I woke up and looked at my clock. It was 9:45. Time to get the day started.
I rolled out of bed, stretched, got my towel, and cloth to take my morning shower. Not sure if it would be long or short this morning. I guess I'll shower until I feel like getting out.
After the shower I threw on a shirt, shorts and some Nikes. I went downstairs and started watching SportsCenter like always.
A half hour, later my dad came down the stairs. A couple minutes later my mom came down. They both walked by into the kitchen without saying a word. That was exactly what I wanted. I did not want to talk to them. I guess they felt the same way.
After they made their breakfast and went back upstairs, it was my turn to make mine. I went to the kitchen and looked around. I ended up making an egg sandwich with a pop tart and orange juice. That is a pretty good breakfast. It would have been better if it included sausages, but my parents ate them. I did not feel like making more either.
After breakfast it was more T.V. By the time I finished the show (which was Iron Man animated series) it was already 12pm. I wonder what my parents were doing. They were probably watching T.V too. Or they were preparing for later. Either way I did not care. It was about that time for me to leave anyway.
I went back upstairs to grab my wallet. I remembered that I had ten dollars saved up over a month ago that I left under some books in my drawer. I might go to the store and get lunch with it. Then again, I could always go to Dashaun's house and raid his fridge. I'll take the money just in case he is not there.
I decided to bring my bike too. It was another day with great weather. A nice ride today would be good. I got my bike out of my closet and put my bag of water on my back. Before I left I waited a second. I wanted to see if my parents were going to stop me. They did not say anything. The house was actually quiet. Probably my mom and dad went to sleep again. I did not have time to think about it. The day was getting late. It was time to leave. When I return the house would be different.
I loved my bike. It was a 20", 25 speed BMX bike. I watched the X Games and action sports. I had a dream of being the best African American skateboarder ever. Skateboarding did not really go as planned. I was nowhere near any snow to do snowboarding for the winter X Games. BMX bike riding was the next best thing. I was able to learn a couple tricks too. That was possible because there is a skate park in town (free admission).
That was where I was headed now. I was going to go for a ride, but I decided to go to the skate park instead. I had a move that I wanted to continue working on. On the way I passed Dashaun's house. I wondered if I should stop there and see if he wanted to chill. I decided not to do it right now. I did not feel like the discussion that I knew he was going to start. I rode by his house.
It took a good hour to get to the skate park. I was sweating a good bit. It did not matter because that was how I warmed up. When I get to the skate park I couldn't usually get right into it because this part of town was… not urban I guess you can say. Surprisingly, the park was not crowded. It usually was at this time. There were only ten people at vert and no one else on the other six sections of the park. That was good for me. I did not need fifty people watching me crash and burn. I looked at the clock on my phone. It was 1:15. It was time to get started. I wanted to be done by the time other people came to the course. I took my knee pads out of my bag and went to the mini half pipe. I drank a bit of my water and got started.
I knew how to do a 360. I also knew how to do a 540 and grind. The trick I've been working on is the tail whip. Seeing it on T.V made it seem easy, but that is with everything on T.V. It was really difficult. Took me two weeks just to work up the courage to dispatch from the bike. It took another two weeks to do the actual whip. The problem now was getting back on the bike and completing the trick.
I decided to do that trick first. I built up some speed and attempted the tail whip. I did not even come close. I could not even get the bike around. It was just my first attempt. Hopefully it gets better from here.
After the first attempt I tried it about seven more times. Each attempt ended in failure. I got closer on each attempt, but the furthest I got was the whip. When this happens I stop and do the tricks I know how to do. I started with the 360. I did that ten times back-to-back. Easy. Then I did some grinds. Then it was the 540. This is basically a move you do when you perfect the 360, but not ready for the 720. At least to me it is. I did that ten times too. I fell a couple times though mainly because I did not have enough speed.
I was exhausted. I have only been here for an hour too. You have to put so much work into these tricks. You have to use your whole body in the move. I mean your whole body. The mental part is just as important. You must be focused at all times. People may think I'm crazy for doing this because I play basketball. This is actually conditioning physically and mentally.
Now it was time to attempt the tail whip again. I was tired, but no excuses. I picked up some speed again. I lifted off of the pipe, did the whip perfectly, sat on the bike and one foot on… then I landed and fell over. That was the closest I ever got to landing it. Now I know I could do it.
Time to focus. I went back to the top and stood there visualizing the trick. I was close and now it was time to put up or shut up. I rode down. I went back and forth to pick up speed and height. I lifted, tail whip, sat on my bike, and this time both feet on and… I landed it.
