· CHAPTER 8 ·
Mel woke up a few minutes before her alarm clock went off the next morning. She got out of bed right away.
It was game day. That day’s game against the Tigers would be her first time playing on the JV team, but she didn’t want to get nervous. She knew if she was nervous, she wouldn’t play her best. Since it was her first game, she wanted to do the best she could.
That morning at school, all Mel could think about was the game. She had to work hard to pay attention to her classes.
At lunch, Mel stood in line to get food. When Felicia and a bunch of other girls on the freshman team sat down at a table nearby, Mel smiled over at them. But they didn’t smile back.
Instead, they all glared at her. Then they turned away, bent their heads together, and started whispering.
Suddenly, Felicia got up and walked over to Mel. She stood close to Mel and said, “You will never be as good as Leslie, so don’t even try. Coach Arnold picked you because you’re new. She felt sorry for you. She didn’t pick you because you’re good. You’re not.” She frowned and added, “Good luck tonight, new girl. You’ll need it.”
Before Mel could say anything, Felicia turned and walked back to her own table. The other girls were staring at Mel.
Mel didn’t know what to say or do. She felt sick to her stomach. Just then, Katie got up and walked over to Mel.
“You have to ignore them,” Katie said quietly. “I don’t know what Felicia’s problem is, but it’s not your fault.”
“I know,” Mel said, but she didn’t believe it. She wasn’t looking forward to the game anymore. Not at all.
* * *
That night, Mel played her worst game ever.
It started with the jump ball. Katie was the tallest player, so she jumped for the Bears. She tipped the ball right to Mel.
Mel dropped the ball. The Tigers point guard picked it up right away and drove in to score.
On the next trip up the floor, Mel tried to play good defense. She tried to move her feet and stay between the Tigers point guard and the basket.
It didn’t work. The other girl was so fast and such a good dribbler that she went right past Mel and scored again.
“Time out!” Coach Arnold called.
As Mel ran toward the bench, she saw Felicia in the stands. She was imitating Mel dropping the ball. All of the other freshman players were laughing.
For the rest of the game, the freshman team seemed to be thrilled whenever Mel made a mistake.
Mel could see them laughing every time she turned the ball over or missed a pass.
Felicia was right, Mel thought. I will never be as good as Leslie.