The assembled student body roars in approval as Coach ends his pep talk by yelling, “We are going to win tonight and again on Saturday. We will be state champions!”
He had wanted players to speak, but I got out of it. Instead, I sit in my chair looking clumsy and feeling awkward, even more so when I catch a glimpse of graceful Trina up in the stands.
Once the assembly is over, everybody heads back to class. But not me. I have to see Mr. Edwards. Coach got me scholarship forms, saying, “Not if, Lucas, but when the offers come.”
Outside the gym, Trina yells my name. “I hope you win tonight, Lucas!” She makes her way through the crowd to where I’m standing.
“Thanks, Trina,” I say politely like Mom taught me. Trina always uses that word “hope” like Mom and Grandma. They think if they pray or hope hard enough that life will change. But it doesn’t. Mom and Grandma were born poor and unless I make it, they’ll die poor too. Mom’s back still hurts, so she can’t go to either of her jobs. Josh has no money, and she won’t take Mark’s money.
“Didn’t you hear Coach?” I say, and I try not to smile too wide. “He says we’re going to win. I know he’s right. We’re the best team in the state.”
“You are so confident!” says the always-upbeat Trina. “I wish I could be that way.”
I shrug my shoulders, which need to be strong and broad to carry the team to a win. “I think it’s not so much that I’m confident,” I say. “I’m cornered. An animal never fights harder than when it is trapped. I don’t want to get trapped here.”
Suddenly, Trina steps forward and kisses me on the cheek. She runs away before she can see my face flush like somebody smeared my cheeks with strawberry jam. I turn around to see Nate.
“You got it all!” Nate mocks me since he knows I got nothing.
“All I got is the will to win.” I tuck my chin against my chest and walk away, fast.