After The Whistle

Blake walked into the locker room with loose shoulders and a blank face, like nothing had happened. But inside, he was burning. Not at his team — at himself. Every step felt like walking off a battlefield he’d lost alone. He felt like he had let his team down.

In the locker rooms there was chatter, but Blake just stood there with a thousand yard stare, feeling like the air had been knocked out of him and nobody noticed.

“Blake, good game, it was a close match” said Darren, but Blake didn’t respond. “Blake? Blake! BLAKE!”

“What?” Blake answered, head snapping to look at Darren.

“Dude, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I was just thinking”

Coach Erwin entered “Okay everybody!” he said to get the players attention, as the team came to him he told them.

“Good game, everyone. We didn’t win, but we came close. It’s the first game of the season and the Bridgemont Hawks placed second last one, so don’t worry.” He looked at everyone. “Levi, you need to not let players get that close to our basket; you, Mateo, just land those shots; Darren, pass the ball more, you sometimes just keep it to yourself; and Blake, come with me.”

Blake followed Coach to a secluded corner “What is it Coach?”

“Blake, I know I told you to lead the team, but it’s the first real game. Don’t beat yourself up over it”

“Got it, Coach.”

“And remember, the first game doesn’t define the season, we placed fifth state-wise last one, let's get that trophy!”

Blake stepped out of the locker room into the cool evening air, the buzz of the gym fading behind him. The sky was streaked with fading orange, and voices echoed through the parking lot as people drifted to their cars. He adjusted the strap of his gym bag, jaw tight, frustration still simmering low in his chest. As he turned the corner past the brick wall of the gym, the door to the girls’ locker room opened just ahead of him. Vivi Ashbourne stepped out, her cheer uniform partially covered by a Ravens hoodie, hair damp from a quick rinse. For a second, they locked eyes—hers unreadable, maybe curious. Blake hesitated, just a flicker, but gave a short nod. Vivi returned it, just as brief, then turned to join a group of cheerleaders chatting by the bleachers. Blake kept walking, heart pounding for reasons he didn’t care to name. Then, ahead in the lot, he spotted Ethan leaning against the car and Nick waving dramatically like a kid hailing a cab. Somehow, just seeing them made everything feel a little less heavy.

“Hey” A downcast Blake answered

“Hey” Ethan said softly “Look at me, you didn’t let down anyone, not your family, not your team and nobody else. It’s the first game, we’re scouting the field, and the Hawks are a fierce team. You did great”

“Thanks Ethan, you know me too well you know?” Blake answered

Ethan laughed “That, I know my friend”

“Well, let’s look at the bright side, at least the cheerleaders stayed till the end!” joked Nick “Vivi looks so so hot in her cheer uniform”

“Dude, she’s an Ashbourne. She despises us. You really think you have a chance?” asked Blake, although his mind went back to the game. How Vivi looked, her cheers, her fiery locks framing her face beautifully and he had to agree with Nick, she was breathtaking and she definitely knew it.

“Who wouldn’t fall for my looks and charm?” joked Nick. That got a snort from Blake.

“Yeah, you wish Nick.” he laughed.

“See! Ethan may know you better, but I can cheer you up better”

“Oh, shut up.” Answered Blake as he fake punched his cousin’s arm

They walked to Blake’s car, a gray Volkswagen Golf

“Shotgun!” yelled Nick

“Dammit Nick! You always get shotgun.” said a now irritated Ethan

“Well, I’m family and it brings it’s advantages, even though I have to deal with this guy at family reunions”

“Hey! That’s it, you’re going in the backseat.” said Blake

“Noo! That's unfair.” Nick groaned.

“You dared insult the great name of Blake Hartley. You shall face the consequences!” said Blake in his best emperor voice with a British accent, but still failing miserably.

“You really would do that to a cousin? And your best friend?” asked an incredulous Nick.

“Who said anything about best friend?” asked Blake as he threw an arm round Ethan.

“Oh fuck off! Now I don’t even want to be in the front seat” exclaimed Nick, annoyed.

The next few minutes the only sound in the car was the music and Nick’s protesting.

“I still can’t believe you would make me sit in this hell hole for this long over a joke” he said under his breath.

“Nick shut up, you’re not a baby anymore, plus it’s only a fifteen minute drive” said Ethan

“Humph, still unfair” grumped Nick

Diverting his attention to the driver Ethan asked “Anyways, Blake, how’s that song you’re learning going?”

“Hmm, still a work in progress, doesn't matter right now”

“Alright, so who’s down for a jam tomorrow morning?” asked Ethan

“Morning?! You guys wake up at like 5AM! You’re going to demand I get there at 6!” protested Nick

“Nick, stop complaining and we wake up at 8. What time should we do the jam? 10?” asked Blake

“Sometimes I forget you’re cousins, you’re so different. Yeah at 10’s okay. My garage?” asked Ethan

Not hearing Nick complain, the plan was settled. For the next minutes they all talked about everything and nothing and as with any teenage boy conversation the topic turned to girls.

“Dude, have you seen Vivi!” exclaimed Nick

“Ah hell nah! Not this again! How many times do I have to tell you, SHE’S AN ASHBOURNE!” said Blake

“So what? That’s only a technicality and you know it.”

“So you’d fuck your sister?” rhetorically asked Blake

“HELL NO! What the fuck dude! I never said that!” Nick’s eyes widened like he’d been slapped.

“See, last names do matter” chipped in Ethan

“Not you too! Come on, I thought you had my back! I don’t like you two teaming up on me” cried Nick.

“Okay, let’s stop teasing him.” said Ethan

“Yeah, and if you’re so smart, which girl do you think is hot?” stated Nick

“A realistic girl or an unrealistic girl?” asked Blake

“Let’s hear both”

“You fell for my trap! There’s no unrealistic girl for me!” laughed Blake “In all seriousness Vivi is gorgeous, but so is Delilah and Riley.

“Ohhh, does our basketball captain have the hots for the volleyball captain?” teased Nick

“Don’t you start or else” threatened Blake.

“Ok, ok I give up” Nick replied raising his arms in mock surrender “But I do have to agree, they’re all really hot.”

As Blake pulled into the driveway, their laughter settled into a comfortable silence—the kind that only followed a good round of teasing and low-grade chaos.

Blake smirked. “New topic, or I’m telling Nadia you think she’s hot.”

Nick groaned. “Come on, man. Why am I always the one getting blackmailed?”

“Because Ethan knows how to act like a decent human,” Blake replied as he cut the engine.

Ethan chuckled, opening the door. “Perks of being the mature one.”

Nick crossed his arms with an exaggerated pout. “This friendship is rigged.”

Blake grinned as he got out. “Yeah—and you’re still here. Let’s go.”