Hey guys! Here's the long awaited chapter 3! Hope you guys enjoy it, and please read and review!

Chapter 3

"I'll be there, but you'll have to work with my schedule. I can't play on nights when I have exams the following day, or if I'm swamped with work. It's vital at this point that my grades remain top notch, and they're my first priority."

Mr. Shield looked down at me, and for a second I couldn't tell if he was utterly surprised or impressed.

"That's understandable. We'll work that out. What's your major anyway?"

"Chemistry."

"Chemistry?"

This time he didn't attempt to hide the surprise on his face.

I sighed as he regained his composure. Seeing that look was getting real old real fast.

"I didn't really take you for the nerdy type Rook."

Crossing my arms across my chest, I glared up at his towering frame.

"My name is Serena. Se-re-na. And with all due respect, you don't even know me. How can you formulate assumptions about my character? "

"Uh yeah, didn't we discuss this name issue already? I didn't mean any offense though. It's just that usually the talented players tend to be…how do I say this correctly…non math or science majors?"

Confusion replaced the anger currently plastered on my face as I stared at Mr. Shields. Did he just, in a very stereotypical way, pay me a compliment?

"Yeah well I'm not your typical student or baller."

Looking directly into my eyes he presented me with a genuine smile that caught me off guard.

"Good to know Rook."

I watched as Mr. Shields then brought the whistle hanging from his neck to his lips and blew into it.

"Everyone, get on the base line. Our first priority in preparing for this season is getting into basketball shape. And from what I'm seeing tonight we have a lot of work to do in that department. We're going to spend the next hour on sprints and endurance exercises."

A collective groan was heard from across the floor.

Mr. Shields smiled as he again lifted his whistle.

"Yeah, yeah, you'll all thank me later. Line up! Ready, set, go!"

Panting as I ran to and from the designated lines across the court, I couldn't help but wonder if my pride hadn't caused me to play the part of the fool tonight. As the stinging sensation in my chest increased, I again asked myself if it was worth it.

Originally, my intentions were to inform Coach Shields that the only place he would be seeing me would be around campus if he got that lucky, but then I figured people don't really miss what they have never known. Mr. Shields saw a glimpse of my capabilities on the court tonight, but he did not know the full extent of my skills and the real difference my presence on his team would bring. Until he had learned that fact, my departure would be a slight disappointment, but nothing too serious. I absolutely could not do him the injustice of not missing me to the fullest. Inwardly an image of me rubbing my hands together and throwing back my head with an evil laugh came to mind, but I just smiled as I bent to touch the final line that would complete my suicide sprint. This was gonna be fun, and hey, I needed the exercise anyway.

With the conclusion of our endurance exercises that evening practice was completed. As we walked out the gym to our cars Andrea approached me.

"Hey, thanks for coming out tonight. The rumors are definitely true. From what I saw tonight you're pretty good. I hope you decide to stay with us."

Looking down at the shorter girl, I smiled as I placed threw my duffle bag into my car.

"Thanks for inviting me. Aside from your rude excuse of a coach I actually had a good time. It's been a while since I've played or exercised like that. I think I will stick around for a little while."

"That's great! And don't mind Coach Shields, he's really like that with everyone, but he's probably picking on you because you actually reacted angrily. He's just messing with you."

"Really? Well I don't like being messed with. What's his deal anyway?"

"Well there isn't much to say. He's the head coach and he's pretty popular around campus; especially with the ladies. I'm sure you noticed he's a pretty handsome guy."

"Yeah, if you find ape looking guys with the manners of a pig handsome then sure, he's handsome."

Andrea laughed and shook her head while I scowled at her.

"He's really not so bad, really. Oh, he's also married with twin girls. They're the cutest kids ever. You'll be meeting his wife soon if you stick around. She's a local physician and she usually does our annual physical exams. She's pretty cool though."

"That buffoon is married to a doctor? Wow, I guess there really is someone out there for everyone, huh?"

Andrea again shook her head at my antics.

