126
The half–time was over. The game began once again. Everyone started to cheer for their favorite team.
The teachers, students, and guardians were all there to watch the game.
There were only two quarters left to get the result.
Black Diamond was leading to victory.
Ava was watching the game with a distressed mind. She remembered Luke’s father and her conversation a while
ago.
He said he would think about what she had told him. But he would do what was good for Luke.
Ava did not know what Luke’s father would decide for him. She could only hope that it would be on Luke’s side.
Team Red Flamor seemed to change their strategies. They began to concentrate more on defense than attack. They attempted to divert the opposing team’s attention and seize scoring opportunities.
When Luke scored, Ava jumped up with a big smile on her face.
She was happy for Luke. She believed if he played well, he could win the match.
In her heart, she was guilty.
She did not want to use Luke. She liked Luke, but she was wrong when she assumed she could be with him as more than friends. She liked him only as a friend. So she felt guilty about talking about dating him a few days ago. She should not have done that. Even though they didn’t start dating, it gave hope to Luke to plan for their relationship.
But today, Ava would tell him that she could not be with him. However, she feared that if he were to lose the game, he would experience even more heartbreak.
While cheering on Luke with her friends, Ava’s gaze shifted to Ian.
He did not look calm anymore. His mood darkened, as if he had noticed how she reacted to Luke’s goal.
Ava settled into her seat. Unexpectedly, she fixed her eyes on Ian.
As time passed, the Red Flamor began to score, hoping to match Black Diamond’s score.
Everyone crossed their fingers as Ian snatched the ball from an opposing player and moved toward the basket.
126
+25 BONOS
Ava was shocked when she saw almost all the players of the Red Flamor gathered around Ian to stop, but he crossed them and headed toward the basket once again.
The girls in the audience arena began to cheer his name.
Ava’s eyes widened when he jumped in the air and shoved the ball in the basket.
“What a Dunk!”
Ava could hear the reporter’s stunned voice on the speakers.
“What a tremendous shot by Ian Dawson!”
The chief crew also cheered for Ian after watching what a wonderful player he was.
“I must say no one can beat him in basketball,” Debra said, almost cheering for Ian.
Abigail looked at Debra and asked,
“We are on Luke’s team. Have you forgotten that?”
Debra shook her head immediately and replied,
“No. I was just saying. Don’t mind me.”
Meanwhile, Ava’s eyes were on Ian. He glanced at him, looking at her reaction.
It looked like he was not pleased by her reaction. His face fiercer in rage.
Ava averted her gaze away from him. She looked down at her lap.
Last night’s memory reflected in her mind.
She remembered how he finished his practice before her class ended and then spent the whole day with her. Once more, he had confessed to her, but she rejected him, telling him to do something he would never be able to.
“Team Red Flamor!”
Ava turned to look at the field and saw that Team Red Flamor had scored again.
At that point, her heart was filled with confusion. She somehow did not feel good about the
score.
She wanted the Red Flamor to win, right? Then why did she start to feel different?
“TIMEOUT.”
It was time when the coaches got time to discuss their strategies with their team’s players.
126
+25 BONOS
Ava noticed that Luke’s coach was patting his shoulder. On the other hand, Team Black Diamond’s coach looked angry. He was saying something serious to his team players.
Ava focused on them and noticed that Stephen and Ronald were saying something to Ian.
But Ian shrugged his shoulders and ignored them. He walked back to the field. The coach placed his hands on his waist and shook his head at Ian.
“The final quarter begins.”
When the referee blew his whistle, the match resumed.
It was the last twelve minutes. The score was close to each other. The Black Diamond was a few points ahead of the Red Flamor.
It was a miracle for the Red Flamor, or game changers, to get so close to the Black Diamond.
As the clock ran out, Team Red Flamor kept scoring goals.
It was the last five minutes.
The score was changing every minute. While eating popcorn, everyone appeared anxious.
The game was going tough, and the competition was neck–to–neck.
Ava’s eyes went here and there on the field. She could see the ball in the Black Diamonds‘ hands the majority of the time. Despite this, the Red Flamor continued to score. Debra and Abigail looked happy since Luke was winning.
“THE LAST ONE MINUTE.”
Ava did not know why, but she felt her heart was beating faster.
The score was a tie.
The hosts continued speaking into the microphone, informing listeners of the state of affairs in the field.
“And Ian Dawson now has the ball in his hand. It is a big opportunity for the Black Diamond. Everyone is doing their best to stop him. Let’s see if he can win the game by scoring for his team and breaking the tie. Even Luke, the Red Flamor’s captain, is moving from his spot to get the ball from him.”
Ava stared at Ian, watching him get closer to the basket.
He seemed unstoppable in his quest to win the game and score points for his team.
Luke rushed to Ian, trying to stop him. But it did not look like work at all.
126
+25 BONOS
Ian grabbed the ball tightly and was about to throw it into the basket.
Everyone held their breaths.
Ava clenched her fists while watching.
At that moment, she saw Ian turn his head in her direction, and their eyes locked.
It was only for a second, but to Ava, everything stopped around her with just that one glance
at him.
Ian averted his gaze and tossed the ball towards the hoop.
Everyone jumped to scream but froze when they saw the ball did not make it into the basket.
“Ian failed to hit his target! How is that even possible? It was a very clear shot!”
Luke seized the opportunity by grabbing the ball and moving to the opposite side. It was as if the Black Diamond players were too shocked by their captain’s missed shot to react to the
game.
Cyrus and Paul tried to stop Luke. But it was too late. Luke had already approached the basket and tossed the ball inside.
The hosts then made the announcement to the speakers.
“The victory belongs to Team Red Flamor!”
