Like Father, Like Son
Author's Note: Ladies and gents I'm back with another chapter of Like Father, Like Son and I'm Aaron survived his first month of High School! We're gonna do a bit of a Time Skip and go straight into his basketball tryouts while Natalie, Melanie, and Anthony try to find a way to get Xander to the bakery.
Disclaimer: I obviously don't own Girl Meets World. I'm not getting paid by the writers to write stuff like this (but I wish I was) Sadly they wouldn't allow stuff like this to air because it's Disney!
October 2037
It was time for basketball tryouts! Aaron has remembered the terms and conditions from a few weeks back talking to his parents. He understood that in order to tryout he must maintain an 80% average thus far, but still remember his duty to the bakery. Riley has checked with his teachers on how he's doing and all told her that he's one of the top students in the class. Afterwards, Riley did her calculations and the results were satisfying that her first born is averaging 84% with all of his classes combined. This gave Aaron the go ahead to tryout as he grabbed his gym bag from his locker and went down to the gym where he ran into a couple of Knicks Players: Ryan Garrick and Travis Cooper.
"Ryan? Trav? What are you guys doing here?" Aaron exclaimed surprise to see his dad's teammates at his school.
"Well your Uncle Zay and Vanessa are talking in her office and we're just here waiting for him then us and your dad will workout together." Travis told him.
"You being good in school Aaron?" Ryan asked Aaron.
"Yeah Ryan, just doing my best right now. My marks are doing me some good knowing how strict my parents are on me when it comes to school and athletics." Aaron said to Ryan complaining to him as Ryan chuckled.
"Kid believe me, your grades will serve you well down the road and one day you're gonna thank your parents that they were strict on you when it came to your marks in school." Ryan told the young man as Aaron groaned at him.
"Yeah I know, the higher the grades the more possibilities that open up for me, don't worry Ryan mom and dad gave me that speech a few times over." Aaron said to Ryan as Travis really didn't appreciate his answer.
"Hey! Aaron, you give Ryan the respect he has earned boy!" Travis warned Aaron not to go against a tough NBA Veteran like Ryan Garrick who is like the basketball version of Jaromir Jagr in Hockey. A guy that can play as good as the young guys in his mid-40s. Ryan Garrick is an older gentleman and everyone in the NBA is still wondering how he's pulling his off! Some people that Aaron has talked to in the past even accused Ryan of using performance enhancing drugs to help him get this far and still averages 18 points per game, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and, 4 steals. Travis averaged 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and, 2 blocks last season.
"Whatever guys, I'm just here to tryout." Aaron said as he made his way past the NBA Players AS Travis just shook his head at Aaron while Ryan was disappointed. Aaron is very talented especially for his age, but he can't allow himself to fall victim to his own talent, talent can only bring a person so far, but with hardwork, dedication, and a good head over their shoulder, people like Aaron could be an NBA Superstar. Aaron got changed and began to wear a red and blue size 14 Under Armour Friar 5 Shoe. Even better for Aaron since it is a High Cut shoe so that Aaron's ankles are more protected since his father did have ankle problems. He and 33 others warmed up with Coach Arsenault leading the stretch and warm-ups. They practiced numerous drills involving passing, free throw shooting, rebounding, shooting skills, and how they work as a team. However, Aaron caught the eye of Coach Arsenault, he was definitely like his father. A very competitive attitude, no nonsense, gifted young talent. Aaron can shoot from ridiculous ranges and he can dunk! Aaron can shoot from an NBA 3 Point line which was 30 feet and beyond from the hoop.
"Ok guys, I'm gonna wrap this up with some 5 on 5 action. First to 11 wins the game it is that simple. After everyone has played, we'll wrap practice up and I'll tell you guys when the team list will be posted. Remember 15 guys will make this team." Coach Arsenault told the young men as they were coming back from a 1-minute water break. Team 1 was made up of some decent guys that could make the team one of them Aaron definitely knew would make it: Devon Hamilton already at 7 feet tall and still growing and at 275lbs! Can dunk with ease, can shoot at 17 feet away with ease which is not too common for a big man not to mention he's a brick wall! Aaron has already face in in certain plays and Aaron struggled greatly facing him.
"Ok Team 2 is: Devon Hamilton, Theo Reyes, Andrew Macintyre, Matt Espinoza, Aaron Friar." Goodluck boys! Coach Arsenault called the young men in order on who would be one of the teams.
