In honor of the NBA Finals 2010.
"Whooo! Yeah! Did you see that? Good job Kobe!" screamed the maniac next to me.
I cannot believe this crap. I'm sitting here in supposedly awesome seats during a supposedly awesome game and I don't care in the slightest. Whoever said that going to a championship sports game for the first date is an idiot.
"Goddammit! I try to find tickets to the Finals and you get a guy that springs for courtside seats! That's crap! You don't even like basketball!" yelled Rose from her spot on the couch.
"Hey! It's not like I planned the date. Or told the guy that I love basketball and that we must go to the Playoffs!" I answered back. She just laid across the couch and shook her hair off the end irritated.
"If anything I'd rather chill out here with some pizza and a movie. Or I don't know. Anywhere we could talk…" I finished my idea of a good date lamely.
"No way! The game sounds awesome! Because you get to dress casual like you're always complaining. And I've got just the thing!" said Alice from her room. She bounced back into the living room and threw some stuff at me and Rose.
A moment later I'm in the living room, dressed and ready in jeans, a green and white basketball jersey, sneakers, very little makeup, and my hair in a ponytail. I took in myself and my best friends on the couch and I smile. We were all wearing matching green and white jerseys.
"Alice, what did you do? Buy three of the same jerseys by accident? Or did you forget that you already had one or two?" I laughed.
"Hey! He's the hottest player ever. Anyways, this will be great. I have a good feeling about this date! Maybe you'll bond because he'll find it cute that you don't know basketball and he'll love teaching you?" said Alice as she pushed Rose and settled into the couch.
"Who found this guy? And how did he get tickets." moaned Rose knowing full well that my coworker Jessica had set this up.
"Well, you know I would totally let you go on the date for me but Jess already showed him a picture of me from last year's holiday party." I shrugged knowing that even if Jess didn't show him my picture Rose would never go on the blind date. It was against her 'moral and instinctive core'. She just growled and turned the television to the pregame show. Well, I hope that this blind date is as easy as the outfit.
"Oh man! Isabel did you see that? That Kobe, he's awesome. People are always looking at…" he droned on.
I stared at him. He has a nice face with brown hair and eyes like me. Tall but not as much as the players basically he isn't unattractive. However right now, he has a sheen of sweat on his face as if he's been playing basketball instead of just yelling in the crowd. He glances at me to see if I'm listening to him, nods and goes on with the story or whatever he was saying.
He is slightly repulsive to me.
Buzz. Buzz.
"Geez, Bells. This guy's excited." said Rose beating me to the intercom and buzzing him up. She stayed by the door, probably to get a good look at who can score such 'awesome' tickets.
"Rose. Move so I can see." I said impatiently. She just laughed and blocked me from the door.
"Patience. You'll see him soon enough. In fact you're going on a date with him. So I'm going to see first." She chuckled into the peephole. Then she became quiet, snorted, shook her head and stalked back to the couch.
"Lemme see." said Alice and somehow she slipped passed me and Rose to the peephole. "Hmm…"
Ah, shit. That's not good.
BUZZZ!
I'm startled out of it and see people getting up and stretching. When I turn next to me, I see the guy up and talking animatedly with another guy next to him. I look at the clock hoping that the game is over. Nope. Halftime. Dammit, this is the longest date I've been on. Luckily, I don't feel guilty for always looking at the clock. Haha.
Maybe I could sneak out. I get up and grab my jacket. Peeking to see if he's noticed me yet, I see that the guy he's talking to nod to me and he turns around. Caught, dammit.
"Hey, Isabel! Great first half right? I mean I love Kobe. Sure he's paid an assload but seriously. He earns it…" He rambled on again.
Man, does this guy not get it? I haven't said one word during this game. I'm not even pretending to listen or nod my head anymore. As I'm collecting my stuff, he follows me and blathers on.
Alice had it wrong. This date sucks. I've had enough. I feel him grasp my arm.
"Wait. You going to the bathroom? You want some beer?" he asks.
"Yeah, I'm going to the bathroom. I don't want any beer." I answer seeing my out. As I walk away, when I'm sure he's not looking at me. I quickly turn towards the exit. Thank god for best friends. I opened my cell and saw a missed call from my dad. Ignoring it for right now, I text Alice and Rose to pick me up and got a quick one back that they wouldn't. I instantly text Alice.
What do you guys mean no?
Sorry. R said that they're the best seats ever even if they're next to loser.
So what. Pick me up. Calling the BF rule!
