#rivervale_lodge

"Of course we're gonna win."

"you know, basketball was invented by a White Canadian guy..." One other girl says/The African Americna girl "Cannot hear you lalala"

"Oh, they wanted me on Cheerleading. But I decided against." Hair flip.

Siv says "Oh? But I thought you... well," lookin her over, Siv says "want to talk about it?"

"Well, we're on the same team now."

"...Right?"

"Right""Definitely!" "So gonna crush it"

Good humor among the 8, they're all a bit jazzed to varying degrees

A shy smile, warming back up after the earlier blow. "Yeah."

"Seriously, Sam, where did you learn to bring it in like that? net ddidn't even feel it it was so smooth" agreement abounds

"Oh, well...see, they make you do a bunch of stretches and see how high you can jump and how long you can hold a plank position, and then they start working on teaching you a routine..." Sylvi launches into a rather dramatic retelling of the entire event, including a repeat of the routine to show how well she memorized it and performed it.

"For someone who says it isn't for her, you're doing it great," Siv says "I...did you not make the cut?" Realization of something

"Dumb luck, that one. It usually catches some rim... hey, Rosenstein, where did you learn that zig-zag?"

"Oh that, well, I have three male cousins who didn't want to let me play football, so I would steal the ball..."

"Well, I should have made it, right?? I mean, like you just said, I was doing it great!" A huff, and she turns back to the mirror.

"I got B team, and..." Another huff, and an eye roll. "Who needs that?"

"No shame in being below decks if it keeps the ship sailing" Siv says trying to comfort

Meanwhile out in the gym the 8 start to break up but not because the ywant to... "Oh god, my dad just texted me. He's here. He's threatening to ..be seen. You know how embarrassing that is?"

"Mine always waits on the next block. Maybe you can ask yours to pull up to a better spot?"

"Your dad is sooo much more reasonable than mine" that girl says "Gotta go. "

Then, she laughs. "Just wait, and then we'll all be walking one block out to ALL the Dads..."

"Tsk!" That tooth-sucking sound as Sylvi turns to look at Siv as if she had three heads.

That gets laughs

And Sam heads back to the locker room to get herself changed.

Siv looks at Sylvi "Sylvi , you're a freshman, you're going to be up against older girls who have more experience and some of them will be on the b team too."

Sylvi dismisses Siv's concern with another toss of her hair. "Whatever. I really don't care. I mean, if it's going to be like that, where people who have more talent don't get in because the less talented people are just older....well, I don't have time for that nonsense."

"That'sn ot what I..." Siv turns to See Dagmar and grins "Hey! You made the team?"

Sam heads for her locker, smile fading and expression closing off as she gets closer to where Sylvi is.

"She did great," Sylvi says from the mirror.

A nod. "But there's more tryouts next week. Sylvi, you can try again..."

"Nope, I'm good!" She takes out her cell phone and sends a short text.

"Maybe you'll be feeling better?"

The other girls who aren't heading straight out start to come in.

Another frown, and she opens her locker to collect her clothes.

"What? I feel fine," she laughs.

"Kay."

Siv says 'Congratulations, Sam. I bet Jaymes comes to every game. I might too"

"she was awesome," May says

"May, Siv. Siv, May. And yeah, he probably will. He can be such a dork." A smile.

"Whose Jaymes?" May says "And Hi Siv. "

"Ahoy May," A grin and a hand shake warmly given

"My dad." Another smile. It gets easier the more she says it.

Sylvi's texting, so she almost misses it, but she shoots a bit of a look at Sam.

May grins "He sounds cool." // Siv says "Oh so cool he's chilly..wait, that's not right.. Sorry, not up on the new slang"

"Cool isn't new..." May says confused

"Siv was homeschooled, but she's alright."

"Right, homeschooled. Hah" Siv ssays embarrassed but grateful to Sam

Sam shoulders her gym bag - not changing, she can shower at home.

May beams then looks to the shower swallows, and says "here goes nothing. Most o the bitches are gone. Later"

"Later. See you at lunch?"