Monday, August 23 -- Covering the Try-outs Sasha/Open

[Sasha Madison]

Sasha drummed her pen against the notebook in her lap as she watched the action on the field below her. She'd grown up with Grant and his long running interest in sports so she understood the game far better than most who weren't athletically inclined. She could see her brother on the field, but she looked away, still not having forgiven him for threatening to tell their parents about her ability. She'd ridden her bike rather than accept a ride from Grant, so she had the option of leaving once she'd recorded enough information to write her article.

Sasha took down notes, pausing occasionally to tuck the loose strands of long blond hair out of her face so she could see. Josh had mentioned that he might come around before the try-outs were over. The thought of seeing him again, brought a quick smile to her lips, and her cheeks reddened slightly. She looked up when she both heard and felt someone climbing up the bleachers towards her. "Hi." She said with a little wave. "Nice day."

[BanksAT]

Coach had started the day by dividing the prospective players into three groups. Two would occupy the field for drills and conditioning while the other observed. Oliver had been through enough tryouts to know how well observed the "rest" group would be for the first few rotations. He kept warm, stretched, and hydrated while keeping a close eye on what drills the new staff had brought with them. After a while, though, the attentions of the staff turned to the field and off the stands.

Glancing around, Oliver noticed Sasha and Josh in the stands. While not friends, the three had worked together on a history project the year before. He wandered over.

"Hi, Sasha. Hi, Josh. Good summers?" he asked with a smile.

[Amanda Rose]

[Sasha Madison]

Sasha managed a tiny smile when Josh approached. "That's alright. Just glad you came." She said quickly though her voice was quiet. Like Josh she fell silent when Oliver walked up to where they were, asking about their summers. She opened her mouth to respond when Josh stunned her by proclaiming his summer the best ever. Blinking Sasha glanced his way wondering what he'd done. Her summer had been a far cry from the best ever. "It was good. You?" She said finally, trying to force some enthusiasm into her words. Truth be told she really hadn't enjoyed her summer vacation very much, but she would hate to have it over, since she was dreading returning to school.

[BanksAT]

_Awkward much_, thought Oliver as he saw their reactions.

"Okay, well, then... Just thought I'd say hello. Enjoyed working with you guys on the history project last year. So. Uhm. Guess I'd better get back down there."

He waved and jogged back down the steps to the field.

[Sasha Madison]

Sasha would certainly have agreed with him if she'd had any idea what'd crossed Oliver's mind. As it was she just gave him another of her tiny smiles. "Thanks." She called after his retreating back, feeling extremely lame. She'd enjoyed working with him too, though mostly because he'd done his share instead of leaving the bulk on the rest of the team. After a second, Sasha shifted on the bleacher to look at Josh, her tiny smile widening just a hair before it faded away again. "What else do you have planned for today?" She asked regarding him solemnly. She kept one eye on the field below since she was still supposed to be covering the try-outs.

[Amanda Rose]

[Sasha Madison]

"I don't think that it was you who scared Oliver away." Sasha said with a shrug, then with another of her tiny, half smiles, "Unless you had too good of a summer." She spread the fingers of the hand that Josh had taken so their fingers were loosely intertwined, holding on to the pen, but only barely. "Interviews?" She asked, her brow furrowed. "What interviews?" She wasn't interviewing anyone, all she was doing was reporting how the tryouts had gone. She'd been picked because she knew the game and could tell, merely from watching how an individual had done. She wasn't always 100% with her conclusions, but she was pretty good, especially after having done it for the last few years. Sasha had worked on the school papers since fifth grade, and now, she was an old hand at this.

She glanced down at the field, spotted Grant below, and grimaced, before looking back up at Josh. "I was... I was thinking maybe we could get a milkshake or something after this?" She ventured hesitantly, not that she really wanted one. She'd been forcing herself to eat consistantly these days, more to keep her strength up, than from any pleasure in food. Nothing tasted good to her anymore, but she had been trying. She did feel more relaxed with Josh than she did with anyone these days, so hanging out with him would be a pleasant change from her own company. Plus going somewhere with Josh would keep her from having to deal with her brother, whom she'd yet to forgive.

[Amanda Rose]

[Sasha Madison]

Sasha shook her head, "I just have to wait for the try outs to be done." She glanced at Josh then back at the action on the field below them, her eyes darting this way and that as she watched what was going on below them. Without looking back at Josh she added, "I think that they're nearly done. As soon as the try outs are over we can go." Now she did look over at him for an instant, "Did you have a place you'd like to go?" Sasha didn't much care where they went, not really that hungry. The milk shake idea having been a spur of the moment whim.