"Miller, pass it to me." Jensen says. I dribble the ball running to him, 11 is fast but not fast enough, he tried stealing the ball from me but I quickly turn around him and passed it to Jensen.
The town's court is suprisingly pack tonight. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins. Sweats hangs around the court. Everything seems to fade. I run towards the ring, Brodi spotted me and wink. I knew all that wink. I nods, and went below just the ring. He passes it to me without sweat, then I jump in the air catching the ball directly to the ring.
Everyone raise and cheers. I pull the collar of my jersey and wipes the sweat on my nose. I run back to the other side of the court. Pass break. My eyes quickly darts to the score board. 82-71. I smile. We are going to win this.
I wonder where Ollie and the others are standing. No one seems really sitting since the game started unless it's a time out.
I stand near our coach, hands on my knees, sweating and heaving profusely. There was a technical foul. Waiting for a decision. It seems we get a free throws.
"Careful Miller, 11 likes to stick to you." Coach says. I throw him a quick glance and nod. The referee blew his wistle. The game starts again.
The game wasn't even close. 109-88. We win. Everything is perfect. "Good job, Miller." Coach says hitting my back. I laugh. The team is laughing. Everyone is beyond static. The crowd is cheering nonstop. I scatter my eyes and spotted them. Ollie brought his dad. I run towards them.
"You're a great player." his dad says. I smile widely and thanked him.
"I'm glad you came." I say.
"I couldn't miss your first game now, could I?" he says, his eyes full of admiration. I feel smarter than him tonight or at least inside the court.
Hailey gave me a high five. "Nice one Raffy." Alex says. I see he brought Levi. I nods at them.
"See you guys later." I run back towards the center for the call out of the MVP.
As expected I got the MVP of the game. My smile spreading widely on my face. The local news asks a few questions.
"First of all, I would like to congratulate you and your team for winning tonight." she says.
"Thank you." I say to the mic she's holding.
"So everyone is talking you've been picked out to play in the international basketball team." what she meant is the Junior League team that represents the country to compete around the globe.
"How is that affecting you?" she say smiling like we knew each other. I quickly glance at my surrounding, all eyes on me and on the huge screen above us.
"Pressure is there. But this is basketball, as expected. Me and the team is working hard almost everyday for this season. So I think this isn't much affecting me. And about the Junior league, I think, yeah." I say in between and continue. "I feel excited about it. But for now we have to win until the last draft for the finals." I smile at the camera.
"Thanks for the short interview. Again, congratulations and goodluck." she says.
● ● ●
The rain have totally stopped today. But the weather is still gloomy. The moist air hangs around the town; I can even feel it inside the house.
I'm sprawling in the living room shuffling through channels when the door bell rings. Connie groans on my lap. "Be back real quick m'lady." she giggles adorably.
"Hey, can I come in?" Ollie is in my front door. I wasn't expecting him tonight but I'm glad he came.
"Ollieee!" Connie runs to him and pull him towards the living room. I scratch the back of my neck and smiles at him.
"What are you guys watching?" he asks, eyes on the screen.
"We're still looking for channel to watch." I say.
"What brought you here tonight?" I ask smiling. I couldn't stop smiling everytime he's around.
"Sorry I didn't tell you beforehand." he says blushing.
"No need to apologize. We're glad you came, right, Con Con?" I glance at my little sister.
"Yeah. Let's watch a movie." she says.
"Sure."
"Sure." he says at the same time.
We look at each other and sits beside the little one.
"What would you guys like to watch?" I ask them.
"The Morgans." Connies says. I look at Ollie for a confirmation and he nods.
Alex walks in with a bowls of popcorns in her hands. She gave the other bowl and plops down on the couch. "What are we watching?" she asks.
"The Morgans." we three says at the same time and laugh out loud.
The night is perfect. I smile, again. Math can suck my dick.
● ● ●
An hour and half later after the credits rolling in, and by that time Connie is already snooring on Ollie's lap.
"Let me put her on the bed. Be right back."
"Good night princess." I say giving her a kiss on the forehead. She shuffles and hugs her teddybear tightly. I pull the cover and go back to Ollie.
"Let me drive you back."
"No it's fi..-"
"None sense." I say grabbing my keys.
We go to my car and I turn the radio on. A christmas song can be heard from the speaker. It's almost December now. The rain is quickly changing into snow flakes. Cold seems getting harsher and the rain is persistent.
"You hungry?" I ask waiting for the car to warm up.
"Not really, popcorns seems to satisfied my tummy." he says, his hand caressing it.
"There's an open café nearby. If you want we can drive there in a bit." I say hoping he agree with me.
"Sure. Drive away."
"Aye, c'ptain." I say, he giggles. I like the sound of it more and more these passing weeks.
The café is cozy especially this time around the year. Light bulb flickers outside the café. Moisture hangs on the glass pannel of the shop. We enter the shop, bell rings, signalling the attendant.
We ordered a hot cappucínno and a two slices of pizza. We chose to sit down in the corner of the café, across from each other on the table.
"Thanks. You didn't have to buy for my food." he says.
"No worries. You can buy for me next time." a smile tug on my lips.
"So, international?" he says.
I look up and meet his gaze. A bubble of clouds appears as we breath simultaneously.
"Yeah. It's months from now. I'm really looking forward to it and not at the same time, I don't know, there's really nothing in between." I say blowing the hot coffee and taking a small sips.
I mean, the Junior League has always been my dream since then. My future is upon my reach. Few more sleeps and balls dribbling.
I drive him home after spending about more than 20 minutes in the café.
"See you tomorrow."
"See yah."
I look back in the mirror of my car then I drive away.
Took a quick shower and walk straight to my room. The bed squeaks against the floor. Sleep takes over me in a matter of seconds.
Dreams visited afterwards.