the courts. Music plays from the speakers as an announcer walks around the gym, providing commentary and cracking jokes. The sound of basketballs hitting the court and sneakers squeaking provides another layer to the atmosphere. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, but it’s going to be a fun night.
My eyes scan the courts until I land on Kyrie’s tall frame, warming up on the back left court. Weaving through the sea of people, I sit on the metal bench. The coldness sends a shiver through my body.
“S’up, girl? Ready to ball?” Kyrie asks as he dribbles the ball toward the bench.
Reaching inside my bag, I slip off my street shoes in exchange for my basketball shoes. Leaning down, I tighten the laces as I look up at Kyrie. “Hell yeah. It’s going to be a long night.”
“I hope you brought your jump shot,” Dylan muses from where he joins me on the edge of the bench.
“You know it.”
“Thatta girl.” Dylan tightens his laces as we wait for the rest of our team to show.
Standing to my feet, I bend down to touch my toes as I feel the delicious stretch of my hamstring muscles. Leaning from one foot to the other, I allow the stretch to deepen until the muscles feel relaxed.
“All right, all right,” the announcer says as he approaches me.
Pausing my warm-ups, I place my hands on my hips as I watch Monty, our announcer, step closer to me. His entire being is upbeat and full of energy, making him the perfect emcee. “We’ve got CTU royalty with us tonight. Bret Campbell, can you tell us what’s your go-to excuse for missing a shot?”
“I don’t miss.” My words come out as confident and cocky, just as I intended, which causes Monty to step back.
“Oh shit, girl, you just went there.” Flashing him a wink, he steps around me, asking Dylan a question as I resume warming up. It’s not long before the buzzer sounds, and we step onto the court.
The student referee stands at half-court, but before he has a chance to toss the ball into the air, the crowd erupts in chaos. There are cheers and shouts, clapping and whistling. Following the noise, I find half a section filled with my friends. JP, Tyler, Crew, and Grant stand shirtless, their chests spelling out my name, as Brynn, Chloe, Cody, and his roommates stand holding signs. A soft chuckle leaves my mouth while tears fill my eyes as I read the signs they hold.
“You’reDunkin’ Awesome!”
“Keep Calm And Break Ankles!”
“My Friend Is A Real Baller!”
This is everything I’ve ever wished for—friends who feel like family, who welcome you with open arms and cheer with you. Transferring to CTU has been the biggest blessing. I’ve found myself while creating a life I’m proud of. I took backmylife and found my happiness.
I give a subtle wave to my fans as I line up around the center circle. With the ball tossed in the air, the game officially started.
For the next three hours, I push my body to the limit. While the games aren’t that deep—it is intramural—the desire to win kicks in every time I step foot on the court. After we trounced the first team, our opponents only got stronger as the evening progressed. Chest heaving, I fight the exhaustion as I guzzle down water. I thought I was in shape, I really did, but after two back-to-back games, my body is feeling it. It’s a welcoming pain, but a pain no less.
“You good, Campbell?” Kyrie asks from where he stands in front of me.
“I thought I was in shape, but damn, that last team was tough.”
“You are good, don’t doubt that. It’s like they had some kind of freaky superpowers. I don’t remember them being that good the last time we played them,” Dylan says from beside me.
“I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought that.”
The gym lights gradually start to dim around us as the crowd’s murmurs interrupt our conversation. As darkness and shadows cast over the room, I laugh to myself at how serious the rec department and student activities committee took tonight’s charity tournament. It’s been a fun and lively environment, and I cannot wait for next semester’s league to start.
A hush falls over the crowd as a thrill of anticipation fuels the air.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the main event.” Monty pauses as the sound of bells ringing plays over the speaker. “Who’s ready to witness a helluva championship game?”
