Chapter 14
Fall came in fast and left just as quick. Though it went fast, it seemed to drag as well. Nothing new happened in school. Teachers gave out homework, tests, and quizzes. Same lunch was served like always, and of course there were occasional fights. There were no major events in school. Football team won the section and lost in the second round of States. Managed to go to all of those games with Jessica and Dashaun. Other than that school was the same all around like every other year.
As for me, I did my routine. I got up, went to school, went home, did homework, ate, watch TV, took a shower, went to bed. I did this everyday for the past four or five months. Well, everyday on the weekdays. On most of the weekends, usually Saturday, Dashaun and I played basketball. When it got cold there was a YMCA in town that kids went to. Sometimes we went to the movies or something. If we didn't do anything it was usually because Dashaun took Jessica somewhere. He took her to the movies, park, sometimes out for lunch. In school he asked out other girls as well. It was all part of his master plan to get Jessica to like him by making it seem he just wanted to be friends with her. From the stories of Jessica and Dashaun it sounded like their "dates" went well. It did not bother me they hung out together. They were friends.
Jessica and I also bonded much more. We went to every home game together. Soon she loosened up and started to cheer and get into the games. We also studied and watched anime together. Sometimes we just sat in the living room all day and watched movies. We were having a great time together. My parents noticed as well. I guess they were happy with themselves by bringing us together. I'm still mad they did it, but this time it worked out.
The only thing that confused me is our relationship. I know we are friends, but does she think we are more? The whole plan was to wait and see what happens. Sure we've been having fun together, but friends do that. The only reason why I'm confused about this is probably because of the situation we're in. If we were two people who met at school we might be dating. This is not the case, we live together. Would it be weird to date a girl living in the same house as me? Does she even want to date? I got to remember she is only here for a year. She already rejected a couple of guys (when I say guys I mean George, Ricardo, and Adam). Adam tried multiple times until he decided that she was not going to go out with him. Like I said, I don't need to look out for her.
Another complication in my life reappeared as well. Jessica and Jocelyn became friends. Best friends actually. Jocelyn comes over sometimes to do homework or just hang out with Jessica. I've tried to get Jocelyn in my house for two years. Now I can't get her to leave. Sometimes I hang out with them. When I do that, Jessica usually makes one attempt to get us alone by going off somewhere. She is still under the impression I like her for some reason. Truth is I started not too, but now that I'm seeing her more frequently it is getting difficult to not feel something towards her. She is also a great girl. I would not have liked her for two years if she wasn't.
Those were the problems I faced in Fall. Now it was November. Winter. This was my season. Not for the weather, I hate the cold, but because of basketball. It was time to show the result of my training.
"All right, boys line up." said coach Jackson.
It was November 30. Beginning of winter and it was time for tryouts. Tryouts were two days after Thanksgiving. Coach Jackson usually do this to see if someone was stupid enough to fatten up before the season. I never eat that much So I'm always fine. A lot of guys knew it was tryouts two days later so they don't eat that much either, but it is always a couple who do.
"Alright. This is a tryout." continued Coach. "That means no spot is guaranteed. You all are here to work. Earn your spot. First drill is three man weave. Go." Then he blew the whistle.
Coach Felix Jackson knows what he's doing. He is a very experienced coach who won two State titles. He knows talent and those who work. I always trust the people he picks up. He is also a reasonable coach. If you work he won't have any problems, but if you don't…well, it sucks.
"If you don't know this drill you are going to have a hard time making this team." said coach Jackson, He also tells it how it is.
This drill was easy enough. My line, along with me, was Dameek and some newbie. When we went, I went fast. I wanted to see what he got. I passed the ball to the new guy. He threw it out to Dameek, I rapped around and Dameek passed it to me. I could have done a lay-up, but I wanted to put the pressure on the new guy. I went to the hoop, but before I went up I passed it back to the guy. He reacted to it quickly and was able to do a good lay-up. I was impressed. People usually give up on it. I gave him a dap and told him good job. He smiled and said thanks. Tryouts are not over though.
There was a little lie in what he told us. Spots were already chosen for the team. It always is. Me, Dameek, Dashaun, Adam, George, and Ricardo were definitely on the team. He told us that. He still wanted us to work during tryouts. The other six spots were up for grabs.
The next drill was a defensive drill. Simple, don't let the defender get to the basket. I did that perfectly. The next was five on five. We did this drill for an hour and a half. Teams cycled and changed every fifteen minutes. The point was to see the communication between players. Of course the coaches were looking at skills too.
The last drill we did was suicides right after five on five while everyone was exhausted. I hated suicides, but I am the second fastest on the team after Adam so I finish early. Well into the third suicide some of the players quit. They probably won't make the team. If you quit now you might quit on the team during the season. When we finished only twenty guys finished on the line. Fourteen others were probably going home.
