Closer

Chapter 28: Ruckus

Sam's POV

It's been three weeks since the party and within those weeks, Amanda and I were getting to know each other. Yeah, we went to some dates here and there, and drive her home. We're getting along quite well. I knew I was taught not to mix personal feelings when it comes to business. I knew that very well considering that Amanda works under me. No pun intended.

Our PE instructor decided to have a game of basketball and I was quite in a mood to play. Most of the boys wanted to play for themselves but luckily I befriended one and got to join their team. They insisted on matching me up with one of the girls but I told them that I would be fine.

"Are you sure Sam?" Fred asked with worry.

I nodded and gave him a reassuring smile. The other team was composed of almost the same height around 6'7" while ours were a bit on the shorter side. Fred and I are at the same height so we would be the guards. The other three, Mike at 6'5", Clarence at 6'9", and Renz at 6'6". The boys on the other team were a bit cocky and that's what I like. A surprise would be a good medicine for them. They got the free-throw in so the ball would be in their possession.

As the game started, Fred was starting to get nervous. Playing with the boys would be quite different with the girls. They tend to be more aggressive and more physical. They made an easy layup for their first shot. I looked at the bigs who were quite anxious.

"Hey, don't let them get through your head. Just enjoy the game and shoot the ball when you're free, " I told them as I picked up the ball.

They looked at each other and nodded as they got down to our side of the court. For some reasons, their defense was too light for my liking because their defense was most likely in the inside and the guards were before the 3pt arc. Okay then, I guess I'm hearing a shoot out. Dribbling the ball, I walked slowly as I looked through my peripheral vision on where my teammates positioned. Mike and Fred at the corner 3's, Clarence was almost near the basket but outside the painted area, and Renz was at the elbow waiting for instructions in case I wanted a pick and roll play.

As I shifted the ball to my left, quickly pulling up a 3pt shot and I could hear a swish. Yeah, just like what I did to Toni. I could hear the girls cheering at me, telling me to go easy at them. My teammates and I got into defense quickly as they ran down to their marks. Their point guard was just smirking and probably thinking it was a lucky shot.

"Fred, can I mark this one?" I looked at him who shrugged nonchalantly and switched with me quickly.

He started dribbling fast and did some hesitation while I was just in a defense position, waiting for his move. Two dribbles after, my hand instinctively poked the ball and it left his hand far from him. I quickly ran for the ball, and dribbled towards the basket. I could hear footsteps trailing behind me and he quickly got infront of me. I quickly did some stutters steps to make him stop. He was quick to follow so I did a crossover between the legs move. When he thought he could poke the ball, I turned it behind my back before jumping for a one-hand slam dunk with my right hand.

"Oh shit! You just did not do that!" I heard Rose shout who was capturing the whole ordeal. The crowd that was consisted most of my classmates shouted in surprise. I saw Catherine reenacting my move while Rose captured the video. I got to their side and saw Ally shook her head in disbelief.

"You do know you're just playing skirmish, right?" Ally said with a worried look.

"He asked for it" I shrugged nonchalantly before getting back to my teammates who were getting more confident.

"I didn't know you're playing basketball Sam" I heard Fred acknowledge.

"I used to though. Enough of that. Let's continue" I said getting back to position.