Switched Up

3-III: Can I help you?

Jack and Oliver blinked a few times, not knowing how to respond.

Sam gasped, snapping out of her trance after realizing what she had said.

"Uh! That... um, okay that probably sounded weird. I just meant that your jump was really, really good!" fumbled Sam.

Oliver laughed at her awkward correction.

"I've never had my jump get called 'beautiful' before, so I was kinda surprised. But thank you."

Sam met his honest eyes and smiled as if to say you're welcome.

Everyone finished up their remaining exercises and gathered together once again while the teacher spoke.

"All of you are free to leave unless you're here for the basketball or volleyball team meetings."

Sam felt her heart thump in excitement.

It's starting!, she thought.

"Sam, we gotta go to the track meeting so we'll meet you in the cafeteria for dinner later," said Oliver.

Okay! I'll see you guys later."

Sam waved bye to Jack and Oliver while they dispersed from the gym with the other students. She looked around the gym and saw a group of boys and girls chatting while walking towards the volleyball side.

Must be nice having a boys AND girls team, Sam thought bitterly.

She walked towards the basketball side of the gym and saw multiple boys already sitting on the lower level bleachers. As she got closer, she could tell that they were all taller than she was.

Sam climbed up onto the bleachers and sat down, anxiously waiting for the meeting to begin. While twiddling her fingers around in an attempt to compose her excitement, she felt the sting of someone's eyes on her and glanced over to see who it was.

It was a boy a few feet away with spiky black hair studying Sam with dark, forest green eyes. He met her gaze and smiled.

"Can I help you?" asked Sam.

"Sorry for staring. Don't take this the wrong way, it's just I couldn't help but notice that you're pretty short to be playing basketball on this team."

"Hey, don't underestimate me," said Sam with a smirk.

"Someone's confident," he said with a small chuckle, "My name is Ricky by the way. Ricky Smith."

He offered a hand out to Sam and she shook it.

"I'm Sam Springfield."

"Y'know, now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure we have 1st period together. You sit behind that pretty girl... Opal I think."

"Wait! Yeah I remember you now! Aren't you glad we got Bennett?"

"Are you kidding? I almost started crying when I found out I got him. He's so cool!"

Sam and Ricky continued to talk while more 1st years came to the bleachers for the basketball meeting. Eventually, the coach walked into the gym and quieted the everyone down.

The meeting was short and sweet. Their coach, Ron, explained how the tryouts were going to work out and what they would have to do to prove they could make it on the varsity team. After that, he told the 1st years they were allowed to use the basketballs if they wanted, and then dismissed them for the day.

"Wanna shoot for a little bit?" asked Ricky.

"Hell yeah! Let's go!" exclaimed Sam.

When they stood up, Sam noticed how tall Ricky was. He was around 6'4" with a lanky, but muscular build.

They ran to the ball bin and grabbed a ball, warmed up, passed the ball to each other, and then shot around for a little bit. As they played, Sam made a little note in her head that Ricky was really good at 3-pointers. When Ricky and Sam finished up shooting, they put the ball away and headed back to the locker room.

On their way over, Sam said, "We've gotta aim for varsity together. I think we would make a great duo."

"Dude, it would be sick if we both made varsity. We could just, come out of nowhere and destroy everyone as this famous 1st year duo," said Ricky.

"The shitty thing is that we have to make it through tryouts first. Though, I kinda hope we play a game against the upperclassmen as a part of it."

"Whoooa, Sam, calm down. That's a little scary."

"It seems fun!"

"You're crazy," said Ricky with an awkward laugh.

They made their way into the locker room and changed--Sam initiating the "changing undershirt in the bathroom stall" plan. When they were walking out, Sam asked, "Wanna go grab dinner Ricky?"

"Ah, I can't today. I gotta go run into town and buy a few things for school. Let's eat together tomorrow though!"

"Sure! Oh, can I get your number too?"

They exchanged numbers and then Sam waved bye to Ricky while he walked away. Sam entered the cafeteria and found Oliver sitting with a plate that was almost empty.

She jogged over to him and plopped her things down.

"Aye! You're late! I was getting lonely!" scolded Oliver in a joking tone.

"Sorry! I met this other 1st year during the meeting and we were shooting the ball around for a little. I kinda lost track of time. By the way, where's Jack?"

"He's at the student council meeting now. He should be done soon though."

Sam hurried to get her food so she could join Oliver. She sat down and started chatting with him about his meeting.

To be continued...