Grace on the Court

by Maddy Proud

  Grace’s heart thumped again. She and Seb had definitely been getting along well since she started high school and while she’d admitted she had a slight crush on him, she didn’t think he’d be annoyed about not hanging out with her …

  “Anyway, I just saw Seb talking to Mia, and I’m assuming Seb told her everything about how I told him to back off … It was stupid of me to stop you guys from being friends or whatever you are. So yeah, let’s just forget any of this happened and go back to how things were.” Tyler finished.

  “I don’t know what things were like before this, considering this is the most we’ve spoken in years, but sounds good to me.”

  “Well, you and Gus make up for me being quiet – you guys never stop talking!”

  “Alright, well, thanks for finally talking to me,” said Grace.

  “All good. Anyway, let’s get this thing over with, so I can go back to being in a normal band that doesn’t sing Friday at Five songs,” Tyler joked.

  Grace smiled and followed her brother outside to find the others getting set up to film the final scene. She shivered as she walked outside into the cool air, not looking forward to having to strip into her bikini to film the final scene. If only Seb hadn’t decided to miss half the filming sessions and we could have done this when it was actually warm, Grace thought to herself.

  Grace laughed at the shrieks that came from Sophie and Stella as they dived into the swimming pool, unaware that Grace’s dad had turned the gas heating on and the pool would be a comfortable twenty-four-degrees.

  Sebastian was lounging on one of the pool chairs tuning his acoustic guitar, unaffected by the freezing cold air. Everyone looked up as Grace and Tyler made their way to the group.

  “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get started,” said Tyler.

  Sebastian began to strum the chords to ‘Crazy’ while Sophie and Stella hit a blow-up plastic ball to one another and Grace lay on an inflatable bed in the pool. Sebastian had insisted he write the lyrics to the song and the girls had agreed. None of them were very creative so they were more than willing to let him take charge.

  Adam, the designated cameraman, signalled that his GoPro was recording and Sebastian began to sing.

  Driving me crazy with that long brown hair

  Driving me crazy how you just don’t care

  Playin’ with my mind when you don’t reply

  Got me going crazy and I don’t know why!

  You knocked my books and had me hooked

  Tyler said to give you space but how can I, Grace?

  When you take those intercepts and throw that ball

  You’re making me crazy and act like a fool!

  I’m crazy Grace, crazy for you

  You make me crazy, do you feel it too?

  I know I’m crazy to act this way

  But can I please take you out one day?

  Everyone dropped their jaws and stared at Sebastian with astonishment – was he really singing about Grace?!

  Grace’s cheeks turned the deepest shade of red and she couldn’t look anyone in the eye. She didn’t like being the centre of attention, even if it was a joke.

  Sebastian began to laugh as he sang the chorus. He was staring right at Tyler, clearly trying to annoy him. Everyone except Grace and Tyler began to laugh hysterically.

  Grace couldn’t even think straight, let alone say anything. This was the most embarrassing, but also one of the best things that had ever happened to her. How should she react? Embarrassed? Happy? Excited?

  Luckily, before she had the chance to think about it any further or say anything stupid, Tyler lunged at Seb and put him in a headlock. “You may be able to sing and make up funny lyrics to songs, but I can still beat you up!” Tyler yelled as he pretended to punch Sebastian.

  Despite herself, Grace laughed. Tyler had taken the focus off her a little. She didn’t like being the butt of a joke … but something about the way Sebastian had playfully winked at her made her think it wasn’t all a complete joke.

  . . . . .

  “I’m sorry about everything that happened,” Sebastian said to Grace when everyone else rushed inside for dessert. They were sitting on the edge of the pool dangling their feet in the water after having finished filming their scene. Despite Grace wanting to shoot a different version, the group convinced her to keep it as apparently the reaction was so real that it made it so much better. “And also for embarrassing you in front of everyone with my song.” Sebastian added.

