Summary: Dylan and Alex decide that to take Blake's mind off of things during PE, is to pick the option of pickle ball during free-play. It turns out, Alex has a competitive streak.
Dylan had PE the same period as Blake and Alex, but with different teachers.
They had the option of basketball, soccer, volleyball, walking the track, or pickle ball for free-play. Free-play usually lasted about forty minutes and their class periods lasted two hours. There were no time to take showers and enough time to dress out and leave the locker room. It took fifteen minutes to change.
They usually hung out together while waiting for class to start and during free-play.
They were currently sitting in their own small group, waiting to be called to sign up.
"Let's play pickle ball," Alex said.
"Okay," Blake said shrugging.
"So, this girl comes up to me, asking me if I'm really dating Dylan." Alex explained, handing Blake a paddle. Dylan grabbed a tennis ball and they went in the tennis courts. They took the empty court as others started finding their own courts. There were at least six courts.
"And," Blake urged on.
"I said yes. But she was confused because we don't act like normal couples." Alex explained and Dylan stood by Blake.
Blake stared, "Like that one couple going at it by the library?" He was terrified of walking by that couple.
"Yeah," Alex agreed.
Dylan stared, "Why would anyone want to see two boys kissing?"
"I'm sure if you did, you would get in trouble for PDA or get detention." Blake said, looking at the paddle. It was red.
"Also there's even more bullying," Alex offered. He hit the ball with the paddle over the net and Blake hit the ball back. The ball bounced off the net.
Dylan started swiping at something. It looked like a little flying insect flew off of him, "Bitch. Get back here. You don't deserve to touch me."
Blake cracked a smile and grabbed the tennis ball. He managed to hit the ball over the net.
"Hey Dylan," Alex said.
"What?" Dylan asked, annoyed.
"I love you," Alex said.
Dylan was confused, "Okay."
"Too bad I have to kick your ass at this game," Alex said smiling. He sent the tennis ball flying over the net. Dylan and Blake tried swinging at the tennis ball but missed. "You're going down!"
"Alex! This isn't a competition!" The PE teacher, Mr. Wyatt called out.
"It is now!" Alex shouted in glee.
"That is why I don't play video games or board games with him." Dylan said to Blake who nodded. "It's also why I don't play sports with him either."
Blake never knew that Alex had a competitive streak in him. It was a surprise. "How did you find out?"
Dylan briefly explained, "When we were driving go-karts at that one carnival."
Alex laughed at the memory. "You were driving to slow."
Dylan looked at Alex, "Those are fighting words!"
Blake rolled his eyes. He seriously can't believe that those two are dating.
He watched as Dylan and Alex get in an intense pickle ball match. Alex was winning and Dylan grabbed Blake's arm.
"Get in here and help," Dylan said, smiling.
"No, I'm good. You two have fun," Blake said.
"You need to have fun too," Alex said.
Blake smiled. He couldn't tell if his smile was real or not. "I didn't really want to play pickle ball."
"You have to help me kick Alex's ass," Dylan said. Blake stood by Dylan's side. He wasn't sure if he wanted to do this or not.
Alex sent the tennis ball flying over the net and Blake ran to get it. He swung and the paddle flew out of his hand. It bounced off the net and landed on the ground. The tennis ball bounced and rolled on the ground.
Alex wasn't sure what to say besides, "How?"
"I suck at sports." Blake said, grabbing the paddle off the ground.
"That is true," Dylan replied. He seemed thoughtful.
A boy walked in their court and they looked at him confused.
The boy shrugged, "My girlfriend is mad at me."
Dylan and Alex looked at each other. The boy stood by Alex and Dylan grabbed the tennis ball. Blake stood in the square next to Dylan.
"So, how are you comfortable with those cuts on your arm?" The boy asked Blake. Dylan and Alex gave that kid a dirty look.
"I want everyone to see how messed up I am," Blake answered. It wasn't the real reason; in fact Blake didn't know why he stopped wearing long sleeves.
Dylan gave Blake a weird look. Blake scratched at a scar and Dylan grabbed Blake's arm.
"What is your career goal?" The boy asked, curious.
"I don't know. I...wasn't planning on living past last year." Blake explained and Dylan wrapped his arm around Blake's shoulders. He gave him a squeeze and released him realizing Mr. Wyatt was staring at them as if thinking, 'what the hell are they doing?'
"It's okay now, because he has us to help him," Alex quickly explained.
"Serve the ball," Mr. Wyatt ordered them. Dylan served the ball and the two boys on the other side swung at the ball. Alex managed to hit the ball, but it went up on the air and over the fence. It bounced by the gym.
They just stared after it and Alex walked to Mr. Wyatt. "I need to get the ball." The teacher led him to the gate and unlocked it.
"Hurry up," Mr. Wyatt said. Alex went to get the ball.
The boy looked at Dylan, "You're dating that guy?"
Dylan looked confused, "Yeah, why?"
The boy shrugged, "Just wondering."
Alex returned and grabbed the paddle. "Let's continue this game." Dylan and Blake stood in their places.
"Padawan!" The boy shouted; Dylan and Alex looked at each other.
"It's from Stars Wars," Blake explained.
"Oh," Dylan replied.
"Stars Wars fans unite!" The boy shouted and Alex served the ball.
Dylan and Blake touched paddles to get ready to play pickle ball.
You say you feel so down,
Every time I turn around,
And you say you should've been gone by now.
And you, you think that everything's wrong,
You ask me how to carry on.
We'll make it through another day,
Just hold on.
A/N: I got the title from the song Life Starts Now. Pickle Ball is sort of like tennis, but you use paddles instead of rackets.
Two of my friends and I had PE together. My friend Janette, had PE with another teacher and she had a bug land on her and she swatted it away saying, 'Bitch. Get back here. You don't deserve to touch me.'
We were playing pickle ball during sophomore year because my friend Alison wanted to play it. She was the girl I mentioned in Not Alone. I hear she's doing fine now.
The lyrics at the end is from a song called Life Starts Now by Three Days Grace.
This story will have four chapters.