Aim for the Top Page 3

  ‘Hmmm,’ Isabella said thoughtfully. ‘I like winning but I also play netball for fun. Even if we get knocked out this weekend, there will still be more netball. There’s a summer competition coming up that we could enter, plus there’s always next year. And no matter what else happens, we still finished second in the comp this season.’

  ‘But … But what if there’s a talent scout watching next week?’ Jade asked. ‘You know, like Lily’s cousin, Eliza.’

  ‘I’ll just try to do my best. If I make a mistake, it’s not the end of the world.’

  ‘Everything okay, girls?’ It was the surf instructor, interrupting their conversation.

  ‘Yes, sir,’ Jade and Isabella replied in unison.

  ‘Well, it’s time for a real surf.’ The instructor pointed to the other kids heading towards the water. ‘You buddies stick together, okay?’

  Isabella flashed Jade a brilliant smile. ‘Like glue.’

  The girls bounded into the surf, cringing at the water’s icy touch. Isabella seemed to know exactly what to do. If any big waves came their way, she duck-dived under them. Jade, meanwhile, struggled to keep afloat. Several times she was washed backwards and off her board, but she kept going.

  When they were finally far enough out, the girls sat up on their boards and floated in the deeper water.

  This is a long way out, Jade thought, peering into the water below. I hope there aren’t any sharks.

  Further out at sea, a huge wave started forming.

  ‘Here I go!’ Isabella cried.

  Jade watched as Isabella paddled to catch the wave, then disappeared from sight.

  Moments later she was back, glowing with happiness. ‘Did you see that? I rode a wave! How awesome was that?’

  ‘Pretty awesome,’ Jade agreed.

  ‘Your turn, now.’ Isabella pointed to a new wave rolling in. ‘Go, Jade!’

  I have to show Isabella that I’m good at surfing, Jade thought. And that I’m confident. She likes that.

  Jade paddled to catch the wave. She couldn’t believe her luck when she managed to stand up but her excitement was short-lived. Seconds later, the wave crashed over her and sent her tumbling. Jade reached for the surface, kicking hard, before coming up spluttering and coughing, her hair bedraggled and her swimmers full of sand.

  Jade was terrified. She never wanted to be tumbled around like that ever again.

  That was scary! she thought.

  Wanting to get out of the water as quickly as possible, she called to Isabella, ‘I’ve had enough. You stick with Max and Lizzie. I’m going in.’

  Isabella looked surprised but she didn’t argue.

  Just when we were getting to know each other, I’ve disappointed her, Jade thought.

  Chapter Ten

  Wednesday dawned cold and grey. Jade hated rainy days. It always made her think the sky was crying. And it meant she couldn’t play netball at recess or lunch.

  Jade dawdled over breakfast, not wanting to go to school, until Mum jangled her keys noisily. ‘Finish up and go brush your teeth. I’ll meet you out at the car. I’ve got an early appointment so we need to hurry.’

  The rain seemed to bring Jade bad luck all day.

  First, Jade’s teacher, Mr Imble, gave the class a surprise geometry test. Jade hated geometry. Then, at lunchtime, Jade’s lunch order didn’t arrive so she had to traipse over to the tuckshop to investigate.

  ‘There was a glitch in the computer system. Sorry,’ Mrs McIntosh, the tuckshop lady, said. ‘What would you like?’

  ‘Tuna sushi, please.’

  Mrs McIntosh checked the refrigerator. ‘Sorry, we’re all out.’

  Jade groaned. ‘Chicken sandwich?’

  ‘Sorry. All gone.’

  ‘Salad?’ Jade said.

  ‘Now that I can do.’

  When Jade got her salad, she took it to the library. Stacks of kids were already there because of the rain. Jade spotted Isabella with three of her friends. She thought about saying hi, but the girls seemed deep in conversation. Besides, after Monday’s surfing disaster, she wasn’t sure Isabella would want to talk to her.

  Half an hour before school ended, the clouds finally moved away, taking the rain with them. Jade was ecstatic. Today was their last chance to practise as a team before the preliminary final!

  But when Jade arrived at the netball courts, she discovered she’d forgotten to pack her sneakers. She only had her clunky black school shoes to wear.

