Chapter 15
Kendra spent the game atop the bleachers doing only two things. She kept her eyes on the back of Ms. Downing’s head and sent periodic text messages to Avery, who was hidden in the women’s locker room on the opposite side of the gym.
Because the team with the lead changed so often, most of the texts were about the score, but Kendra seemed to have a lot else on her mind as well.
“Carter just scratched himself AGAIN. Why do guys do that?” she wrote.
“I don’t know! Just don’t let that tramp get out of your sight,” Avery replied.
Minutes ticked away. Substitutes entered the game. The scores rose as baskets were made.
“Some of these Millbrook guys are hot! Maybe they’ve seen me on the Internet. I’ll have to catch one after the game’s over,” Kendra texted.
“I wish I was dead. Can this game just end, please?” Avery responded.
“This bitch better not hit me and screw up my chances with these guys,” Kendra added.
Halftime came, and the scores were still even. Carter’s team returned to the men’s locker room, while the Millbrook team huddled together beside the court. The opposing coach scribbled out plays on a clipboard, and Kendra tried to figure out what was going on, but she was much too far to see or hear. Spectators got up to stretch their legs or refill their sodas.
After a few minutes, the teams got back out onto the court and play resumed. Springdale started to pull away, managing a ten-point lead in the third quarter. Kendra, who liked basketball, was impressed with how much better they were playing. She didn’t know what Coach Howzer had done to them during halftime, but they moved the ball much better against their stringier, quicker opponents.
As Kendra got more immersed in the game, so much so that she began ignoring texts from Avery, Coach Howzer’s excitement grew as well. He stalked up and down the sideline, shouting at his players and making huge sweeping gestures. He pumped his fist every time they made a basket and stomped his foot when Millbrook did.
Carter seemed preoccupied too, but it had nothing to do with the game. Kendra had to stand up and come down a few rows to see that Ms. Downing was saying something to him. He jerked his head and swatted her away as though she were an annoying fly. Seeing them reminded Kendra of what she was supposed to be doing, and she again pulled out her phone.
“When am I supposed to do this?” she asked Avery.
“Wait until a couple minutes into the fourth quarter,” Avery wrote back.
“The fourth quarter just started!” typed.
It seemed to sneak up on Kendra so fast that her heart started racing. What if she couldn’t pull this off? What if she somehow got in trouble? What if she broke a nail? Keeping her eyes on the clock, she waited until there were thirteen minutes left in the game. The Springdale Saints were only ahead by seven points now, and their players started to appear sluggish.
Clenching her fists, Kendra knew the time had come. This was her moment to shine. Slowly, she rose from her seat and slipped into the aisle. Descending the creaky steps, she glared at Ms. Downing, who would have to pay for attacking her friend. She came closer and closer to the blonde woman sitting innocently behind the bench. In the last few steps, she stomped her way down to the floor all in a huff, violently shaking Ms. Downing by the shoulder.
“Oh my God! Some girl just slipped in the locker room and she’s really hurt!”
Wide-eyed, Ms. Downing jerked her head, but it soon became clear she was alarmed at the interruption, not the injury.
“Tell her to walk it off. She’ll be fine,” she scoffed.
Kendra, practically shaking, looked as though she were staring into the fiery depths of hell.
“No, you don’t understand. I guess she hit her head and can’t move. Come on!” Kendra begged.
“If she’s so hurt, how do you know anything about it?” Ms. Downing accused, pointing an angry finger at Kendra. “You weren’t anywhere near the locker room!”
“She texted me. What else would someone do after an accident?”
Kendra started to feel like the woman wouldn’t budge, and she had no idea how else she’d get her to the locker room. Just then, Carter twisted around, immediately catching Ms. Downing’s attention.
“Hey, aren’t you the first aid officer? You should probably take care of that,” he said, causing Ms. Downing to shut her eyes.
“Oh, alright.”
“Quick! Let’s hurry!” Kendra said, taking Ms. Downing by the hand and pulling her out of her seat. They jogged along the court behind the opposing team’s bench, circling behind the basket toward the women’s locker room while play continued on the floor. Kendra followed Ms. Downing and the floating wisps of blonde hair that trailed along behind her. Pressing her hands together, she cracked her knuckles.
Loose Lips Sink Ships Page 29
