[Elena]
The receptionist handed me my room keys, and I couldn't be happier. The skies were turning dark again as I dragged all my belongings down the hallways of the complex. The rain had started again, this time heavily. By the time I found the right building, which was a five-minute walk from the main lobby, my hoodie was already half-soaked.
As I stuck my key into the lock of room 206, my hoodie was now stuck to my back, but I was too tired to care about introductions or how I looked. I knocked once, pushed the door open and froze at the entrance.
There was music playing, something loud with bass. It wasn't quite bad, but it had so many profane words that most people would frown upon it. The room looked like a tornado had passed through it, leaving everything wrecked. There were clothes, shoes and food wrappers everywhere.
"Hey!" a voice called out over the music, startling me. A girl popped up from under the bunk bed, holding a pair of slippers. Her dark hair, which had been tied into a ponytail, now had traces of dust on it. The T-shirt she wore under blue jean shorts had 'I'm not bossy, just aggressively helpful' written boldly on it.
I stared at her, silently judging her for the mess she'd made.
"You must be my new roommate. I'm Bree." She said, grinning, her hand outstretched to shake mine. I stepped inside "I'm Elena. Nice to meet you," I took it and shook it gently before letting go.
"Same here. And oh, I've heard a lot about you. I don't play basketball if that's what you're about to ask. I'm here on a scholarship for theatre and mild delinquency."
"Really? It seems everyone already knows me, and it's just my first day. And I appreciate the warning."
She laughed and kicked a bra off the bottom bunk. "Only because I'm always in everyone's business. The down bed's yours. I cleaned it. Well, I vacuumed in its general direction.
I dropped my bags by the bed and sat down, for a split second, regretting my life choices—just a few seconds. It was hard for me to adjust to new environments on the first day.
"So, you're the transfer from Oakland," Bree said, plopping onto my bed. "The one everyone's whispering about in the halls."
"Whispering?" I asked flatly. "Awesome."
"Relax," she said, waving a piece of pizza crust in her hand as she spoke. "It's mostly harmless curiosity, which is well deserved because Mr Parker won't stop telling all the coaches about how great you are. I have a friend who plays in the women's team, so I get a gist of what happens."
"I'm not that great," I said, suddenly feeling self-conscious. I didn't want to draw attention to myself.
" Don't try to be humble. If Mr Parker says you're great, then that's what you are. You gotta have that confidence, girl."
"Okay," I said, a small grin on my face. Maybe I'll like her.
"We Westlake girls are all about confidence. You gotta…"
A knock sounded on the door, cutting her off. Bree yelled, "It's open!" without asking who it was. And in walked a tall girl with a soft smile and an aura so peaceful I almost didn't believe she belonged on a basketball team if not for the jersey she wore. She looked half-asian and wore reading glasses that looked big on her.
"Nadia!" Bree beamed. " Come meet the new girl on your team."
Nadia gave me a gentle wave. "Hey. I'm Nadia. Point guard. Don't let Bree scare you, she's more bark than brain."
"Rude," Bree said, throwing one of her clothes at her. "And I'm not scary, I'm just aggressively welcoming. See, it's written here on my shirt," she argued, shoving her shirt in my face.
Nadia laughed, "I still can't believe you had that custom-made so you could wear it today."
"Don't listen to her, she's lying!"
Nadia turned to me, tears glistening in her eyes from laughter. "The truth is, she had this made when she heard she'd be getting a new roommate."
"Really?" I asked, shocked.
"Shut up!" Bree let out a war cry as she jumped on top of Nadia and covered her mouth with her hands.
The two bantered playfully, and I chuckled at them, already liking their friendship. I don't think I've experienced one even close to this. I mean with a girl.
"Have you already met Coach Monroe?" Nadia asked suddenly.
"No, I haven't. But I'm looking forward to it" Insert evil grin.
"You are?" she stared at me incredulously. "If you haven't heard, Coach Monroe is a tough one, and I think He's going to be more strict on you because of Mr Parker's praises. You have to be in good shape, both mentally and physically."
