Risking It All

Chapter Six - Noah

As I sat in English class, trying my best to pay attention to "Romeo and Juliet," my mind couldn't help but wander. I found myself doodling basketballs on my paper, my thoughts consumed by the upcoming game. The whole school seemed to be buzzing with excitement and chatter about it, and it was starting to wear me out.

As the lunch bell rang, I hurried to the library for my tutoring session with Jade. I needed to leave early for basketball practice, and we had an English essay to work on. Jade was waiting for me, her eyebrow raised playfully as I rushed in.

"Look who finally decided to grace me with their presence," she teased, her lips curling into a smirk.

I rolled my eyes, attempting to keep my composure. "I'm here, aren't I? Ready to tackle this essay?"

"Only if you promise to stop tapping your pencil like a maniac," she replied, leaning back in her chair.

I chuckled, my fingers stilling on the pencil. "Fine, fine. I'll try to behave. Can't make any promises, though, by the way how is the nose?" I asked my eyes crinkled with amusement.

"It's fine, I told you that at the park....but you insisted we went to the hospital." She rolled her eyes.

"Had to make sure that basketball didn't give you a concussion

We dove into the essay, but the constant chatter about the game kept gnawing at my mind. Jade noticed my restlessness, and she raised an eyebrow at me.

"Pressure getting to you, basketball star?" she asked, smirking.

I huffed, trying to downplay it. "Nah, I'm used to it. Just everyone expecting me to work some magic on the court."

She let out a mock gasp. "You mean you can't magically solve all of the world's problems with a basketball?"

I chuckled. "I'm good, but I'm not that good."

She shook her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "Basketball players are just glorified here, you know. It's not like you're saving lives."

I leaned forward, meeting her gaze with a challenging smile. "Oh, and I suppose tutoring basketball players in English is a much nobler pursuit?"

Jade smirked, her confidence never wavering. "You've got a point there. Maybe I'll tutor you in Physics sometime."

I laughed, enjoying the banter. "I'd rather take a hit to the head with a basketball, thank you very much."

"But seriously, you should stop by the game...maybe you'll enjoy it." I said smirking

"Now it's mine turn to get hit in the head with a basketball....again" She said laughing.

As the tutoring session came to an end, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and disappointment. I was grateful for the distraction, but I also wanted more time with Jade.

The day passed quickly, and the anticipation for the game only grew. I headed to the gym for practice, my mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Jade and the essay we worked on. I practiced with intensity, channeling my energy into my shots and dribbles.

The game arrived, and the gymnasium was buzzing with excitement. As I took my position on the court, I couldn't help but notice Jade up in the stands with her friends. It surprised me, and for a brief moment, a spark of happiness flitted through me.

Throughout the game, I could feel her eyes on me, and it both thrilled and distracted me. I did my best to focus on the game, and thankfully, we secured a well-deserved victory. As the crowd cheered, I spotted Jade clapping and giving me a subtle thumbs-up. It was a small gesture. But nonetheless, surprising.
After the game, I waited outside the stadium, hoping to catch Jade before she left. When she finally emerged, I smiled at her.

"Why did you come?" I asked, genuinely curious. I ran my hand through my wet hair. Fresh from the shower I took.

She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "My friends dragged me here, and I figured I'd give it a shot. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

I chuckled, happy that she had given it a chance. "Well, thanks for coming sunshine, I'm glad you enjoyed it."

She smiled and waved me off. "Don't get too excited. I'm not making a habit of this."

With that, she walked off, leaving me standing there with a big grin on my face. Jade's presence had made the night even more special, and it left me wanting to know more about the girl who had a way of getting under my skin.

The rest of the evening went by in a blur. I received messages from my friends and teammates congratulating me on the game. However, one message caught my attention—another apology from my dad, saying he was still tied up at work. I sighed, feeling a pang of disappointment, but I understood that his job was demanding.

Heading upstairs to my room, I passed by Amanda's room. She was in there, dancing around to her favorite songs, and I couldn't help but smile at her contagious energy. As the night wore on, I tried to focus on my homework, but my mind kept drifting back to the game and Jade.

Eventually, exhaustion caught up with me, and I dozed off at my desk. Later, i jolted up and  headed to bed, grateful for the sleep that awaited me.

The next morning, I woke up with a fresh perspective. A text from Jade greeted me, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement for the day ahead. It seemed like there was more to our interactions than just academic tutoring, and I was eager to see where it might lead.

Throughout the day at school, I couldn't help but steal glances at Jade.

I drove home, and headed into the house, it was quite so I assumed my mom had gone to work, leaving me and Mandy home alone.

Heading upstairs to my room, I passed by Amanda's room, where she was singing along to her favorite band's song.

Settling down at my desk, I began working on my homework. But exhaustion from the game and the long day caught up with me, and I ended up dozing off.

In the peaceful stillness of my room, I found myself drifting into dreams of basketball, essays, and a certain girl who had unknowingly captured my attention.

I did not like the affect she started to have on me, I didn't do that....I don't get affected by girls they get affected by me. So why was she so different.

I sighed, shaking off the ridiculous feeling, Jade was my tutor...the girl who annoyed me to no end....there wasn't anything remotely attractive about her.

Or that's what I tried to convince myself before dozing off to sleep.
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