Sorry. I have a good feeling!
I'm going to choke you guys tonight during your sleep.
At least you look awesome even on tv!
I stomp back towards my seat and think of ways to get back at Alice and Rose. Soon the guy is back with two beers.
"I said I didn't want a beer." I told him. He quickly looked between me and the beers.
"Oh, I know. I'm going to drink both. One for now and the other for later." He said while tapping the side of his temple.
Oh my god. I can't believe it. He just acted like getting two beers was the most clever thing ever. Thankfully the players were coming back to the court and I didn't have to answer him.
I turned back to the game. Charlie would be watching this. I bet he's amazed that I'm actually wearing a sports jersey AT a sporting event. I bet if he found out that the jerk sitting next to me was my date, he'd probably bring out the gun. And I had to smile.
I push up to the peephole and see that he's still by the elevators glancing around the halls. Then I notice it. He's wearing purple and gold rival colors. Shit. I whip around to Alice.
"Well, maybe he'll be one of those guys that loves a challenge? Maybe it's a joke jersey?" she said grasping for any excuse. Rose was back by the door and growling.
"He's with the enemy! Ditch him! No! Go and kick his ass!" said Rose before stalking back to the couch.
He saw our number, stood at the door, fixed his hair and smiled before knocking. I leaned back and looked at Alice. She just shrugged and motioned for me to open the door. I slowly opened the door revealing myself. His smile quickly left as he stared at my jersey. I cleared my throat and that did nothing.
"So, uh, it looks like we're rivals tonight." I said to break the awkward silence. He nodded and then snapped out of it. At least he had the decency to look embarrassed.
"Uh, yeah. I thought you didn't follow sports?" he asked.
"I, uh, don't really follow sports but I always support my hometown." I chuckled awkwardly.
Alice introduced herself and pointed to Rose on the couch. She scoffed, looked at me, and pointed at him.
"Charlie would shoot him." Said Rose and turned back to the television. Alice somehow got him to relax a little bit after the comment and we left.
For all the sports that Charlie watched, I'm glad that I picked up the basics. Even though the date is going terribly, at least it was a good game. I use to expect that professional basketball players would play like the Harlem Globetrotters. They'd do amazing tricks off the other and the team with the better tricks would win.
But this was real basketball. Both teams were battling it out; body slamming their opponents while defending or trying to get an open shot. The score was very close with his team only in a small lead. Sometimes the ball would almost foul and one of the players would throw themselves to the ground or photographers or crowd to save the ball. It was insane.
The third quarter flew by and the fourth was getting intense. After my team scored, taking the lead, I jumped up and screamed along with the players. It was so liberating. When I sat back down, my date was looking annoyed and frustrated. This guy was taking it way too seriously. I turned to try and talk to him but he just twisted away from me and ignored me. IGNORED ME! I'm sorry but that is ridiculous. I'm leaving and I don't care if they don't pick me up. I'll grab a cab!
As I stand to leave he doesn't even pay attention. I roll my eyes and feel only a tiny bit annoyed. Annoyed that he is ignoring me standing to leave and at the same time not so that I can make a quick and quiet exit. Of course, this is when my terrible luck strikes.
I can feel myself in a warm room, lying on a hospital bed. As I blink my eyes open and readjust to the light, I see that I am in fact in a hospital room. I whimper feeling the pain and ache of my body especially my bandaged arm. A few minutes later a nurse shuffles in and I try to sit up.
"Hi. Don't try to sit up just yet." said the woman. I slightly turn my head to her.
"Okay." I whisper and turn my head back closing my eyes to remember what happened.
"Watch...!" he yelled before a freight train slammed into me knocking both of us and a few others into the seats. The metallic smell of blood seeping into my brain.
"What's the damage?" I asked after a beat.
"Well I think you'll have to wait for the doctor to come in and tell you. But I think they expect a cut in your arm is the worst of it." She said jotting some notes in my chart. Just as she stepped out, a gorgeous doctor stepped in. He cleared his throat and softly smiled at me. I just gaped.
"Hi, Ms. Swan. I'm Dr. Cullen. I hear that you are an unfortunate victim of a wayward basketball player?" He smiles to me.
"Oh, uh, yeah." I chuckled mindlessly. Duh. "It's Bella. And I, uh, don't remember much else after that." I finished quickly.
He looked at me and seemed to do a quick onceover.
"Well after Jasper tackled you, Edward had you sent to this hospital and called me to make sure that you were well taken care of." He answered as if this happened every day.
