"G-go away!" Panic started to consume my insides. I feel my stomach stirring everything as if I'm in a game and I have the ball at the buzzer-beater.
"Ah!" He repeated that weird sound again, and when I was about to scream, another voice came from behind me.
"Damn it, Arthur. You're scaring him!"
I turned my head to the back and saw another man, possibly younger than my dad but obviously much jollier, with his wide grin and all that. He had a light brown uniform and badge similar to Theodore, but he seemed more ordinary.
"Who's this now?" I mumbled.
Weirdly enough, he cackled as if I said something so amusing. "Officer Frederick, but just call me Fred. I'm not much older than you." He paused, hinging his lips as if waiting for a cue.
What he said just flew by my head since he's obviously in his 30s or something. In what universe is that close to an 18-year-old?
Prick.
"Aight! I was just kidding!" He chuckled once more and extended his hand to help me up. I glared at him. I don't know why, but everything about this creep screams danger. I don't trust him, especially with his stupid hat. So, I pillared my palm to the ground and shakily stood up on my own.
I turned my back against Fredprick and was startled by the homeless man again. "Ahh!" I initially screamed and worded, "Get the hell out of my way, man."
"Oh, hey! I heard they need more hands here, but if not… Don't hesitate to call me next time, okay?" Fred yelled behind me. "Arthur, you shouldn't have scared him. Look, now he thinks I'm weird too."
I came back inside in the hopes of isolating myself, but looking through the door, the sight of everyone scrambling around to help me settle in greeted me. I don't know if I should be thankful or if I should just yell and tell them to fuck off so I can shut them all away. Either way, it seems like they're enjoying deciding for themselves.
I was about to step inside the room when Evelyn grabbed my arm and pulled me to the table, where I saw some food sitting there. None of the dishes nestled on the porcelain plates were familiar to me, but everything seemed appetizing enough.
"Where did this come from?" I asked in surprise.
"Silly you. Of course, we brought it! Sit down and eat here first while we tidy up around, okay?" Evelyn said, which completely caught me off guard. Is this for real?
Wait… what if there's poison here, though? What if they're trying to kill me? And that's why they are being so nice. I mean, who knows if they are just acting like they're cleaning and shit, but they're actually watching my every movement?!
No! I can't let this happen!
"N—no!" I answered, and the rustling everyone made immediately came to a stop. All of them looked at me with curious gazes. It honestly scares me, but I have to toughen up!
"I don't want your food! And I don't want you in my house, so… everyone, get the hell out!"
…
Wherever I got the strength to yell that, I'm not aware. But that's not what's important. I have bigger problems tomorrow. Thankfully, everyone left me alone without a fuss, which is fairly sketchy to me. I told them to grab the food they gave me, and they really did. Disappointing, but fine. It's not like I'd eat that, and... "It's not like I'm hungry or anything," I mumbled with extended lips, and eventually, my stomach grumbled.
Ugh, who am I kidding?
I sat in the corner of the mattress. I didn't have a bed frame yet, so I could only lay the cushion down on the floor. It made me feel small, what with all the things elevated except me. I rested my back on the wall and looked up at the window, which perfectly framed the moon.
Its glow reflects on the windowsill, the stars reaching for a wish. I sighed and looked at my hand that was still fumbling for my broken phone. I shouldn't have thrown it earlier out of spite. Now, I can't contact any of my friends. Maybe I can get it fixed? But since I don't have a car, I guess it would also be hard to do that?
Eventually, I decided to lay on my back and watch the ceiling. This day has been a complete bust. This is officially the worst day of my life. Yes, it's even worse than what happened 2 months ago.
…
Ear-piercing screams, the sound of joyous drums, the constant squeak of my basketball shoes, all of it disappeared the moment I held the spinning ball. All eyes were on me, and I knew I couldn't let this shot go to waste.
"Astley—give it to me!" The center yelled from upfront. I was next to the ring with 2 guys guarding me, but that's no reason for me to pass the ball.
I smirked. Like hell I'd allow someone else to steal my thunder?
"Astley! Give it to Marco!" Screamed my coach, who paced back and forth near the bench. If he would just shut up and let capable people do the shit, then maybe he'd still have a wife.
"Let's go, Addersfield! Let's go! Let's go, Addersfield! Let's go!" Bugged the cheering squad accompanied by trumpets.
Seven seconds, and we're just a point shy away from winning this conference.
Nationals, here I come! I crossed over the guy on the left, and he landed on the floor. With that opening, I circled through his front, stepping over him as I dribbled past the right guy. He's about to grab it, but Joaquin Astley is quicker.
I passed through the side and claimed the ball once more. I brought it next to the line and three seconds before the timer's up, I made it outside. I peeked into the crowd and winked at an older woman.
No, she's not my type. I just know that she's scouting for the NBA Draft.
Before I could witness her shock, however, I was already up in the air, arms extended and all. With force comparable to a beast, I yanked the ball aiming for the ring. Slowly, I descended, and slowly, it traveled up the air.
The buzzer sounded; the time was up and the ball just hit the ring. It bounced up and down, but eventually, it stopped, raced on the edge, and fell inside, screams gliding the moment it hit the wooden ground.
89 to 91, and guess what? 27 points came from this guy right here.
"And the champion for the State High School League is... Addersfield Tigers!" Roared the announcer. Eventually, I was swept off my feet by my team and thrown up in the air, showering with strobing lights and millions of blue confetti.
I threw my hands up in the air and waved to the crowd, which obviously came for all of us here. I threw flying kisses, fist bumps, and even my jersey jacket, to everyone cheering around.
This is the best day of my life!
"Good job, Astley!" Coach Malone greeted me when I walked up to him.
I snided, "See? And you wanted me to pass the ball to Marco. I'm telling you, coach. Just let me do my thing, and we'll win every single game."
"I see…" He replied, and I shrugged. "She seemed impressed. I think she'll contact me sooner or later to ask for you."
I chuckled as I chugged my water bottle. We both looked at the woman who held this recording thingy. Indeed, see you soon, Lebron! In a few years, I'll be playing for Cleveland Cavaliers. I hope you don't leave that team for Miami.
"Joaquin, let's go!" Samuel yielded. "Coach, we're going now! See you tomorrow!"
I nodded and fixed my shoes before following Samuel and the others.
"Hey, don't get too drunk! We have practice tomorrow!" Coach Malone yelled.
"I can't promise!" I answered.
"I'm not kidding. I'll pull you out of the first five, really!"
I laughed and ran backward with my hands extended. "I'm the captain and the MVP. You can't do that!"
...
First, I stopped by the locker room, where I saw Samuel and Jake, two of my closest friends. We're on the same team. Samuel's a point guard, and Jake's… well, Jake sucks a bit, but he's learning. He's the small forward.
The three of us have known each other since middle school, and we attend here, at Addersfield High. As we exited the locker in our pimped-up clothes, everyone we passed by gave us their congratulatory acknowledgment.
"Nice game, Joaquin!"
"Good job with the passing, Sam!"
"Why did you slip in the most crucial part of the 2nd quarter, Jake?!"
The three of us would gladly express gratefulness for their support, but we ignored most of them. That's the secret to being popular, ignoring the lame ones, and recognizing those worthy enough of your attention.
We reached the parking lot, other kids surrounding us since everyone was on their way home after that perilous game.