  “Don’t be silly, it’s totally my fault. I just over-exaggerated things like I always do. And hey, who doesn’t want a song written about them?”

  “Still, I should’ve just told you Tyler was annoyed about me messaging you and we could’ve solved everything,” Sebastian said.

  “True – communication doesn’t seem to be either of your strong suits.” Grace teased.

  “I just confess all my feelings through song,” Sebastian joked as he placed his hand on his heart.

  “I’m just glad everything can go back to normal,” Grace said as she kicked her feet in the water.

  “Normal’s boring,” said Sebastian with a cheeky grin.

  Just as Grace was trying to work out what he meant by that, they were interrupted by the group as they began to file back outside, led by Amber who chanted “Grace and Sebastian, sitting in the pool, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”

  Everyone started laughing. Sebastian got up and ran towards her, lifting her off the ground and carrying her towards the edge of the pool. Amber shrieked loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear.

  “Put me down Sebastian! I am not kidding! I washed my hair this morning!”

  This only seemed to encourage Sebastian, who gained support from the other boys as Ethan grabbed Amber’s arms and helped Seb drop her into the water. She screamed at the top of her lungs.

  “I will kill you!” she yelled, desperately trying to shake her hair dry.

  She finally calmed down. “You could at least help me get out,” she said to Sebastian, offering her hand to him as he leant over the edge of the pool.

  As soon as he reached out to her, Amber pulled his arm as hard as she could, causing him to lose balance and fall in with her.

  Everyone burst into laughter and ran around madly trying to push each other in. Eventually they all ended up in the pool, most of them still wearing the clothes they’d worn for their video roles. Adam grabbed his GoPro to document what was happening.

  “I think this will be the perfect closing scene,” he said, putting his GoPro down just in time before Tyler crept up behind him and pushed him in.

  . . . . .

  Later that night, just as Grace was about to go to sleep, Adam posted the finished video in the Facebook group message that they had made for the filming. That was quick, Grace thought to herself, impressed with Adam’s editing skills. Sebastian’s absence from the earlier filming sessions had allowed him to edit the rest of the video, leaving only the final two scenes to do. Sebastian had already recorded the vocals, bar the ‘Crazy’ lyrics, which he must have sent to Adam once he left the Parkers’.

  GROUP MESSAGE

  Adam: Here it is friends, don’t blame me if you hate it!

  The video turned out better than Grace had imagined. The songs sounded great, with the same tunes to the Friday at Five songs but with a slightly edgier sound accompanied by Sebastian’s smooth vocals. Grace couldn’t help but blush when she saw their scene and felt embarrassed by how many people would see it. It’s the best thing for the group, Grace reassured herself as the colour slowly drained from her cheeks.

  Emily: OMG Adam it looks so good, well done!!

  Nadia: Yeah Adam, you killed it!

  Ethan: Didn’t know you actually had talent, well done bro.

  Amber: Rit reeeeow Seb and Grace

  All the colour returned to Grace’s cheeks at the mention of her and Sebastian’s scene.

  Jordan: Should we call them Srace or Greb?

  Mia: I like Greb. So cu
te

  Grace made a mental note to wring Mia’s neck the next time she saw her.

  Stella: Thanks so much Adam, this is amazing!

  Grace made another mental note – to hug Stella the next time she saw her for changing the subject.

  Grace: This is the best! Well done Adam!

  Adam: Thanks guys. Hopefully the F@F boys like it!!

  Tyler: Or a record producer

  Seb: Amen to that ^^^

  Adam: I’ll give it 1 last check then upload it 2 F@F Facebook page.

  Grace: Fingers crossed!!!

  Grace put her phone away and turned off her light, exhausted after the events of the day. So much had happened in the last few hours that Grace wanted to wrap her head around, but clearly her body had a different idea as she drifted off to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

  The week had been crazy for Grace with her and Sebastian’s ‘relationship’ being the talk of the school. She had done her best to avoid talking about it and was glad that she had netball to focus on. Apart from a few comments thrown around by people Grace didn’t even know at lunch time, she had got through the week relatively unscathed.