  What if Janet won’t let me train? Jade worried.

  ‘Hi, Jade!’ Lily waved, as she and her mum arrived.

  Janet eyed Jade in her sports clothes and black school shoes. ‘Where are your sneakers?’

  ‘Mum forgot to pack them,’ Jade said.

  Janet shot her a quizzical look. ‘Your mum forgot or you did?’

  ‘Well, I forgot, but it’s really Mum’s fault,’ Jade said, grouchily. ‘She rushed me out of the house this morning.’

  ‘You need to take responsibility for your gear,’ Janet said. ‘You’re the one who plays, not your mum, and I bet she’s got a million things to worry about besides your sneakers.’

  ‘I know. I’m sorry, Janet.’ Jade sighed. She hated getting in trouble. ‘Do you want me to sit out?’

  ‘No.’ Janet smiled suddenly. ‘Sorry. I’ve had a bad day. I don’t know about you, but rain drives me crazy. You can train in your school shoes. That’s okay.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Jade said.

  Once again, she’d learnt something new about Janet: she hated rain.

  Just like me, Jade thought.

  ‘All right, girls,’ Janet said. ‘Warm-up time. Let’s start with a light jog, then we’ll do some stretches.’

  The girls jogged around the court. Remembering how much fun she’d had talking to Isabella the other day, Jade slowed down to run alongside Maia.

  ‘Hi, Maia,’ she said. ‘How was your day?’

  ‘Um … okay.’ Maia seemed wary.

  Jade didn’t know what to think. Maybe Isabella told her that we’ve been doing surfing together. Maybe she’s jealous because she surfs with Isabella, too. Jade didn’t want Maia to be uncomfortable around her, though. ‘So what did you do today?’

  ‘We had sport in the morning. We played netball at Marrang Indoor Sports Centre.’

  Jade laughed in an attempt to put Maia at ease. ‘That sounds way more fun than my geometry test.’

  Maia groaned. ‘I hate geometry!’

  ‘Same.’ Jade sensed Maia relaxing. ‘Who did you play?’

  ‘One of the other local schools. There were some girls from Greenfield who I recognised, plus others I haven’t seen before.’

  ‘Who won?’

  Maia frowned. ‘The score was really close, but I can’t remember who came out on top. Hey, Prani,’ she called to the girl jogging behind them. ‘What was the final score today?’

  Prani’s eyes bulged. ‘Can’t talk right now,’ she panted dramatically. ‘I’m dying!’

  Maia grinned at Prani’s antics. ‘We were all having such a great time we didn’t take any notice. It was definitely more fun than geometry!’

  Chapter Eleven

  Janet stood in front of the girls and took them through a series of stretches, starting with their toes and finishing with their heads. Jade’s favourite was the calf-muscle stretches. She got cramps after games if she didn’t stretch properly, so it was nice to give her calves a warming stretch before training.

  ‘Place your right foot out in front of you,’ Janet instructed the girls. ‘With your left foot behind you, press forward over your right foot to stretch your calf.’ Janet pointed to the large muscle at the back of her lower right leg. ‘You should feel it here. But don’t stretch too hard or you’ll injure yourself! Hold for ten seconds then swap to your left foot and stretch that calf for ten seconds.’

  After they had stretched their calves and thigh muscles, they stretched their arms, shoulder muscles and necks.

  ‘It’s like giving yo
urself an all-over body massage,’ Sienna said.

  All the girls laughed.

  ‘Great work.’ Janet clapped. ‘Shake your arms and legs out. Jump up and down a few times … Excellent. You’re ready for your drills! We’ll start with the passing drills you’re familiar with.’ Janet selected four balls from her sports bag and tossed them to the girls. ‘Think quick!’

  Maddy, Lily, Sienna and Isabella each caught a ball.

  ‘Pair up. Start your passing drills,’ Janet said.

  To Jade’s surprise, Lily and Isabella both turned to her. She couldn’t believe it.

  ‘It’s okay,’ Lily told Isabella. ‘You go with Jade this time. I’ll work with Prani.’

  ‘Cool.’ Isabella bounce passed to Jade. ‘Are you still happy being my buddy?’

  ‘Sure.’ Jade grinned as she threw a firm chest pass back to Isabella.

