1st quarter
You are fresh on the team. Its your first time on the court after warming the bench for what seemed like eternity, so you are full of zeal. You will do anything to impress the coach, since to you, he’s God.
You end up doing more than you really should. You play with too much emotion. You let your passion for the game and for your wonderful coach show too soon.
He knows he’s got a loyal player. One he can count on.
2nd Quarter
You are still enjoying the game. And the coach’s attention. He’s showering you with it. Simply because for him, you’re the newest kid and your zeal is more than a little amusing.
His enthusiasm and attentions egg you on. You do even more to show him how much you love and appreciate the game. You’re insatiable.
You start doing him little favors, like fetching his coffee before he asks, and you get it just right. You even surprise him with lunch once in a while!
Your little post- it notes say “thank you” for the opportunity to play in this great team.
You’re in heaven.
He realizes he’s got a worshipper. One he can bench at any time at all, with no reason at all and you wouldn’t complain.
3rd Quarter
He’s getting bored
You’re fascinated by him and everything about him. You see brilliance in every little tip he gives at practice. Only you laugh at his jokes.
You squeal when anyone says anything against him. He rewards you with more time on the court. You’re not playing a full game though because as he says; ‘You’re just not ready yet’. You agree and work even harder.
You call him at home and send him text messages. He picks up your calls and texts back but never calls or texts first.
He realizes now that he’s got a tick! One that will not go away unless its forcibly pulled out.
4th Quarter
He only picks up a quarter of your phone calls. When you text, he doesn’t text back. your smiley faces are starting to really piss him the fuck off!
You visit him at home. He doesn’t ask you in.
Your conversations are getting shorter and losing intensity. you rarely talk about the game or how much you both love it, anymore. More importantly, you rarely play together anymore.
You complain about the lack of special attention. You accuse him of favoritism because he’s letting the newest kid play more time than you. He says you’ve grown into a prima donna without the work and chucks you out of the team.
Your world crumbles.
You don’t know what it is you did wrong.
You are devastated, but helpless and most importantly, clueless.
You start hunting for another team and your criteria is to find a coach with totally different characteristics from your previous one. A coach who will appreciate your “talents” and affections.
Your previous coach had “issues”.
Hopefully the next one wont.
Eventually you DO find another team to play for. The coach seems nice. He pledges his unconditional loyalty to his star player; YOU.
And the cycle starts again…
Trail of Ash 