It was March 19. Also the day of the 3rd Quarter Report Card Giving.
"Rank 1/173, please let me call Jewel Avery Smith."
Applaudes are waiting for her as she come up the stage to get her academic certificate.
"Rank 2/173, Linda Williamson."
There are 173 High Schoolers in our school that is in their Junior year.
"Rank 3/173, Cassandra Hills"
Among the 173 juniors I am....
"Rank 4/173, Arthur Nexus"
Rank 4. I am ranked 4th among the juniors.
The teachers finds it impressive because I'm the only boy within the top 10 of the academic sector in our school. Even though the teachers finds it impressive, the other students call me "Nerd". It's because I am focusing in my self, especially in studies. I am the ultimate introvert in our school. No one talks to me and I don't talk to them. All I want is just to finish my education here in West High. I often read books during free time. Actually? No. I read books all the time. Even though I can hear and get discriminations and insults, I still continued my passion.
"Ok goodmorning class. We'll be having a physical assessment through sports. So please change to your gym clothes and gather in the gymnasium with the other sections thankyou."
There are 4 sections in our junior year. However, there are no class rankings. Our school wants to maintain the leadership balance. We gathered up in the gym and saw other juniors shooting around, running, and jumping.
"Ok so... For your section's first assessment please line up here to measure your height and weight."
Later on I got measured and proceed with the next test.
"So we'll be playing 5v5 basketball where you'll play against the other sections. All of you must play. You have 20 mins. 10 mins for first amd second half. So Class A and C please assign your first five."
I was hoping not to play. I just want to watch and observe them.
"5 mins left! Who's not playing yet?"
"Sir... Him..."
"Oh Mr. Arthur."
"Yes sir?"
"Go in and play."
"Bu-"
"Enough. If your class wins I'll reward your class additional points for your recor-"
"Deal."
I don't want to do this. But in order to surpass Jewel... I need to win. The whistle blows and the 5 min clock starts ticking once again. Our class is down by 11 and it's the other class' possession. So in order to win I actually broke our defense.
"H-Hey Arthur!Stay here!"
I stole the ball however our opponents caught up immediately and already have a set up defense. I waited for my teammates to get into their position, but... I will not pass them the ball... Why?? Cause they are just a bunch of trashes. I used fake shot hesi and my defender got instantly fooled by it. He jumped so it gave me the space to drive to the painted area. Their help defense as well as their defense core pressured me while I was in the painted area. I ignored it and used my body's force to hop step to the key. The opponents lost their balance that made me jump and scored.
"What the hell just happened?"
I've been hiding in my comfort zone lately. Hiding behind this long hair and old glasses.
Hiding in my darkness just to focus in my education. Just to make my parents proud.
A students that was in shock said
"I didn't know he could play."
"His movements earlier already met the conditions of the basketball team."
"Sir Lee, what do you mean?"
"He left his position in the zone to pressure the ball handler of section A. When Karl felt the pressure, Arthur knew it was the time to steal it, since he's not in focus. But since the opposing side already predicted what will happen, they hustled to the other courtside. When Arthur saw their defensive set up he waited for his teammates."
"Sir it's true that he waited for them. However he still didn't set the play."
"No. He waited for his teammates so their opponents will be distracted."
"Ah! I get it! Distracted! You meann..."
"Yes. That time he already have choices of passing. Their opponents is not only focused to the ball handler but as well as his teammates. When Arthur saw and observed that, he used the hesi and forced his way in the key. That was a really high IQ play."
"HEY!! THE SCOREE IS TIED!"
"Ohh!!!"
"Didn't know that nerds could play."
In the final minute of the game and secure our win.
"Excuse me do you have something there to tie my hair..?"
"O- oh! H- here you go!"
I threw my old glasses and tied my long hair that has been covering my face. I know this will make some changes but, this is for me to claim the top spot!. I returned in the court to go wild.
"Didn't know he was that handsome..."
The score is 33-33 our possession. I have the ball and called for a screen. Off the screen, I jumped and calculated the exact point of trajectory.
"9.8m/s²."
However, the opponent's big man caught up mid air so I looked for the opportunity to pass. Since it's off the screen it'll be obvious if I pass it to the screener. I saw my classmates cutting towards the baseline. I drafted my pass to him.
"OH!! WHAT A NICE PLAY!!"
35-33 In favor of our class.
I went really wild just to win the game to get my additional points and still aimed for the ranked 1. The game ended 48-37. Our class won.
"Arthur."
"Yes sir how can I help you?"
"By any chance do you want to join the basketball team?"