EPISODE ONE-
PROMISES

1996

They were at practice. Josie had told Lucia about the plan, Lucia had of course agreed. Josie slowed to a stop when hearing the whistle. "All right. Bring it in," And everyone jogged over, "Take a knee, ladies." Josie took a knee by Van.

"What's up, state champs?" whooping and cheering was heard from everyone around josie, including herself. "Okay, so JV is gonna help us out with a little scrimmage today." He told them all. Which was- well, not new. They just didn't do it much.

"Uh, Coach Martinez had to take care of a family thing," He told them all on why Coach Martinez wasn't here, because he usually always was. "So, JV, you're gonna grab a pinny from Misty and let's get started." Before anyone could do anything- Laura Lee spoke up. "Uh, excuse me, Coach Scott. Shouldn't we say a prayer first?"

Laura Lee would ask this offene, mostly before games. Josette didn't mind it. Laura Lee was a kind, caring girl. Who she was kinda friends with. Most people at the school didn't like Laura Lee. Josette wasn't one of those people.

Then, she was dragged out of her thoughts by Coach Scott's chuckle. "Uh, it's just a scrimmage, Laura Lee." Then clearing his throat. "But, uh, sure. Yeah. Knock yourself out."

Laura Lee sent a bright smile, mumbling a small 'kay' before bowing her head. The whole team doing the same. "Heavenly Father, let our efforts remain fruitful, so that we may perform in ways glorious to You. In Your name we pray. Amen." Everyone else echoing the Amen.

"All right. Let's go." Coach Ben told them, making them all get up. Josette along with Tai, Van, Nat, Laura Lee, Lottie, Jackie and Shauna heading over to Misty so they could grab a pinny.

Coach Ben blew the whistle. "Come on, Allie. That should've been yours."

Everything was going fine. Tai hadn't done anything drastic, which josie was great full on. Then- Tai walked up to coach Ben. And Josie froze.

"I want to switch sides. I'll take Allie." Because Josie was close. She heard coach Ben agreeing." All right! Let's go, Varsity! Taissa wants to see you step it up. And, quite frankly, that makes two of us. Let's see some hustle!" Then the whistle was blown.

Josette knew she agreed to this- But she didn't know what Tai was gonna do. She never told them. So, Josie was nervous.

Allie wasn't doing good. Tai kept stealing the ball. Then, She shoved her. The freshman shocked at that. "This is the game. Step it up."

Once again, the sound of coach's whistle was heard. "It's not helping, Tai." Shauna told her, Lucia and Josie by them two. "Just make her learn how to play under pressure then. How about that?" Lucia announced, Tai's eyes turning to her, nodding. "Good idea, Lucia." muttered Tai to her.

And everything started again.

Josie didn't like that. She didn't like the look that was in Lucia's and Tai's eyes. But- Josette didn't have to worry. They would never do anything crazy.

Now, it wa like Allie was getting slightly better. Josie glad at that- she wanted the freshman to have a change. Turns out, they just needed to push her a bit.

Then a loud piercing scream. A choked sob along with the scream. Red gushing blood as Josie froze. Her eyes dead set on Allie. The one who wailed in pain. Her bond- you could see her bone.

"Holy fuck," Ben panicked as he hovered over Allie. This wasn't like anything they'd seen. No, no it was so much worse. And then Misty wa there. "Okay. Apply pressure to stop the bl-" Then Allie spit out another pained scream.

"Jesus, Misty! Get the fuck out of the way!" Ben pushed Misty back,"We need an ambulance, there's a phone in Bill's office."

"You mean Coach Martinez?" Misty questioned.

"Christ! Yes! Go, now!" then looking to Shauna and Lottie. "Okay, keep her calm. Don't move her." He told them both and all there voices faded out into a dark obese as Josette turned her eyes away from Allie's leg.

Looking to Lucia who looked frightened and then to Tai who was shaking.

What the fuck had Tai done?

The locker room was quiet. So quiet were all Josie could hear was her thoughts. Rushing around, saying not to blame Lucia or Tai. That Tai didn't mean too. And she knew that-

"I know we're all really worried about Allie. But... it might not be as bad as it looks." She couldn't help but scoff at her sister's words. Jackie just stared at her, going to say something. "You could see her fucking bones, Jackie. I'm pretty sure it's exactly as bad as it looks." Natalie huffed out before Jackie could say something to Josette. "Oh, God. I'm gonna throw up."

"Okay but..." Jackie inhaled a deep breath, "we're still a team. And we still have each other." She told them all, Josie saw Lucia seeming a little more calm at Jackie's words. Then Laura Lee then spoke with the best smale she could."And the Lord works in mysterious ways."

A locker slam was heard, Josie jumping slightly at the noise that caught her off guard. Then watching at Natalie stormed out.

"Nice work, Taissa."

Josie was so thankful Lottie was driving her to the party. She didn't know if she could handle being in Jeff Sadecki's car again. Though she was also happy because it meant she could spend more time with Lottie.

Josie had finished getting ready for the party. Lottie was still doing her makeup. "So, I had an idea." Josette broke the silence that was between them. "If you're going to say we shouldn't go to the party, I'm saying no." Josie saw Lottie smile from the side of her face.

"I wasn't going to say that." She was going to say that. "Okay, well- I was. But, Lottie these party's are always so boring. And I get because I'm a senior and that because we won the game to go to nationals, I should go. But I thought maybe we could get ice cream instead..?" She gushed out as she watched Lottie finish her makeup. Quickly putting everything away.

Then turning to Josette,"I would like that." Josie paused, about to speak up but Lottie stopped her. "But if we didn't show up. Jackie and Lucia would have my head. Because I was the one who said I could drive you. Maybe, after we win nationals? It could be my treat. I'll take you to dinner and then we could get ice cream."

Josie liked that idea. She really did like that idea. She had been doing any chance to hangout with Lottie a lot more. It was because she loved her. But they were graduating soon. Josie didn't know if they were going to break up. Lottie was planning on going to a different college from Josie. She didn't know what it meant for them because... They hadn't talked on it.

"Promise?" She chewed on the side of her check, Lottie nodded.

"When have I ever lied to you, Josette?"

She didn't say she promised. But she did in a way. That was Lottie's way of saying it to Josette. She was fine with it.