Basketball and a tough talk

Basketball continues to go well.

You know, that sport is my favorite but that hadn't always been the case. Go back like five years and I didn't even have a favorite at the time; didn't really watch any sports and my only real experience with them was during P.E. class. I had the most fun playing flag football, all that running around felt particularly good when the rest of the day was spent sitting behind a desk. And like I mentioned before, aside from low stamina I was pretty fit so a catch and a quick sprint was usually all it took to score and therefore make me one of the better players. In comparison, that athleticism helped on the court but basketball requires more skill which was something I didn't have so although it was fun, I never put it into my mind that I would be impressing anyone.

I don't really know what got me into basketball. Maybe it was the one P.E. class that I needed in high school where we would spend a good bit of time hooping. Perhaps it's because we didn't play flag football anymore which made me realize just how slow actual football is with all the whistles and pauses between downs. Could be a bit of both or something else entirely. In the end, I started picking up on the game of basketball and even watching highlights of interesting plays and then full game highlights. In no time at all, I'd became a fan. And now, with the gamer on my side, I've become an aspiring player.

One with good prospects too.

It's safe to say that I'm good at basketball now, really good. After hours of team practice, individual practice, tape sessions, and just getting feedback from the coaches, I've came really far in a short period of time. It's reached the point where as long as the defender doesn't interfere with the ball or make me rush a shot, then it's guaranteed to score. And even then, Clutch can mitigate for improper form. On my side, my stamina could play a role because although it recovers faster than other people, I can still run out and at that point my performance would drop. Luckily for me, high school basketball games don't last long enough for that and the breaks between quarters allow me to recover what I lose. Likewise, my ability allows me to get around the human margin of error. Put the best shooter at the line and have them shoot fifty times, odds are that they'll miss some of them. Be it an unconscious shift in their muscles or something on the psychological end, that shooter is unlikely to make all fifty shots. Me however? With gamer's mind and body and a high level skill? I could make those shots in-game as long as none of the previously mentioned scenarios comes to be. Yup, completely unfair but that's the hand I've been dealt so I make the most of it.

Rather than focus on scoring more, which I could easily do, I turned to other aspects of the game. Why alienate my teammates being a ball hog when I can instead show some range? I train up my handles, passing ability, setting up plays, and playing off the ball. I also put some emphasis on guarding because scoring while preventing the other guy from scoring is how you win games. This decision to be well rounded means I've had to spent extra hours during the weekend practicing but it's all worth it. Other prospects have spent years playing on teams, going to camps, and building relationships with coaches while I'm just getting started. I'm that nobody so far and to overcome that I need to show that I'm a great player with even greater potential.

I've been doing that all regular season so far but it's time to step it up for the district tournament. Really show what I can do.

…

"You realize that after this year we're all going our separate ways? It just hit me recently." Shelby comments with a fair bit of nostalgia in her voice. "I won't have you to do my homework anymore."

I put on an affronted face, "So that's what you'll miss most about me? Wow Shelby, thought we had something special here."

"Basically. But those shoulder massages are pretty nice too I guess," She shrugs innocently before popping some salad into her mouth.

"Too late, I'm cutting you off." I joke. "But you're right though. I've gotten so used to high school life and having my friends around that I don't want to give it up. Maybe I'll take you all with me wherever I go."

"Please do, I've always wanted to go to Harvard."

Just then a yellow school bus pulls into the student slash teacher parking lot and stops near one of the side entrance gates. That's likely our ride to today's game, although they're here earlier than usual.

"I'm leaning more towards Stanford actually. Assuming I get accepted." I take a bite out of my spicy chicken sandwich while lamenting the fact I couldn't choose to do early action. If I had I would have gotten a response back from them by now but I also wouldn't have had as strong an application.

"Stanford is good too. And they'd be stupid to not accept you."

"Right, that's what I'm saying." I put the sandwich aside to grab some waffle fries. Not usually my go to but Chick-fil-a doesn't make the normal ones; still pretty good though. "There's no one else out there with a perfect SAT who also gives divine back rubs."

"I don't know about that Lucio. You're good, maybe even amazing, but divine might be a stretch." Shelby giggles.

"I've improved since then. These hands? Worth their weight in plutonium."

"Pft!" She reaches for a napkin to wipe her mouth. She'd accidentally coughed up some water. "God Lucio! Who says stuff like that?"

