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May 29: It's over. It was the middle of the fourth quarter. We were fighting so hard, but no matter what, the Alphas were still in the lead. This whole series was hell and this game wasn't any better. MacQuilkin was hurt, Holland got her tail busted up in the third quarter, and Kamal just got hurt. We were falling apart. So, coach put me in to play with Wendy. I hated to say it, but we were desperate...but we needed to keep going. Wendy pulled me aside to talk to me.

"Hey!" She said. "Listen to me, okay?!"

I nodded my head yes.

"You and I are on defense, alright?! As soon as they get the ball, you take it from them or you annoy the hell out of them! On offense, I want you to pass! Keep the ball moving! Me and Stoat will score!"

"Alright, I got it." I said.

The fourth quarter went on the same as the rest. We were so close, but we still couldn't get the lead. Still, I did everything Wendy told me to do. On defense, I did everything I could to bother Knutten. I made him miss a few shots too, but he still reached 20 points. Then, I finally stole the ball from him and ran down the court as fast as I could. I was headed for the layup, but when I quickly looked behind me, I saw Umaechi heading right for me. So, I decided to change my mind and fake my shot so I could pass it right to Wendy. I got it to her just in time and she made the jump shot. I clapped my hands in excitement and ran back on defense. On offense, I continued to do the same thing, move the ball. I know that I may not be the best scorer or the best defender, but I knew that I could at least help my teammates get open. The score was close. Their lead kept getting shorter, then larger, then shorter again. It was a full on battle for me. I left all my energy on that court. But then, my luck ran out. I drove to the basket and Umaechi was there to contest me. I quickly jumped, faked my shot and passed it to Stoat for the three, but I landed so wrong. Stoat made the shot, but I rolled my ankle and fell to the floor. I didn't even bother to get up. With the pain and my exhaustion, I just decided to lay there. I was done. Coach called a timeout and I was at least able to at least limp my way to the bench. The quarter was over, the game was over, and our season was over. We all just sat there and watched the Alphas celebrate. It hurt....It really hurt.

We all walked silently to the locker room. I can say that a few certain objects were hit or punched by a few my teammates, but I just wasn't in the mood to hit anything. I sat down by my locker and put a towel over my head so no one could see my face. I'm gonna be honest, I was crying a little. It's just that when you do so good in the season and then play like crap in the second round...how can you not feel embarrassed? Soon, I heard Josh sit down next to me. He touched my shoulder softly to get my attention.

"Tex?" He said. "Tex, you alright?"

I didn't answer, but I did wipe my face from the tears. Then, I heard the coach speak. I took the towel off of my head and paid attention to him.

"Listen everyone." He started. "I know that a lot of things didn't go our this post season, but you all fought hard. Every single one of you gave it your all this whole season and I can respect that."

I took a moment to look around the whole locker room. You could feel the anger in room. We were all disappointed. I was just angry or embarrassed or...I don't know what I was feeling. Coach finished his speech and we all just packed up and changed. It was almost time for the press....fantastic.

After getting some help from Tina, I limped my way to the press room and sat down. I already knew that I looked like crap with my fur still a little messy and my eyes red from crying, but I didn't care.

"Alright. Questions are open for Cloricia Teixeira....um, lets start with you."

A fox stood up and spoke.

"Cloricia, how would you rate your team's effort for this series, because a lot of people are saying that the Mayors sort of lacked a lot of intensity?"

"Well...regardless of what people saw, I know for a fact that we played our hearts out and gave everything we had...but....you know....we lost."

Next question was from a horse.

"You were given a lot more play time than usual, but with only 4 points for the whole game, do you feel like you contributed enough?"

I was starting to get angry.

"Um....yea, I was playing more, but...my job this game wasn't really to score, it was to move the ball and keep the offense moving and do my part on defense, so....I'd say that I did my part."

There was some mumbling after I answered that answer. I tried to ignore it, but it was really annoying.

"It seems you got injured again. With all these injuries, do you still feel like you can contribute to this team in the future?"

I took a deep breath. I rubbed my face with my paws a little. Either way, it was no use. I was pissed off.

"Are you seriously using my injury as an excuse? Because I don't!" I began. "I'm going to bounce back from this like all the other ones. Because that's what I do and I don't need anyone else making excuses for me!"

Everyone was silent. I didn't care. I was just so angry.

"Next question." I said.

It took a while, but a rabbit finally stood up and said:

"You were brought to this team from the D-League in the middle of the season. At the start of the next season, do you still feel like you have a place on this team?"

I paused. I never had a question hurt me like that before. After all the hard work I've done, the idea of being taken off this team was disheartening.

"You know what....I honestly can't thank this team enough for everything they have done for me....and I have worked my tail off this whole season to try to get better, stronger, faster....and you know why I do it?...I do it for my teammates, the coaches, the staff, the fans, and my family....all of these....crazy questions will get you nothing and it will get me no where.....so go ahead and criticize me and tell me that I'm not good enough because it doesn't matter to me....not...one...bit."