I was too hyped. I threw my helmet and just started yelling. Then I noticed there was a crowd around me. They started cheering. Da hell? This is not the movies. I did not care. I landed my first tail whip. I waved a little (I might as well enjoy it).
I finished the rest of my water once I got my helmet and went back to the sideline. The time was 2:45. I guess I could leave. I did everything I needed to do. Plus, the skate park was getting crowded.
I sat there for an extra minute to finish catching my breath. Then I got up and got my bike to leave for my next destination. I was about to go to main street and see if I could salvage something with this ten bucks. I was close so I guess I should go there.
When I got there I looked around a couple stores. I found a cheap general store called General Store. Well that is self-explanatory. I knew what I wanted, but I looked around anyway. I got an Arizona and two honey buns. That was my lunch and it only cost me two dollars. Seems legit.
I went outside and got my bike to leave. I guess I might ride around for a bit on Main Street and stop at a bench to eat or something. I put my items in my bag and got on the bike.
"Well, well, well. Look who it is. Raymond Randal." Someone said behind me.
"Oh no. please don't tell me…" I had a good idea of who it was. I got off my bike and turned to see who it was. My idea was fact, it was Roy Bennett.
Roy Bennett was a shooting guard for Alvin High School Sphinx. That school was actually ten minutes away from my school, Smith High School home of the Black Dragons. The odds of players meeting up with each other are pretty high. The two schools were rivals of course. Roy was 6'3 and weighed 210 (at least from the scouting report). I was 6'2 and weighed 200. Roy was my rival.
"Preparing for another season I see." he said. I guess he was talking about the food I just put in my bag.
"Shut up. We made the playoffs, idiot." I said.
"Who knocked you out in the second round?" he asked.
I did not answer. At the end of the game, Roy hit a three pointer over me giving them the 98-97 victory. I was so pissed after that game. I was pissed until the next Saturday after our game. The only reason why I cheered up Saturday was because they lost in the quarterfinals. I still wanted to beat them. That is the main reason Dashuan and I do all this work over the summer.
"That was a lucky shot. Why are you even here?" I said. Then I noticed he was with someone. Who the hell was that?! He was a giant! He had to be 6'10 at least. Please let him not tell me what I'm thinking.
Roy saw me looking at the guy next to him. He got a smile on his face. "Ah. So you noticed him. This is Alexander Pobly. He is 6''11, 235. He is our new center from Arizona. I'm out here showing him the town and stuff. Mad, bro?" he laughed.
I said nothing. I was shocked, mad, and confused, how did they even get this guy.
"So that win you were talking about. That is not going to happen." Roy said.
"Whatever." I said. I was mad. I also had to go spread the news.
"Bye Ray. Come see me in the Championship bro." I sped off and left him and his new friend alone.
I had to go tell Dashaun. It usually took me an hour to get back, but this time it took half of that. This was major news that couldn't wait. Well, actually the news could have waited. I now had a reason to go by Dashaun's house. When I arrived at his house I hopped off my bike and ran up his stairs. I kept knocking on Dashaun's door.
"What?! What?!" Dashaun said when he finally answered the door.
"Bro! I got… I got…" I was out of breath and I couldn't really talk that well. There was really no need for me to ride that fast to his house. I mean the news could have waited. "I got some big news!"
"Slow down before you die. Come in and get some water."
I did. I got three glasses of water and then I opened up my Arizona and one of my honey buns. I offered Dashaun one and he took it.
"So what is the news, bro?" he asked as he was chewing some of the honey bun.
"You're not going to like this." I finished my honey bun in like 2 bites. I took a gulp of my Arizona. I must have been really hungry and thirsty. I looked at the clock on the wall. It was 3:30. Yea I was hungry. I have not eaten since I left the house. Not to mention the vigorous activities I've been doing.
"Is this about…"
The Sphinx got a new player!" I cut him off likely knowing what he was going to ask about.
"That's it? So, they always get new players. It's called JV moving up to Varsity. Guess what? We do the same thing" he said.
"Oh we do? I guess we are getting a 6'11 center as well, huh?"
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"I was coming out of the store and saw douchebag Roy. He was with this tall dude. Roy told me he was 6'11 and from Arizona and will be their junior center".
"No, no, no! This is not good." he said. He was really pissed. I did not expect him to be this mad about it. He hated that 2nd round lost to Alvin though. He did not touch a ball for a month. Now with this news he knew it was just another obstacle.