"Well gold doesn't seem all that expensive these days so I improvised."

"With a radioactive element?" She questions in disbelief.

"You can't say it's not expensive." I shrug.

"You're so dumb," I smile internally at successfully changing the mood. We can leave all that sad 'going away' talk for later. "And if you're talking about giving massages why would you even compare your hands to something toxic?"

"Hey, it's a figure of speech Shelby. Leave me alone."

"Yeah. One you made up. Lucio Plutonium-hands, I'm going to remember that one." A comfortable silence falls between us as we finish our food, one broken by a loaded question. "So speaking of all your friends…you and Sara huh?"

I can't say I haven't seen this coming. "Yeah…met this year and kinda hit it off. Did you know her beforehand?"

"No. But she seems nice. Pretty too."

"She really is."

"That's nice…You know, for a moment there I thought," She breaks off eye contact, sending me glances from the side. "I thought me and you could have, you know, had a chance being together."

This is what I get for being a horndog. "Shelby, I-"

"And I know it's stupid and that an actual friend would just be happy that you're happy but I can't help but wonder what happened. It felt like one second we were getting closer and then the next she showed up. And now here I am making things weird for you."

I watch as she blinks and fully turns her head to the side and can't help but sigh to myself. She's being honest and vulnerable with me so I can't just brush this aside like I'd want to. She deserves to know what happened.

"Shelby. Come on Shelby, look at me please." When she finally does I notice how her eyes have a bit of red in them, "You didn't do anything to turn me away from you Shelby. I was interested in you even before I could date and afterwards I had every intention of asking you out or something."

She smiles shyly at that, "Really?"

"Yes. Being a friend didn't mean I couldn't notice and appreciate you as a girl." Made it easier actually.

"Oh, that's…so you weren't allowed to date before Sara? I didn't know that."

"Because I didn't want anyone to know that. Better they think I'm single by choice rather than my parents forbidding it. I actually got permission not too long ago since I've proven to be very responsible."

"And you'll be on your own soon where you can decide to do whatever you want." Shelby points out to which I nod. "So why her? Do you just like her more?"

"That actually ties in with what you said earlier. I have one semester and the summer left before I go off for college so whatever relationship I started this year would have an expiration date. The reason I didn't pursue you Shelby is that I didn't want to do you like that." I hold her gaze during that last part trying to express how serious I was and still am about not hurting her.

She visibly puzzles with something before letting me in on it, "What about Sara? Don't you…?"

"I care for her too if that's what you're wondering, I wouldn't want to hurt her either. What me and Sara have is different than what you and I might have had. We're together but we've talked and both of us know we're not 'serious' serious. We like being around each other and have fun together but we're not dating the way everyone else thinks we are."

"So like…friends with benefits?"

"Kinda? We're not labeling it but that one fits?"

"Ok. I think I get it now." I don't know if she actually does but she nods to herself which should mean something. "But Lucio? I think it's sweet that you didn't want to hurt me but maybe you shouldn't have decided about us on your own. Like, you would be surprised at how often girls think about sex and just having fun. Like, a lot. Most of us just don't let other people know because we're scared of being called a hoe or something."

…huh?

This revelation actually is surprising. Not about girls thinking about sex a lot, from what I've learned sex feels better for women than men so it makes sense that they think about it. No, it's the fact that Shelby included herself amongst that number and indirectly stated she might not have minded having fun with me if a serious relationship wasn't possible. That doesn't fit with the mental image I had of her.

"Shelby, I thought…" I trail off. Those words are definitely not leaving my mouth. I'm not that clueless.

"You thought I wasn't capable of being fun?" She finishes with a small smirk.

"I just figured since you've dated before and never gave the impression that you'd… done things like that before that you would put a certain value on it." This wasn't the sort of conversation I ever imagined having before a game. Especially not with Shelby.

"I'm a complicated girl Lucio. So yes I'm a virgin and yes I've dated before but it was only once! I'm not easy but I'm also not some waiting for marriage type of girl. I'm open to having fun but I just haven't found whatever it is I'm waiting for. That sounds off but you get what I'm saying right?"

"Maybe... You just need some kind of cue or gut feeling before deciding on something like that?" She nods hesitantly. "So what are the odds you would have gotten one with me? Like, if I wasn't already with Sara now, would you have considered doing something like that with me or would it have ruined our friendship?"

