The ball moved exactly where he wanted it to, this way, that way, through the hoop, under his legs, where ever he wanted it to go…
He weaved his way around the imaginary opponents, and smiled as he heard the familiar swish of success. He walked over to the ball, picked it up, and spun it on his fingers. He heard someone talking out side of the gym, so he quickly ran and hid behind the nearest bleachers. He saw Troy and Chad walk in his gym, laughing and talking. He ducked farther behind the stands. He could just hear Chad and Troy as they talked while throwing the ball around- almost as easily as he had.
"Oh, god, yeah, that girl is such a dork!" Troy laughed. Ryan ducked yet even further in his hiding place and wrinkled his nose. He couldn't stand Troy and Chad, and their fake kindness around other students. He continued to listen to their conversation. Chad threw the ball to Troy.
"Yeah, she and Ryan should get together. DORK FEST!"
"Ha! Ryan? He's to busy following Sharpay to even see a girl."
"Those two are too close."
Ryan rolled his eyes. Was it such a big deal if he and Sharpay happened to be close friends? She was the only one who knew his true talent for basketball…
"Yeah, he and his sparkeley, pazzazed, idiot sister need professional help." Chad said. Troy laughed. Ryan had had enough. He stood up and walked over to Chad, who seemed surprised that Ryan even knew where the gym was. Ryan walked up with a furious look on his face.
"Shut up, Chad." He yelled.
"Hey, Showboy. What are you doing in here?" Troy asked. His eyes wandered down to the basketball Ryan was still holding. "Oh, so you came to play some hoops? Ha! Chad, check this out! The Star-Boy knows some basketball!" he laughed and grabbed the ball from Ryan, taunting him. "Oh, come on, play me, one-on-one?"
Ryan considered his reputation, then brushed it aside.
"Fine." He took of his jacket, and walked up to Troy. "I'll even let you start."
Troy looked surprised, but threw off his puma jacket and stretched out his arms, sneering. "Good luck, you're gonna need it."
He started dribbling the ball, Ryan's eyes fixed on the movements. He faked to the left, then came to a stop. Ryan fell for it, and silently cursed himself as he ran back to the center of the court, where Troy was standing, dribbling, and smiling. He dribbled it under his legs, and Ryan smiled. Oh please. Troy made a go for the right, but Ryan blocked him, cleverly stealing the ball, dribbling it to the left side, and twirled it on his finger as Troy stood there, bewildered. Troy smirked, trying to keep it cool, and ran back over to Ryan. Ryan swerved around Troy easily and shooting from twenty feet away from the hoop. The ball gracefully scored. Several people cheered. Ryan turned to see that five or six people had shown up to watch the duel. Troy walked over to Chad, who jogged over to Ryan, silently challenging him. Ryan nodded, handing Chad the ball. Chad dribbled for a while, then suddenly ran to the free-throw line, preparing to take his shot. Before he could, the ball left his hands, and a second later he saw Ryan, smiling, at half court, easily dribbling the ball. Chad just stood there. He turned to she ten or so people sitting in the stands, some eating lunch with friends, some mentally taking notes to deliver fresh, juicy, gossip of Ryan the actor beaten the two best school jocks. Ryan stooped as he realized what he had done.
He, Ryan, would never be looked at the same way ever again.
The bell rang and Ryan picked up his jacket, wondering what do to. Chad walked over to him, holding out his hand. Ryan shook it. "How do you know the game?" Troy asked. He had not offered his hand to Ryan.
Ryan shrugged. "My dad taught it to me."
"Why didn't you join the school team the first chance possible?" Chad asked him. Ryan looked down.
"Well, he…he died in a car crash… every time I picked up a basketball after that, I thought of him…It was too painful. When I finally got to the point where I had my talent back and I was willing to play, I already had this whole new reputation. I couldn't just show up to tryouts, could I?"
"You can now!" Chad said with a whole new smile. It was weird- Chad was being…nice. Troy, however, had not warmed up to the idea. He continued to frown, a look of distrust in his eyes.
"Chad." He warned him.
"What?" he defended him self. "Troy, Ryan could help our team!"
"I'm not sure this is a good idea." Troy folded his arms.
"Ryan, we have a practice today at 4:00, come to it, and we cans see if you can handle it….If you want to." Chad said happily.
"Um… I'll think about it."
"Great." Chad smiled again, and headed off to fourth period, as the second warning bell had just rung. Ryan picked up his jacket and looked around for Troy. He was already at the door, closing it behind him with a confused look on his face. Ryan stood there for a moment before glancing at the clock and running off to class.