Serendipity

.3.

As I walked towards gym class, the only thing on my mind was how the hell had he managed to recognize me. Even more so, I was astonished by the fact that he actually remembered me as well as that stupid nickname he gave me. I shook my head and decided to dwell on the whole 'how the hell did he know' part later. Right now, I had a best friend to deal with.

Emily, walking by my side, kept on ranting about her non-existent shortcomings. She had left the classroom early in a rush to reach the gym and had not witnessed the scene.

"--and I know I haven't practiced much but-"

She was an amazing basketball player, really, but she always got nervous before tryouts and matches. She just needed a little boost now and then. Sometimes with words and others times with a slap at the back of her head.

"Emily Diana Frost, for the love of god, stop rambling and listen to me." I stopped and faced her as we reached the court. She needed words of encouragement right now, then that's what she would get. "You are an awesome player and a huge asset to the team. Hell, you play the same role in the team as the queen does in a chess game. Coach would probably murder anyone who even thought of not including you in the team."

"But the tryouts-" she started.

"The tryouts are just a formality for you. The team won't survive without you, but you won't survive without your brains, so get your head in the game and show them what you are made of." With renewed enthusiasm she strode towards the locker room while I made my way to the bleachers.

Emily has played basketball since she was 13 years old. It was weird at first, seeing how she wasn't the most outdoor-ish kind of person, but now when she plays, she is in her zone. I, on the other hand, am a boxing champion, and no I'm not bluffing. Most of the laurels the school has won in boxing is because of me. I have thrown punches since before I could remember. At first, it was the thrill of wearing gloves and doing something different than others, but now boxing helps me release any sort of pent up frustration and anger that can't be taken out on a human.

As I sat down on the wooden slabs, the whistle blew indicating the start of the tryouts. I took out an apple from my bag and bit into it as the first girl tried to shoot for the hoops. Even from where I sat, I could tell her aim wasn't good. If she shot from the position she was taking, the ball would land at least two feet to the left of the hoop if not more. The whistle rang again and whoop, I was correct. The ball was nowhere near to the hoop. I shook my head as the coach called out the next girl.

Letting my eyes wander, I noticed the gym was a lot more crowded than it usually was during a tryout. The main reason? The football team. Well they were not the only ones in here but with them came their fangirls and the cheerleading squad. So yeah, the gym was pretty full.

The whistle blew for what felt like the millionth time and Em moved forward to take her turn. She glanced to where I was sitting and I gave her an encouraging smile. She closed her eyes for a second and then took the shot. The ball went straight through the hoop and bounced off to the side. She let out a whoop and I laughed already knowing that she was good.

The tryouts finally got over after an hour or so. Em walked towards me glowing at the thought of getting selected.

"I told you so!" I teased her as she reached me.

"Yeah! Yeah, whatever" she waved her hands, grinning at me. "Did you see that shot though? It was like whew" she acted it out going as far as throwing the ball in her hand.

"OW!" with the number of people reducing in the gym, the shout of cry almost sounded like an echo. We looked for the source of noise and found a hand rubbing the black mop of hair that the ball had so unceremoniously hit.

"Shit!" Em cursed, running to the guy who was now looking around, probably searching for the owner of the ball he now held in his hands. "Sorry, I didn't mean-" she abruptly stopped as the guy turned around. I was a few steps behind her so I couldn't see who she was speaking to.

As I reached near them, I froze in my tracks.

Seriously?! This was the second damn time in a day.

Nicholas freaking King was looking at Emily as if he had no idea who the girl in front of him was. Whereas, Em on the other hand had her jaw hung open. She still couldn't believe that he was in front of her.

"Watch where you throw your blasted ball, would you?" he huffed and threw the ball back to her. Emily was so in shock that she didn't even look at the ball, which rolled and skidded to stop near my feet.

I picked it up and moved to drag Em out of the class before she strangled the guy. My movement must have caught his eye, cause the next thing i know, he is addressing me again.

"Bella! Is she your friend?" he asked, pointing to Em. I slapped my forehead as Emily recovered.

"Her friend? HER friend?!" she snapped. "Really Nick, I would have thought that you at least had the decency to remember me?"

"Remember you, what do- Emily?" he asked. Look who woke up. I rolled my eyes, not wanting to be included in this particular reunion.

"The one and only." She flipped her hair and just like that both of them dissolved into fits of laughter.

All the tension forgotten, all the years of not being in contact somehow forgotten and all that remained was the friendship and the memories made from it. Em may have tried to sympathize with me in the morning but we both knew she was anticipating his return. She was excited for it and as much as I hated him, I was ready to put up with him just to see her happy.

Shaking my head, I slowly turned around and started to leave. When his voice called out again.

"Hey Bella, fancy an ice cream?" The Devil smirked.

"Nope." Remember when I said I would put up with him, I didn't mean it.

"Come on Vic, please." Emily pouted. Damn her.

"Sorry Em, I have practice." I shrugged. I wasn't lying, well not technically. I didn't have practice but I wanted to hit the gym after school anyways.

"Are you sure?" Em asked

"Yeah, you guys enjoy it." I smiled at her and without looking at the devil, left the class.