"C'mon bro, let's go hoop."
I look at 17 year old Cameron from within my home doorway lackadaisically. My pajamas still on and face crust in full effect. I'm guessing he already knows the answer.
"I mean...I don't know man..I was kinda sleeping and stuff..." I trail off.
"It's like 12 something. And you've been passing this up for a few days. Isn't it spring break too? Weather's been n-"
"Right, right, it's been nice. I know. Sometimes I just wanna chill in the house for a little bit though." I argue.
"Aye, I agree with you. Coming over and playing Halo and Minecraft at your house is always fun. And sometimes I wanna chill at my house too.
...Wanna play outside though?" He proceeds before bouncing the basketball a few times.
I sigh. Knowing very well I'm most likely surrendering. He smiles smugly.
"Alright bro. Let me change first." I say in defeat.
Cam pumps his fist in victory following with a proud,
"Bet"
"Hey um, who else is there or gonna be there?" I ask.
He thinks for a second.
"Anthony. Mikah. Dre...Basically the whole squad. And some randoms from school I think. We were thinking about running a 5v5 but were just short. So I had to get you."
"Ah, alright then. Guess ya'll really do need me then." I chuckle.
"They, need you. I can cook by myself though." Cam says as he points to himself.
"So you're a straight up ballhog then. Nah, you definitely can't be on my team." I joke.
"That's wild bro, crazy accusation. The audacity to sa-"
I ease my door closed, hearing his words fade slightly as I chuckle.
"Crazy what? Huh?" I ask from behind the door.
"Whatever Jared. I'll wait here. Unless you take too long." I hear Cam slightly mumble.
"Alright then." I respond.
"Okay mom, I'm out." I say, waving at my mom with one foot out the door.
"Alright, have fun then Jared!" she says while waving as well.
"Hi Ms. Mikayla!" Cam says as I open the door.
"Hello Cameron! How's your mom doing?" she asks.
"Pretty good. She just got a new position at her job and stuff. My brother Anthony's birthday is coming up next week, so we'll invite you guys."
"Oh well that will be wonderful. Glad your mother is fine. You two head out then. We can talk more when ya'll get back." she says.
"Sounds good." Cam responds.
"See ya mom." I add before stepping out and closing the door.
"Lemme see that. I might be a little rusty." I say, gesturing my hands in a pass-ready position.
"After a few days? Here." Cam says before bounce passing the ball.
Once I catch it, I start to dribble. A force of habit as we walk near the stairs leading to the lower level of the apartment building. Once we reach the first floor outside, my eyes are immediately greeted with the overwhelming rays of sunlight.
"Woah..." I say as I squint and cover my eyes with my forearm.
I hear Cam chuckle.
"Sure you can shoot the ball like that?" he jokes.
I scoff.
"Nothin' new."
"Guess those 3 days of being in the house is gettin' to you. It is pretty sunny today though. Almost rained yesterday." Cam adds.
"Good reason to not go outside though, right?" I ask, shrugging my shoulders.
"Mmm..yeah. Reasonable point I guess. I still went and hooped though." he replies.
"Do you then my guy." I reply with a bit of monotony.
"Aye, I'm just trying to help you out. Good to take advantage of the time we have during this break. Especially as I'm in between jobs. Not really a good thing, but not really a terrible thing either. Just wanna hangout bro, that's all."
Cam lifts his fist and without hesitation, I meet his with mine.
"Well, I appreciate it. We go way back, so we're always gonna hang." I add with a smile.
"Damn right. Also, I uh...saw a certain someone over at the courts." he mumbles.
I frown in suspicion.
"Who?" I ask.
"Someone definitely unexpected. Forgot her name but uh...you said you've had your eye on her for a hot minute. As soon as I saw her, I knew." he continues.
I feel a small case of the butterflies begin to unravel in my stomach.
"Wait..Really? W-what was she doing there?" I ask.
"Just chillin' on one of the benches on her phone next to a friend or something. Girl-friend for clarification. Don't know if she's still there, but if she is. I mean...you could..." he trails off.
"Nah, nah, no way bro." I interrupt.
"Look, I'm just saying Jared. She'll be RIGHT there. Now, if you wanna let your basketball skills do the talking, you better learn how to dunk or something. Or just start cooking everybody. I don't care if a baby walks onto the court and starts playing. You've gotta whip out your signature. Now, that's just what I would do." he adds.
I start to laugh.
"Not the baby though. Can't do the baby like that man. She might look at me the wrong way. And by the way, I do know how to dunk bruh. Just not consistently." I explain.
"Well ya need to pull one out now then. We'll bump the baby to a toddler too." Cam adds.
We both laugh, losing the more serious tone we started the conversation with.
"Yeah, don't know if that'll work either bro. Let's just see if she's even there in the first place." I say as we die down.
"That's fair. Let's just focus on hooping right now." he responds.
