Being The Player's Neighbour

Chapter 3 - Moment Of Weakness

"Well, well, well. You've got a pretty good jump shot....for a girl."

By now I'd taken at least twenty shots and missed only a couple. I ignored Aaron's comment and instead asked, "Who's gonna keep the score and time? I don't trust you to play an honest, fair game at all."

"Oh sweetheart, trust me. There'll be more than enough people to keep score, and I don't need to play unfair to beat you. I could do that in my sleep."

"Um...people as in..plural?"

The smirk on his face caused my anxiety to multiply exponentially.

He nodded towards the door as it opened and a steady stream of people flowed in. I recognised some faces and came to the conclusion that all of them were students at my school who had come to watch the great Aaron Miller play.
And also probably to see the girl who was stupid enough to go up against him in a death match.

"And we have all gathered here on this auspicious occasion –"

"Cut the crap, Miles! Waddup, everybody? I'm Sam, commentator extraordinaire — cause where's the fun without that — alongside Miles for this weird one-on-one game. Let the match begin! We've got my man Aaron Miller against...uhm...Avery Gradson...?" He said the last part way too uncertainly, making my name sound like a question. It didn't take a genius to figure out he'd never heard of me before.
But I didn't have time to ponder over it too much; I needed to focus completely on this goddamn game.

I checked my shoe laces to make sure they weren't going to come undone. It would be unbearably embarrassing if I tripped over my own feet.
We both stepped on court and he chose to play defence first so I went for the offence.

I started dribbling and tried to get past him so I could shoot. No matter what I did, he seemed to always be a step ahead, blocking all my moves. Eventually when I did shoot, the ball didn't make it too far because Aaron caught it mid-air. He didn't even have to jump too high! All he did was reach up on his toes.
In a matter of seconds, he had jogged to the opposite end and scored a basket. The realisation hit me hard— if I wanted to win this match, my only options were to dribble low so Aaron couldn't get to the ball and run as if my life depended on it...cause my reputation sure did.

~*~

"Last ten seconds in the game...score is Aaron 22 to Avery's 20. Hate to say this, Miles, but this chick sure knows what she's doing."

The whole gym was filled with cheers for Aaron. Jeez, I would never hear the end of it if I lost in front of the entire school!

As this thought registered in my head, I put on a burst of speed and approached the three-point line. If I took a chance and it paid off, I'd win.
Just as the buzzer signalled the end of the match, I released the ball and watched it make a graceful arc towards the hoop.

My heart felt like it had moved from within my chest to somewhere up in my throat...and was also somehow beating the loudest inside my ears..?

No way.

I heard the swish of the net, and the complete and utter silence of the crowd...
Right before everything erupted in absolute chaos.

Holy Camolli.
Did I just make that basket..?
I couldn't believe it.

Clearly, neither could the gymful of people who had broken out into cheering that so loud I suspected it was past legally permissible decibel levels.

I had defeated Aaron Miller. Pompous, self-obsessed, obnoxious Aaron Miller.
And damn, his expression was priceless.

~*~

When I walked out of the changing room, he was standing right outside, casually leaning against the wall. He didn't look anything like a guy who'd just lost a basketball match that he'd been so cocky about winning.