Ray's POV

I laid on my bed, bored out of my mind. It was Sunday, which meant no school, and both my parents were at work. I didn't have anywhere special to go or places to be. I (Luckily) didn't even have homework to do. I pulled out my duel gazer and dialed my friend's number in. After a few rings, a blue-haired boy picked up.

"What's up Ray?" Steven asked.

"Nothing, that's why I called you. Think you can convince your parents to let you go to the park? I'm dying from boredom." I replied.

"Hang on, I'll ask."

There was a moment of silence, then Steven came back on. "Yeah, my parents said it's fine."

"Great! See you there in 5!" I said and hung up. I threw on my light blue hoodie and ran out the door towards the park.

Steven was my best friend and probably my only real friend.

I got to the park a minute before him. When he stopped next to me I told him, "You're late."

"Not my fault you sprinted the whole way and I walked like a normal person." He retorted.

I gave him a pout face. "Whatever. What do you wanna do?" I asked.

"I don't know. You're the one who called me. I thought you already knew that." Steven replied.

"Uh, well you guessed wrong..." I told him.

He sighed and shook his head. "Would it have killed you to tell me that? I could have brought a football or something."

I smiled nervously. "Sorry..."

Steven sighed. "It's fine. Come on, maybe the basketball court will be empty."

"But I don't like basketball!" I complained.

"Should have thought of that before you didn't tell me you weren't bringing anything."
Steven had always been a sports fan. Basketball was his favorite sport and I knew he was going to try out for the team next year. But it still didn't make me like basketball
any more. I wasn't much of a sports person, even though Steven had bugged me about joining the basketball team with him.

Sighing, I reluctantly followed him over to the court, which, sadly for me, was empty.

"Alright! Let's get started." Steven said, tossing me the orange ball.

"Do I have to?" I whined.

"Yep! Now hurry up and throw it!" Steven urged.

I was starting to think I'd been better off staying home.

I started dribbling the ball and moved forward, toward the basket. When I got near the hoop, I went to shoot, but was shocked when the ball was suddenly knocked from my hand.

I couldn't even move to stop him. He was already dunking the ball into the hoop. He came back to me, dribbling it. "Wow, you have slow reflexes." He said.

"Well, sorry for not being born a star athlete like you." I said, jokingly.

Steven laughed a little. "Yeah, you're far from being an athlete."

"Hey! You don't need to rub it in!" I pouted.

"Okay, you're right. That was uncalled for." He said.

"Can't we duel instead? You know I don't like sports." I begged.

Steven sighed. "Fine. But you know I'll beat you, right?"

I sniffed indignantly. "You don't know that."

"Yeah, I do. I beat you every time." He pointed out.

It was true. Steven was better at everything than me. I really wanted to be a good duelist, but I could never remember to use abilities or switch what position my monsters were in. Put simply, I sucked.

But I was willing to do anything to get out of basketball.

"Well, I'm not gonna get better unless I practice. So, come on! Please?" I asked.

"Fine." He said, giving in.

~Time Skip To End Of Duel~

"Told ya I'd win." Steven said, helping me to my feet.

"Yeah, so?" I said, standing.

"And you're just as terrible as ever." He replied, grinning.

"Thanks for trying to make me feel better. It's so helping." I retorted. It was already bad enough I was this terrible. I really didn't need someone to rub it in.

Steven looked at his watch. "Oh, jeez. Sorry, I have to go. My parents told me not to stay out too late. See ya at school!" He said, running off.

I sighed and started walking back home.

It wasn't fair. I tried and tried, but I could never be good at anything. Not even dueling. It wasn't that my deck was bad, I just could never remember to activate my effects, traps and spells. Plus I always forget to check my monsters' attack before putting them on the field. Pretty much I failed at all the basics.

When I made it home, my parents still weren't off work, so I turned on the television and started flipping through the channels. I stopped when I reached the duel channel. I really did envy the champions that were always being interviewed.

Maybe if I keep practicing, I'll get to be a pro too. I thought.