Great Pearl Writing

I was at the school gym; there was no one around but me. I was just playing some basketball because it clears my mind. I always come here just to get away from home. I have a snob-nosed older sister who's as spoiled as a queen and gets whatever she wants. I also have an older brother who just likes to pick on me all the time. They get all the attention, I'm just there.

It was getting late so I started to walk home. It was always so loud when I walked home, cars rushing by, honking, police car sirens, and stray cats hissing. It's never quiet in Brooklyn. Finally I got home, Building 1123, Apartment number 18. I've lived here all my life, two bedrooms and one bathroom. Yeah, it's small, especially when you have two older siblings and a mom and a dad. I walked inside, my brother, Jamie, was watching TV and my sister, Alyssa, was painting her nails. My parents weren't home; they don't get home until about midnight every night. So I'm stuck with my brother and sister. By the way my name is Courtney Colloway and I'm fourteen years old. My brother is sixteen and my sister is twenty. I really wish my sister would move out already.

            "Courtney, where do you go every night?" asked Alyssa.

            "Who cares?" said Jamie.

            "I'm going to bed," I said.

They ignored my comment. I went to my room and lay on my bed, and then the phone rang.

            "Hello?"

            "Hey you, how's it going?"

            It was my best friend Matt!

            "Hey, not so good, you?" I asked.

            "Same here," said Matt.

            I heard yelling in the background. It was his mom and dad; they always fought.

            "I'm really nervous about my game tomorrow," I said.

            "Why? You're an awesome basketball player," he said.

            "I wish my parents knew that," I said sadly.

            "Well I know it," he said thoughtfully.

            "Thanks Matt, so are you coming?" I asked.

            "Sorry, Courtney I have community service." He said.

            "Oh yeah, those guys are so stupid, stealing that car then blaming you." I said angrily.

            "Well, that's life." he said.

            I've always admired how Matt always went with the flow and never complained. I wish I was like that.

            "I'm really sorry, Court. I really wish I could be there," he said.

            "Yeah me too, but it's okay. Well I have to go, so I'll talk to you tomorrow," I said.

            "Alright, see ya," said Matt.

            "See ya," I said

            I really wanted Matt to be at my game tomorrow I was really nervous about it. Plus no one was going to be there that I knew. But as Matt always says, well that's life.

            I decided to wait up for my parents to get home. I wanted to ask them if they would come to my game. They finally got home, I was sitting on the couch when they stumbled in, my mom already started to make some coffee for her and my dad; they're always drinking coffee.

            "Mom, Dad?"

            "What?" they answered.

            "Um, do you guys want to come to my game tomorrow? It's the biggest one of the season; it's supposed to be really exciting," I said.

            "What game?" asked my dad.

            "My basketball game," I replied.

            "You play basketball?" asked my mom.

            "Uh yeah mom, I've been playing since I was six," I said kind of mad.

            "We can't go Court." said my dad.

            "Why not?" I asked.

            "Because we have to work," said my mom.

            "You really think working is more important then coming to my game?" I asked very mad.

            "Courtney, do you think money grows on trees? We have to work to keep you and you're brother and sister alive!" yelled my dad.

            "But I really want you guys to see me play!" I yelled back.

            "We'll have to see you play another time," said my mom.

            "You said that the last thirty times!" I screamed.

            "That's enough Courtney! Go to your room and go to sleep for heavens sake!" screamed my dad.

            I ran to my room and slammed the door, lay down on my bed and went to sleep.

            It was seven a.m. The game was at nine so I jumped out of bed, took a shower, got into my uniform, grabbed my basketball and ran out the door. I walked into the gym. So many people were there. All the kid's parents, except mine. We started doing warm ups before the game started. Then it was time for the game to start. I was doing horrible; I really wished that Matt was here. There were only two seconds left in the game and I got fouled by this really tall girl. Of course the score was tied and it was up to me to make one of these shots for us to win the game. I was so nervous. I missed the first shot. The ball slipped right out of my clammy hands. I had one more shot, I had to make it. I was so nervous I thought I was going to puke, but I didn't, thank God. I got in the position to shot I stared at the basket. The whole time I was thinking, I wish Matt was here. I was about to shoot when I saw him, my best friend in the whole world sitting in the front row watching me. I was so happy, I looked at him, and he smiled at me and gave me thumbs up. I smiled, shot the ball and "swoosh", right through the net it went. The crowd went crazy I started jumping up and down and Matt came running out onto the court and hugged me.

            It was then I realized that it didn't matter that my parents weren't there. They didn't love me like Matt did. You don't need to worry about the people that don't care about you, only love the ones that you know will love you back. That's why best friends means forever.