The New Guy

Chapter 1

Ryan-

It was time. D-day. The worst day of all my 17 years of life.

Moving day.

My dad's stupid boss relocated him from sunny California to possibly the worst alternative- Texas. I tried to talk them out of it. I begged and pleaded until the day the moving trucks pulled up in front of our house, but nothing worked. I was forced to give up my life, my friends, and most importantly my basketball team, all to move to the God forsaken state of Texas.

The Wizards, my team, were seated to win state this year. With me at center, in all my 6 foot 5 glory, and my best friend Kyle's speed and ball handling skills we were unstoppable. We could have won nationals. My coach was almost more devastated than me about the move, constantly asking "Are you sure you have to go with them, Ryan? You could stay with one of the boys. Please don't leave." Kyle's parents even offered to let me stay in San Jose with them to finish out the school year, but my parents were an un-persuadable force.

On the day before I left, Kyle and I walked down to the park and played one on one on the outdoor court. He kept talking about how it was going to be great in Texas, getting to wear shorts all year in the heat, and telling me that southern girls are the hottest.

'I don't care," I told him. "I'd rather never have a girlfriend than move."

He sighed. "Oh come on Ryan. You'll still see the boys at holidays when you come visit your grandparents. It's not like we'll never see you again."

"And what about basketball?" I asked. "They probably don't even know what it is down in that god awful place!!"

"Bro you're over reacting! You'll find a team, or play at school. Everything will be fine. I'm going to miss you but it's not the end of the world," he laughed.

But it was. And as I sat in that moving van that's all I could think. Texas was going to ruin my life and my ball career. Stupid hillbillies.

---

Alyssa

Sweat ran down my face as I lapped the track for the fourth time. I sprinted the last 100 meters and crossed the finish line.

"Peters- 6:00! Cutting it a little close are we?" Coach Trenton yelled.

She was kidding. It's a well known fact I'm one of the fastest people on the Lake Village High School girls basketball team, and the tallest by a few inches. Being 6' 1" junior year as a girl is as bad as it gets where boys are concerned, but it comes in handy on the court.

I grabbed my water and walked a cool down lap. When coach blew the whistle signaling the end of practice, I flat out sprinted for the locker room. I stopped in front of my locker (lucky number 13), put in my combo (0-18-48), and grabbed my phone while trying not to notice all the crap piling up on the shelves. I powered it on and checked my messages (2).

When I opened them, my heart started pounding, and not from running that mile.

Hey good luck at practice! Text me when you get out!! :)

I have a very important question to ask you ;)

I forced myself to control my breathing as I reread the messages over and over again from the boy who gave me butterflies every time I saw him.

Josh.

One of my best friends in the entire world, Josh and I talked about everything. We flirted like crazy, but no one thought anything of it. I guess they think it's all a joke, because we are close enough to do that kind of thing. Hell, it might even be a joke to him, I can never tell. But for me it's all real. I've liked him for over a year and a half, and everyday it just gets stronger.

After taking a few deep breaths, I began to reply, only to be interrupted by another text. And it wasn't from Josh, it was from my mom.

Hurry up! We have to get home! I'm waiting outside.

I sighed and slid my phone into my gym bag.

"He'll just have to wait" I thought to myself as I made my way outside to the parking lot. My mom hates it when I text in the car after school, so I had to hold off until I got home.

I weaved my way through the densely packed cars in the parking lot until I reached my mom's blue Lexus. Quickly, I opened the door and slid in, greeting my mom and bucking up in one swift motion. She began rattling on about some new neighbors that I had to meet when we got home, who apparently had a shy son my age.

"You two will become the best of friends, I just know it. He's tall and plays basketball, just like you! His names Ryan and he really doesn't want be here, so try your best to persuade him to give it as chance."

I smiled and nodded, already tuning her out. My mind wandered to the only thing I could ever really think about- a certain blue eyed boy who had completely captured my heart.