The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 163

Tristan and Arabella shared a knowing glance before they turned on their heels and strolled back to their cluster of classmates, the boys who’d chosen to participate in the game.

However, the mood in Class Eighteen was quite somber.

Logan frowned as he looked at the boys in his class, frustration evident in his voice. “Guys, are you really that scared? We’re a class of over twenty boys, and only Oberon and I have the guts to step up?”

Counting Percival, they were still short of two players.

“Well… we’re afraid of losing…” A boy mumbled weakly. “We aren’t exactly known for our skills in basketball. If we lose, Mr. Ellington and Ms. Vivienne would have to kneel down to that jerk in public.”

After he finished speaking, he shot nervous glances at Percival and Vivienne.

“We can’t just lose without even trying!” Oberon was nearly livid with the cowardice displayed by his classmates.

Where had the spirit of Class Eighteen gone?

But the boys just looked at each other, still hesitant to step forward.

“Fine, I’ll do it.”

The students of Class Eighteen turned to look in surprise as a girl with short hair and a rather unremarkable appearance stepped forward. She was wearing a loose–fitting sports uniform and sporting silver–rimmed glasses. She addressed Percival amid the surprised stares of her classmates.

“Mr. Ellington, can girls play too?”

“Do you know how to play basketball?” Percival asked, eyeing her doubtfully.

Vivienne gave the girl a once–over. She remembered her name was Anna. An average–looking girl with middling grades. Anna was practically invisible in Class Eighteen.

The only thing that made her stand out was her height. She was at least 5’8” and was always seated at the back of the class, often tucked away in the shadows whenever Vivienne visited.

Vivienne hardly had any impression of her.

by surprise. The entire class looked at her with doubtful eyes, questioning

basket and dribbled it all the way to the three–point line. She jumped up, took a shot,

a stir among the students of

okay?” Anna

having noticed that Anna’s basketball skills

he glared at the boys of Class Eighteen. “Are you

Class

Vivienne said with

1/3

09:50

103

to look at her in

are you sure you can handle it?” Oberon looked at her skeptically, the same doubt he had for

spun it on her finger, cocking her

Oberon saw a glint of challenge in her

meant.” He quickly waved his hands, not

Vivienne, what position will you play?”

Vivienne suggested

but they did need to have excellent control

didn’t voice their

even if she

the positions. Percival was the small forward, Logan was the power forward, Oberon was the center, Anna

team.

walked onto the court with his four–man team and saw the lineup

a bunch of wimps?” Tristan couldn’t help but scoff. “You even have

so she can definitely represent us.” Logan retorted defiantly. “We just thought it would be too

talking tough.” Tristan sneered, then turned to his own team. “If you guys lose to a team with two girls, don’t ever tell anyone you know how to

glances. Their competitive

be told, they had all seen Tristan deliberately injure Coral. They were already displeased with this new

favor.

now, after what Tristan had said, how could they lose dignity by losing to Class Eighteen? After

to be around was serving as the