Part IV: Game Time

The gym was filled with students from all years. They were anticipating a win from Mr. Luke over cute girl Alex. But they were also curious how Alex would overcome such odds in case they were wrong.

Alex was first to arrive. She was accompanied by her friends. She wore a black shirt and white shorts. She scanned the gym then continued to stretch out in the sidelines.

Marissa, who was watching, hid herself among the crowds along the fifth row of the center bleachers. She was praying for Alex. She smiled when she noticed Alex demeanor: she was cool as ice.

Then the big jock Luke came. He wore the varsity uniform, just to emphasize he was included in the team's lineup. He grinned proudly, constantly waving to the crowd.

Damien appeared from the crowd and volunteered himself to referee the game. He motioned the two to go to center court.

"Strictly basketball... You know the rules of the game right. Just square it off one on one. Winner's outs... Race to 5 people. Got it?"

"Got it!" The two replied.

Luke got the first possession because of a coin toss. He grinned at Alex. He dribbled between his legs, grinning.

Alex proceeded to give her defensive stance. She didn't look at Luke. She concentrated on the ball.

Luke slowly backed down on Alex. Alex was almost the same built he was. He could barely move an inch. Luke turned around, making his elbows rise, hitting Alex's chin in the process. Alex backed away. He took the opportunity to lay the ball down the hoop.

"FOUL!" Damien shouted.

The crowd was in shock. Luke was playing dirty. Marissa got worried. She stood up to see if her friend was alright. Alex was fine. But there was a small amount blood coming out of her lips.

"It's ok. Give him the point and the ball!" Alex shouted.

Alex – 0 ; Luke – 1

This stunned everybody, even Luke.

"Nice Cohen. Just took you to school huh?" Luke smirked.

"Nah… I'll take you to basketball school. Right now." Alex smiled she gave her defensive stance.

"Right… like you can…" Luke didn't continue.

He faked Alex then ran. Thinking he went pass Alex, he went straight to shoot the ball. When he was about to, the ball was no longer in his hands. It was with Alex. Alex grinned.

"Lesson one: Never shoot the ball… if you don't have the ball…" Alex grinning as she dribbled.

Luke just shook his head. Luke took his defensive stance.

"Lesson two" Alex started walking slowly, turned her back on Luke to back him down. Luke anticipated the she was going to post up so he didn't move a budge. But to his surprise, Alex turned around and made a fade away shot.

SWISH!

"Always anticipate a jump shot." Alex grinned as Damien passed her the ball.

Alex – 1 ; Luke – 1

The crowd was in amazement. Most of their jaws dropped, even Marissa's.

"Lesson three" Alex dribbled along the three point line creating distance between her and Luke.

She started dribbling slowly then faster as she walked to meet up Luke. He stood his ground, his arms up to avoid another jump shot from Alex. Would have been good defense, but Alex had other plans. She spun around him, leaving him to make another lay – up.

SWISH!

"Never give space for a spin around." Alex took hold of the ball.

Alex – 2 ; Luke – 1

There were cheers from the crowd. Marissa was all smiles.

"Lesson four" Alex smiled.

She dribbled again. Running this time. Luke was able to cut her off, but Alex wasn't about to let up. She ended up creating an under goal stab.

SWISH!

"Defend till the last inch of the freakin' basketball court!" Alex said with intensity.

Alex – 3 ; Luke – 1

"Still ok big guy?" Alex asked as Damien handed her the ball again.

Luke didn't answer. He made deep breaths and took his defensive stance once more.

Seeing that Luke stood with legs slightly separated, Alex decided to become creative. She dribbled the ball between Luke's legs, caught it while running then shot it for another point. The crowd went wild.

SWISH!

Alex – 4 ; Luke – 1

Alex smiled as she was passed the ball again. She scanned the crowd and saw Marissa looking at her. Alex gave her a playful wink. Earning her Marissa's smile.

"Game point big guy. You think you can still stop me?" Alex asked a severely humiliated Luke.

Luke didn't answer. He cleared his throat and stood his ground in front of Alex. He stared at Alex's eyes, they were on fire.

They were beyond the arc. Alex decided to end this duel. She had homework to finish.

"Last lesson for today big guy." Alex stared at Luke.

She shot the ball without looking at the hoop. Her eyes didn't leave Luke's. Luke turned to watch where the ball was going.

SWISH!

Alex – 5 ; Luke – 1

"Practice makes perfect." Alex grinned then walked away.

The crowd went nuts. Wilder than they have ever been. Some were jumping and screaming. Alex disappeared with her friends. Nobody else really noticed.

"How did she do that? I was sure she was looking in my eyes all the time…" Luke asked in shock.

"She practices threes with a blind-fold on." Damien smiled and walked away.