"Oh, that's good, um, but I don't really know, uh, who…" I quietly say and try to phrase my question well since he seemed to know these people.
He looked at me again and had on a concerned face.
"Hmm…well, Jasper was the basketball player that tackled you and Edward is the team doctor that took care of you until the ambulance came."
"Oh. Okay." I said not knowing what else to say.
He looked concerned and checked my chart and asked me some questions about nausea and light sensitivity. Then he asked questions about my life and demographic basics. After the more thorough examination and seeing that I wasn't suffering from any brain injury or amnesia, he answered.
"Jasper Cullen? The basketball player's jersey you're wearing right now?" he asked.
"Oh, okay." I said blushing. I was embarrassed that I didn't know whose jersey I was wearing and that he caught me. But honestly that name means nothing to me besides he's the hottest player ever according to Alice.
Just as I'm trying to think of something else to say, Alice and Rose rush into the room yelling for me.
"Oh my god!" wailed Alice and Rose coming over to try and hug me.
"We were so worried! We saw the whole thing on television! We tried to call your cell but of course no one answered it! But thank goodness that you still carry the 'in case of emergency' card in your wallet! That's how they called us!" she jumped in with small sniffles while Rose just patted my head nodding.
After catching up on the emergency and their way over, she growled and muttered something about a 'stupid Cullen' or 'not paying attention'. I heard Dr. Cullen clear his throat and smiled at us three.
"Well, I'm sure he's sorry that he crashed into you. And I'm sure that he'll probably stop by and apologize himself." He said after making some notes in my chart.
"Maybe. But I'm sure he'll be too busy to deal with me." I slipped out. When he came closer to the bed, I guess I still looked confused because the doctor looked at me and tried to hide a little smile behind his hand.
"Jasper is my son. Jasper Cullen. Cullen?" he reminded me. Oh right, Dr. Cullen, father of Jasper Cullen the basketball player that slammed into me and whose jersey Alice, Rose, and I are wearing. Duh.
I was just about to fill up the silence when Alice jumped in before I could.
"Oh! You're Jasper's dad? That's really funny. Bella was ran over by Jasper and then fixed by his dad…" she rambled on. Thank goodness she could charm and make almost any situation less awkward.
My arm was starting to become sore again so I was trying to become more comfortable. Dr. Cullen and Alice noticed right away.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. You were just about to tell us how Bella is." Alice said giving me an apologetic look. I shook my head that it was no problem.
"Ah, yes. Well, fortunately, looking at your x-rays, there are no broken bones. However, you just got a nasty deep cut in your arm that required some stitches and some other bumps and bruises." He said.
"That's not too bad." I said considering I felt like I was hit by an out of control van.
"Well, I'm going to recommend that you stay overnight. I just want to make sure that you don't have a concussion given your medical history." He added smiling before saying good nights and that he'd see me in the morning and heading out of my room. I groaned
"Great. Geez, how fast did and hard did Jasper run into me?" I asked.
"You should've seen it, Bella. The ball was heading out of bounds and he was running trying to keep it in bounds. He got the ball in time so there was no foul. But the momentum was there and you were standing up grabbing something from your seat and one guy was jumping up to slow him down but he was too late and Cullen was crashing into you and the idiot, who by the way was protecting only himself by pushing Cullen into you!" rushed Rose.
I looked to Alice for confirmation who nodded.
"Told you he was enemy." Rose added.
Alice and Rose hung out with me for the rest of the night somehow avoiding being kicked out after visitors' hours. While I filled them in on the terrible date, they helped me field calls from my mother and Charlie and call into work for the next few days.
"I had such a strong feeling too. I still do. But this sucks." pouted Alice while gesturing at me. Rose and I just rolled our eyes.
It was almost midnight, when there was a tentative knock on the door. A tall, lean, muscular man dressed in a suit came in.
"Oh! Jasper Cullen!" squeaked Alice jumping up to meet him. It was funny watching it. She came up to his chest and was trying to restrain herself from jumping on him.
He smiled looking at Alice and then cleared his throat and looked at me.
"Uh, hi. I just wanted to apologize for almost killing you and also make sure that you're okay." He said seriously.
"Sure. Don't worry. It's not a problem. I know you didn't do it on purpose and your dad's taking great care of me." I said.
He nodded and Alice quickly fell into conversation with him. Soon there was another tentative knock on the door. Then the most ridiculously attractive guy peeked in. He looked at me, came in, and gave me a small smile. He glanced around the room and saw Jasper still speaking with Alice and Rose asleep in a comfortable chair. He cleared his throat. Jasper heard and came over, clearly embarrassed.
