Last Drop of The Rain

Episode 3: The Big Game

Students rushed out to go to the cafeteria. Sedd waited for Leah, scanning the crowd for her familiar face. He saw her walking towards him, a bright smile on her face.

“Hey, Sedd!” Leah greeted, sitting down at their usual seat.

“Hey, Leah! How’s your day going?” Sedd asked, opening his lunchbox.

“Pretty good. I’m excited for your game later,” Leah replied, taking a bite of her sandwich.

As they ate and chatted, Halsey, Janice, and Sohainna joined them, adding to the lively conversation. Trisha noticed them from across the cafeteria. She leaned over to her friends, whispering and making gossips about Sedd and Leah.

“Look at them, acting all buddy-buddy,” Trisha sneered. “I bet they think they’re so special.”

Her friends giggled, adding fuel to the gossip. Leah, Sedd, and their friends, oblivious to the whispers, continued their conversation, enjoying their lunch.

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Students slowly finished their food and left the cafeteria. The basketball match was about to start in 10 minutes, and the hallways buzzed with excitement. Sedd headed to the locker room to get ready, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation.

Leah found him just before he entered the gym. “Hey, Sedd! You’re going to do great out there,” she said, giving him a reassuring smile.

“Thanks, Leah. I’ll do my best,” Sedd replied, feeling a boost of confidence from her support.

The gym was packed with students, all eager to watch the game. The two teams, the Eagles and the Tigers, lined up on the court. Sedd’s team, the Eagles, wore blue jerseys, while the Tigers wore red.

The referee blew the whistle, and the game began. The Tigers won the tip-off and quickly moved the ball down the court. Sedd, playing as a guard, kept his eyes on the ball, ready to defend.

“Watch out for their point guard, he’s fast,” Rex warned, positioning himself to block a pass.

The Tigers’ point guard dribbled past a few defenders and took a shot, but missed. Sedd grabbed the rebound and sprinted down the court, passing the ball to Damien.

“Go, Damien!” Sedd shouted.

Damien dribbled past a defender and made a layup, scoring the first points for the Eagles. The crowd erupted in cheers.

“Great job, Damien!” Jason called out, giving him a high-five.

The game continued with both teams playing fiercely. The Tigers’ defense was strong, but the Eagles managed to keep up. Sedd made several impressive passes, setting up his teammates for shots. Rex and Jason worked together to block the Tigers’ attempts, while Damien’s speed kept the Tigers on their toes.

Halfway through the game, the score was tied. The tension in the gym was palpable. Sedd called for a timeout, and the team huddled together.

“Alright, guys, we’re doing great. Let’s keep up the pressure and stay focused,” Sedd encouraged.

“We need to watch their center. He’s been getting too many rebounds,” Rex added.

“Got it. Let’s go out there and win this,” Damien said, clapping his hands.

The game resumed, and the Eagles played with renewed determination. Sedd dribbled the ball down the court, dodging defenders. He spotted an opening and took a shot from the three-point line. The ball sailed through the air and swished through the net.

“Three points!” the announcer called out, and the crowd went wild.

Leah, Halsey, Janice, and Sohainna cheered loudly from the stands, their excitement contagious. “Go, Sedd! You’ve got this!” Leah shouted.

Trisha, watching from a distance, scowled at Leah’s enthusiasm. “Why is she so happy? It’s just a game,” she muttered to her friends.

The final minutes of the game were intense. The Tigers fought hard, but the Eagles’ teamwork and strategy paid off. With seconds left on the clock, Sedd made a crucial steal and passed the ball to Jason, who scored the winning basket.

The buzzer sounded, and the gym erupted in cheers. The Eagles had won the game.

“We did it!” Sedd shouted, hugging his teammates.

Leah and her friends rushed down from the stands, joining the crowd of students congratulating the team. “You were amazing, Sedd!” Leah exclaimed, beaming with pride.

“Thanks, Leah. I couldn’t have done it without you guys cheering me on,” Sedd replied, feeling elated.

Trisha watched from the sidelines, her face twisted in anger and disgust at how happy Leah was. “This isn’t over,” she muttered under her breath.

After the game, Sedd and Leah sat on a bench outside the locker room, chatting excitedly about the match.

“You were incredible out there, Sedd! That three-point shot was amazing!” Leah said, her eyes shining with admiration.

“Thanks, Leah. I was so nervous, but hearing you and the others cheer for me really helped,” Sedd replied, smiling.

“How did you manage to stay so calm and focused?” Leah asked, curious.

“I just kept reminding myself to breathe and stay in the moment. Plus, all the practice paid off,” Sedd explained. “And having you guys there made a huge difference.”

Leah nodded. “We’ll always be there to support you, Sedd. You’re a great player and an even better friend.”

Sedd felt a warm glow from her words. “Thanks, Leah. That means a lot to me.”

After a few more minutes of chatting, Sedd stood up. “I need to change clothes. I’ll be right back,” he said, heading into the locker room.

Leah waited outside, still buzzing with excitement from the game. Suddenly, Trisha and her friends approached her, their expressions unfriendly.

“Why are you always sticking with Sedd?” Trisha demanded, her tone sharp. “What’s your relationship with him?”

Leah hesitated, taken aback by the sudden confrontation. “We’re just friends,” she managed to say.

“Just friends? You’re always together,” Trisha scoffed. “Speak up properly!”

Leah tried to explain, but Trisha’s anger flared. “Enough! I don’t want to hear your excuses,” she snapped, raising her hand and slapping Leah across the face. “Stay away from Sedd, or you’ll regret it.”

Trisha and her friends walked away, leaving Leah stunned and hurt. She touched her cheek, feeling the sting of the slap.

A few moments later, Sedd emerged from the locker room, noticing Leah’s distressed expression. “Leah, what happened?” he asked, concerned.

Leah forced a smile. “It’s nothing, Sedd. I’m okay.”

Sedd frowned, not entirely convinced but decided not to press further. “Alright, let’s go home.”

They both walked home together, chatting about their families and life. Leah found it hard to let words out, still scared about Trisha coming back. Halsey, Janice, and Sohainna walked with them for a while, but eventually, it was just Leah and Sedd.

Sedd noticed her unease and asked gently, “Leah, are you sure everything’s okay? You seem a bit off.”

Leah shook her head. “It’s nothing, really. Just thinking about my unfinished assignment.”

Sedd looked at her with concern. “Are you sure? You know you can tell me anything.”

Leah nodded, forcing a smile. “I’m sure, Sedd. Don’t worry about it.”

She didn’t want Sedd to confront Trisha and potentially get hurt. They continued walking, the conversation turning lighter as they talked about their families and future plans.

When they arrived at Leah’s house, she turned to Sedd. “Thanks for walking me home. See you tomorrow?”

“Of course. Take care, Leah,” Sedd replied, watching her go inside.

As Leah closed the door behind her, Sedd couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. He was starting to get suspicious, but he decided to give Leah some space, hoping she would open up to him when she was ready.