"You're crazy, but I like you. So are you going out tonight? It's Friday so there's college night at the Backstreet Club. Most of us will be heading there tonight."

"Yeah, I think I will. It's been a while since I've been out dancing. I guess I'll see you guys there."

"Alright then, I'll see you later."

I gave a short wave as I watched Andrea get into her car and drove off. It was as usual, a warm Caribbean night, and the night sky was looking even clearer than it normally did. I leaned back against my car as I took in the sound of the rustling leaves from the palm trees, the hovering fireflies, and the beautiful sight of the stars from the gym parking lot. In my peripheral vision I noticed and upcoming pair of headlights that dimmed as a red convertible pulled to a stop beside me. I wasn't very knowledgeable whereas cars were concerned, but I knew that this wasn't a cheap car. I wondered who was sitting behind those tinted black windows for all of a second before the window in question disappeared, revealing Mr. Shields with a concerned look on his face.

"Hey, is everything okay? Do you need a lift?"

How and why in the world was this man driving a convertible? Did coaching pay that much? Didn't he have two young children? Who drove a convertible with young children?Coming out of my stupor, I shook my head as I started to respond.

"Uh no, I'm fine. I'm just cooling off from all that running before I head to my room. Thanks for asking though."

"No problem Rook. And good job tonight. I'm impressed. Even with that ugly shot of yours, I can see that you're a fairly talented player. We've gotta whip you into shape though. You were one of the fastest sprinters out there tonight, but I have a feeling you can go even faster than that. No worries, I'll take care of that part. Whipping you girls into shape is one of my specialties."

The arrogant grin that appeared on his face at that point made me wish I had a basketball handy.

"First of all, my shot isn't ugly. It's just different. Perhaps it's just too complicated for you to understand, Coach. And secondly, my name is Serena. Se-re-na. That however, shouldn't be too complicated. It's just three syllables."

Mr. Shields shook his head at my response.

"You're pretty stubborn aren't you? Used to getting your way? People just succumb to your desires?"

I blushed as he stared at me, partly because that was sort of true. This situation, however, had nothing whatsoever to do with that fact. This was about respect!

Crossing my arms across my chest I glared back at him.

"This situation does not concern what I'm used to. This is simply about you calling me by my given name Coach Shields. Nothing more, nothing less."

"You shouldn't take things so seriously. It'll make your life a lot easier if you remember that while you're around me. I'm an easy going person and it takes quite a bit to bother me. This is my court, my team, and my rules. You'll figure that out soon enough though. Anyway, you should head up to your room. It isn't safe to be here in this parking lot alone at night. See you on Monday Rook."

And with that statement he flashed me one final smile before his window rolled up and he was gone. My eyes trailed the brake lights of the vehicle until they disappeared. That man was definitely an enigma, but I'd have him eating out of my hands soon enough. I got into my car and drove off. Time to call up the girls and party!

Walking through the sweaty and dancing bodies of our peers a few hours later, my friends and I made our way towards the bar as we walked into the club. The place was really packed and everyone seemed to be having a blast. My friends and I had opted for club dresses as the theme that night, so I was dressed in a skin hugging white strapless dress that ended mid-thigh. One side of my dress was adorned in artistic symbols painted in gold ink, and I sported my three inch gold stilettos. For jewelry I kept it simple with my gold necklace and gold hoops in my ear. I had decided to just let my hair loose that night, but as we entered the steaming club I wondered if that had been a wise idea. Similarly, my friends were dressed to impress in their dresses and matching stilettos. Raye was clad in a red halter type dress which she accentuated with black pumps, Lita had opted for a straight fitted green dress that ended mid-thigh with a small split on one side, Mina had chosen a yellow spaghetti strap dress that she chose to accentuate with a huge brown belt across her waist with some brown pumps, and Amy had chosen a one strapped fitted navy blue dress that fell a few inches above the knee but showed off her curvaceous body. To put it lightly, we looked hot!

