#bergen_county

Sam gives Gerd's shoulder a friendly tap with her fist. "Seeya. Hey, what's up?"

"Seeya" Gerd nods and scoots.

Denise says "are tthe rumors true? Is there a college scout here? Do you know which college?"

So word is out

"Uh - Sylvi knows more, I think. I don't know what school."

"I mean, we're a decently big school, I guess. And we have in-person athletics mostly back this year..."

"Oh this is it, this is our chance. You just know she has to be at aftter school practice today"

Sam rubs the back of her neck. "Probably?"

"You better watch out, Sam. I like you, but I am hungry for this and will outscore you" She says. "But.. if it's TWO of us get the shot, I hope you're number two"

A soft chuff. "Like, I'm sure there's room for lots of us. One scout means there might be others, yeah?"

"And you're a great forward, I'm better as a guard."

"Honesttly , if they're looking for a guard, you just be you and you'e a shoe in" A breath "thanks, Sam. You're a straight shooteer so I knew if I heard shit from you it would be on the level. See you later.. good luck to us both"

Only a touch of nerves in her smile. "Yeah."

And... off to first period for her

She can focus!

For sure!

Tap-tap-tap goes her eraser.

The first period passses by. Did she learn a damn thing? Probably not

Then in the break between classes and she sees Lupe

"Hey, Speedy."

"Hey Treetop" Lupe says "Word is out.. all the athletes arre freaking"

"Freaking won't help."

She frowns.

"I haven't even started with, like, applying to colleges."

"Me neither" Lupe admits "you kow, my uusual 'gang' is on my mind"

She clearly means the pack

"Right?"

"Got lots to do here."

"But at the same time, with a college degree, we can do MORE.. My parents will kill me if I donn't try for this, but if I succeeed it could be years before I can really be HERE so .. shit. "

Lupe squirms with uncertainty. She's not used to uncertainty, and it annoys her

"I.. I dunno."

"Like, what do you want to be, right?"

"And that's... I dunno."

"If only we had more warningg"

Grunt.

"Bet Sylvi and May know."

"MAY is going to college if we have to drag her there" Lupe says "She deserves a shot at a scholarship and more options in nher life. And yes, I realize that makes me a hypocrite"

"Nah, I agree."

"She... she should be a writer, or make movies, or... y'know? Share everything in her head with the world."

"Damnned straight. May sees things neither of us will ever... even being what we are, she sees things... BETTER, you know? We need that crap, now more than ever"

"Agreed. So = operation, make May look awesome?"

"Well, we can't undnercut ourselves.. May's not going to fall for it if we do, but yeah, we play to her strengths."

"Yeah, I'm not gonna do anything dumb. Team depends on us doing our best."

"Yeah, not in us to throw a game ever"

"Not honorable."

"Yeah." A nod "Honor, silly word, important word"

"Honor is life. But friends are close."

Shoulder tap "Yeah, evenn if you have to strain your arm to reach them" A grin

Grin!

The first bell rings "Ack. I swear, on graduation day I'm going to dismantle that thing. See you , Sam. Second period calls"