Second Chances

Chapter Two- Basketball and 'The Hole'

When I finally decided to get out of my room, it was because I decided that I would pick out every piece of clothing that Anne bought for me. And I did.

I picked out every regular pair of jeans with no holes or rips, and leggings and long sleeved shirts. I had my reasons.

I made sure I didn't get too much, because even though I needed new clothes, I didn't want to be a burden.

Once or twice, I saw Anne slip another pair of shoes inside the cart. I would place them back after looking at them for a second. I really wanted them, and I needed them... but I couldn't take them.

I caught her once or twice putting them back inside.

"Anne", I finally mumbled, sighing. "I don't want you spending too much on me. I'm not a complete charity case." As soon as I said them, I regretted those words.

She smiled sadly, "You're right, your not. But I'm your mother now, and I have the right and responsibility of taking care of you. It's my job.... plus, I sort of like shopping with you."

"Even though I haven't really spoken since we got here." I admitted, turning back to the aisles.

"Which I appreciate. Being around Auden and Lauren most of the time, I never get quiet time. No matter what you say, Leah, I enjoyed this." She smiled sadly, and I realized that she didn't mention her husband. I wonder what's going on with them. I had only seen Mr. Whitney once since I'd lived here. I hadn't even learned his first name, which seemed weird.

I still felt bad for using Anne's money, and I always felt uncomfortable shopping with someone else. I looked down and smiled softly.
To Anne, at least, I wasn't a burden.

---

When we were parking in the driveway, I noticed that Lauren, Auden, Andrew, mason, and surprisingly enough their dad's were outside playing basketball. It was a tight game of 9-10, 3 on 3, with Andrews team in the lead.

When Mason took the ball down the court, Mr. Whitney paused for a breathe, clearly exhausted, resting his hands on his knees. When he saw me, he smiled and motioned for me to come over to him.

"Can you-can you sub.... for.. me" he huffed, trying to regain his breath.

"Are you sure, Mr. Whitney?" He nodded. "Okay..." I muttered, still unsure. "Okay, can you take these for me?" I asked, giving him my bag of clothes. He took them and joined Anne inside.

"Hey Leah," Mason noticed me and passed the ball to Auden. "Looks like you're on our team!" He side hugged me and jogged towards the hoop. I froze. The fan girl inside me told me to play it cool.

I had played basketball for 4 years straight, but last year's team always lost every game.

Pushing this thought aside, I focused on the game. You see, once I start playing basketball, everything else disappears. I called it my "mode". It was a really unoriginal name, but it served it's purpose well.

What happens, is, I stop fidgeting, my eyes follow the balls every move like Harry styles fans on Twitter, and I'm more aware of where my feet are.

I'm relaxed and completely tense at the same time. This is why I love to play. But since I moved here, I convinced myself not to try out. Everyone else was probably way better then me, so I would just save myself from the embarrassment.

Even later, after I score, and mason congratulates me by giving me a hug, I didn't pay much attention to it.

When Mr. Wilson threw the ball up, my instinct was to jump and reach the ball before Andrew. I succeeded and smacked it to Mason- being more of a team player then a ball hog.

---
"Woot woot!!!!" Mason hollered, and gathered Auden and I in a hug. I laughed and my face turned bright red.

We won the game about 20 minutes ago, 20- 12, and Mason was still happy about it.

"You're so sweaty," I whined as Auden screeched "ewwww, why are you hugging me." He tickled her causing her to burst into giggles. She might be 14 still, but Mason brought out the child in all of us.

Lauren came up to Mason and hugged him quickly. "Good game," she said, and glanced at me then walked towards the house, probably getting ready for a date with Brent.

Andrew was being a sore loser, so I decided to tease him, not knowing where my outgoing behavior was coming from.

"Hey Andrew," he looked up and smiled. My stomach grumbled. "Um, I'll catch you later, I'm super hungry, good game!" Okay, so not according to plan... whatever. But I really was hungry.
After eating a sandwich, I headed back outside, the sun shining brightly.

"Hey Leah," Mason called over to me. I started walking towards him.

"Hi," I smirked. "We killed it, didn't we?" He laughed and gave me a high five, keeping my hand after contact was made. I blushed.

"We definitely killed it. And now, Andrew and Auden and I are going to the Hole to cool off. Wanna come?" He asked hopeful.

"Definitely... what's the hole?"

He pointed to an ATV sitting in front of his house. "The hole is a freshwater pool on my parents property. The only way to get to it is by four wheeling or riding our ATV." He smirked. "Its pretty fun, and I get to drive."

"Now I'm not sure I want to go," I teased. "I'm a little scared of your driving capabilities." He frowned.

"Not cool, Leah. I'm the best ATV driver, this side of the world." His grin was back.

"Alright, I'll come... but you don't expect me to... actually swim, do you?"

He looked at me weirdly. I regret saying anything. "Um that's sort of what I meant when I said 'cool off'.

I left to get ready. That's when I paused.
'I can't wear a swimsuit!! What if they See?' One part of my brain asked. The other part reminded me that I'd get to see Mason shirtless, and I deemed it worth it.
So worth it.

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A.N.

Oh, Leah. Just a little love struck, are we?

But in all seriousness..... I wouldn't mind seeing Mason shirtless either.

Guys, I remember when I was in maybe 5th grade, and I was on my Aunt's private property- she's really rich. We were riding an ATV very similar to this one, and she pulled over. To my surprise and excitement- and my parents shock-, she told me how to drive it and I did.

I was actually really a good driver. Except for the part that despite going only 5 miles an hour, crashing into a tree and denting the hood.

It was the coolest thing ever.

Anyway.... hope you guys have a great rest of your week!!

Please vote, comment, and share if you liked this chapter, and I'll see you all soon! 

Much Love,

Super-women-writer