"This sucks man." He continued. And he is a junior. That means we got to see him for this year and next. Who is our tallest guy? Dameek? He is only 6'5. Damn!"
"Calm down bro. we do what we've been doing, practice." I was trying to cheer him up. It was working a little.
"Size is important in basketball. They got it."
"When you're tall your speed diminishes. We got the fastest team on the court."
"True, but they could dominate the post when the game slows down."
"That still does not mean if he is any good. Size does not mean skill." I could see Dashaun was thinking about what I said. The stuff I was saying was not just for him, but for my psyche as well. I had to believe we could win too. The things I was saying were not half bad either.
"You right Ray. He is probably a joke. We are the fastest team in Section 5. Plus, we are the best duo in high school basketball."
"Don't you forget it, bro." Seems he was back to his old self. That was pretty easy.
I was still hungry though. That honey bun was not enough. "Now that we are all motivated, can I have some food?" I asked.
"Sure. Just clean up after yourself."
"Thanks." I went to the kitchen and got a hot pocket. I tossed it in the microwave for two minutes.
"Do you want to stay awhile and play some video games?" Dashaun asked.
"Sure." I said. I minus well. It was only like four o'clock.
Dashaun went to the stairs and yelled up. "Mom! Can Ray stay over here for a little while?"
"Sure, but just until eight." His mom said.
"I had no idea your mom was home." I said.
"Yea. She does not work on Sundays." he said.
I thought his mom always worked. I know his dad does. Right now his dad is away on a trip to Canada. Dashaun said his job wanted him to sell some new item. He was not going to be back until September. He does have great income though. He also doesn't care that his parents are away all the time. I also keep him company like every day.
"Ok bro, set it up" I said. "I'll be up in a second."
"Cool. We are playing NCAA 12." He said.
"That works for me". I said. Dashaun went upstairs. I got my hot pocket and some more water then followed him up. Time for four more hours of fun until I had to go home.
Three hours pasted so fast. We were having a great time. We played three NCAA games. I won all of them. Like always he put in Fight Night so he could redeem himself. He did by winning every bout we played. Now we were playing 2k12. Throughout the time we were laughing and yelling (stopped many times by his mother). We were just two friends having fun. I did not have a care in the world.
We finished up the game in which Dashaun won by two. After that we just sat there. Then he brought up the topic. I knew he was dying to talk about it.
"So Ray, how is the plan going?" he asked.
"What plan?" of course I knew what plan.
"You know what plan." Dashaun said.
"No I don't, bro." Yes I do.
"C'mon on, bro. You know what I am talking about."
"I really don't know." I do know.
He just looked at me. I guess he was not playing the game any more.
"Why do you have to bring this up? All I wanted was some time spent not thinking about it. It was going perfectly."
"When you go home she is going to be there. You know that right? You have to know…"
"What to say to her. I don't care right now. I'll worry about that when I get back there. So can we just forget about it?"
"But…" he started.
"C'mon bro. Not now." I said.
He was quiet for a good minute. I was a little frustrated. I did a good job leaving it out of my head for most of the day. Leave it to Dashaun to bring it up. Then he asked something else.
"I just thought of something. You said she was from Tokyo?"
"Yea, so?" I said. I'll talk to him. He obviously can't stop thinking about it. I'll talk to him again about it, but it will probably be the same conversation we've been having.
"That is even more of a reason she will make the perfect girlfriend for you!" There go that perverted smile again.
"What are you talking about now?" I asked annoyed.
"You like all that Hentai stuff, right?"
"It is anime you perverted idiot."
"Whatever. She is from Tokyo. You two already have something in common".
Okay I admit he brought up a good point. I do like the Japanese culture. Not really the culture, but the art, music, and especially anime. Anime was the greatest. I was a huge Naruto and Bleach fan. I always liked ongoing anime, but nearly all is good. I keep this to myself though. Dashaun and my parents are the only people who know I like this stuff. People love to judge you when you do things different or like something different. I did not need the hassle.
Dashaun brought up a point I never thought about. I don't know why. It was probably because I was pissed at my parents for doing this in the first place. She could possibly like the same stuff I like actually. Now that I really think about it…
"You don't know if she like that stuff." I told him.
"She is from Tokyo bro…c'mon.."
"That's a stereotype. That's like saying we like chicken because we are black."
"We do like chicken. And you are half black." He said. He had a point. There was a high probability she liked anime. I was not going to admit that to him.
"You are forced to do this now." he said.
"I am not forced to do anything." I said. I looked at the time. It was 7:55. Time to get out of here. "Bro, I got to go."
