Fair Game

Chapter 5

I hadn't even reached my house yet when Elijah stopped me.

"What was that all about?" he gestured to the direction we had come from.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

"I know we haven't known each other for a long time, but you don't seem fine," he commented.

"Obviously," I replied, slowing down my walk. Finley jumped out of my arms.

He looked away. "Okay, do you want to talk about it?"

I paused. Honestly... "I do."

I took a seat on the curb of the sidewalk and Elijah followed.

"Dixie and I used to be on the same team. But my mom was sick the day of a huge tournament and I didn't show up. She's been mad at me ever since," I told him.

Elijah looked at me in surprise. "Well she shouldn't be. You had to care for mom, and yourself."

"Yeah, I guess so. But she let me down when I needed her the most. Even though I kind of did it to her too."

"It's not your fault. After all, it's just a game. It's not worth losing friends over," Elijah answered, giving my shoulder a squeeze.

"But I did. Ever since, I've been trying to prove to her that I've never needed her."

He nodded slowly. "I get that. You'll beat her, I promise."

"How are you so sure about that?"

"Because you have me on your team," he joked.

"Funny." I stood up. "I'm going to go now. Thanks for the talk."

"Anytime," he said, waving.

The next day after school, Bree and I were walking home when we noticed something shocking. Asher was in the driveway of the house beside mine, dribbling a basketball.

Bree raised an eyebrow. "Wait, Asher's your neighbour?"

"I didn't know myself."

"Go up to him. You're good at basketball," Bree suggested, shoving me forward.

"Not as good as him. Look!"

Bree snorted. "He shoots hoops in his driveway. That's not very impressive. Go, Lissie."

I walked up to him and grabbed the ball out of his hands.

"Hey, almost didn't notice you without the milkshake in your hair," he said.

I smiled. "Yeah it didn't really go with my outfit." I tossed the basketball into the hoop.

"Winner gets ice cream?" he asked.

"And if I lose?"

"Ice cream's on you," he beamed. Was this his way of asking me out on a date?

I picked up the ball and threw it to him. "I'll take that bet."

15 minutes later, I had won. Easily.

"Come on, let's walk to the ice cream parlour," he said, putting the ball away.

A voice I knew so well came out of nowhere. "Um, no? She's not going anywhere. We have practice, remember?"

"Bree!" I cried out. "Were you watching us this whole time?"

Bree shrugged casually. "Of course. I'll admit, you two are cute together. But you can't miss a game."

Asher looked at me. "What game is she talking about?"

"Oh... nothing. I'll catch up with you another time."

He nodded. "Okay, we'll raincheck. Have fun with your... game."

Bree dragged me away, telling me she had set up a practice match with another team.

"Are you kidding me?" I hissed.

"The team comes before guys. You should know that," she simply replied.