Play Hard, Love Harder

5

Thank God it's Friday. As the school bell rings, signaling the end of the day, I dart towards the gym. Basketball players are warming up on the court, and I immediately spot Jake. I go to take a seat on the bleachers, putting Jake's jersey on. When Jasper sees me, he motions for me to get on the court. When I hesitate, he shouts, "Come on, Tinker Bell!"

At that, Jake raises his head and watches me approach them, sprinting my way because he has to be the first to get the good luck kiss. "Here we go," I say. He whispers in my ear, "I think now that you're my girlfriend, I need a proper kiss. Whatcha say?"

"Whatever you say, Captain!" I didn't need any more encouragement than that, and I lifted myself up onto my toes and kissed him. It was so intense I almost forgot to breathe. His lips were hot against mine, and a rush of warmth spread through my body as my heart beat faster and faster. I felt him grasp me tighter, but I wanted him closer still. Suddenly, nothing else seemed to matter other than the connection between us. When the kiss was over, I slapped his left arm like usual and then put some distance between us because people were, in fact, watching us.

"Well, that sure was a good luck kiss if I ever saw one," said Oliver as he moved Jake out of the way. "It's my turn." So I comply, giving a quick kiss on the right cheek and a slap to the left arm of the starting five, which included Aiden. As I go back to my seat, I see Heather shooting me a nasty glare, and I wink back because, come on.

Then the game starts, and Jake immediately takes control, showcasing his exceptional skills as the point guard. His court vision is unparalleled, orchestrating plays with precision and making lightning-fast decisions. Jake's ability to drive to the basket and dish out assists keeps the defense on their toes.

Aiden, the shooting guard, is equally impressive. Known for his sharpshooting, he can drain threes from anywhere beyond the arc. But Aiden is not just a shooter; his versatility allows him to switch to point guard seamlessly, adding another layer of complexity to their offense. His quick cuts and off-the-ball movement create endless scoring opportunities.

Jasper, the power forward, is a force in the paint. His physicality and tenacity on both ends of the court make him a dominant presence. Jasper's rebounding skills are top-notch, and his ability to finish strong at the rim energizes the team and the crowd.

Oliver, the center, anchors the defense with his shot-blocking prowess and intimidating presence in the key. His height and strength make it difficult for opponents to score inside. Offensively, Oliver's post moves and ability to set solid screens open up the floor for his teammates.

Cole, the small forward, is the glue that holds the team together. His versatility allows him to guard multiple positions and contribute in various ways. Cole's agility and speed make him a nightmare in transition, and his ability to slash to the basket adds another dimension to their offense.

Together, this starting five is a well-oiled machine, each player complementing the others perfectly. Their chemistry and teamwork are evident in every play, making them a formidable force on the court.

The gym is packed with students, teachers, and parents, all buzzing with excitement. The air is thick with the smell of popcorn and the sound of sneakers squeaking on the polished wooden floor. The referee blows the whistle, and the game begins.

Jake takes control of the ball, dribbling with precision and speed. His eyes are focused, his movements fluid. He passes the ball to Aiden, who swiftly dodges an opponent and makes a perfect jump shot. The crowd erupts in cheers as the ball swishes through the net.

Jasper and Oliver dominate the paint, their height and strength making it difficult for the opposing team to score. Jasper grabs a rebound and quickly passes it to Cole, who sprints down the court. Cole fakes a shot, then passes back to Jake, who nails a three-pointer from the corner. The crowd goes wild, and I can't help but jump up and cheer.

Throughout the game, Jake and Aiden's teamwork is impeccable. They anticipate each other's moves, making seamless passes and setting up plays that leave the other team scrambling. Oliver's defense is rock solid, blocking shots and grabbing rebounds with ease. Jasper's powerful dunks bring the crowd to their feet, and Cole's agility and speed keep the game fast-paced and exciting.

As the final buzzer sounds, the scoreboard shows a decisive victory for our team. The players high-five and hug each other, their faces beaming with pride and sweat glistening on their foreheads. Letting him have his moment, I move through the crowd, throwing hugs and congratulations around as I search the area. Jake jogs over to me, his smile wide and eyes sparkling with joy, as he pulls me into a tight hug. "You were amazing!" I attack his face with kisses. "I'm so proud of you, Captain." I say, feeling the adrenaline and excitement coursing through me.

After the game, I can't stay because I have volleyball practice. I get a lift from Jake's mom, while his dad stays to celebrate with his son. During the car ride to the gym, Anna starts to talk about our plan for the weekend.

"Olly dear, please make sure everything is alright when you leave the cabin. Be responsible, all of you," she says, glancing at me with a concerned look.

"Absolutely, Anna. You have nothing to worry about. There are just six of us; nothing crazy is going to happen," I respond confidently.

She gives me a doubtful expression. "Famous last words. We're here. One last thing: don't touch Steph's liquor cabinet. Better yet, do not drink, okay?"

"Understood. We will leave the house exactly as we found it, no scratches," I assure her, giving her a kiss on the cheek before getting out of the car.

In the locker room, everyone compliments Jake's game, even the girls from the opposing team school. Sportsmanship at its finest. We go through training as we have a game coming up.

We start with a dynamic warm-up, jogging around the court and doing various stretches to get our muscles ready. Coach then splits us into pairs for pepper drills, where we practice our passing, setting, and hitting. The gym is filled with the sound of volleyballs being hit and encouraging shouts from teammates.

Next, we move on to serving drills. I focus on my jump serve, trying to get the ball to land just inside the back line. After a few successful serves, we switch to blocking drills. We practice our footwork and timing, jumping up to block imaginary spikes from the other side of the net.

Finally, we play a scrimmage game. My team works on our rotations and communication, calling out plays and encouraging each other. I dive for a dig, popping the ball up perfectly for our setter, who sets it to our outside hitter for a powerful spike. The ball hits the floor on the other side, and we all cheer.

At the end of practice, I see a text from Jake saying he's outside waiting. With a grin, I grab my things and head out. I spot his car and get in, greeting him with a kiss. He pulls me to straddle his lap, and as his lips skim mine, his phone vibrates. "We should go," he says suddenly, shifting me off his lap. "The guys are almost arrived and I don't want to leave them unsupervised too long"

"Totally agree," then I smell something incredible "what is it that I am smelling?"

"eggplant parmigiana, mom made it for tonight, she also filled a cooler bag with some groceries."

I make a sound of appreciation, "so does that mean you're going to cook?" Can't wait honestly, his mom taught him a lot of recipes and he is great in the kitchen. Clearly his Italian origins have blessed him with some serious culinary skills.

Jake laughs, starting the car. "You know it."

We drive to his place, the anticipation of a delicious meal making my stomach growl.