"I don't know." Is her honest response. "But I liked you and knew you enough - hell, I'd thought about it enough - so I wouldn't be uncomfortable with the idea. If we'd talked and given me some time I would have tried it out and maybe had my first time with you."

"Not gonna lie, that possibility never crossed my mind. Good to know though."

"You know what they say, communication is key Lucio." She laughs, looking way more upbeat than she was a couple minutes ago. "I'm glad we had this talk. Feel like it would have bugged me and eventually led to a scene at the worst time."

"I am too. Real weight off my shoulders finally clearing the air. We're still cool?" I ask her to which she nods.

"Yeah. Totally. Sooo," Side eye, "When can I get one of those divine back rubs?" She asks the question like she doesn't really care for the answer but I don't miss the glint in her eyes then.

"Not anytime soon." I respond carefully. "My schedule is booked for the moment."

"Okay. You'll let me know when there's an opening?"

"Of course."

She can make whatever she wants from that.

I hang around for a little bit longer - don't want to look like I'm running away, although I am - before thanking her for the Chick-fil-a and exiting the car. I end up waiting around the locker room until coach arrives but I think that's better than possibly continuing the conversation with Shelby, we were treading some murky waters near the end there.

To think I actually thought I understood what was going on in her head…

Rookie mistake Lucio, rookie mistake.

…

"Yo!"

At my call my teammate bounce passes me the ball and I quickly position my body to guard it. Number eleven on the other team has been guarding me whenever we're on the court together and the guy is good. He's at least three inches taller than me and keeps trying to pickpocket me with his long, gangly arms. A proactive defender; still can't guard me though.

Keeping my head on a swivel, I work him into the perimeter and get him off-balance before rising up for a jumper. The same jump-shot I've heard more than once be called impossible; to guard I'm assuming. It employs every ounce of my STR and AGI complimented by my high level basketball skill to result in a high-vertical jump-shot that arcs up beautifully and barely touches the net as it goes in. Absolutely deadly. Even more so when augmented by Clutch.

By this point my guys know I don't miss during proper games and they all fall back to play defense while I hassle the player receiving the throw in. Seeing this, the in-bounder ends up throwing the ball half-court to another teammate which almost results in a turnover. So close but there's a saying about that, almost only counts in horseshoes and grenades, not basketball. It's all good though, we have two more quarters to play and by the looks of things, this team doesn't have what it takes to beat us.

As the game progresses there are a few highlights here and there. I drain a few contested three's and get a really nice dunk that gets the crowd going. Jackson does the usual which means using his size and athleticism to get more rebounds than everyone else plus scoring almost twenty points. The rest of our team does well too but there's no denying Jackson and I are the biggest threats. Literally in his case.

Hours later during the bus drive I find myself reflecting on the game. We won of course, fifty-seven to thirty-nine, and about midway into the third quarter my END stat increased. So it is now my highest physical stat and I have zero problems with that. Stamina is always important and unlike something like strength, it's hard to pinpoint an increase from any external perspectives. On top of winning, I saw the ESPN logo on a camera crew; I can only hope that they got some decent footage of me. Likewise noteworthy is the number of scouts I had approach me, they mainly only asked questions but one of them went further and tried to set up future correspondence despite his school not being in my list. I was curious so I agreed to talk some other time. Should be a good learning experience.

I'm not the only one excited with how things are going so far; the whole team and perhaps school is eagerly anticipating just how far we'll go this season. We're about a month and many qualifying games away but the state's championship is looking more and more possible with each win. It won't be easy but simply getting there would do a lot for my plans, never mind winning, so I'm already thinking of ways to make it happen. So far my ideas are more geared towards tidying up how we play. A few touches here and there could really enhance our strengths while minimizing our weak points all while not having to adjust to major changes as a team. We get those squared away and stay healthy and motivated and I think we could reach states easily.

And this right here is one of my favorite things about basketball: the ability to have a great impact on a game. I like the guys personally and enjoy playing with them but I have to admit it would be hard maintaining our perfect win record if I didn't have the influence I do. Like even if I were the quarterback on our football team, I wouldn't be as crucial to scoring as I am with the basketball team. I would be depending on my linemen to give me time and my receivers to actually catch the ball and score. The kicker would be doing his thing and I wouldn't be touching the defensive side of things at all. Here though? I score myself, I play defense, I set up plays and give assists, and I get rebounds sometimes. I can take control of a game much easier than a QB can and therefore I can leverage my supernatural talents to a higher level and contribute more to the team.