Aaron was relieved he could play with Devon since Aaron wanted to compete for the Small Forward slot however since he was the second tallest on the team, he had to play a big man position: Power Forward. The two teams gathered on center court for the jump ball. Devon and another guy got in the center circle as the Coach tossed the ball in the air in between them. Devon jumped and smacked the ball sending it behind him landing in Andrew's hands. Andrew dribbled up the court while everyone else got settled into a position. Aaron ran from baseline to baseline outside the 3-point line as Andrew whipped the ball to him as Aaron caught the ball, lined up his shot and released the ball in the air shooting it and making the basket! 2-0 to start for Aaron's team. As they hustled back to play defense, Aaron took a quick look at Devon and he was playing defense on his opponent, Devon was playing against him like a master teaching his student a tough lesson. Aaron went close to his opponent after getting the ball, Aaron got backed up as his opponent was posting up on him pushing his shoulder into Aaron's chest as Aaron's opponent leaned back and shot the ball over Aaron and made it. Aaron immediately picked up on that shot, his opponent had been studying Kobe Bryant games! Aaron knew that this could be a tough game for him now seeing as he's not comfortable playing a big man's role he was more comfortable playing as a shooter. Theo had the ball in his hands running the Point Guard position at the top of the 3-point line, Devon set a screen with his elbows up beside Theo's man, Theo runs left as his man ran into the wall that was: Devon Hamilton, Aaron slashed his way towards the basket, Theo sees Aaron running he lobs the ball in the air close to the basket as Aaron caught the ball and slammed it home for the Ally-Oop! A whistle sounded off after Aaron dunked the ball, Aaron was fouled as well as Aaron looked down and saw he knocked someone down finding out he gave someone a facial! (Facial means dunking on someone) Everyone in the gym was roaring and cheering at the wonderful sight! Even the girls team who just wrapped up their tryouts came to watch as Chloe saw what Aaron had done. Chants of "That Was Awesome" began to emerge as Aaron made his way to the free throw line. He made the shot, now making the game 4-1. The game kept at this pace until the end of the game as Aaron and Devon dominated the game winning 11-4! Devon Hamilton lead the way with 6 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks! Aaron finished with 4 points, 2 assists, 3 rebounds. After all the teams have played, since there was an odd number of guys left they ended up having to have a 3 on 3 game with 3 guys having to play twice. Aaron volunteered and played very well in that game finishing with 5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block!
"Ok guys, huttle up!" Coach Arsenault called his team over after blowing the whistle.
"Ok, guys fantastic job today, thank you to everyone who tried out and there will be a second tryout tomorrow so be prepared by then. Also thanks for your permission forms that I needed to be signed by your parents and signing the waivers." Coach Arsenault told the 33 young men.
"Team on 3…1, 2, 3" Coach Arsenault called as he placed his right fist in the air as the boys placed their fists in with him. The team yelled out team together as they were dismissed from practice and went to the locker room to get changed. Aaron was all to himself and kept a low profile after the first tryout was over and left as fast as he could to get back to the bakery.
After a good walk he was back at his home and he wasn't alone. Natalie was with Anthony, Natalie, Sabrina, and Melanie all hanging out at Natalie's Bay Window. It was decided that Natalie would get the room with the Bay Window because between Aaron and Natalie at the time, Natalie was the best with people and felt she deserved it in case her friends come over to talk things out, she has learned from her parents the value of talking about issues that each person faces in their life. "Hey Little Demon! I'm gonna get ready to go to work soon!" Aaron mocked his little sister.
"Aaron, why do you keep calling your sister a little demon? She's not even close to that, she's an angel!" Sabrina defended her best friend.
"Sabrina, have you ever seen Natalie pitch?" Aaron asked Sabrina having seen her pitch in softball multiple times.
"You gotta admit Sabrina, he does have a point." Anthony backed up Aaron.
"Shut up!" Natalie and Melanie said to Anthony.
"Aaron get out of here! Don't you have work since your screw up last month at the Meyer House?" Natalie told her brother knowing she has some ammo on him.
"Don't worry, I'm leaving and Anthony I'll tell you later the origin of her Nat's nickname." Aaron told Anthony as he left the house in his uniform for work and left. Natalie shook her head at how her oldest brother can be an ass hole to her sometimes.
"OK guys so the reason I needed you guys here today is because I need your help with something." Natalie started off opening up to the Minkus Sisters and Anthony.
"Whatever you want!" Sabrina told Natalie giving her any helps she needs.
"You two in?" Natalie turned to both Anthony and Melanie.
"We're in." Anthony and Melanie agreed and answered Natalie at the same time.
"Good, so the reason why you guys are here is to help me track someone down." Natalie proposed.
"Who? That Charlie Gardner guy? I don't know how to tell you this Nat, but if you do that's some serious trouble you're getting yourself into." Anthony warned Natalie knowing that it's a bad idea to track down the former criminal.
"Anthony don't worry I'm not that stupid! I was thinking of tracking down Xander Ross." Natalie told her friend.
"Ok now he's easier and a lot safer to track down than Charlie. Why would you wanna track him down Nat?" Melanie asked curiously.
"Well, since you found that information on his dad and Charlie, I think Xander deserves to know the truth about what happened when our parents were teenagers." Natalie said wanting what's best for Xander.
"Hey, the truth will set you free right?" Sabrina asked as she pulled out her laptop and went on Facebook and searched for Xander Ross.
"Oh well you look at that, look at who I found!" Sabrina exclaimed finding the Xander Ross that Natalie met.
"I gotta hand it to you Nat, you sure know how to pick em." Anthony complimented his friend thinking he sees why Natalie wants to track him down.
"What do you mean?" Natalie asked him.
"You like him!" Anthony told Natalie putting some pressure.