"Okay. I'll note that."
"You nervous about tomorrow?" Bree asked
I hesitated, "Yes", but that's because I don't know if I'll be able to hold myself back from possibly wrapping my hand around Caleb Monroe's neck and choking him to death. Just joking.
Nadia smiled before saying, "That's normal. You'll find your rhythm maybe after a year."
We stared at each other before bursting out laughing. Maybe my stay here wouldn't be all that bad.
I unpacked all my clothes into the shared closet and arranged all my toiletries in the bathroom. Nadia had left earlier, and Bree had helped me, although I'd told her not to. She was one stubborn girl. We'd slept later that night.
The next morning came in a blur. Bree was still asleep in her bed, wrapped in her comforter. Her soft snores filled the air as one of her feet dangled off the bed. I slipped into my black workout leggings and a fitted Westlake t-shirt I'd picked up at the main lobby. I pulled my curls into a high puff and checked myself in the mirror. I didn't look nervous. It was the opposite, and that was the goal.
Outside the dorm, Nadia was already waiting for me. She'd offered to walk with me yesterday, and I hadn't declined. She had earbuds in, humming softly to herself.
"You ready?" she asked, adjusting her glasses.
"I'm ready," I said as we started walking.
She grinned. "As long as you don't cry or throw up, you're doing great."
The sun was already out as we made our way through campus. I took a deep breath. This was my first practice. My first step into the enemy's territory.
We reached the women's training division, and inside was massive, with a variety of banners lining the walls, most featuring successful NBA players who had once trained here. Others, too, were championship banners, MVPs, and they all formed a legacy of blood and sweat. I knew that somewhere on the walls of the men's training division, I was sure, hung the legacy of my Dad and his last game.
Nadia led me through the side doors. "You ready to meet the rest of the team?"
"Don't think I want to", I said jokingly.
She smirked. "Oh yeah. You'll see."
Inside, a few girls were already warming up, their sneakers squeaking against the floor. Whistles blew from the other court; this one was sharing a wall with where some of the guys' team were probably training. A tall, dark-skinned girl with braids and a resting bitch face approached us.
"Elena, this is Jo," Nadia said, "She's the team captain, a small forward and our full-time dictator."
Jo looked me up and down, arms crossed. She was maybe an inch taller than me, all muscle and grace, with an intensity in her gaze like she could see right through me.
"Elena, right?" she said. "The one Mr Parker won't shut up about."
Guess I was famous now. Great! Note the sarcasm.
"That's me," I replied, forcing a smile.
"Let's see if you can live up to the hype."
"No pressure," I said coolly, but my fists were clenched behind me.
Just then, I heard a snort behind me. "So, the great Elena finally shows."
I turned and was met with the sight of the rude girl I'd met yesterday at the main lobby. What was her name? Sofi? Sofia?
Her hair was pulled in a messy bun, and her eyebrows had pulled together in a frown. She crossed her arms and looked at me like she had something to say. Seriously, what was her problem? I watched her back, an unreadable look on my face. I didn't bother to address her.
A metre away from her, a girl was lying on the floor, completely unbothered by everything and everyone. She wore neon sneakers, had a curly high ponytail dyed red at the tips and chewed gum so loud, I could hear it from where I stood.
"That's Tasha," Nadia whispered, "our shooting guard. She's like a storm on the court."
Tasha blew a bubble, let it pop and then pointed at me. "You're the new hotshot? You look too calm for someone about to get run over."
I raised a brow. "Maybe I'm the one doing the running."
Tasha grinned like I'd just passed some form of test. "Nice. I like her"
And just like that, something shifted. It wasn't exactly friendship, but neither was it hostility. It was like something in between.
Jo clapped her hands. "Alright, circle up!"
We moved to the centre of the court with all the other players. My heart hammered in my chest, not from the nerves, but from adrenaline. I knew what was coming next, who was coming next.
Then, the door to the gym creaked open.
And in walked the man himself.
Caleb Monroe.