  The girls went through their passing drills until Janet called them over.

  ‘After last week’s game, I think we need to improve our teamwork and how we drive the ball to the ring. That means ensuring the Centre, Wing Attack and Goal Attack work together in the centre third and the goal third to deliver the ball to the Goal Shooter.

  ‘We’re going to go through what’s called the Get it to the Shooters drill,’ Janet explained. She picked five girls for the drill: Maddy, Prani, Isabella, Jade and Phoebe.

  Janet directed Isabella and Jade to stand in the goal circle while the other players were positioned further up the court.

  ‘The attacking players – Maddy, Prani and Phoebe – start at the transverse line,’ Janet explained. ‘As they move towards the goal, they must pass the ball between one another five times before they reach the shooters, Isabella and Jade.’

  ‘What passes do we use?’ asked Prani.

  ‘Mix it up to practise them all,’ Janet said. ‘But remember, each player has to move to a different position before calling for the ball, and you can’t hold the ball longer than three seconds before you pass. Just like in a real game.

  ‘The last attacking player to touch the ball should be on the edge of the circle before passing to the shooters, who must also pass five times before trying for goal.’

  ‘What about us?’ Maia asked, indicating Sienna, Lily and herself.

  ‘Until the first five players master the drill, you’ll do a triangle passing drill,’ Janet said. ‘In a few minutes, I’ll let you come in as defence players to make the drill more challenging. And don’t worry, we’ll change the groups around so everyone has a turn at different positions.’

  The girls commenced their drill. Maddy, Phoebe and Prani brought the ball up court. After five passes, Prani was standing closest to the goal circle. She shot Jade a chest pass.

  ‘Here!’ Isabella called.

  Jade sent a bounce pass to Isabella. The girls repositioned and passed until, on the fifth pass, Jade had the ball again.

  Jade aimed for the goal, shot … and scored!

  ‘Yay! I’m such a great shooter!’

  As she tossed the ball to Phoebe to restart the drill, she noticed that the other girl appeared unhappy.

  Maybe she’s worried I’ll take her position, Jade thought. I definitely don’t want to do that. Phoebe’s an awesome Goal Shooter.

  Jade chewed her lip. Goal Shooter and Goal Attack had to work together in the goal circle, otherwise they would be overpowered by their defenders. Jade was convinced she and Phoebe would play better together if they got to know each other off court some way.

  And she had just the plan to make this happen.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jade loved the new drill but she didn’t get the chance to work with Phoebe in the goal circle because Janet kept changing their positions. Before Jade knew it, training was over and everyone was saying goodbye.

  She searched for her mum’s car but it wasn’t in the carpark.

  She’s late again, Jade thought sadly, as she reached for her mobile.

  Sorry, honey, running late. Can u make your own way home? Luv Mum.

  Tears pricked Jade’s eyes. She knew her mum loved her, but did she always have to be so busy? Water splashed on Jade’s arm. She squinted up at the sky. Dark storm clouds were rolling in and lightning flashed in the distance.

  ‘Everything okay?’ Isabella said.

  ‘My mum can’t pick me up.’ Jade smiled bravely. ‘Luckily I live close by!’

  ‘You can’t walk home,’ Isabella said. ‘It’s about to rain. We’ll drive you.’ She grabbed Jade’s wrist and practically dragged her over to her mum.

  ‘Can we give Jade a lift?’

  ‘Of course,’ Isabella’s mum said. ‘I’m always happy to drop our star Goal Attack home.’ She winked.

  Jade grinned, forgetting all about being upset with Mum. ‘Thanks, Mrs Contesotto.’

  Lightning flashed, closer this time.

  Isabella screamed. ‘Run!’

  That night when Mum called Jade for dinner, Jade danced all the way to the kitchen. Her good mood continued throughout the meal as she chattered eagerly about the afternoon’s training session.

  ‘I haven’t seen you this happy in ages,’ Mum said. ‘Has something exciting happened?’

  ‘I think I’ve come up with a plan to help us in the grand final.’ She reconsidered. ‘That is, if we win this week’s preliminary final …’

  ‘What is it, Jadey?’ Dad asked.