As we found some seats at the bar, we showed our IDs to the bartender (the drinking age on the island was 18), and we ordered our drinks. As we sipped on our drinks and laughed at the crazy antics of some people on the dance floor, I noticed Andrea and the rest of the girls in another corner and waved to them. I smiled as they waved back and again turned to the crowd. We noticed how most of the guys in the club kept looking our way, and it amused us to no end to watch some of them start to approach us and then turn around. There were a few that actually did make it and asked to dance, but we politely declined. We weren't feeling the music as yet. When Nelly's "It's Getting Hot in Here" blasted through the speakers, we gulped down the remainder of our drinks and headed to the dance floor. That song was a classic!

Forming a circle, we started moving our bodies to the music along with everyone else. It felt wonderful to be on the dance floor again, and I was reminded why I loved dancing so much. I felt free, and my inhibitions disappeared with the help of the alcohol I had consumed. My friends and I started a little competition amongst ourselves trying to outdo one another, and we soon drew in the crowd. Amy and Lita had called it quits since they weren't fans of being the center of attention, but Mina, Raye, and I were pushing to the finish and did not mind.

Swaying my body to the beat, I placed my hands behind my head and lifted my hair off my back. I sensually moved my waist with the beat of the song and descended towards the floor. It really wasgetting hot in here. A tap on my shoulder drew my attention away from my friends, and I turned to find a rather hot blonde whom I recognized from the gym earlier. If I remembered correctly, he had been working out with the boys' team after we were done with our practice. He was exceptionally handsome, I silently admitted to myself. I'd guess he was about 6'4 with sunny blond hair and piercing light green eyes. And from what I had seen earlier, there were some well-developed muscles under his white dress shirt that was currently rolled up to his elbows. Leaning down to my ear, he asked me in a husky, yet sexy voice if I wanted to dance. I looked over at Raye and Mina and noticed that they were being asked to dance as well. I smirked as we all made eye contact with each other.

"Sure, I'd love to."

He stood behind me and I was more than happy to use him as my dancing pole. I placed my butt against his crotch as we both continued moving to the beat of the song. The song changed to "Falsetto" by the Dream, and I slowed the pace of our dancing. He was actually a pretty good dancer and followed all my leads. I was actually impressed. Moving my waist in a torturously slow circle, I placed my hands on his thighs as I held on for support. The crowd had dissipated once again, and we stood amongst the other grinding bodies on the floor. I took him low, and back up, then down low again, all the while still moving my waist, but he followed me. After that I started grinding against him, sweat trickling down both our bodies as I leaned back into his towering frame. We were moving in unison on the dance floor, and his hands were now firmly holding my waist as he grinded back against my movements. As the song reached its climax, I felt him pull me even closer to his body. We were dancing at an agonizingly slow yet arousing pace. I closed my eyes as the song drew to an end, wiping the sweat off my brow as I finally turned around to face my dance partner.

Extending my hand, I looked up at his beautiful green eyes.

"Hi, I'm Serena."

He extended his hand out to me, and I noted his firm yet gentle grip as he answered back.

"Jason, a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine", was my flirtatious reply. I flashed him one of my infamous playful smiles as I repositioned my hands on my hips.

"I've never danced so in tuned with someone else before. That was amazing."

I smiled at his comment, and I couldn't help but agree.

"Ditto. You're really good for a guy."

He laughed then, a rich yet playful sound that brought a smile to my face.

"I saw you on the court today. You're good. I play for the men's team, so hopefully we'll be seeing each other around. I hope we can do this again sometime. It was really fun Serena."

"Yeah, it was. I'm gonna head back to my friends now, but it was nice meeting you, and I'll see you around Jason."

With one final smile I turned around and headed back towards the bar where my friends were giving me knowing glances. Deliberately moving my hips from side to side as I moved through the crowd, I flicked my hair over my shoulder and took a quick look to my rear. I didn't need to look to know that Jason was watching, but it felt great to confirm that he was locked on me. We made eye contact for a brief second and I shivered at the intense gaze I saw in his eyes. Yep, freshman year was definitely becoming a whole lot more interesting.