Do I Wanna Know

Chapter, the Ninth

I wake up at nine with nothing to do. Alone all weekend. It's going to be a bore.

I call up Rittiny. Can't make it. Apparently with Josh. Mharic's sick and so is Addym. Dysney is meeting a guy named Nile Horn. Taleina: stalking Naitan Dominic, her crush. Reijffen doesn't hang out with us anymore. Bitch.

So I'm alone. I watch Doctor Who and read The Program by Suzanne Young, a book suggested by Rittiny.

"Hey," Forest says in our call.

"Hi," says I.

"You sound sad. What's up?"

"Nothing. Just alone. Bored." Then, the thought of basketball came in mind. "I'm probably going to shoot some hoops... if I can."

"Where? I wanna come with."

"We can go to the park."

"Okay, I'll meet you there in... 10?"

"Uh, sure, whatever. I'll bring the ball." I hang up and turn off the T.V. that was playing Top Gear. I run to my room and change into my basketball shorts and a loose shirt. I tie my hair in a high ponytail and put my running shoes on. I grab my basketball, my keys, then hop into my car.

"Hey," Forest shouts to me.

"'Sup?" I ask with a nod. He nods back, echoing my question.

"So," he continues,"one on one?"

"Okay," I agree.

I dribble the ball to the free throw line and attempt a shot. I miss. I rebound and try again. Forest blocks that shot and runs to his basket. Oh, it's on.

I follow him and take his missed shot. I go for a layup. Bam, whaaaat? (Liv and Maddie reference.) Two points for me.

Forest runs immediately to his side of the court and tries a 3-pointer. Miss. I grab the ball and dribble to my hoop. Jump shot in. Four points. Our game goes on like this.

We end up with 59 points for Forest and 24 for me. He is one of the best basketball player for the guys' team. I'm no where near the worth of a starter. Or a team member.

"I suck," I discourage myself.

"No you don't. You just need to work on your 3-pointers and free throws," he applies.

"Exactly. Terrible. Especially the free throws."

"I'll teach you."

"Ha!," I blurt. "Mr. Pelat tried to teach me. I'm terrible."

"Okay, reject my request, but, just so you know, I was team captain. And you have to get these to be a team captain."

"Who said I wanted to be a team captain?"

"Well, every basketball player should want to be a captain." I pause to recollect my breath.

"Well, I can work." I practice a free throw. Why is it always air balling. Everytime I shoot a free throw, airball.

"You know you have to put the power on your hand, right?" He directs.

"No, duh." He holds his hands up and back off.

"Just sayin'." I try to put power on my arm. It hit the rim. Maybe my 3rd time. I try again but this time, I go to my toes when I shoot. It hit the backboard. Closer.

"There you go. Just aim and don't give to much power."

I walk back to the free throw. Ready. Aim. Fire.