I then continue to dribble the ball casually as we make our way outside of the apartment complex and onto the sidewalk located alongside the outer wall.
It's a bright and sunny Thursday. Spring break is in full effect. Not too hot, not too cold. The wind is gentle, but not overbearing by any means. Kids ride their bikes and scooters while dogs catch Frisbees and chase squirrels. Ducks and Geese mingle in and around local ponds and lakes. I look up, watching a few birds fly below a jet plane as it passes through a rogue cloud. Almost imitating the flight path as seen from my perspective. I snicker in my head. Maybe it wasn't a bad idea to get out today. I actually feel good. The air is fresh. And my best friend is next to me.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and check the time. It reads 1:12pm. Still early.
"How long have you guys been at the courts before you got me?" I ask.
"Not too long. We basically just got there. I guess around early 12 probably." Cam replies.
I nod my head in response.
"Looks like everyone's still there. We might have to have subs if more people pop up." he says as he points to the basketball courts we're approaching.
I look and immediately recognize the normal crowd. Even some faces I've only seen at school but never knew liked to play basketball. I feel a tingle of joy, the normal reaction when I first see all my friends in the regular hangout spot each day. Knowing we're gonna chill and have a good time like usual.
The area usually consists of two tennis courts, and two basketball courts, with a playground next to them. We usually contain one half, but sometimes full court of one of them if there are other people using them.
"Yo! Look who I got!" I hear Cam say and point to me.
"I got Jared!" I hear Anthony, Cam's younger brother say as he jogs over to me.
"Nah, what!? I got him!" David argues. Another one of our friends.
"Bruh. We haven't even picked team captains yet." Mikah says as he throws his arms up in frustration.
I laugh at the scene, already knowing that this was gonna be another fun day.
"Look, all I know is Cam said he wanted to be on his own team. So let's just all go against him and make things easier." I joke and lightly shove Cam.
"Oh, so that's what we're doin'? I'll do it if ya'll want too?" he scoffs.
"Sounds like a great plan to me. Cam's weak anyways." Anthony adds.
"Ant. I whooped you in Mario Kart. And I whooped Jared. Don't think it won't be the same thing in basketball." Cam exclaims.
"Nah, we're not gonna go there. The cap is immaculate. I always beat ya'll in Mario Kart. Stop playing." I add defensively.
"Let's run a tourney later then." Dre says as he shoots his ball at the hoop.
"Great idea Dre. You can proceed to get clapped too." Cam says, making the group laugh.
"Alright, c'mon! Ya'll suck at the game anyways. Let's run a 5v5." Mikah interrupts as we die down.
Everyone focuses up and huddles closer. We gather a few others who wanted to join in aswell. We decide to shoot for team captains since we're all equally indecisive. We all attempt shots from the 3 point line. Whoever makes it first and whoever makes it second become the team captains. It ends up taking a little longer than expected, but we eventually get there. It boils down to David, and Cam. Apparently Cam is feeling it today. And David has always just been a great shooter.
First pick.
"You know the drill Jared." David says as he gestures for me to walk to his side.
I chuckle.
"Aye, like usual bro."
We bump fists.
Second.
"Mikah, let's do it." Cam says as Mikah already makes his way over.
Mikah is another great shooter. Mostly a spot up guy.
We continue to pick until each team is assembled.
"Here, ya'll get ball first." Cam says before passing the ball to me.
"Cool." I respond without complaint.
I then take it to our end and pass it to David who is usually the point guard due to his size. He begins to dribble it upcourt as everyone spreads to their spots.
"What're we going to?" Dre asks.
"21." Mikah responds.
Once David get's to the top of the three point line, Mikah intensifies his defense by guarding him closer. Probably knowing how quick he can be.
"Already Mikah?" he asks with a chuckle.
But Mikah responds with a sneaky poke at the bouncing basketball, to which David barely avoids. Instinctively, I move from the corner to the wing behind the three point line. A bit closer to David in case he needs help or a bail out.
"Cook'em Dave!" Anthony shouts from the lower key under the basket.
"Nah, I'll get a better look. Here Jared."
David then tosses me the ball. I was in fact prepared for it probably milliseconds ago. But that was before I spotted her. My high school crush in the exact spot Cam mentioned. How did I forget so fast? It's as if time slowed down. In the same direction as the ball currently flying at me is where she sits. Though, the ball doesn't exist anymore. I just see her. And she see's me. Her eyes locked with mine without interference. I feel those same butterflies. But with her, they're different. They're special. They're-
*BONK*
"Ow!" I yelp and reach for my face.
"Easy pickings! Go long Mikah!" I hear Cam say as he sprints past me.
"Oh shit. My bad man. You good bro? Kinda lost you for a second." David says as he approaches me.
I hear the others laughing hysterically in the background.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm good. My fault. Let's run it back." I sigh.