"Sorry Edward. I forgot…" he trailed off. So this is Edward Cullen, the one that helped me at the game. Edward just cocked his brow at Jasper and then looked back to me.
"How do you feel?" he politely asked. I nod and smile.
"You know. Fine considering." I answered and blushed since I was staring at him nonstop. I attempted to give a small shrug but ended up grimacing at the bandaged arm. He immediately came closer.
"Are you alright? Did you hurt your arm?" he asked concern shadowing his bright green eyes. I shake my head since I couldn't say anything from not just the pain in my arm but the shock of seeing his eyes up close.
"I'm just going to go to the nurse and ask about some pain medication." He said quickly walking out of the room and I let out a big whoosh of breath not realizing that I was holding my breath.
A moment later, Dr. Cullen was checking my chart and giving me a small dose of painkillers and telling me that he'll check up on me in the morning before leaving again. Alice and Jasper were standing in the corner of the room.
"Thanks again." I said to Edward who just smiled weakly.
"So you're the one that took care of me at the game?" I asked trying to make some conversation since Rose was still out cold.
"Yeah, do you remember that?" he asked surprised. I blushed.
"Ha, no, you're dad told me."
"Yeah. As the team doctor, you know, I have to take care of injuries that happen to the team but you were so close to me and you were bleeding pretty heavily and passed out." He shrugged and smiled. I have to say that I felt a small twinge of disappointment that he it was part of his job to help me.
"Well, thanks again." I said. We made a little bit more small talk before I was starting to yawn. He and Jasper excused themselves and promised that they'll try to see me in the morning before I leave.
"I knew it. I told you I had a good feeling." sighed Alice next to me.
"What are you talking about? For my blind date, I'm run over by a basketball player and end up in the hospital. I also have yet to see the said date all night. How was this date any good?" I asked. She just smiled and went on about getting beauty sleep and whatnot. I didn't have any specific dream but just the color green.
In the morning, I was up early being dressed and made up. Alice, the early morning psycho, was having a field day saying that just because you're in a hospital doesn't mean you should be a slob. Also honestly, I couldn't wait to get out of here and into my own bed and maybe a little excited at the prospect of seeing another certain young doctor.
"Well, Bella. I want you to take it easy for a couple of days. I called in a pain medication prescription for you. You should take it when you're in pain and on a full stomach so that you don't get sick. Now you're all set." Dr. Cullen finished up while I signed a tiny pile of paperwork. I nod.
He pushed my wheelchair towards the doors to Alice and Rose in the waiting car.
"Great thanks again." I said slowly standing up. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to see Edward. I guess he must have noticed because he smiled.
"Edward and Jasper told me to apologize that they couldn't make it this morning. They have last minute interviews, practices, and meetings for the game tomorrow." He said pulling an envelope out of his coat. "But they wanted me to give you these."
"Thanks again doctor." I waved bye and got into Rose's BMW.
"What did they give you?" asked Alice as Rose was pulling out of the hospital. I opened the envelope with my name Isabella Swan written neatly on the front and three passes to the final championship game fell out with a note written with the same neat writing.
Dear Bella, I hope you're feeling better. The team, Jasper, and I want to invite you to our last game of the season. Hope to see you there, Edward Cullen.
"What is it?" asked Rose. I waved the passes to her and we swerved around the road before she pulled into a parking lot.
"Those aren't what I think they are?" yelled Rose whipping around the seat and snatching them out of my hand. "These are three passes to game seven!" she was bouncing with excitement. Alice looked at them closely and smiled.
"They're better. They're passes to the suites for the final game!" Alice said bouncing with Rose. They both started to talk about the shopping and outfits and I had to shake them to remind them that we had to pick up my prescription and get home so I can nap.
"No way. We have to go shopping and find something to wear for the game tomorrow!" Alice decided.
"Noo! Dr. Cullen said that I have to rest. Besides you don't me to be a drag for tomorrow night. So why don't we pick up my prescription and then you guys drop me off at home?" I reasoned and hoped. Alice looked thoughtful and nodded.
"Okay, but we're still picking out your outfit for tomorrow night." She answered.
At last I was relaxing in my room listening to some music. Alice and Rose were out shopping and I quickly dozed off.
I feel someone gently shaking me awake.
"Bella. Wake up so you can eat something and then take your drugs." It was Rose. I had a delicious grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup and my pills and went back to bed.
