One on One

Prolouge

The stars are out. If I tilt my head I can see them dancing along the speckled night. They mocked me.

   Dusk fell and as the birds retired, the crickets sang. I pushed my hair back from my face, the ball wedged in my hand. I'd been at it for a while, the constant tatter of the ball against the concrete; the bashing impact from the backboard. Each dribble every layup, was a feeling, a word, an expression.

    The street lights flickered, making the night scare, but I didn't stop. My shirt stuck to my skin, drenched. I felt lost and confused, but mostly upset. Upset I had no control over my life, the path I chose. I said I wouldn't wish, but for once I want to be in control of what I feel. Arms extended, knees bent I shot the ball buckling my wrist on the release. The rim shook.

"Any harder and you'll shatter our backboard."

I didn't need to turn to know who it was. Asher stood behind me, no doubt coming in from the back door. Heated I shot again, hard. I wasn't in the mood for company.

" I'm guessing you didn't take the news too well." He's beside me pushing his tousled hair out of his eyes. I've always been jealous of his eyes, hazel like our dad's, and for a moment I want to shout and thrash and get angry over again. I release the ball and watch it roll to the ground.

"You knew?"

"It was going to happen sooner or later."

I don't respond, I don't have any words to fill the prickling silence. He leaves, and for a few moments, I stand underneath the stars.  For now, I try not to think about the outcome. I don't think about the 'what ifs' and 'maybe' possibilities. Her words are still fresh in my mine.

" I don't want this," I say, my voice tight.

She crossed her arms, her mouth fixed in a tight-lipped smile.

" It's already been decided."

My eyes were closed, but I could still picture the stars. Illuminating the darkness, in control of the night.