I lift my head from my hands, feeling my vision clear up but the stinging sensation still present.
"Should we count that as a foul? Friendly fire?" Anthony asks jokingly.
I chuckle.
"Sounds like a strategy. I don't mind some free points." I respond.
"So..." I hear Cam approach me from my left, "You noticed?" he asks.
"Huh?" I question.
"Really? 'Huh?' I know who you were lookin' at bro." Cam mumbles.
"Oh...yeah..." I trail off nervously, looking in her direction again. She seems to be laughing with her friend next to her about something.
Cam pats me on the back.
"Can't make fun of any toddlers, and you're definitely not about to make fun of me. So, do your thing." he says while slightly nudging me in her direction.
"I...dude-"
"Yo! Next play! What're ya'll talking about anyways?" Dre interrupts.
"Jared has a crush on that girl over there. Cam's trying to hype him up." Anthony explains a little to loudly for my taste.
I cringe.
"Why does he know?" I whisper to Cam as I face palm in embarrassment.
He simply shrugs.
"Guess he uh...overheard or something. Anthony, bro, shut up." he barks.
"Damn, for real?" Mikah says with a tone of shock.
"I was wondering if my man Jared had a girl. Or at least was looking for one." Dre adds in thought.
"You should probably go talk to her bro. I think she's about to leave." David says, pointing his thumb in her direction.
"Oh snap, Jared go! Hurry! It's your time!" Cam says excitedly from behind me.
"Oh crap...uhh, y-yeah. I'm going!" I stutter before moving with obvious hesitation.
My crush and her friend make their way a bit of a distance away from the courts. Seemingly unaware of my approaching stature. I feel my heart racing. The first time I'm ever saying anything to this girl since I've seen her. About three years. From 9th grade to 11th. I can't even believe I'm doing this today. Wasn't on my agenda at all. But it's happening in real time. As I jog, I look back at my group of friends. They're waving and cheering me on. I chuckle and give them the thumbs up of approval before I turn back around. Here we go.
Time seems to stop once I end up right behind them.
She's right there. In front of me. So, what do I say?
"...Uhm..h-hi." I mumble, hearing a subtle voice crack and losing any confidence I had a chance of mustering.
Her and her friend both turn around, a smile on their faces as if they're holding back a bit of laughter.
I already feel the regret seeping in.
"Um. Hi?" my crush replies in a playful tone.
My heart skips a beat.
"Is your face okay?" her friend asks, followed by a snicker.
"It's uhh, fine. Actually. Thanks for asking." I respond nervously as I rub the back of my neck.
"It really looked like it hurt. You sure?" my crush asks.
"Eh. It happens and stuff. I'm alive though." I respond.
"True, true. Well, kinda weird talking to you. You've been pretty awkward for like 2 years." my crush says.
I cringe at the reality.
"You did say that one thing in 10th grade though. You asked about her job or something. So, there's that." her friend adds.
"Crap, I remember that. I...yeah." I chuckle nervously, "I'm pretty awkward. Sorry 'bout that. My friends had to push me to finally get the courage to talk to you two. So..yeah." I finish as I look away.
They giggle in response.
"Great friends. I admire your bravery...Jared. Is it?" my crush asks.
I feel my brain experience a sudden glitch, realizing she knows my name.
"...y-yeah! That's it...right. And um...I know your names. Just...not..." I trail off.
They chuckle.
"Hey, it's fine. My friend here is Lilly." my crush points to her friend. Lilly waves at me and I smile sheepishly as I wave back.
"And I'm, Amba." my crush says.
"Well, hi Amba and Lilly. Nice to meet you two. And sorry for not knowing your names soo-wait." I stop.
I think for a moment.
"Amba."
I repeat.
"Amba. Why-why does that sound so familiar?" I ask, but they appear to be unphased by my sudden confusion.
Amba.
Amba.
...JARED!
A/N: Yo. It's been like 35 years. I know. I've done some things and changed in some ways. But the majority of my surroundings have stayed the same. Haven't worked on this story since late July of 2022 I believe. Around the time I attempted to start chapter 8. Since chapter 7 though, it's been a mix of a block, lack of interest, and a different agenda/focus. I've written small stuff in between, but I've always had this at the back of my mind. I've also been communicating and helping another writer with their RATLD projects. So that's been pretty fun. On here his name is TheUltimateGamer74, who has supported my work. Elsewhere like on Archive of Our Own, his name is SystemShocker287. He's recently uploaded a Raya fic on there, so check him out. Dope writer in my opinion.
This chapter is mostly a fill out chapter to get some gears going. An interlude in the form of a dream. Anyways, hope there's still some people who liked this story around. Either way, I don't like the feeling of leaving it unfinished. So I've gotta pull through at some point. Thanks for checking it out if you have. Very well appreciated :)