Take that you jerk. The room was silent. I could feel some tears in my eyes, but I just wiped them away. Finally, they said I could leave, so I immediately walked out.

I'm pretty sure that I'm going to pay for that little outburst later, but right now, all I wanted was peace and quiet. Once I got all my stuff packed I met Josh at the parking garage. He did that "I'm worried about you" face when he saw me. I tried to ignore it.

"Hey Tex." He said. "How ya feeling?"

"Josh, I just....lets just go." I said

We both began to walk to his car until I heard someone call my name. I looked behind me and saw that it was Wendy.

"Hey, Tex!" She said.

I'll admit, I was pretty shocked. She said my nickname. I don't even remember the last time she said my nickname. It was either Cloricia or Teixeira....there was also "coyote girl", but that was only once and she just met me. She walked over to me, looking as beat up as I was, and said:

"Hey Tex. Just wanted to say that....you got heart....and I respect that."

"Uh....thanks Wendy." I said still baffled.

"At that last quarter, I really saw you give it everything you got. You even sacrificed your ankle for the game.....Long story short....it was nice playing with you rookie."

"Thanks Wendy...I like playing with you too." I sounded like a fan girl, but...I think me and Wendy were finally....cool. I tried to keep the conversation happy, because I know she was still blazing mad about losing.

"Oh, and do me a favor?" She asked.

"Sure, anything."

She then playfully punched me on the arm and said:

"Let me handle the media, alright? They don't need to see you like that."

She then walked away to her car. Then it hit me. She saw my press conference....and I think she liked it....I think....I'm going to pretend that she did.

"Tex?" Josh said.

I didn't answer him though, I just continued walking to his car and he eventually followed.

The car ride was silent and long. Stupid traffic. Although, It at least gave me time to think. Just to think about this whole season. Meeting the whole team for the first time, seeing Josh, playing my first game, getting my first point, making it to the playoffs....getting injured, barely playing in games, having my father yell at me, having fans not even know my name. I could feel the tears again. I was just so broken and I didn't know why. Yes I was pissed off about the loss and my ankle and the media, and many other things, but also it just seemed like there was just....no hope for me. I'm glad Josh can't see me right now in the dark. I'm glad no one can see me right now.

An hour and a half past and we finally made it to my apartment.

"Alright, we're here." Said Josh trying to seem in a good mood. I was still silent. I didn't even move. "Alright, that's it. Tex, you gotta talk to me here."

"Josh, I don't want to talk right now."

"Well I can't just let you let you leave like this."

I said nothing, but Josh continued.

"Damn it Tex, say something?....Just tell me what's bothering you?"

"What's bothering me? Really?!" I started to yell. "You wanna know what's bothering me?! I'm a joke, Josh! I'm just some no name player from the D-League who is nothing but a bench warmer for this team! I was screwed from the beginning, you know that?! You know why I didn't go to the draft! It was because I chickened out and I was just so....so....messed up and depressed! And now, all people are gonna remember me for is the stupid 'coyote girl' who thinks she has a chance to play with probably some of the greatest players in the FBA! And I just...just....shit."

I began to cry so I quickly wiped my eyes....but then, Josh spoke.

"So, you think I feel like I'm in the best shape too, huh?!" He said. I turned to look at him. "You think I got it all figured out?! Well guess what?! I don't! I'm lost too! I work just as hard and still get barely any minutes! I didn't even play this game! Do you know how angry that makes me?! That on our last game of the season, I don't get to play! You don't know how lucky you are Tex!"

We were both silent. I just laid back on my seat and stared out the front window. Josh did the same. My god...we were messed up. I couldn't think of one damn thing to say....until suddenly, I thought of something.

"Josh.....remember when we were in college?" I said.

It took Josh a few deep breaths, but he finally said:

"Yea, why?"

"Life was just so much simpler then."

"Yea, it was."

"And we were the starters of the team....the starters."

"Yep."

"Man, we used to kick some ass."

Josh laughed a little and said:

"Heh, yea. We sure did."

"Remember that game we had that was right after a big test?" I said while laughing a little. "What subject was that again?"

"History."

"Oooooh, yeaaaaa. With Mrs. Silverstein."

"Oh god, don't remind me of her."

"Yea, she was such a jerk. I failed that test too."

"Me too. But we did play a hell of a game. We won, remember?"

"Oh yea, by like 20 right?"

"Yea. I guess we just played good together.

I smiled and said:

"We still do."

That's when me and Josh both looked at each other and I could see that he was smiling too. I then leaned closer to him and said:

"You know what Josh?"

"What?" he answered.

"I'm glad I'm on this team."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really....and....I don't think I could ever play for another team."

"And why is that?"

"Because.....I like playing with you."

"....You do?"

I then held his hand and said:

"Yep."

What happened next was something I just can't explain. I held his hand and we just stared at each other for like a minute. For some reason, out of all the crap that happened today, this one moment, I was feeling...happy. Then, I leaned closer to him and...kissed him. I instantly felt stupid and embarrassed for doing this...until....he started kissing me back.

END OF SEASON 1