Our internal roster export appears to show a blank attachment field beside her name. An empty field in your export doesn’t mean we failed to attach it. I understand, but until we can verify what our system received, my event rules require a temporary participation hold. The team can play. Imani cannot enter until the hold is cleared.

Imani stared at the desk’s wood grain. She had imagined that if somebody filed a false claim, the director would simply see how unreasonable it was and throw it away. Instead, a single missing field had given the rumor a shape official enough to block the door to the court. “How long?” she asked. I’m having staff retrieve the original submission and receipt.

We won’t delay the scheduled tip-off indefinitely if we have the verification before or during the game, Imani could enter at the next lawful substitution. Ward’s face did not change. Please put the basis of the hold and the verification steps in writing. Of course. May I ask who filed the objection?

Mariner Academy’s representative. Their coaching staff signed it. For a moment, Imani felt something almost like amusement. Mariner wasn’t even playing them in the semi-final. Brielle was afraid enough of a possible final to spend the afternoon trying to keep a girl off the court before it happened.

The thought did not comfort her. Fear could make a person dangerous even when it made that person look ridiculous. Outside the office, Zora waited beside a vending machine with the other players. Ward gave them the facts without assigning motives that had not been proven. The school paperwork was being verified.

Imani would sit until cleared. The team would begin with Mina running point. There was no suggestion of withdrawing, protesting the game, or asking the other team to wait. Mina’s face went pale. She was a sophomore with quick feet and a habit of checking whether she had heard instructions correctly.

“Coach, I’m not ready to start a semi-final.” “Yes, you are.” Ward said. “You know our sets. You don’t have to imitate Imani.

You have to run the ball to the right place.” Imani saw Mina’s hands tremble around her water bottle. The easiest thing in the world would have been to promise that the official would change her mind in 5 minutes. Instead, she put one hand on Mina’s shoulder. “I’ll be right behind the bench.” she said.