The Lies That We Tell

𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫

It had been three months since Theo moved back to New York and everything has been amazing so far. He felt like a totally different person compared to what he was in Canada even though nothing had really changed.

Now, he had a lot of friends who some he was closer than others, girls were pretty much drooling over him and he had his own car to use whenever he wanted.

The best part, though, was the fact that he was now part of the school's basketball team. He started to play already in Canada and was even the school's team captain there so he knew that he was good.

This Friday was a really important day not only for their team but to him alone. Most of his teammates had known each other for years and some were doubtful to let a new guy join them. That was the reason why he would do his best to show them why they wouldn't regret letting him join.

"....and Peterson throws a ball to Smith who runs and takes the ball for himself from Thompson, runs again and yesss, the ball is in the basket!"

He was only half-listening the talking because his mind and eyes were once again on the ball. They couldn't lose. No way. That wasn't an option. Losing this meant losing everything they had been working for.

That in mind he ran towards the ball, maybe knocking someone from another team on his way, maybe not. He didn't care unless he had a punishment for it. They really couldn't afford to get one now. He knew that that the game was almost over.

They had maybe a little bit over or under thirty seconds. Thirty seconds. That was a long time in the sport, especially in situations like this. Thirty seconds was enough to run towards the ball and steal it from another team. It was enough to get one point more that would change the whole game. Thirty seconds was enough to change everything.

"And the ball is in, only seven seconds before the end of the game! Now, time's up, game over!" After that, Theo along with everyone else stopped doing what they did and stood up. He took a few deep breaths and wiped the sweat off his forehead with his shirt. He felt someone touching his back, probably one of his teammates, making him look up.

"Why are you looking like that? We won!" a boy named Cameron said. What? He realized that he had missed who was the winner because he was so tired and lost in thoughts. How that was possible, he didn't know.

"We won?" he asked again, just wanting to hear it.

"Fuck yes, we won!"

"Thank god!" he shouted and ran towards others who seemed to know what he wanted. Without a word, they pulled each other, every single player in their team, in a huge hug.

There were no words to describe this feeling. They did it. After months and months of hard work and skipping classes and practically everything else too, they won. This wasn't the last game of the tournament but it surely gave them hope that they could be there when it's time for it.

After a short moment, he heard a lot of clapping. He turned to look at the audience which was full of people coming to support the basketball team. The whole school was there, everyone's families and friends who were all proudly yelling and clapping. Well, everyone else but his parents who couldn't get their day off from work.

He knew that his aunt, uncle and probably even Isaac were there but it wasn't the same. Of course, he was disappointed that his own parents didn't care enough to come to the game. Still, he wouldn't let anyone see him being so weak and emotional.

🍁🍁🍁

After the game, he went straight to the party. He didn't even care to ask where they were going when his teammates asked him to join. Everyone was invited so it wasn't surprising when the house, that looked almost like a mansion, was full of people drinking and dancing during pretty shit music.