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Ava shook her head and mumbled to her friends,
“Let’s pay our attention to the match. Let’s pray for Luke to win today. I don’t have about Ian. He will not give in.“–
Abigail and Debra fell silent.
any
doubt
Ava fixed her attention on the game. She could see how the crowd cheered for Ian whenever he scored points for his team.
Ian seemed quiet but focused. He was not looking anywhere as his eyes were fixed on the basketball. While his friends conversed during the game, he was not communicating with any of them.
Ava observed that he did not glance at her again. It was like he finally decided not to look at her again.
“May the best team win,” Ava mumbled in a low tone.
Her friends heard her, but they did not say anything.
When Stephen put the ball in the basket, Ava jumped and clapped for her brother.
Stephen looked at her and gave her a flying kiss. Ava smiled at him and sat down again.
Others looked at her, realizing they shared a strong bond, and Stephen adored his new sister.
“You said you wanted Luke’s team to win,” Abigail said.
Ava nodded her head and replied,
“Of course I want that. But come on. Stephen is my brother.‘
“So? Now who are you cheering for?” Debra inquired.
Ava rubbed her forehead. “What’s wrong with both of you? Why are you talking like my wish is important here? Whoever plays well will win the game.”
“If your brother loses the game, will you feel upset?”
“Yeah, I will. But he will be one of the officials. He will have other goals. But Luke…”
Ava paused as she remembered what Luke had said to her yesterday.
“Luke what?” Abigail asked.
“If he fails to win this match, his father will send him abroad.”
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“What are you saying?” Debra asked with a shocked tone. Abigail was equally shocked.
Ava nodded her head. “Yeah.”
“Then he should win the match,” Abigail said, glancing at Luke.
The game was going one way. The Black Diamond was going to win the game single–handedly.
Team Red Flamor looked upset. Luke gave them encouragement and told them not to give up. Although they scored points as well, it was not enough to win.
When it was halftime, all the players went to the restroom.
The audience in the arena went out to buy some popcorn and drinks.
Ava and her friends also went outside.
“Did you talk to Luke yesterday?” Abigail asked Ava while walking together.
“No, I couldn’t. He was busy with his practice.”
“Oh shit! You know what he plans to do about the proposal thing…” Debra muttered.
Ava’s steps paused. She almost forgot about it. Luke mentioned to her many times before that he wanted to propose her officially to be his girlfriend and then start their relationship.
“But only after he wins. It doesn’t look like his team can win,” Abigail said.
Abigail and Debra also wanted Luke to win. Luke was their close friend. However, they were afraid of Ava’s decision. They knew that Ava was in emotional turmoil. She did not understand her situation and could not make sound decisions in her life.
Suddenly, Ava’s eyes fell on someone. She looked at her friends and said,
“You can go get some popcorn. I am coming in a few minutes.”
“But where are you going?” Abigail asked.
“I have something to do,” Ava replied, heading toward someone.
Abigail and Debra were about to continue walking, but their eyes followed Ava, so they paused.
“That’s Luke’s dad, right?” Debra said.
“Yes. He also came to watch his son’s match.”
“I guess Ava was right then.”
“Let’s hope Luke wins. We don’t want him to go abroad. He should have his own say in her
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life’s decision.”
On the other hand,
Ava walked toward Luke’s father.
“Uncle.”
Luke’s father was talking with another man. When he turned to Ava, his brows lifted.
“Uncle, I am Ava, Luke’s friend.”
He smiled at her and replied,
“Hello, dear.”
Ava glanced around and saw many people around them. So she said,
“Uncle, can we talk? I have something to talk about.”
The man agreed, and they walked in a less crowded area.
“I heard about you from Luke. He attended your mother’s wedding. You are Gamma Harper’s daughter.”
Ava lowered her head while nodding her head.
“You seem like a really nice girl.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Finding the right words to begin the conversation, Ava scratched the back of her hand a little.
“You wanted to talk about some-”
Ava interrupted him and said,
“Uncle, please don’t send Luke out of the pack.”
The man was stunned. Ava looked at him and gulped. She could see he was not pleased.
“Luke wants to be with you and his mother. Basketball is his life. He will have to give up his dream if you send him overseas. Please reconsider your decision even if he loses today. If you understand him and give him the right to choose his way to live his life like he wants, even if he loses the match, he will win in his life.”
The man gave her a long look. Then he asked,
“Why are you saying this? Did he tell you about this?”
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“No, I overheard him speaking with you on the phone,” she lied.
She did not want Luke’s father to misunderstand him.
“Your brother is on the opposite team. Luke is clearly losing the game. Is that why you came to talk to me?”
Ava remained silent. She genuinely cared about Luke. They had been friends for a very long time.
How could she not want to help him? He was there for her in every bad time.
“Lose or win, I think you should accept his wishes. He respects you a lot. But he also has a big dream. He wants to be a big basketball player. Don’t break his dream. If he loses, he can stand up again. But if his dad doesn’t support him today, he will feel the loss at every turn in his life.”
