Beyond the Final Score

The Answer She Couldn't Give

Marian looked at Emerald, but the answer she wanted seemed impossible to say out loud.

She had spent so much time treating Emerald as the person standing in her way that admitting there was something else between them felt like crossing a line she wasn't ready to cross.

Emerald waited patiently.

"You don't have to say anything," she finally said. "I just wanted to know if I was imagining it."

Marian swallowed and looked away.

"You're not imagining it."

The words came out quietly, but Emerald heard them.

A small smile appeared on her face.

"Okay."

Marian glanced back at her. "That's all you're going to say?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"I don't know."

"Neither do I."

For a moment, they stood there without speaking. The noise from the school grounds had faded, leaving only the distant sound of students heading home.

Emerald stepped closer, but she didn't touch Marian.

"I know we started badly," she said. "You thought I was trying to take something from you."

"You did take my position."

"I know."

"And I wasn't exactly welcoming."

Emerald laughed softly. "You weren't."

Marian smiled despite herself.

"But things are different now," Emerald continued.

Marian's smile disappeared as she thought about that.

"Maybe they are."

Emerald studied her face. "Are you scared?"

Marian hesitated before answering.

"A little."

"Of me?"

"No."

"Then what?"

Marian looked down at the pavement.

"Of what happens if this changes everything."

Emerald was quiet for a few seconds.

"It doesn't have to change everything."

"How do you know?"

"I don't." Emerald gave a small shrug. "But I know I don't want to pretend I don't feel something just because I'm afraid of where it might lead."

Marian looked at her again.

That was exactly what she had been trying to do.

Pretend.

Pretend she didn't notice Emerald differently now. Pretend their arguments didn't affect her the way they used to. Pretend the moments when Emerald smiled at her didn't stay in her mind long after they had gone their separate ways.

Marian let out a slow breath.

"We still have the championship."

"I know."

"And you're still playing point guard."

Emerald's expression softened. "I know."

Marian shook her head with a faint smile.

"You're really not going to let me forget that, are you?"

"Never."

They both laughed.

For the first time, the tension between them didn't feel like something Marian needed to fight.

Then Emerald's phone buzzed.

She checked the screen and her expression changed.

"What is it?" Marian asked.

"Coach Daniels."

Marian's smile faded.

Emerald read the message again before showing it to her.

Team meeting tomorrow morning. Everyone must be there. Important announcement.

Marian frowned.

"An important announcement?"

"That's what it says."

"Did she say what it's about?"

"No."

Marian stared at the message.

Coach Daniels rarely called meetings without giving them a reason, especially this close to an important game.

"Maybe it's about the next game," Emerald suggested.

"Maybe."

But Marian didn't sound convinced.

As they continued walking, the conversation shifted back to basketball, yet neither of them mentioned what had just happened between them.

They didn't need to.

Something had changed.

And tomorrow, Marian had a feeling, something else was about to change too.