I dreamt about green eyes, basketballs, and protective arms.
When I woke up, it was noon the next day and I could hear the flutter of activity outside my door. Stumbling out, it looks like a closet exploded all over the apartment.
"Alice! Rose! What the hell happened? Why are there clothes everywhere?" I yelled.
Alice and Rose stumbled out into the living room with even more clothes and bags.
"Hurry up Bella. We need to get ready for the game! We're leaving at six for dinner and drinks so we can be at the game by eight-thirty." yelled Alice while rummaging through a pile of clothes.
I rolled my eyes and heading for the kitchen to make myself a sandwich. I was still chewing my last bite when Alice pushed me into the bathroom to shower since we only had five hours to get ready.
It was difficult to move around because of the stitches but once Alice and Rose were threatening to come in and help me if I didn't hurry up, I quickly finished. Okay maybe it wasn't that difficult to move around, I mean I have been injured enough to have enough practice showering impaired.
When I opened the bathroom door, Alice and Rose were waiting. I think that they knew I was milking my shower.
"Well, I was sore from yesterday…" I pouted. Alice relented a tiny bit while Rose just rolled her eyes. Then they still pushed me into my room.
"Why do I have to be ready first?" I grumbled.
"Well, since you don't know how to dress yourself, or put on makeup, or do your hair, AND need help redressing your cut, you're going first!" said Alice and Rose while I just sat in my chair. Alice laid out a vintage green team t-shirt, dark faded jeans, and simple white sneakers on my bed while Rose did my hair. After she dried and styled my hair into a sporty ponytail with green and white ribbons, Alice did my makeup really lightly since we were going to a sporting event. Then I was finally finished and it was around three.
So, I curled up in my favorite chair and read while I waited for Alice and Rose.
"Okay, Bella, we're ready. And you're not bringing your book so don't try." Said Rose.
"Wait! Picture before we leave!" yelled Alice.
We all gathered around and it was so obvious where we were going. All of us were wearing some form of green and white. I was wearing my vintage green t-shirt, dark jeans and white sneakers. Alice was wearing a dark green and white striped tank top, black skirt, and black flats, which is different from the heels she normally wears. Rose, the only one of us that didn't tone it down, was wearing a jersey, black skirt, and high heels with each thing emblazoned with a green clover.
After going to a high-end, gourmet sports bar nearby the complex and getting pumped for the game with other fans, it was past eight and we headed for the game.
I was slightly nervous because I didn't know if we had a suite to ourselves or if we were going to be with a team family or the owners.
Once we showed our passes, we were whisked away by personnel and escorted to the luxury boxes.
The suite was amazing. It was like the movies with televisions and comfortable roomy seats and a buffet. It was insane. As I was taking everything in, I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turn to see who it is.
"Hi Bella." said a beautiful woman with a classy green silk blouse and black slacks.
"Uh, hi." I answered nervously and blushed. "I'm sorry. I don't know your name." I finished lamely.
"Oh! Sorry about that. Of course you don't. I'm Esme Cullen! Carlisle's wife. Jasper and Edward's mom." She said happily. I blushed. Of course, she'd know who I was. Alice and Rose came over and I introduced them to her.
"Mrs. Cullen" I started.
"Call me Esme" she interrupted. I nod and smile.
"Uh, Esme, these are my best friends, Alice Brandon and Rose Hale."
They all quickly fell into a conversation and I wondered over to the front of the room looking over the court. I watched the bustle of the crowd, the warm-ups of the players, and the last minute checks of photographers and cameramen. It was the calm before the intensity that was to come. I felt my hairs stand on end and felt a cool breath behind me.
"Hi Bella. How are you tonight?" he smiled down to me. My cheeks got warm.
"Great. Thanks for the passes. Alice and Rose were so excited." I said. He nodded and glanced away. There was a tiny beat of pause. I turned back to the court. He sighed next to me.
"I wish I knew what you were thinking." He quietly said.
"Just before you came, I was just thinking that it's like the quiet before the storm. It must be exciting to be down there with the team." I blushed and smiled. He perked up a bit.
"It is. The intensity and passion of the players is fantastic. The rush of everything." His eyes sparkled a bit.
"That must be great." I sighed. He nodded and glanced to the back.
"I've got to get back down before the game starts." He said and seemed to pause. Then he bent down, gave me a chaste peck on the cheek, and quickly left. I was red and wearing a ridiculous smile on my face when Alice and Rose came over to me.
Go Celtics.