Chloe and I were nearing the principal's office when I stopped, "wait." I said, "what?" Chloe asked looking at me, "we can't tell." I said, "what!? Why not, your life may be at risk!" Chloe said, "yeah, but I already have a pretty big target on my back. If I go snitching because of something that could just be a tactic to scare me into stepping down, I'll be in the red zone, and Tom will have an even bigger reason to hate me if he gets in trouble. Plus you know how word gets around, soon Tom will find out that you helped and you'll be in danger too. I can't drag you into my mess any more than I already have." I rushed out.
"But-"
"No, Chloe! My decision is final, I'll handle my beef like a real man, and settle it on the court." I took my phone out and typed out something on my insta story and hit send, Chloe looked at it and frowned, "I'm not gonna fight you Tom because I have a future to worry about unlike you, if you wanna prove something, meet me at the park on 5th street and we'll have a 1v1." Chloe read aloud, "you challenged him to a basketball game?" she looked at me, "yup," I sighed, "well, may the better man win I guess." Chloe shook her head.
By the time lunch came around everyone was talking about my proposal, and how Tom hasn't responded. I decided to sit with the girls, and we caught up a little bit before Tom burst through the doors of the cafeteria with his goons following him, "where's Beckett!?" he shouted looking for me, I stood up and walked over to him.
"You were looking for me?" I faced him, "you were so scared that you couldn't fight me, and now you wanna take it to the court." Tom said, "yeah, unless you're scared you're gonna lose." I challenged him, "just you wait." Tom locked his jaw, "you know what, let's up the stakes, if you lose, you step down from being a starter." Tom said, and the lunch room oohed, I took a second to think about it, "what do I get if I win?" I asked, "I'll back off, give you a moment of peace." Tom shrugged, "fine, deal!" I shook his hand, "better watch your back, Mitchell." Tom smiled devilishly, making my skin crawl.
"Beck, what did you just do?" Chloe asked when I sat back down, "hopefully the right thing." I responded.
At practice I really did practice, trying to shoot threes and practice my dribbling. I didn't want to admit it, but Tom was good, and I was a little scared, it really was 50-50, the only advantage I had was being slightly faster than Tom. And I use the word slightly strongly when we did a 40-meter dash I got three seconds faster than Tom, and during a relay race, I got five seconds on Tom.
I had good stamina and knew how to calculate other players' movement well, but Tom is what I call a wildcard, sometimes he'll do something that everyone saw coming and other times he'll completely fool everyone, pulling a pump fake.
"Mitchell! Kennedy!" Coach called us both over, and we ran to him, "what is this I hear about a 1v1?" he looked at us, "just some friendly competition coach." Tom smiled "right, well keep it clean, we have a game coming up and I don't need my starter in any trouble." he looked at me, "yes sir." I said, "good, now get out there on that court and keep practicing, your jumper was looking a little stiff." Coach dismissed us.
After practice, I practically collapsed on my bed when I got home. Everything was sore, hell the thought of moving made me sore. But that just meant that I was doing something right. Tom and I settled on Saturday being the day we have our little match, which meant I still had, 3-4 days to practice.
On Friday, at the end of the day, my nerves settled in like nothing before. I was literally pissing myself with the number of jitters. I don't know why I was so nervous though, because deep down I know I'm better than Tom, if I wasn't I wouldn't be the starter.
I was in dance and we were stretching when Stacie looked over at me, I smiled, but it was forced and I could tell she noticed that. "Beck, what's wrong, you aren't acting like your normal self?" she asked as she walked over to the beam I was stretching at, "I'm fine." I said quickly, not making eye contact, "Beck?" she waited, and with a deep sigh, I turned to her.
"I'm just nervous, about tomorrow. What if I lose and have to give up my position? I mean, everything I've worked so hard for would be thrown away, all over a stupid bet." I told her, "I see...well, if it means anything, I think you'll do awesome, I believe in you and your capabilities." she added a wink at the end which made me smile.
Leave it to Stacie to make you feel better.
"Thanks, Stace, you really know how to lift me up." I said to her, "if it were a job I'd work full-time." she said with a grin, my stomach did flips at that statement and I smiled back at her.
Gail started talking, telling us to pair up, boy and girl. I look at Stacie and she nodded. I held my hand out for her to take and she placed it in mine. Her hand was soft and warm, and when I pulled her close, she smelt like vanilla and honey. We did the dance routine and I couldn't help but notice how well of a dancer she was. She was soft on her feet and quick, always in sync with me, and had thoughtful movements.
"You're an awesome dancer." I whispered, lifting her in a spin, "you too." she said back, "how long have you been a dancer?" I asked curiously, "well I'm 16 so, 12ish years." Stacie whispered, "wow, that's incredible. We should go dancing one day." I said before I even registered it in my brain. I could see the shock on her face, but her steps never faltered, "Beckett Mitchell, are you asking me on a date?" she asked, her voice was light and teasing but her eyes did sparkle with something akin to hope.
