The name of the game | ONC 2022 ✔

Chapter 13

"So, have you found a job yet?" Noah asks.

"I'm enquiring about a couple this afternoon, but no not yet." I say.

"What places?" Noah opens the door and we slip inside. As usual, the hall is crammed with people.

"I think there was one at a pizza place, one at a car shop and a few others," I reply.

"What car shop?" Noah and I stop outside our form classes door.

"I don't remember and I left my phone at home," I facepalm and then the bell goes. 

"Okay, tell me about your bike then," 

We walk into the class and I start describing my bike.

Ms James interrupts our conversation. "Don't forget to check if you made the basketball teams this afternoon."

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In P.E I can feel someone staring at me. We're doing basketball drills and I'm really starting to hate the sport. Yeah sure I can shoot decently but I do not like playing.

"Ash, I didn't see you at basketball try-outs," Ms Jamie comes over to me.

"I didn't want to play," I take a shot at the hoop and it swishes in.

"Why not? You're good at the sport," Ms Jamie follows me when I go to grab the ball.

"Because I have other things on right now." I answer grabbing the ball. I duck to avoid getting hit by a stray ball. 

"What a shame. Well if you ever decide to play, just let me know." Ms walks away to go correct some poor humans shooting style.

I feel eyes on me again and I slowly spin around to try to catch whoever's looking at me. I see Jess and a few of her minions giggling in a corner.

Deciding that the feeling must be wrong I go back to shooting hoops.

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"Did you make the team?" I ask Noah when we leave our final class.

"I haven't checked," he mutters and I turn to him, shocked.

"Well, lets go." I grab Noah by the arm and pull him all the way back to the gym.

A crowd of people surround the sheets of paper that flutter in the slight breeze.

"Well off you go," I shove Noah into the squash of people. 

"Hey Ash. Didn't expect to see you here," Jess comes up beside me. 

"I'm waiting for Noah," I reply. I search and spot his blonde head amongst the crowd. He's almost to the front.

"Nice. Can I ask you something?" Jess seems distracted.

"Sure. What is it?" I'm watching Noah get jostled by the people. 

"Look at me," 

I turn my focus to her. "What's up?"

"I know we don't really know each other but I want to get to know you better." She says, a slight blush creeping over her cheeks.

"What do you mean?" I look down slightly to meet her gaze.

"I want to get to know you better. Do you maybe want to go on a date?" Jess's blush increases.

"I'll have to think about it," I say. "I'll let you know later," Noah pushes his way back toward me. His face reveals nothing.

"Okay. Text or call me later," Jess walks off with two of her minions just as Noah breaks free.

"So?" I ask.

"I made the B team!" Noah says.

"That's great. Wanna go celebrate?" I say.

"For sure," Noah and I walk away.

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I ring the pizza place. 

"Hello, Panorama Pizza, how can I help you?" The voice comes through the phone very loud.

"Hi my name is Ash and I would like to enquire about your job opening," I say, reading from the sheet I wrote out just minutes before.

"Alright, let me put you through to the manager." The phone goes silent then I can hear a dialing tone.

"Panorama Pizza, manager speaking," 

"Hi my name is Ash and I am enquiring about your job opening," I say.

"Hello Ash. What makes you think you would be a good fit for our company?"

"I have a great work ethic," I say.

"Do you have a drivers license?"

"Yes I do,"

"Can you come in tomorrow for a face to face interview? Just so we know you're not a robot."

"I can," I confirm a time and then end the call. I go to share the news with Cole and Jake when I see Jess's name. I remember her offer and decide to call the boys.

Cole answers first.

"Wassup?" he says.

"I have news. Is Jake around?" I ask.

"Hold up," I hear Cole walking and picture him banging on Jake's door. He mutes his end of the call and when he comes back Jake's picked up the phone.

"So, what's the news?" Cole asks casually.

"Jess asked me on a date," I drop the whole bring it gently approach and hit them with the big one.

"What did you say?" Jake asks.

"I'll have to think about it," I listen to the boys gasps. "What do I do now?"

"Dude the answer is simple. If you like her say yes," Cole replies.

"Well I like her but there's something strange going on at school," I say and tell the boys about the different groups.

So I text Jess 'yes'. She replies with a thumbs up.

I don't tell Noah just yet. 

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Since it's finally Friday I get to watch more movies by myself because Mom and Dad are having parents night. Dad moves tomorrow. I have the interview for the pizza place tomorrow and I hope it goes well. After the interview I'm going to see Noah and tell him about Jess. I see if he wants to meet up tomorrow and he says sure. We arrange to meet at the pizza place. I'm about to put another movie on when Jess calls.

I told Cole and Jake I liked her, but maybe I can find out the secrets of Panorama high.

930 words