CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
NADIA
There was only one way it was going to end!
I don’t even know whether to call it the worst or the best day of my life. It certainly felt like a rollercoaster. Four days earlier, my teammates, the coaching staff, and I had traveled down to Oklahoma for the inter-college basketball competition. On the morning of our first game, I woke up with a flutter of excitement in my chest, the kind of feeling that makes you bounce out of bed. I quickly got up, stretching and peering through the window, taking in the beautiful streets of Oklahoma and bathed in the morning light.
“What are you thinking about?” Lucy, one of my teammates and my roommate asked as she groggily got out of bed, rubbing her eyes.
“Well, I’m just excited about the game,” I replied with a smile. “I have a good feeling about it.”
Lucy yawned and shrugged, her voice still thick with sleep. “We should get ready before the coach sends for us. You know how he can be when he’s kept waiting.”
“Good idea!” I agreed, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep from my eyes. We hurried to the bathroom, each taking turns in the shower. The hot water felt heavenly against my skin, washing away any lingering nerves. Once I was done, I wrapped a towel around my body and stepped out, feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world.
Lucy joined me moments later, freshly changed and energized. “Okay, let’s get into our training kits!” she said, shuffling through her bag to find her shorts and jersey. I followed suit, pulling on my gear-a comfortable, loose-fitting basketball jersey with my team’s logo emblazoned across the front.
We left the room, heading down the hotel hallway to meet our other teammates. The air was buzzing with excitement, and I could hear bursts of laughter as we approached the common area.
“Hey, finally! We thought you both got lost!” one of our teammates joked as we joined the group.
“No way! I wouldn’t miss this for the world!” I replied, my eagerness palpable.
When we arrived at the basketball court, the atmosphere was electric. The place was packed with spectators-our supporters cheered loudly while the opposition’s fans booed us, trying to lower our spirits. I took a deep breath, letting their energy fuel my excitement.
Scanning the crowd, I spotted some of my teammates’ family members cheering, holding up signs with their names on them. That’s when a pang of sadness hit me. I wished my mother could be here, cheering for me too. The thought momentarily dampened my spirits, but I shook it off, reminding myself why I was there.
As the game began, it quickly became clear that we were in for a brutal challenge. The opposing team was fierce, and they were playing aggressively, bullying us at every turn. My heart raced in frustration as I struggled to keep up.
Then something unexpected happened. Every time I got the ball or tried to make a play, I began to hear my name in the crowd-mockery and taunts directed right at me. “Look at Nadia! Can she even score?” One voice called out, followed by laughter.
My heart sank, and as I turned to see who was shouting, I shockingly spotted Alex, Sandro, and their girlfriends, Bethany and Lara, smirking at me from the stands. Their faces, framed by the cheering fans, made it hurt even more. It felt like they were taking pleasure in my struggle, and with each passing second, my confidence evaporated. I dropped passes I normally wouldn’t have and failed to make easy shots.
I had gone through enough torture when the twins made me watch them fuck Bethany and Lara, and touch myself as a way of satisfying them. It messed with my head so much that I was so close to meeting any random guy to just fuck me. But because I managed to control myself by playing basketball, I was passed that stage and ready for this competition.
Now, they were back to messing with me!
Overwhelmed by the taunts, I glanced at my coach, who looked as lost as we were. “Can I take a substitution?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
His face transformed in shock. “Nadia? Are you sure? You’re doing fine!”
I shook my head, frustration bubbling to the surface. “I can’t… I need to sit out for a bit.”
The coach sighed deeply, his expression torn. “I understand; you look upset, but just know the team needs you. You can shake this off and fight on with your teammates.”
But my mind was made up. “I need to sit out,” I said firmly.
With a reluctant nod, he replaced me on the bench. As I sat there, watching my teammates get humiliated one by one, a flame of anger started to ignite within me. They were being outplayed, and I felt helpless. Anger stirred inside me, urging me to tap into my true strength, but I fought to keep my emotions at bay. I couldn’t just let it all out right now; I needed control.
Suddenly, the game took a darker turn. One of my teammates, Clara, was on the floor, signaling for a substitution. The coach turned to him, only to shake his head. “I can’t. I’ve used all my substitutions!”
