The Wrong Play

DRIP! DROP!

The cold cola from the high table dripped from Arielle’s hair sending shivers down her spine.

“Cola girl!”

Briana and her minions laughed in high pitched tones as they took pictures and made videos at the same time. Arielle tried to move away from the embarrassing scene but her wheelchair was stuck on the cola paper cup.

“Oh, she can’t move! Poor Arielle…I thought you flipped from the highest point last summer…now you can’t even move!”

Everyone erupted in laughter, both juniors and seniors pointing hands and taking pictures.

“Arrrggghhh! Get me out of here!” Arielle tried even harder to pull the wheelchair but the wheels were stuck making it even harder.

“No one is coming to save you…not even your dad…because he’s out of school today!” Briana stuck out her tongue as she continued taking several pictures.

“Enough of all this nonsense! What is wrong with you Briana?” A husky voice from behind pushing past the forming crowd around Arielle.

“Zion?” Voices gasped as he walked to Arielle’s side.

Zion Carter, Lincoln high school’s sweetheart. As a rising basket baller, he was the school star player. Leading them to the finals of all competitions and also the most likely to be drafted into the NBA list next season. Everyone including teachers strived to be in his good books. Despite his humble background, he made up for it in his talent. His athletic build, height, short Afro and bright brown eyes made him every girl’s dream.

“Zion, please get out of the way, you’re blocking my video.”

“I don’t care…” balancing himself in front of Arielle, his height and size shielding her completely. “you all either get out of here or I’ll inform the principal.”

Sighing and grumblings followed but after some minutes the crowd dispersed but Briana stood longer fuming, “you’ll pay for this!” Kissing her teeth before retreating.

“I want to see you try, Briana.”

He turned to meet Arielle sobbing, observing the cola poured on her and her wet clothes. He wasn’t sure how to help.

“Thanks…for helping me.” Wiping her eyes.

“You’re welcome. What else can I actually do?”

“My wheels are stuck.” Pointing at the paper cups stuck in there. He immediately gets busy taking out the obstructions.

“How about I wheel you to the ladies' convenience?”

Feeling a little embarrassed, she nodded negative but he went on anyway. “You’re Coach Monroe’s daughter, right?”

“Arielle.” She hated to have her father’s title being a tag for her. Maybe before her accident last summer, it was a proud badge but after it, she saw it as a pity reason why everyone left her alone.

“Nice to meet you, Arielle. I’m Zion.” Stopping in front of the convenience.

“I know.” She mumbled

“I don’t mind, wheeling you in.”

“No!” Her face flushed, “I can help myself.” Putting down the handle to begin pushing herself in. He watched her enter before leaving.

Arielle shut the door behind her before releasing the tears and anger in her bowels. She hated everything especially her life. She used to be the star of the cheerleaders in Lincoln high at least until the previous summer when she tried to do the highest jump in history and her teammates failed to catch her causing her to break her legs. Now she had to be constrained to a wheelchair for mobility. Despite her pleading to her father to change her school, he wouldn’t.

“Wait, you mean, the Zion Carter saved you?” Samantha, Arielle’s best friend asked.

Arielle focusing on her phone, “I already told you, are you deaf?”

“No, just surprised at the timing. Like, Zion is every girl’s sweetheart and you didn’t just meet him, he saved you?!”

“Yes, he did! Can you just leave the topic?!”Pushing Arielle from the school gate into her car. They used to enjoy walking together but with the accident, Arielle wanted to be as invisible as possible.

“Look, you both are trending on the school blog.” Zooming into one of the videos of Zion standing in front of her shielding her from Briana.

“They are calling you the Cola girl and he’s the knight.”

Arielle impatiently snatching the phone from Samantha. “That crazy Briana, she’s lucky my leg still hurts. Once I regain full use of my legs, I’ll make her pay.”

“Won’t that be like years after graduation?”

Arielle’s eyes narrowed in anger, “thank you for reminding me that I’m now an invalid!” Slamming the chair of the car.

“You know I didn’t mean it like-“

“Just drive, Samantha!”

The rest of the drive went on in silence with Arielle wiping the tears that occasionally escaped her eyes.

Parking in front of their house, “let me help you down.”

“Don’t worry! I’m not such an invalid.” Pushing her wheelchair down with so much difficulty but still not accepting any help from Samantha. She just wanted to get home.

“Would you be coming for the party on the block?”

“I already told you…I’m not going anywhere. Why do you want me there? So you can look better?”

“No, that’s not true!”

Samantha attempted several failed attempts to cheer her up before driving off. Arielle pressed the automatic button on the chair leading it to the front of her door. Pressing the bell, Winifred, her personal maid rushed to open, taking her bag from her.

“Arielle!”

Mrs.Becca, her mother yelled from the kitchen, “how was your day?”

“Horrible…don’t come to my room!” She shuts the door from within refusing anyone to come in. “I hate my life!” Shattering everything on her dressing mirror. Arielle spent the rest of the evening inside her room refusing to open up for even her maid.

BANG! BANG!

“Arielle, it’s me.” Hearing her father’s voice angered her the more.

“Go away, dad.”

“I will but I know you’re starving and I won’t have you die under my roof. Come down to the dinning in five minutes if not I’ll ensure to finish all the food.”

That was the last she heard of him and she knew he meant it. So despite her grumbling, she wheeled herself out with Winifred helping her down the stairs.

“Good evening everyone.” She said with a puffed face without lifting her eyes from the table.

“Glad you finally decided to join us.” Mr. Monroe said, “anyway, today we are having a guest with us. A major star player whom I’ll be personally coaching into the NBA, Zion Carter.”

The name jacked her back to to present, her eyes nearly bulging from the socket. She knew he was part of the school’s team but never expected him in her house.

“Zion, meet my beautiful but stubborn daughter, Arielle.”

Zion wore a teasing smirk, “we’ve met sir.”