Huy Bui
Shotgun Alley by Huy Bui
Arrrrgh! Just when I thought practice was finally over, I heard Coach Hendricks shout, “Finish up your lap and come over for shotgun alley!”
Ugh. I slowly jogged my way to the perimeter of the circle.
“Davis, Young, Sanchez. Get in there and line up.”
Coach just called up the three largest guys. I heard uncomfortable shuffling from the smaller guys on the team. They apparently did not want to get called into the circle. Though I was comparable in size to the average guy, I’ve discovered that at practice, no one goes any easier on the girl. I did not want to get called either.
“Jason, Cole, and ummm…Brandon. Line up.”
Whew! There was a hushed sigh of relief from most everyone. I saw Jason, Cole, and Brandon line up opposite Davis, Young, and Sanchez. Now only one more person would be called out. This person will carry the ball through, hopefully through to the other side. I did not wish to be this person. The chances were real slim with Davis, Young, and Sanchez on the other side.
Coach Hendricks scanned the crowd. He hadn’t looked at me yet. I took great interest in the cleats in front of me. Please, oh please, don’t call on me.
“Casey! Get in there!”
I felt my heart drop.
I stepped into the circle and crouched into my stance. I quickly calculated the situation. Davis had at least thirty pounds on Jason, Young had about twenty on Cole, and about the same with Sanchez and Brandon.
Why couldn’t Jason, the smallest twerp in our entire middle school have been just a bit bigger? It would have definitely greatly upped my odds of living. His older brother was currently the star fullback at Marshall High. So why was he such a twerp? His voice cracks at least twenty times during pre-algebra.
I couldn’t believe my life depended on Cole and Brandon.
“Set, hut!” I took the ball from Coach Hendrick’s outstretched hand. To my left, I saw Jason already on his back. I turned right and felt a Mack-truck hit me full force in the chest. I hit the turf with an additional 200 pounds on top of me.
“Was that as good for you as it was for me?”
It was a good thing for Davis that I couldn’t breathe or move.
When he finally got off of me, Jason put out his hand to help me up. I slapped it away.
“I’m sorry Casey.”
I opened my mouth, but I still hadn’t caught my breath yet. I looked up at him. He looked pathetic.
“It’s alright. Don’t worry about it,” I mumbled.
I put my hand out and he helped me to my feet.
“Move it, you two! Davis, Sanchez back in. Valdez in. Jacob, Brad…”
Jason and I stood on the perimeter and watched the next fool get murdered.
*****
Coach Hendrick’s shouted my name again, “Casey! Get in there!”
I must’ve zoned out. I walked into the circle and looked at who was across from me. Eric, Mejia. And it was Davis again.
I took my stance and waited for the signal.
“…Hut!” I grabbed the ball, tucked it under my arm and took off for to the right. Davis met me at the line.
“Looking good babe.”
From the ground, I heard Coach finally proclaim, “Alright, everyone bring it in one last time.”
*****
As I walked by myself to the girls’ locker room, I heard Coach shout my name. “Casey, good work out there today. I saw you go right for Davis the last time you were out there against him. Don’t let any of the guys out there push you around. You belong out there as much as any one of them.”
*****
Jason was waiting for me when I stepped outside the locker room.
“Hey Casey, I was wondering if you wanted a ride home today. My older brother doesn’t have practice so he’s picking me up. He can give you a ride too if you’d like. Actually, he’s already here waiting.”
I looked at Jason. He looked cute today. Hi light brown hair was ruffled, but his clear green eyes were steady. I noticed he had a slight dimple on his left cheek.
“No thanks, I live just a few blocks away from here.”
“Ok, well I’ll see you in class tomorrow!”
I watched him as he jogged towards the parking lot.
“Yeah, see you tomorrow twerp,” I whispered to his retreating back.