My heart pounded, and with an intensity I had never witnessed before, the coach turned to me. “Nadia, you can either use this anger to fuel the team or let the taunting from them make you back down. I will no longer remind you how much the team needs you back on that court.” His eyes blazed with conviction, and I could see that this wasn’t just about me anymore; it was about the whole team, about the fight we needed to bring back.
Without saying another word, I stood up. I locked eyes with him, determination flowing through my veins. “Put me back in,” I declared, my heart racing.
He nodded, a look of pride flashing across his face. “Get back out there and fucking show them what stuff you’re made of!”
I charged back onto the court, adrenaline coursing through me. As I scanned the crowd, I caught Alex’s eye again and smiled defiantly. I could hear him say something to Lara, and Sandro leaned in closer, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disbelief. That only fueled my determination more.
In a flash, I took control of the ball and sprinted down the court. “Come on, girls! Let’s do this!” I shouted to my teammates, who now looked weak and defeated. But my energy was infectious.
Like a fire igniting kindling, they followed my lead, gaining momentum. I scored again and again-six-pointers, fast breaks, and slick teamwork. The crowd erupted with every shot. It was as if I had unlocked a hidden power, my teammates rallying behind me, the cheers pushing us forward. Each time I made a score, it felt like I was silencing the taunts aimed at me, reclaiming my honor on the court.
As the game neared its end, we turned the tables, leading the scoreboard. The final buzzer sounded, and when I realized we’d just won, pure exhilaration swept over me. I was lifted high on my teammates’ shoulders, celebrating our victory.
The announcer’s voice boomed through the gym, declaring me the Player of the Match. My heart swelled with pride as I stood there, arms raised in triumph, while I scanned the crowd once more. I spotted Alex, Sandro, Bethany, and Lara, their faces painted with shock and disbelief. They must have thought I was a failure just a short time before, and now they were witness to my redemption.
With joy in my coach’s eyes, he rushed over to me as I stepped down from the shoulders of my teammates. He embraced me tightly, gratitude pouring from his every word. “Thank you, Nadia. You saved us out there! I’ve never seen such determination; I’m so proud of you!”
“Thanks, Coach! I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and you,” I replied, the euphoria still ringing through me.
After all the celebrations, I needed a moment for myself. I slipped away and headed towards the restroom, the adrenaline from the game still pumping through my veins. While I was in there, changing out of my sweaty uniform, I suddenly heard the door swing open.
I turned, surprised to find Alex standing there.
“Oh! I didn’t expect anyone to come in here,” I said, a mix of surprise and irritation flashing through me. “This is the female section,” I swiftly reminded him, just in case he had missed his way.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to barge in. I thought you’d want some space,” he said, glancing around, clearly feeling a bit awkward now.
“I mean, I do, but you still walked in,” I pointed out, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Fair enough. I just wanted to… you know, congratulate you,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “That was amazing! The way you turned the game around… it’s impressive.”
“Thanks, I guess. But you’ve seen me play before. Why are you so shocked?” I replied, feeling a little defensive.
“Honestly? I didn’t think you could pull it together after the way you were being treated. I’m sorry for what we said from the stands. We only came to have some fun… I didn’t think it would affect you like that.”
“It did,” I admitted, my tone softer now. “But the moment my coach said what he did, it lit a fire in me. I wasn’t going to let you guys-or anyone, really-make me back down.”
He nodded, his expression sincere. “I’m proud of you, Nadia. Really. You showed everyone what you were made of. And I’m sorry for being part of that negativity.”
I couldn’t help but feel a sense of understanding growing between us. “It’s alright, Alex. I just hope the next time you make fun of me, you think twice,” I said, a hint of warmth creeping into my voice.
“Deal,” he grinned, his charming smile breaking through the tension. “Maybe we can be a little more supportive next time.”
“Maybe,” I replied, allowing myself to smile back. It felt weird, considering everything that had gone down, but maybe there was a chance for us to see each other differently.
I could see that he wouldn’t stop staring at me. His every gaze made me feel like he could jump on me at any moment, and that made me feel uncomfortable. “You’re beautiful,” he said, as he walked closer. He tried to kiss me, but I barked out.
“Please leave!” I said.
“Yeah, I should,” he said and quickly walked out.
It was very strange to think that the same Alex who takes so much pride in bullying me was trying to kiss me without using force.
That’s like taking a camel to the top of the mountain!
Maybe today had been both the worst and the best day of my life, but in the end, I felt stronger than ever before.
It couldn’t have been written any better!