It was a warm, balmy night on the River Court, another classic game of two on two with Junk, Skills, Fergie and Lucas playing. It had been a while since their friend, Mouth, had joined them. There was a time before junior year when it was a regular occurrence. But life had changed and although still friends, had pointed them in different directions. Looking around, the only thing missing was Jimmy Edwards. That would have made it normal, back when things were normal, back before any of them had ever left the River Court.

"Good game, dawg," Skills bumped fists with Lucas as it came to a close.

Fergie and Junk said their good byes and walked off into the night, leaving the three remaining friends behind.

"I got Peyton's car," Lucas said. "You guys need a ride?"

"Not me," Skills said as if on cue Bevin's convertible pulled up.

"Hi, Mouth, Hi Luke!" she cheerily shouted from the driver's seat.

They watched as Skills gave her a big kiss and hopped in the passenger seat before they took off.

"Wow," Mouth chuckled.

"I know," Lucas agreed. "But they really like each other. I think it's nice."

"Me too. Skills has always been one of my best friends and lately I've really gotten to know Bev. She's a nice girl and she deserves a good guy."

"Definitely."

"Skills is into her, right? I mean, I just don't want her to get hurt."

Lucas nodded.

"I get what you're saying, man but he really does like her."

"Good."

Mouth felt relieved. Bevin was his friend and she had already been through so much. The last thing she needed was to fall for another guy and get her heart broken again. He knew that feeling all too well and it sucked.

"You want me to give you a lift home?"

"Nah," Mouth shook his head. "I think I'm just gonna hang around here for a while. I'll be okay walking later."

"You sure?"

"I'm good."

But Lucas wasn't too sure. He and Mouth had been friends for a long time and he knew when something was wrong.

"Want to talk about it?" Lucas asked as he took a seat beside him.

"It's nothing."

"Doesn't look like nothing. What's on your mind, dude?"

Mouth took a breath.

"Remember when life was uncomplicated?"

"You mean before we left the River Court?"

He shook his head.

"Before that. When we were just kids, just boys playing around catching fireflies not even worrying about girls."

Lucas couldn't help but smile.

"I take it your problem has something to do with the female persuasion."

"What else?" he sighed.

"Still can't get over, Gigi?"

"It's not that. I mean, I miss what we had but it's over and I finally accepted that. I was just beginning to be okay with seeing her again and calling the games with her and all."

"Good. What's the problem then?"

"Another girl."

"Already? Who?"

"Remember that day in English class talking about the poems and stuff? Remember Shelly Simon?"

"The Clean Teen chick? How could I forget? That day was pretty brutal. You didn't hold anything back."

"I was wrong."

"Maybe. As long as you see it now. You were just in a bad place then."

"Well, as luck and fate would have it, we got paired together on a project for Media Club."

"Uh oh. How did that go?"

"Rocky at first. I was still being an ass but Shelly put me in my place quick and I realized I was taking out my personal problems on the world and that wasn't fair. So once I apologized, we started talking."

"And?"

"And we got to know each other. She's actually a very cool girl."

Lucas looked right at him.

"You fell for her, didn't you?"

"I guess. I mean, I didn't mean to."

"I didn't mean to fall for Peyton…or Brooke for that matter. But that's the crazy thing about feelings, they really can't be helped."

"It sucks, Luke."

"Did you tell her?"

He nodded.

"I stopped by her church and we talked. I thanked her for her help with the project and she invited me to be a Clean Teen."

"Well, she did recruit Brooke…"

"Yeah and Brooke loves it but that's not for me. I'm not Clean Teen material, Lucas. I am not a virgin by choice and I don't want to be one for long."

"Did you tell Shelly that?"

"In so many words."

"How'd she take it?"

"Okay, I guess. But then I asked her out. She seemed shocked and for a moment it looked like she might actually say yes."

"What happened?"

"Beats the heck out of me. She clammed up and then her parents came over, or at least I think they were her parents. Basically, she just ran away."

"I'm sorry, Mouth."

"Yeah. Me too."

"It sounds like Shelly is a nice girl. If you really like her, maybe you should give it another chance."

"What chance? Luke, she shot me down."

"Sounds to me like there is something else going on. You two are friends, right?"

"Well yeah."

"So talk to her. There's no harm in that. See what's going on. Maybe, hopefully you guys will work it out."

Mouth looked away as the city light's cast a glow over the river.

"You think it could ever happen? For me, I mean?"

"What?"

"Is it possible for me to get a girl like Shelly?"

"Why not? Look, Mouth you can't go around thinking you're not good enough because that just isn't the case. You're a hell of a guy and any girl would be damned lucky to have you."

"I really like Shelly. This might sound dumb but something tells me she likes me too. I don't know why she held back."

"So get to the bottom of it."

"You think I should?"

"Sure. Anything worth having is worth fighting for, remember that, Mouth."

Mouth smiled, feeling a newfound fire light up inside him. Maybe he did have a chance. On the other hand, maybe he didn't. Just the thought of Shelly…the way she looked, the way she laughed, the way she smelled and he knew he had to go for that chance.

"What do I do? I need your help, Luke. You're a ladies' man and all."

Lucas chuckled.

"Man, I don't know if I would go that far…"

"There's no time to be modest. I need help. I need your advice."

"Okay," Lucas thought for a minute. "Normally I would say wow her."

"Wow her?"

"Yeah. Go all out. Be sweet and consistent and persistent. Blow her mind but we're gonna go a different route on this one. I have a hunch."

"What kind of hunch?"

"Shelly might have liked you but now she knows you like her. Now it's time for some reverse psychology."

"Like play hard to get?"

"Something like that. Don't be rude or an ass or anything. Smile at her, speak when you see her but leave it at that. Let her know that you're not gonna chase her around. Once she realizes that, she'll come back."

"I don't know, Luke…"

"Trust me, dude. Hey, I played coy with Peyton."

Mouth raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah and it took two years, many broken friendships, and one school shooting to bring you two together."

Lucas frowned.

"Bad comparison but you get what I'm saying."

Mouth laughed to himself.

"I guess I do."

"You feel better now? Ready to get out of here?"

"Go on without me. I'm okay, besides, I'd rather walk anyway. It's nice out."

"You sure you don't need anything else?"

Mouth looked around. Of course he did.

"I'm good," they knocked fists. "See you around."

He watched Peyton's car disappear into the darkness. Again he was all alone. Again he was down in the dumps once again over some girl. Just when he had gotten over one, another had popped into his head and into his heart. There had been something about Shelly Simon. He had taken his chance and in the process found rejection. Something told him not to give up but Mouth was tired. Tired of wanting, of needing, of waiting, of begging…of being rejected. He had already given it his best shot and that hadn't been enough.

So maybe he would follow Lucas' advice. He would do it not to play some teenage love game but more for protection of his own heart and dignity. His feelings had been made known and now the rest was up to Shelly. He had bowed out gracefully and let her go, if something was meant to be, she would come back. Picking up the ball the guys had left behind, Mouth bounced it and took another shot from half court. He watched as it soared through the night air into the hoop making a victorious swishing sound as it fell in the net. Once again, Mouth had made his shot. The ball was now in Shelly's court.