  Saturday morning couldn’t have come fast enough and Grace woke up at the crack of dawn, both nervous and excited. She walked into the kitchen to find her mum making her eggs on toast in preparation for the game.

  “I’m so nervous I don’t think I can eat,” Grace complained.

  Mrs Parker looked at her daughter and sighed. “Gracie, you know better than anyone how important it is to have a good meal before you play. Plus, nerves are good – if you’re feeling like that, it means you’re ready.”

  Her mum was right; she wouldn’t have enough energy to play if she didn’t eat.

  “Yeah, I know. Thanks, Mum.” Grace ate her eggs before heading back to her room to put on her red-and-white bodysuit and tie a bright red ribbon around her high ponytail. She packed her bag and made her way through the front door with her mother, father and Angus in tow. Tyler had other plans, but had assured Grace it had nothing to do with what happened with Sebastian and his song.

  “The best thing about your team not making finals is now you get to watch me play!” Grace said sarcastically, nudging Angus as they walked out the front door.

  “Actually I change my mind, maybe I’ll just stay home and watch the footy,” Angus joked as he pretended to walk back into the house.

  “You’re so mean,” Grace laughed, rolling her eyes.

  In the car on the way to the courts Grace forced her family to listen to Friday at Five, much to Angus’s dismay.

  “I need to get pumped up,” she argued.

  “Well, why don’t you get pumped up with some real music?” Angus teased. Ever since Angus started high school, he seemed to have developed a superior music taste. He now claimed to want to listen to Triple J and not ‘mainstream’ music, although Grace knew he still secretly loved a good Taylor Swift ballad. Angus relished every opportunity he found to stir his older brother up for being involved in the Friday at Five video. This never failed to get a reaction out of Tyler who had always taken his music very seriously.

  Grace just poked her tongue out at her twin brother, not wanting to get into an argument before her big game.

  They arrived at the courts a full hour before the game started.

  “Remind me again why we had to get up at the crack of dawn? There’s nobody here!” Angus complained.

  Grace loved being the only one at the courts. It gave her time to calm her nerves and prepare herself.

  “It gives me time to beat you at around the world. Heads!” Grace called to her brother as she threw the ball at him when he wasn’t looking.

  Angus chased after his sister to the goal circle, playing a game in which the first person to shoot goals from various positions in the circle won.

  “This isn’t fair! You play netball!” Angus complained as he watched Grace slot three goals in row while they were practicing.

  “I play defence – you know I don’t even shoot,” Grace pointed out.

  “Damn. I wonder how much I would lose by to an actual shooter,” Angus said with a grimace.

  “Well, let’s find out.”

  Grace and Angus turned to see Stella standing behind them. She too liked to be at the courts early for shooting practice.

  “You’re on,” said Angus with a grin.

  Within minutes Stella had nearly made her way around the entire circle, only missing one shot along the way. Angus had only just got his first in for the game with even Grace having made her way half way across.

  “You guys have had more practice than me!” Angus sulked as Stella sunk her shot from the final spot, winning the game.

  “No one likes a sore loser,” Stella teased as she gently shoved Angus.

  “Fine, let’s play again, I was just warming up,” Angus joked as he shoved Stella back and made his way to the first shooting spot.

  Grace laughed and shook her head at her overly competitive brother. She also took note of the playful shoves Stella and Angus had just traded, was that flirting? She decided to ignore it and focus on the game. Angus had been quiet about everything that had happened with Sebastian and hadn’t even brought it up with Grace. He clearly knew about it, practically the whole school did, but she was grateful he had decided to just act normal towards her.

  “Was that a warm up shot too?” Grace teased as Angus air-balled his first shot of the second game.

  . . . . .

