Russell Price, standing to Jim’s right, reaches out to shake my hand and says, “It was close.”

I swear to God I want to pop this dude in the mouth, but I shake his hand and say, “It won’t be, next year.”

“Yeah, we’ll see about that,” Russell says, and takes a step toward me.

Is this dude serious? He wins and all of a sudden he thinks he can step to me? “We sure will,” I say, and stand an inch away from his face.

“And here we have the winning champion and MVP of the Texas Boys State Championship,” Jim says, overly cheery. He grabs Russell’s arm and raises it toward the bright lights overhead. Yeah, Jim knows what’s up. Knows he needs to save Russell from getting beat down.

But I still have to walk off the stage with the little-ass trophy.

CARLI

The winning trophy, a big gold basketball going through a gold hoop, is lighter than the one from freshman year. Looks the same, but they must’ve ordered it from a different company. Somewhere cheaper. And there’s a huge scratch running along the top of it.

“Let me see it,” Jordan says.

I reluctantly hand it to her. That’s what I get for criticizing it, but I needed something to occupy my eyes. I can’t look up. I can’t risk seeing Shannon or her daddy and losing it up here in front of everyone.

Jordan lifts the trophy above her head, the crowd erupts in cheers, and our whole team rushes the stage.

“Yeah, that’s right. Get up here and get your hands on this trophy!” Jim shouts over all the commotion. “You’ve earned it.”

I take a step back. And back and back and back, letting my team pile in front of me, grateful for the opportunity to fade away.

“Carli Alexander,” Jim says loudly into the microphone. I can’t even see him with everybody on stage. “Get back up here, Carli.”

Why? I think and hide myself behind Vanessa.

“Now, here we have a young girl,” Jim says, and all of a sudden, his cold, bony arm is around my arm, leading me back to the front. “A young girl who’s led her team to not one but two championships. A girl who’s averaged a double-double her whole high school career, and in this game alone scored thirty-three points.”

Did I? I think, looking high up in the arena where no one’s sitting. Better than staring at the zipper, especially with all eyes on me.

“And she’s only a junior. So I’m sure we’ll see her back here next year, trying to lead her team to victory again. And that’s why I’m so proud to award Carli Alexander with the MVP of the Texas Girls’ Basketball Championship.”