"Uh, I believe I am," I said with more conviction, "ok then, ask me to homecoming," she ordered, I was about to when the music ended, and she visually deflated as Gail started instructing the class once more. I locked that away in my brain and turned to focus on Gail's critiques.
When class ended I walked over to Chloe and pulled her out of the classroom before the others could get to us. "Jesus Beck, what's up?" she said as I practically hauled her down the hall. Stopping at the bottom of a stairwell where minimum kids were, I turned to her, "Stacie wants to go to the homecoming with me." I said happily, "Beck! This is great! What happened, when'd she say, did she ask? If she asked you I'm gonna be disappointed because that's not how this works and-" Chloe rambled before I cut her off, "Chlo, I'm trying to explain, stop asking questions." I said with a chuckle.
"Sorry." Chloe apologized and waited for me to go on. I told her about the exchange in dance and then asked her what had been on my mind ever since Gail interrupted us. "I wanna do a promposal thing like other kids have been doing. I've never done one or had one done for me, but it looks fun and I know Stacie would like it. I just need your help to figure out the details." I said to Chloe as she nodded, I could tell she already had ideas running through her head.
"Let's get together Sunday and go over some ideas, I need time to think...maybe I should make a Pinterest board." Chloe said as she tapped her finger along her chin in deep thought, "this is a promposal, not a wedding." I chuckled, "yeah but like, I can totally see you two making it to the aisle." Chloe gushed, "dude, we're not even dating, slow your roll." I shook my head. "You two would be so cute!" Chloe jumped up and down as she told me her ideas for our wedding.
Talk about moving fast.
On Saturday morning I woke up at 7:15, did my daily routine, and then took a shower. I settled for some black compression pants under a pair of black basketball shorts, and a white compression shirt. I put on my lucky basketball shoes and threw on my leather jacket, before going downstairs.
Was I nervous? Yes. But I was also prepared, so I keep my hopes up and ate a light breakfast.
The match was at 1 so I had a while to relax and go over some final plans before I headed to the park where we would have the game. When I got there, half of the school was there, much to my surprise. I was expecting like a few people, but this was nearly enough to sell out a full court at an NBA game. I found the girls in the crowd and they wished me luck.
I walked onto the court where Tom was already practicing, "bring the girlies with you? Cute. Let's just hope you can stop being a fag for two seconds so I can whoop a real man's ass. It'd be a shame to win to a fag." Tom said as his group of buffoons laughed, "let's just hope you can stop being a bitch for two seconds so I can win...again." I said with enough malice in my voice to kill.
Kyle, who I asked to be the unofficial ref, walked onto the court. "Ready?" he asked us both, and we nodded. "Shoot for the ball first," Kyle said, passing the ball to me. I stepped to the free throw line and readied myself, just as I was going up to shoot the ball, Tom yelled in my ear, making me release it sooner than I anticipated. He laughed and went to retrieve the ball, "gotta focus Mitchell." he taunted, I rolled my eyes, walking away and he took my place at the free throw line. He shot the ball and it went in flawlessly, chills went up my spine and I shook them away.
I couldn't let the nerves get to me.
The crowd cheered for Tom and he picked the ball up from the ground, Kyle stood in between us, "alright, street rules, no make it take it, fouls count, no cheating, first to 35 takes the game, or whoever has the most points at 2 pm. It's 1:20. Let the game begin." he then walked away off to the sidelines.
Tom passed me the ball, "check." he said, I passed it back to him, and he immediately took off running down the court. I gained on him quickly and tried to block his shot but it was unsuccessful and it went in, 2-0. I got the ball and ran to my basket, Tom putting up a good defense, but I got passed him and shot a three, going in easily, 3-2.
20 minutes later, the game was nearly leveled, at 15-13. I was losing, but not by much and it was only 1:40. "Time." Tom called as he went to get some water, I went to my side and sat on a bench trying to catch my breath. "You're doing good Beck." Stacie said from the sidelines, "thanks." I smiled, "keep going B." Chloe cheered, "yeah, 2 points isn't anything." Aubrey said with a wave of her hand.
I'm glad I could call them my friends, even when I was losing it felt like I still won because I had them. 'Thank you, guys. I know I got this." I said as I ran back onto the court. I played hard for the remaining minutes, at 1:58 I had the ball and the score was 22-20, with me at 20. I stalled for a bit, dribbling the ball and crossing up Tom for the fun of it. As time ticked down, I ran down the court.
I was going up for what was the make-it-or-break-it shot when Tom elbowed me in the ribs, I fell to the ground, grunting hard. "Oops." he said with an evil smirk, "foul!" I heard someone yell of court, "Tom you can't do that, that's a clear violation of the rules." Kyle said, "oh no." Tom rolled his eyes, "Beck if you're up for it, you can get two free throws." Kyle winked, "aright." I said, fighting the pain in my aching ribs.
