Stand by Me

Fifteen

Jay's POV

One more shot.

Two words, Jay Rollins.

Will power.

I begin dribbling the ball. I blink a few times, as a drop of sweat heaves down my temple.

I focus through my tired blur vision and shoot the ball.

"96! And a shot! Four more, Rollins! You got this!", Mr Harvey yells, clenching his fists in the air.

That's way too easy. The next thing I know, I aim for five shots, almost forgetting that I have lost count.

"101 basketball shots in a row! That is definitely a record in this school. Tremendous effort, Mr.Rollins.", Mr. Harvey says as he hands me an energy drink.

I immediately gulp it down, like my life depended on it. Basketball is a child's play for me. I can play it with my eyes closed.

"I am going to recommend about the scholarship to the Principal in your favor Mr.Rollins. And if your team qualifies the state finals and turn out to be the victors, you might even get into the college of your choice. Think about it", he says as he walks away.

Of course we're going to get into the finals. I've been waiting for it since a very long time.

I breath out a sigh of relief and take the water bottle and hold it upside down as a fresh splash of water falls all over me, washing away my sweat of frustration. Water trickling down my body and ensnaring away all my stress. This is the best feeling. I shake my head sideways and blink a few times, ensuring a sharp vision.

"Is it getting hot in here or what?!", I hear a girl yell, walking towards the court.

Ah! Fan girls!

I roll my eyes and prepare to take off. Normally, I would kill to play along and have some fun but I have no time for all that now. I need to focus on the up coming game next week against Seaview High. They are from a different town and less prepared, I'm ardently hoping. I know some of the players and they are good. But, I need to be better. I need to be the best!

As I am driving my way back home, I am interrupted by a phone call. I am a little surprised as well as glad to see the caller, to be honest. I click Accept on the screen of the stereo which had been enabled to bluetooth mode.

"Hello?"

"Hey, dude! Long time no speak."

"Or see"

"Ya. That too. Well, not for long."

"What's that supposed to mean? Aren't you supposed to be... I don't know? Practicing?! You know how I'm so waiting to kick your team's ass and see the loser's faces?"

"Oh, shut up, Jay! I would love to see the look on your  face when I will be holding the trophy."

"We'll see about that. What's up, anyway?"

"Nothing much. I'm around the town and was thinking maybe we could meet up. You know, like the old times?"

I see that I am getting a call from another line. Dad. He rarely calls and I am intrigued.