  Gradually the rest of the team arrived. Mrs Peters called them into a huddle before they began their warm-up.

  “First, I want to say congratulations to all of you for getting this far. You’ve worked so hard this season and have improved as individuals and as a team each and every week. I’m particularly proud of how close you’ve all become and the relationships you have built in this team.

  “I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: this game is going to be won by all nine of you, not just one or two. So let’s warm up the best we have all year. I want to hear lots of voice and encouragement from all of you.”

  The girls practically sprinted to the baseline for their warm up. Every move was sharp and every call was loud. It was clear that each girl had turned up ready to give her all so the team had the best chance of winning. Grace recalled how Mrs Peters always said that if a team warmed up well it played well, and she hoped that was true today. They definitely had prepared themselves as best they could for the contest ahead.

  They were also able to field their best team, with Sophie and Stella in goals; Jordan, Mia and Nadia in the centre court; and Amber behind Grace in defence.

  The whistle blew to begin the game, and the Giants took the first centre pass. The Giants’ centre looked to her wing attack to receive the ball but with Nadia covering her first move she looked to the goal attack. However, Grace was blocking her player from even stepping over the transverse line, so the centre spun around in a panic, searching for her wing defence or goal defence. They, too, were unable to move past their Lions opponents, so the centre was stranded. By the time she turned back around to look for another option, the umpire had blown her whistle signalling that she had held the ball for more than three seconds.

  The Lions’ supporters cheered and Grace picked up the ball in the centre circle, passing it to Mia, who connected with Jordan at the top of the circle. Sophie made a brilliant double dodge along the baseline to free herself to receive the ball from Jordan right under the post. She swished it through the net and passed it back to Mia for the next centre pass.

  The Lions had various set plays they used at centre passes. This time they opted for an ‘overload’. This required both the goal attack and wing attack to stand together on one side of the court. When the whistle blew the wing attack led along the transverse line while the goal attack surged forward into the centre third of the court. It worked perfectly, with Mia passing the ball to Jordan as she charged along the line. Sophie read the play a
nd made a strong drive from the circle to receive the ball from Jordan. Having watched this unfold from the goal circle, Stella timed her lead so that as Sophie turned around, she moved metres away from her opponent on the baseline and quickly shot a goal. Only thirty seconds had passed and the Lions led 2-0.

  The rest of the quarter continued in a similar fashion, with the defensive pressure of the Lions too much for the Giants. By quarter time Amber and Grace had taken several impressive intercepts and the Lions led 12-7.

  The Giants were too good a team to make the same mistakes in the second quarter. Grace noted how they changed their game so they were more patient with the ball, passing it around as many times as necessary until players became free. This was frustrating for the Lions’ defenders, as no matter how hard they worked, they couldn’t secure the intercepts they had managed in the first quarter. But the style of play also meant that the Giants didn’t score very quickly, especially when compared to the Lions, who only took a few passes to get the ball into the goal circle. Sophie and Stella were rotating beautifully and doing their part but by half-time the Lions’ lead had increased by only two goals. They gathered at the huddle with the score 25-18.

  The Giants’ midcourt players began to tire in the second half after working relentlessly against the defence-superior Lions to gain possession. The Lions were able to take a few more intercepts and build their lead, giving them the opportunity to change their line-up for the final quarter.

  Mia came off after running herself ragged in the first three quarters and was replaced by Emily, while Ashley came on for Sophie as goal shooter. Amber and Grace also swapped positions. Emily and Ashley slotted in well and the team strengthened their lead, never relinquishing their defence pressure even as it became obvious they would win. The final whistle blew and everyone on the court put their hands on their knees, bending over to gasp for air. All the players shook hands and came together in the middle of the court to cheer for one another and the umpires. The Lions then ran to the end of the court nearest to most of their supporters. They placed their hands in the middle and, after making eye contact with her co-captain to check it was okay, Grace called for quiet.