"Alright, meet in the middle." said Assistant coach Mark Baxter.
Everyone jogged to the middle. I met up with Dashaun. I gave him the dap and we took a knee.
"The people who made the team will be announced tomorrow on the bulletin board outside the gym. Check it in the morning. Good Job and Good night" said Coach Jackson.
After that half the gym just let out a sigh and fell over. We did do more work than usual during tryouts. I felt good. I was a little tired, but the workout over the summer paid off. BMX riding also helps. I looked over to Dashaun, he stood up. He held out his hand to help me up.
"How was it?" he asked as he lifted me.
"It was decent. More work than usual." I said.
"Yeah. It was fun though. Season is back."
"Yessir." I said.
"You ready to go?" asked Dashaun.
"Yeah."
We began to leave. We stop to say bye to Dameek, Ricardo, and George. Adam was not there because his spot on the team was definite. He was there for the first ten minutes then left. Coach told him he did not need to be there. Adam is all about team. Cocky, but he loves his team so it is not a big deal that he did not choose to try out. After our goodbyes we left to walk home. It was already dark. I forgot it was winter now. Night walks home.
During the walk home we talked more about tryouts. Some of the funny and possible players on the team this year.
"Did you see that kid named Romeer? He's good." Dashaun said.
"Yea. He got skills. Fast in the lane." I said. "There's also a guy who's 6'5."
"Yea. Umm…Johnson! That's his name. He might be back up to Dameek."
"Most likely. Not like we got many tall people." I remember when you played center."
"Don't bring that up!"
"That kid dunked on you crazy." I laughed.
"Not my position."
"It was that day."
"I think this will be a good year though." Dashaun said
"Yea I think so." I said.
The rest of the walk we talked about basketball. It's been a while since we did that. Basketball was here and we had high hopes. Dashaun went home and I went to my house. When I walked in I came face to face with Jocelyn. I jumped back and almost hit my head.
"Hey Ray." she said.
"Hi Jocelyn. Did not expect to see you here." I said.
"Oh yeah. Jessica and I were studying math. Or she was teaching me." she laughed. "How was basketball?"
"It was good. I'm a little tired."
"I could see. You're also sweaty."
"Yeah. Where's Jessica?"
"She is getting a book for me to borrow. She should be down shortly."
"Oh okay."
"So. Do you guys go out or something?"
"What? No!" Where did that question come from?
"You sure? You guys are always together. Laughing and stuff."
"Well we're not. She is like a sister to me."
Why the hell I say that. She is nothing like a sister to me!.
"Oh okay."
"You want something to drink?" I asked.
"Uh. I'm fine."
"Okay I'm headed to the kitchen. Bye, Jocelyn."
"Bye, Ray."
She held her arms out for a hug. That was strange. She never did that. I was not going to be rude so I hugged her. She smelled nice. She also felt soft. I enjoyed it.
"Am I interrupting something?" I heard a voice say. We disconnected and turned around. Jessica was standing at the base of the stairs.
"Hey Jessica." I said.
"Hey. Here is the book, Jocelyn." said Jessica.
"Okay Thank you Jessica. Bye" She said.
"Bye."
"Bye, Ray"
Bye Jocelyn" I responded.
She smiled at me and left. I turned back and saw Jessica. She had the biggest smile on her face.
"Don't start, Jessica." I said. I walked past her to the kitchen.
"C'mon Ray. She likes you." Jessica said as she followed me.
"Nothing changed from last year and now."
"The way she just smiled at you confirms everything."
"She's a nice person."
"She likes you and you like her. What's the problem?"
"The problem is it is not happening."
"Why are you afraid of going out with a girl?"
"I'm not afraid. It's just not going to happen."
"You act like you are. You push away every girl that likes you. Just like…" she stopped.
"Just like what?" I asked.
"Nothing" she responded. "You should at least try. Maybe the reason why you never had a girlfriend is not the girl's fault." She left the kitchen and went up stairs.
Who is she to lecture me? I've been through this. Jocelyn doesn't like me. I've been through that part in my life and not planning to go back. Why is she so concerned about my life anyway.
That was the first time she hugged me though. Usually I'm the one just talking and talking to her. This time she actually was in conversation with me. That smile Jocelyn gave was beautiful. There could be a slim chance she likes me. But why now? What could have possibly changed? I really did not know.
Once again I find myself thinking. Why can't things just be more simple. I have two girls that possibly like me. Any guy would love this. Now I'm here just confused. I decided to spend my night not thinking about it for a change. The more I think the more confused I'll get and I'm too tired for that now.