Cliché

Chapter 2: Keep Looking Backwards

"Mom, I'm going to go out to see Riley's basketball game. I need money."

"How much?"

I paused for a moment. What if they were selling popcorn, or soda, or water, or really cool toys. Yes, toys. Life gets boring. Yeah I need a lot.

"50."

"Scarlette honey, you're going to a basketball game. Not Disneyland."

"But Mom.."

"No buts. Here 10."

I grabbed the money and started walking to school.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

I got lost in the school but found my way to the gym listening to shouting and screaming. What's so special about a basketball game anyways. All they do is shoot the ball into the hoop. Plus, it's exhausting.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

"Holy crap! He didn't bounce the ball! Riley! Steal the ball! Oh my goodness! Go over- NOO the other way!" Basketball games are stressful. In my hand was my 5th popcorn cup. Around me were bits of popcorn from the aftermath of the other team scoring or stealing the ball.

5...4...3...2...1.... BEEEP!

I jumped up and popped out more popcorn. Everyone literally stared at me like some freak. I was so close to throwing a popcorn at this girl who was indirectly insulting me. That. B. I. A. T. C. H.

It didn't matter cause we won. I forgot about her when I saw the undefeatable basketball champs go back in their locker rooms.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

"How was the boring basketball game Scar? Was it worth your 6 dollars?"

"Riley, it was probably the most spectacular thing ever. When you stole number 31's ball. I was like-"

"I thought you said they were boring."

"You thought."

"I'm sure you said it was boring. You never been to a basketball ball game before huh?"

"No..."

"Scar, theres no sham in never seeing a live basketball game. You're not the only one."

"I know but its pretty embarassing. This is the first basketball I've ever seen. Not even on television or anything. I live a sad life."

Riley put his arm around me and led me to his car. He drove me back to my house and stayed for a while. I gave him a mini tour until we reached my room where I pushed him on my bed. 

"Dude. Scar, what was that for?"

"You know what that was for. Tell me."

"Tell you what?"

I sighed. "I heard rumors of you dating Jessica before and how you and Aaron actually got into a fight over Jessica. Is it true?"

He rubbed his neck with one hand and bit his lip. "I guess. It wasn't a big relationship so no worries."

"Why would I worry? Its not like we're dating or anything." I chuckled and gave him a friendly push. I saw him awkwardly smile. He didn't say anything. The first thought that came to me was that he actually liked me. 

"You like me?"

"No no no. Well... Yeah. But I don't want to act like a freak or anything. I was waiting for the right time to ask you. I felt that we needed more time... together."

I snickered. "Time together?" He was so cute. The more I thought of what he said, the more I wanted to kiss him. "That was cute."

"Really?"

"Yeah. So when are you going to ask me out?"

"I don't know..."

"Why not now?"

"Now?" 

I winked at him. "Now."

"Well... Scarlette Denton. Would you like to go out with me?" I wiggled my hand out to make him say something else. "And be my girlfriend?"

"I decline." 

"Finally. Wait what. You decline? Didn't you ju-"

"I'm joking Riley. Of course I would like to go out with you. And be your girlfriend."

"You literally scared the living daylight out of me."

I looked at him like a freak. "I think I have the weirdest boyfriend in the whole entire world."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me to stop walking. He spun me to him. "Thank you."

"For what?" I blushed.

"For... giving me the courage to ask you out. And then crushing it. But then reviving it."

I slapped his arm and laughed out loud. And at that moment. I knew I was falling in love.