I knew this was all part of Tom's overall plan. If I'm injured I won't do my best at the free throw and I'll probably miss it, it was genius, to be honest. But I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of winning. I stood up, clutching my side as I walked to the free throw line, I took the ball as it was handed to me by Kyle and bounced it. My first shot bounced off the backboard and roll back over to me, my nerves settled in my chest at this. I never felt worry like this before. I bounced the ball again and again, stalling my time. My ribs were on fire, but I pushed it to the side, I could hear the crowd screaming that I could do it, but only one voice mattered.
"You got this Beck!" Stacie shouted, I looked over at her and smiled. Taking the ball I lined myself up with the perfect shot, I took a deep breath and jumped in perfect form, releasing the ball. Everything went still as the ball circled the rim 1...2...3, times, before falling in.
The crowd cheered but I still stood in my place, scared that if I moved I'd wake up from this dream-like feeling and realize it was all in my head. "You did it! You won!" Stacie said as she ran over to me, hugging me tightly, I hugged her back as I snapped out of my dazed state. "Congrats Beck." Chloe smiled brightly, "I knew you had it in you." Aubrey smirked, "if it wasn't for you three I never would've." I said as I let go of Stacie.
Tom walked over to me and scoffed, "lucky shot Mitchell, don't get a big head and think you're better than me all of a sudden." he seethed, "but you just don't get it, Tom...I am better than you, and I always will be." I smirked confidently at him, "is that so? You'll never be anything, definitely not better than me. All you'll ever be is a wannabe, catching feelings a city whore who can't keep a steady relationship." Tom said as he eyed Stacie.
"What'd you just call her?" I stepped into Tom's personal space, "I said, she's a little tramp, who's been run through by the whole city and can't keep a man that loves her for her. Everyone who is anyone has slept with her, hell your father probably did by now." Tom laughed. "You wanna talk shit about me, go ahead, but leave my friends out of it," I said angrily, "or, what?" he challenged, "or this." I punched him on the left side of his face.
He went flying to the ground and everyone around us watched as he got and charged toward me, phones whipped out and people ooh'd and ahh'd as hits were thrown left and right. Tom punched me in the face once before I could dodge it and I kicked him in the nuts, sending him to the ground, it wasn't long before the cops showed up and broke up the fight, putting us both in handcuffs.
"Dude with the fuck!" Tom yelled as he was pushed into a cop car, me in another. I had no regrets if I could change the events of the day I wouldn't. Not to mention the fact that I look like a total badass being hauled into a cop car after totally winning a fight against someone who allegedly sent someone to the ER.
At the police station, I was given an ice pack for my eye and was given the chance to call my dad. "Beckett Rory Mitchell! What in God's name has gotten into you!?" my dad yelled as we walked out of the station, "it's not that big of a deal I-" "not that big of a deal!? You went to jail!" he yelled as we got into the car.
"Yeah but-" "no Beckett, I don't need you to talk right now." he said, "you don't even want to hear my side of things?" I asked, "no, not right now." he said as he shook his head. We were driving for at least ten minutes in complete silence when my dad spoke, "what would your mother say?" he asked quietly, "huh?" I looked at him, he never asked about my mom, not anymore,
"What would she say? She always wanted you to be kind, to thrive doing what you loved, be who you felt you needed to be. She always said you were different, it was something she loved about you, how you were who you were and you basically told everyone to suck it up or fuck off." he smiled, "after the divorce I could tell that changed a little when she died I could tell you changed a little. I didn't talk to you, I didn't talk with you. I should've, you need to know I'm here for you, you don't have to fight, go to jail, or be the toughest most badass person to prove yourself, Beck." he finished, looking at me softly.
"I know dad." I said as I looked down, "so why so many fights?" he asked, "I just-Tom can be a dick sometimes, and well before I had to suck it up, I wasn't as strong or in this case, stronger than him. I wasn't faster, I wasn't better. I was 'just a girl', now though, I am better, and I can defend myself, and people who aren't, in a sense, better than him. He was being a dick, saying terrible things about someone I really like and it made me mad, so I reacted in a way I couldn't have before. And it felt great, I was able to stand up to him." I said, it was hard to explain how it felt, but I tried anyways.
"I get that...it's hard being the underdog, makes you feel weak, laughed at, like a joke. Then you see that window, that opportunity to be better and you just know you have to take it. Does that mean I support what you did? No, but I understand." my dad said understandingly.
I ended up getting grounded for two weeks, it beat being stuck in jail though so it was alright. My dad wasn't extremely pissed which was better.
A/N: Am I back!? Someone get the cameras! Lol, but for real, I'm sorry for completely abandoning all five of my readers. It's good to be back, with a longer chapter this time. What'd you think about Beck and Tom fighting, I've been itching to write something with those two.