"Ray, you have your own anime doll in your house. Do not screw this up!" Dashaun said.
"What goes through that twisted, sexual, teen mind of yours?"
"A lot. You don't want to know." he laughed.
"I don't. Peace."
"Good luck."
"I don't need luck."
"You are right. You might need a condom soon." He smiled.
I looked at him. Then I turned around and left his room. I said bye to his mom and proceeded to leave. I left Dashaun in his room laughing. He was a pervert. Sometimes I wonder why we are best friends. We think completely differently than sports. He gets a little crazy with his 'thoughts' at times. But That's my bro always.
The walk home was a slow one. Did not feel like riding my bike. I needed to milk the time for as long as I could. I was thinking of everything again. Everything from the past three days. Thinking about all the things Dashaun told me. Maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe I could make this work. Then I thought of my parents. My parents and all the stuff they've done to me over the years. Even if I was easing up on the whole situation, I was not going to give my parents the benefit to say 'oh this was a good idea'. I am stubborn. I must show them that you can't do things with my life without my opinion. Maybe if I showed if I hate this and her then maybe they would stop doing these stupid things. That was the plan I had. It was good…in my head at least.
With all this thinking I did not notice I was at the house. The time was 8:20.
"Well, this is the moment of truth." I took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Ray! You are finally home." My mom said.
They were in the living room. That's where I went. I left my bike by the stairs.
"Ray, we want you to meet Jessica Kim." my dad said. They did not waste any damn time did they.
I looked at her. Then I said…
"Hi." That was that. I turned around, grabbed my bike and headed upstairs to my room.
"Hey! Don't you have anything else to say, Ray?!" my dad yelled after me. I kept walking. I did not turn around or respond.
"Ray wai…" my mom started, but stopped.
I think I heard the girl say something. It was a whisper. It sounded like '…nervous…' I don't know, but my parents said nothing else. I went in my room and closed the door. I threw my bike in my closet then I let out a huge sigh of relief. Why the sigh? Well the reason was…
She was beautiful! She had to be the prettiest girl I have ever seen. I saw her face for only ten seconds and I knew she was beautiful.
First her face. She had the perfect complexion. Flawless skin. Her eyes were black, but so cute when I looked in them. Her nose was the perfect size. Her hair was a short cut just above her neck and was black. It was smooth as well. Her lips were small, but had a perk to it.
The next 5 to 10 seconds I looked at her body and the rest of her frame. That was all I needed. Her stomach was flat, but her chest came out a bit. It was not big or small. It was just the right size for her body. Her legs were lean and beautiful. She had one of those hourglass figures. That meant her hips curved out a bit, but I did not see her butt yet. Probably not big or small though. Probably fit to her body type. In total she was about 5'8 or 5'9. She had to work out a little. No way could she have that good of a body if she didn't. And if she didn't…damn.
How did I know all of this? I saw all of this while I was saying hi. I was able to check out her outfit as well. She was wearing a red crop top that shaped her chest. She was wearing black mini shorts that were at the mid-point of her thighs. That allowed me to see her legs. She was wearing open toed shoes that allowed me to see that she was wearing red nail polish. I figured her fingernails were the same color.
So in like 30 seconds I saw her whole appearance. I liked what I saw. No. I loved what I saw. On a scale of 1-10 she was off it. This was at first look and she was just simply perfect. At least in looks. She passes the eye test.
Why my nonchalant, almost rude attitude? Well I couldn't let my parents know I was going to like this. I was going to like her. And if I were to say what I wanted to say it would have gotten…complicated. I did not like complications. Calling a girl beautiful with my first words at the first meeting is a little awkward. I hate awkward moments as well. So I had to fight to keep my composure. I bit my tongue a little bit. How long would I be able to keep this up? Damn! Why couldn't she be ugly or even average? It would have been way easier to do the plan.
But no! I got this Asian goddess in the house. Da hell is I going to do?! I'm going to have to fight the urge to talk to her. I have to try and avoid. The plan comes first.
I did not want to bring attention to myself so I changed to my night wear and got in the bed. I decided to take my shower that I needed in the morning. Sleeping will be difficult tonight.
Jessica Kim, who was sleeping across the hall from me, was my thoughts. She was in my life now and her image kept going through my head.
Then I started to hear Dashaun's voice in my head.' This is your chance' , 'Girlfriend', 'Don't screw it up', 'First girlfriend'.
"Shut up, Dashaun." I said to myself.
I fell asleep with these thoughts. And those thoughts turned into dreams. Dreams of Jessica Kim.