  ‘I was hoping we could host a sleepover after Saturday’s game so I can get to know our main Goal Shooter and the other Gems better.’ Jade popped a mouthful of her dad’s delicious spaghetti bolognaise into her mouth. ‘If we lose this week’s game, we can practise our drills so that we improve for next season. But if we win, it would be a fun way to work on our team-building skills for the grand final.’

  ‘How many girls are there on a netball team?’ Jet asked.

  ‘Eight.’

  Jet winced. ‘That’s a lot of girls in one house.’

  ‘It is, but it would be really useful for the team,’ Jade said.

  ‘I could stay at Brock’s place so the girls can have the run of the house,’ Jet suggested.

  ‘Well, I think it’s an excellent idea,’ Dad said.

  Jade shot Mum a pleading look. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘This means a lot to you, doesn’t it?’ Mum reached out to stroke Jade’s hair, reminding her of when she was a little girl.

  Jade nodded. ‘I really want to get to know the girls better.’

  ‘Okay, then,’ Mum said.

  ‘Thanks, Mum, thanks, Dad. You’re awesome! But can we hold off texting all the parents until a bit later?’ Jade wanted to run it by Isabella first to see if she liked the idea.

  ‘Sure,’ Mum said. ‘Just let me know what you want to do.’

  After dinner, Jade went to call Isabella to see what she thought about the sleepover. But for once, her confidence let her down.

  What if she thinks I’m too needy? Jade thought. She glanced at the phone. Picked it up. Put it down again.

  What am I thinking? Isabella isn’t my friend.

  Chapter Thirteen

  ‘Okay, people, the waves are huge today so be extra careful and stick with your buddy,’ the surf instructor said.

  ‘Let’s go!’ Isabella tucked her board under her arm and jogged towards the water.

  Jade followed reluctantly. Deep down she was scared, but she didn’t want to admit it to anyone. The girls paddled a long way out then waited for a good wave to come along.

  ‘That one’s yours.’ Isabella pointed to an approaching wave. ‘Go Jade!’

  Jade paddled for it but she couldn’t get her rhythm right. She was floundering around so much her leg got tangled in the strap that kept her board close. The wave crashed over her, dragging her under. Salt water filled her nose and mouth. It tasted dreadful!

  Jade kicked and splashed, weighed down by the board and tossed around by the motion of the sea until she felt a hand grab her and drag her out of the water.<
br />
  ‘Hold on, Jade,’ Isabella said. ‘I’ve got you.’

  Somehow Isabella got Jade onto her surf-board and back to the beach. Once there, she sat Jade gently down onto the sand so she could catch her breath.

  ‘Are you okay?’ the surf instructor asked, coming over.

  ‘Yes.’ Jade coughed and spluttered. ‘I got dumped.’

  ‘I saw that. Luckily your buddy was around to help you out.’

  ‘It sure was.’ Jade’s cheeks felt hot and she knew she must be blushing. ‘Thanks, Isabella.’

  ‘No problem.’ Isabella smiled. ‘That’s what friends are for, right?’ She turned to the instructor. ‘Is it okay if we sit here until Jade’s feeling better?’

  ‘Good idea,’ the instructor said. ‘Go back in when you’re ready.’

  Jade sat silently for a moment, staring out at the ocean.

  ‘Isabella, I don’t know how to say this,’ she began, ‘but sometimes I don’t feel part of the Gems team. I feel … different.’

  It was strange but oddly relieving to finally tell someone how she felt. She hoped she could trust Isabella.

  ‘In what way?’ Isabella asked.

  ‘Everyone else gets on so well. You’re always laughing and having a good time. Prani and Sienna are so funny and popular. And Maia, even though she’s new, fits right in. I’ve found it hard making friends all year.’

  Isabella seemed shocked. ‘I can’t believe you’ve waited all season to tell me! I never knew you felt that way. All the Gems think you’re a great player. We love having you on the team.’

  Isabella’s kind words made Jade feel better. ‘Thanks, Isabella.’

  ‘Call me Izzy. All my friends do.’

  A warm feeling spread through Jade, even though she was cold from the water. ‘I also lied when I said I was good at surfing,’ she confessed. ‘I’m actually terrible at it.’

  Isabella nodded. ‘I know.’

  ‘Why didn’t you say anything?’