It Isn't So Bad

Chapter One

That was it. The last time I played basketball. I promised him that I'd play with him again, for sure, but that isn't going to happen. Banned from the sport after losing for the first time, my father guided me strictly back to the path where only academics mattered.

I let out a soft sigh as I walked around the perimeter of the park, and watched as the bright but soft pink cherry blossoms contrast against the bland, blue sky. I held my hand out as a petal fell into my palm. With my other hand shoved in my pocket, I stood there and stared at the petal with the urge to flip my hand as if to dribble a bal- no. I shouldn't be thinking about basketball. That was just something from my pass. I tilted my hand ever so slightly so that the petal would fall out, just as I heard it. The sound of dribbling.

One. Two. Three. Three dribbles before I hear a swoosh. The swoosh of a ball smoothly gliding itself into the net before falling again. My head snapped towards the direction, not expecting the sight before me. With that perfect throw, I expected a tall, built guy, someone I would've challenged if I was in middle school or a even just a few months ago. Instead, a girl was spotted. She was no more than 5 feet and 2 inches with bright orange hair. The sight wasn't processed into my mind as I caught a glimpse of her eyes, eyes full of passion with a hint of playfulness. I watched her shoot a perfect three pointer before she ran under the net, jumping up in time to catch the ball. Rolling the ball under her foot, she tugged her hair tie off and retied it into a ponytail. Even when performing such simple actions, she did it looking sharp yet graceful.

"Hey! Do you want to play?"

My eyes blinked in surprise as I realized she was talking to me. Challenging me. Her eyes narrowed down ever so slightly as her teeth shined from her grin. Quickly tightening her updo, she skillfully picked up the ball and spun it on her finger.

"One on one," she suggested.

I wanted to. I really did. I was a second close to jogging over there but my father's words rang through my ears.

You didn't win. You don't deserve to play. Being the best is all that matters.

His words taunted me. I gritted my teeth before returning to my standing position.

"I don't play such childish games," I simply stated.

"Oh alright," she taunted, "I guess it takes guts to admit to being scared of losing."

My eyes sharpened at her response. I knew I shouldn't and that my father had people watching over me, even though he doesn't know I know, but what if I only played a little. I have to teach her where she stands. I caught another glance at her challenging eyes before walking away without looking. I knew that if I took one more glance back, I wouldn't be able to control myself anymore. Although it's been a while since I last touched a basketball, I've never disobeyed my father's orders and I wasn't going to start.

"I'll see you around then," I heard her shout. Tempted to glance back, I sped up my walking ever so slightly and turned the corner to go back home. What I didn't know was how important to me she was going to be in the near future.