"I DO NOT!" Natalie immediately resisted.
"You really like this guy!" Anthony said knowing what buttons to push.
"I DO NOT! You say that again and I will kill you!" Natalie growled as she grabbed Anthony's shirt threatening him.
"Ok, whatever makes you sleep better at night." Anthony backed off placing his hands in the air as Natalie let him go.
"Good to see that's settled then, ok so do you want me to message him or you'll be the one?" Sabrina asked.
"I'll go on my account and I'll message him." Natalie said instantly taking the laptop away from her best friend, logged Sabrina off of her account and logged back into hers. She searched Xander Ross in the search bar and hit the message button and typed out the following message to him.
Hey Xander, it's Natalie Friar, the girl you saved a couple of weeks back? First of all, I wanna thank you for what you did back there, I never did get the chance to thank you properly if it weren't for my brothers and my parents. Listen, I was hoping if we could talk again you and I and I wanna introduce you to my friends, I want us to hang out and not having to worry about my parents and there is something I need to show you. Please message me back when you can.
"So, Nat…Are you forgetting something at the end there?" Anthony interrupted.
"Anthony if you don't shut up, I actually will kill you!" Natalie warned not having it with Anthony anymore.
"Anthony, take a hint!" Melanie exclaimed. Natalie sent her message to Xander and even sent him a friend request hoping he'd accept it.
"And now, the waiting game shall commence," Sabrina called out as she and Natalie made their way to the kitchen to bake a frozen pizza in the oven. After the oven had been preheated at 350 degrees, Natalie placed the cheese pizza in the oven while they watched TV.
They were watching a TV Talk Show when they host of the show was promoting that Zay was going to be on the show next week for a big announcement. This left Anthony confused he never heard his father talking about something big or thinking about something. They were all in the dark. Natalie's phone got a notification as she printed to her room and dived on her bed reaching for her phone. Xander accepted her friend request and even got a reply.
Hey Natalie, you're welcome it was nothing what I did back there. I'm sorry about the ass holes back there, not every guy is that desperate for some action if you know what I mean, and also I'm sorry about how I left your family's bakery and I'd love to show up again and meet your parents hopefully I could also apologize to your parents too about my behavior. When are you free so we can meet up?
Natalie squealed and jumped up and down knowing this was a step in the right direction. She messaged him back if they could meet tomorrow. It wasn't long until she got her answer.
"Sure, I'll be there." Was all that Xander's message said.
"Yo loser, pizzas ready!" Sabrina called to her best friend as Natalie left her room with her phone happy that Xander would show.
"So any news?" Melanie asked not having any patience.
"He's coming tomorrow!" Natalie exclaimed with joy.
"Don't blow it now." Anthony teased Nat as Sabrina gave him a sharp elbow to his ribs.
"OW! What the fuck Sabrina!" Anthony groaned in pain at how surprisingly strong Sabrina was.
"You just don't know what to shut up don't you." Sabrina grinned taking a bite out of her slice of cheese pizza.
"Yeah yeah yea." Anthony pouted going back to his meal.
"Are you gonna show him the case of both Charlie and Xander?" Melanie wondered.
"Yeah, he has to know it's not fair that he's in the dark about this." Natalie told her.
"Listen Nat, people have their reasons for covering up certain shit from their past, your parents did too. I'm pretty sure that's the only thing our parents have hid from us." Sabrina told her as she began to finish the crust of her first slice.
"Yeah, our parents have always been honest with us and maybe we just need to trust that there are no more secrets that will affect all of us." Natalie said knowing the honesty between the parents and the kids.
"I hope so." Melanie hoped taking another slice.
Author's Note: And ladies and gents that concludes another chapter of Like Father, Like Son. Holy Cow I never expected to almost be at 80 reviews already so wow, thanks guys! Hopefully you guys keep enjoying and reviewing. So life is getting busier with work and I'm trying to get these out as best as I can so that you guys will enjoy it but at the same time in a seasonable amount of time. Please have some patience with me guys. Next time on Like Father, Like Son: Aaron finds out if he makes the first cut and what did Chloe think of his performance? Also Xander returns to the bakery and Natalie plans to show him the Billy Ross and Charlie Gardner cases from 2019. Will Xander accept that all of the things Lucas, Zay and, Riley told him were true? Find out on the next Chapter of Like Father, Like Son. Please leave a review, fav, and follow this fanfic and also if you wanna put down a prediction of what you guys think is coming up, go ahead! Any suggestions you guys wanna send me for the story, go ahead! We're on a crazy adventure together ladies and gentlemen!
Let's Talk:
Guest: Here's your update and I hope you enjoyed every moment of reading it.
Breakawayking57: Sure I can make him older just notify me of what age you want him to be, any other details you would want included about Ryan and I'll help make it happen :)
James Stryker: Oh yeah, she kinda does have a crush on Aaron! Oh yeah there will be another death in the story and it WON'T be Riley or Lucas...Someone else will die and hopefully you won't see it coming :)
Take care everyone and to those of you on your March Break, enjoy it folks! :)