Basketball really is the best sport both to and for me.

…

I turned eighteen on February 24, and became a legal adult. This means I'm now old enough to enter a casino and test my luck stat directly by gambling. Assuming I'm willing to go out of state for that since Tennessee doesn't allow casino gambling. The choice is there but it's not something I've fully decided on yet. Anyhow, my parents and I celebrated by going out for dinner at a nice restaurant. I call it nice because after eating my mom had nothing to criticize which the males in my family know is her seal of approval. Something not easily obtained.

I would know. She was and still is my cooking sensei.

From George I got an Adobe redemption code which should cover six months of Premiere Pro, a video editing software. Shelby, one of my best friends who isn't a bro, also got me a gift; three tickets to a Grizzlies game against the Nets which I'm really looking forward to.

Things between me and her are a little weird now since that talk. Like, things are the same as usual for the most part but from time to time she sends me these messages that let me know she hasn't forgotten what was said in the car that day. Mostly looks and coy smiles but she sent me an actual message that very weekend, a post-yoga picture. It was a selfie of her giving a smiling thumbs-up with her face slightly flushed and wearing a sports bra. That was the most skin I'd ever seen her showing and given the tension simmering in the background, her 'innocent' picture gained a different context.

It's funny actually. A while back and I would have been happy to receive something like that but times were different now. I was in a relationship of sorts so the only thing I could do was congratulate her on putting in the effort and downplay what was clearly a thirst trap. Shelby for her part didn't let my perceived lack of interest discourage her subtle plays. Even specifically giving me three tickets might be considered one. Or not, perhaps she intended for me to invite my parents rather than some combination of herself, George, or my girlfriend. I don't know for sure and I've learned my lesson about making assumptions.

Ugh, girls man…

As to the person putting me in an awkward spot with Shelby, we went on a date with just us two the day after my birthday. We had a fun evening and then back at my place she spent a considerable amount of time making me feel special.

Since that time at her house I can count the number of times we've had sex on one hand but it's another thing entirely for things my ability considers foreplay. I've fingered her more times than I care to count and I've went down on her over a dozen separate occasions. Aside from the first, my favorite was one where I had her on my bed, face down biting onto a pillow while I ate her out from behind. I'm a verified cunning linguist now and Sara is kind of competitive about it all so she's really thrown herself into getting me back which meant learning to take my dick entirely into her mouth and not leaving a single drop behind to cause a mess. There's no scoreboard but I think we're both winning in this contest of one-ups.

Anyways, after two rounds of birthday head I was still ready to go again but Sara's jaw was aching so I let her know she could stop right there. If I hadn't previously felt the changes caused by the most recent point to END then my performance in the bedroom would have clued me in. Before that, I could cum a first time, recharge within seconds to cum a second time, and then go a third time after several minutes of downtime. Since that new point, we have yet to really discover my limit but the first three erections come super easily. So I tell Sara she can stop, she refuses to give up and leave me unsatisfied, we try to find alternatives, and then somehow for the first time we're having actual sex in my room while my parents are home.

I probably could have held out from the temptation if I really, absolutely had to but…

Yeah, that's all I got. I could have but I didn't want to and therefore I didn't.

From enthusiastic bouts of 'foreplay' we already knew the drill; lock the door, play some light music, and find something to gag Sara with. For sex we added some dirty laundry between my bedframe and the wall and raised the volume of the music a bit. And then I went to town on her. Doggy-style. Actually, doing the deed in a setting where other people might hear us made me really aware of how loud the clap of skin on skin is so I didn't go too crazy. Just crazy enough to drive her nuts and learn how far my sexual stamina might go. Counting her blowjobs, I came five times that night. Those last few times were with a condom obviously.

Afterwards the post-nut haze settled in. Sara relaxing beside me, her fingers toying with my nipple, while I held her possessively thinking the deepest of thoughts. I wasn't fully zoned out so I distantly heard her complimenting my skills in the sack, saying how I'm the only guy who could make a girl sound like she's recording a porno and not be faking it at all. Looking back, I can kind of see how her trail of thought jumped from that to what she said next but in the moment I was honestly confuzzled.

Looking oh so excited, Sara suggested we record a sex video.

My response was to blink and go, "Huh?"

Another one.