Basketball: The Focus

Chapter 3

"So you're kind of famous, or maybe it's infamous."

"What?" I'm back at school and Thomas, the creepy reporter is back.

"They want to do an article on you in the school paper." You're kidding? What could they possibly have to say about me? How do they even know I exist?

"About what?" I ask

"About how you're on the basketball team and what that's like."

"How do you even know about that?" I asked, starting to think Thomas really was a stalker, or maybe he was just a really good reporter...

"I looked it up," he paused. "See, I went in to talk with them about joining the paper. I think they were kind of skeptical because of the questions they kept asking. They wanted me to give them a current story to write, so I told them about you."

"And they thought that was a good idea?" I ask, incredulous.

"Sure, it's new, and exciting. This kind of thing doesn't happen very often." No I guess it doesn't. "So will you do it?" He asks.

"I don't know." I'm not sure being known as the loser kid on the team is the kind of publicity I want.

"Come on, I need this. If I write a good article, they'll have to let me write for the paper."

"Fine," I sigh, "but if I say anything stupid you can't put it in there."

"Great," he beams, "meet me during study hall"

What have I gotten myself into now? I wonder as Thomas walks radiating joy and satisfaction. I wish I'd felt that way during this whole ordeal.

I met Thomas that afternoon, and a couple days later, the article was out. Responses are mixed, and there are a lot of them. Kids have come up to me all day asking the same question "are you Colton Meyers?" I can't help wondering how many people they'd asked who weren't Colton Meyers. After I say yes, their replies vary. Some congratulate, some are curious, some are speculative, some are derogatory, some incredulous. I try to handle each one like a pro; sticking to my words and saying as little else as possible.

Thomas asks me what I think during study hall.

"I've never been so popular" I reply.

"Do you like the article, is it good?" He asks.

"Sure, I mean, you got all the facts, didn't miss quote me."

"Great, now I'll need a new story for the paper, or maybe I'll just follow yours."

"Um, I think one article is enough, besides, I'm not very interesting."

"I think you're interesting," Thomas persist

"Thanks, but I don't want to be your pet project."

He lets out a heavy sigh, "Fine...but, what are your teammates like? Is it really cool getting to hang out with them?" he asks, a bit starry eyed.

I hesitate wondering if I should admit the truth and hoping it won't end up in an article. "To be honest, no, not really. Things aren't much different. They ignore me like everyone else."

"Oh..." he's clearly disappointed. "That sucks."

"Yeah," I agree. "It does"

I think I'm stuck in a loop. A week ago I came back from try outs, recognizing that I was bad at basketball and vowing never to touch the ball again. Next I decided it was time to stop moping around and move on. Then, after being ridiculed at school, I decided the sport just wasn't worth the trouble. After I found out I made the team I was ridiculously, stupidly excited. Before practice I was seriously questioning Coach Rosenthal's mental abilities. During practice I began wondering if Seth had misread the roster and my name had actually been listed under staff. Water Boy-Colton Meyers. After the interview and Thomas's article I was kind of excited about the whole thing, but now I'm back to the beginning. I can't stop thinking about what I told Thomas at school. I can't stop reliving the embarrassing moments at practice and wishing I had never gone. I'm wishing I had never moved here. Most of all I can't stop seeing the players, standing in groups, laughing and talking like best friends. They walk away without even looking at me. I'm not even there in their memories. They can't see me. They don't remember me. I keep hearing the bully's words from before "Who do you think you are anyway? You're too good for them." He was right....See what I mean about the loop?