foul. Nervously, I took the bumpy, leather ball in my shaky hands and awkwardly passed it to the referee who impatiently held out his hands for it. I rubbed her red arms hoping it would dissipate the stinging that evolved as a result of the foul. Looking up, I saw the ref. pointing me to the free throw line, the ball hooked under his right arm.

Oh, no, I thought anxiously as my face grew hot with worry. How did I get myself into this situation"! I've never thrown a foul shot before! How am I going to do it now? I struggled to swallow my worry away but it only deepened.

Cautiously, I made my way up to the free throw line. People were watching me, I knew. How could they not...