I have a really hard math exam tomorrow but do I care? Yes. But do I study for it? Barely. Do I feel guilty? Very. Am I gonna study more? Nope.

On with the story!

Sky

Our teams were introduced after the two cheerleader teams performed one of their cheers. We were now huddled up for one last pep talk before we get in position.

"Got anything to say, captain?" Stormie smiled at me.

"Stick to the plan and we'll intimidate the hell out of them." I smirk. "Queens, prepare to crush our enemies! We're going to win this; I have no doubt about it. And remember, be prepared for anything." I put my hand in the middle, as they all put their own on top.

We nod three times, our grins only growing before we yell together.

"LET'S GO ROYALS!!"

The main five, including me and Nat step onto the court in our positions. Nat being the tallest in our team is standing in the center circle for the jump ball. The referee blew on his whistle as he threw the ball up, both girls jumping with it, trying to pass it to their own team.

Unfortunately, the opposing team got the ball, since they're all much taller than us. We get into our defense mode and get in place, trying to stop the player from getting to our basket. Debby manages to steal the ball and starts travelling to the other side of the court, us following behind to help her out, two of us staying back for emergency defense.

I notice her trying to go for a shot, but another player from the other team is about to stop her. I run as fast as I could, blocking that player by standing on front of them, my feet positioned apart to stop her from going around easily, my arms tucked in slightly to make me more stable, letting Debby go for the shot. I see her doing a lay up, and I instantly roll from my screen position as I get ready to rebound the ball, which hit the rim of the basket but fell out last second. I jump and retrieve it, taking a second to look around me. The other team is stopping the players from my team to get to me and help, so I'm all alone. I'm too close to the basket to be able to make the shot, so I very carefully turn over without my opponent snatching the ball from me. I trick them with my movements and act as if I'm about to throw it to one of my teammates, but really I jump and shoot the ball straight into the basket, earning us two points.

Nat and I high five as we pass each other while we get into our other defense position; triangle and two. I'm standing in the tip of the triangle we made, just over at the free throw line. The other team doesn't even make it into our half before my girls got the ball and assisted each other until the end where they shot another goal.

We kept playing with full intensity in each round. We were currently taking a five minute break between the two rounds, and I drank some water, but not much so I can still play. We discuss some more plans before we have to back in. I spot my friends and family all cheering for me; they even have signs and all.

Aww, Peter is wearing a penguin shirt! 

I see some new faces and figure they switched out. No matter, we're still way ahead. 

26-8

You can't say that ain't impressive.

Minutes passed, and I had the ball as I dribbled to the basket, getting ready to do a lay up. I was on my second step when one of the new players pushed me back really hard, and I ended up falling on my butt and hand. 

And let me remind you.

Code. Red.

I felt a huge pain shoot through me, and a literal whoosh inside of me...technically out now. The cramps came back stronger than ever, and my wrist throbbed with pain. Stormie called for a time out and my team helped me stand up before I ran to the bathroom to take care of what happened, or else I wouldn't be able to continue the game.

Hey, at least I got two free throws from that foul!

Peter

My heart drops to my stomach as I see Sky fall to the ground and the pained expression on her face. She doesn't stand up for a while, just clutching her stomach as she bent over. Their coach, Stormie, calls for a time out and the girls rush to help Sky to her feet. She and Nat then run inside as Stormie yells "Code red" to the rest of the team, and they all seem to nod in understanding.

"What the hell happened?" I ask in a panic as I look at Laura and Anna, who were looking with worry in their eyes.

"I don't know if you noticed, but she fell!" Laura sassed back, not even looking my way. She still seemed really worried though, so I assume her sass is a coping mechanism. 

I sit back in my seat bummed out and worried out of my mind. She's been in pain all day, and when she fell just now, I think she got way more pain.

"Peter." Meg nudged my shoulder. "She's fine, just a bit uncomfortable."

"How do you know?"

"You know how you mentioned how she suddenly craved brownies and fruit?"

"Yeah?"

"And clutched her lower abdomen in pain a lot?" I nodded at her, not seeing where she was going. She rolled her eyes as if I'm being completely oblivious.

"Code red," She said slowly. "I'm pretty sure it means it's that time of the month for her."

"Oh."

Suddenly everything made sense about the way she acted today. I've seen my sister when she's on her period, and she turns into a monster, but Sky was just quieter and less hyper, which is why the thought never came in my head.

I snap back from my thoughts when I see Sky and Nat run back on the court, positioning themselves for the two free throws she got from the earlier foul.

It's like she never fell in the first place! What the heck?!

She looked super determined and nodded at her teammates. She took a deep breath, dribbled the ball a couple times before she lifted it, calculating in her pretty little head, and leaped. The ball went in easily, earning them a point. She successfully scored the next time as well.

And can I just talk about how her hair flows with every movement she makes? It's straight out of the movie and it's totally melting my insides.

The Royals were way ahead of the Sharks, and there wasn't much time left for the other team to catch up, unless there was some miracle.

Thankfully, the timer went off, and the Royals won by 35 to 12.

I cheer loudly, proud of the two girls who I call my friends.

I watched happily as their team hugged each other and chanted their team name before they high fived the other team with good spirits. Then the Royals all picked up Sky, cheering her name, as she just won them their first game with her as captain. 

I love seeing her so happy.

She and Nat made their way over to us to celebrate. They each went over to their families first, hugging them and thanking them for all the congratulations they got. They then came over to me, Meg, Laura and Anna. 

They screamed happily together and I joined in with no hesitation. I grab Sky by the waist and hug her tightly as I spin her around, careful not to fall. She laughs and it's the most beautiful sound I've ever heard.

I pull away and stare into her beautiful eyes. Even with the sweat making her hair stick to her face is beautiful. Wow. We just smile and stare at each other for a moment before I break the silence.

"You're amazing" I whispered but then realized what I said. "I mean, at basketball. Not that you're not amazing all the time, because you are-" She cut me off by giggling and hugging me again, thanking me.

Just then they were called back to the court to receive their prizes. Sky grinned at me and left to accept her prize. I congratulated Nat as well before she went down with Sky.

Megan clears her throat, looking at me with a smirk and raised eyebrows. I just roll my eyes with a smile and a blush.

"Shut up." I chuckle.

I just realized that two years ago today was the retirement party we had for our coach. Basketball has never been the same anymore...