Jensen: are you good?.
Me: uhh. Of course.
Jensen: I'm sorry I came in that hard.
Me: whattt?!. That was fuckin purfect.
Jensen: I just feel like I came in too hard.
Me: oh yeah, you definitely did. But that's the fun of it. That's why we're method actors.
Jensen: I just genuinely wanted to apologise, trust me it wasn't my intention. You know I would never do such a thing.
Me: mahnnn. Everyday I find out you're not as perfect as I originally envisioned. For fuck sake, let it be. I'll curse you if you apologise again.
Jensen: okay I won't. But dinner on me?.
Me: we're enemies for the next week or so. The fuck you mean by dinner.
Jensen: After the acting is what I meant.
Me: okay, I guess. It's your money to spend
Jensen: good. I'd hold you to that.
Me: you know you can open up to me right?.
Jensen: uhh. What you on about?.
Me: are you gay?.
Jensen: what the fuck?.
Me: (laughing) yeah, not with that attitude you're not.
Jensen: fuck you.
Me: (laughing) yeah yeah, I know you'd love to.
Jensen: (laughing) gosh, I fucking hate you.
Coach fuckface: Romeo and Juliet, I'd appreciate it if you both shut ya traps.
Jensen: sorry coach
Me: sorry coach.
Coach fuckface: okay. Good. Now, our lovebirds over here have done a fantastic work of destabilizing their game play, they've also giving us a 26 point gap. Don't spoil this second half. Damian would be replacing keima and James would be replacing Jensen. For this third quarter we're going to be sitting back and absorbing their attacks. I want them all gassed. Give away balls, make sure they stress themselves looking for points. Only attack when a basket is certain. Do you think you can handle that?.
Team: yes coach.
Coach fuckface: now to my lovebirds. As long as everyone is concerned you've already received emergency treatment from the school. You'll both be escorted outside where a supposed ambulance is waiting for you to take you for further assessment and treatment. In reality you're being taken to Mr white's apartment across the area. Take your time there. We need to properly sell this.
Me: but coach. Won't there be any repercussions?.
Coach fuckface: repercussions?. From who, from where?.
Jensen: the league?. We're faking a serious injury in front of a lot of people. That counts for something.
Coach fuckface: (laughing) you think I'm a fool to not put all these into account?. This is where your father comes in.
Jensen: I'm lost coach.
Coach fuckface: your father isn't just the calm man a lot of you guys think he is. He's a calculating psychopath.
Me: a psychopath calling another psychopath
Coach fuckface: keima I heard that. Now back to what I was on about. Mr White has taking it upon himself to make Keima's medical report would read a mild Grade I Ankle Sprain and Mild Grade I AC Joint Sprain for Jensen. Are they painful, yes. Match ending, absolutely. Career ending?. Fuck no. It's something a few days of rest would treat.
Me: but the opposition also have access to the medical report.
Coach fuckface: which would be updated after finalizing our plans. So worry not. The second half would be starting anytime soon so I better be off. Remember, you hate each other.
Jensen: yes coach.
Coach fuckface: okay I'm off.
After he went out
Me: gosh, who knew this idea of his would spiral out of control.
Jensen: I thought I was the only one seeing it.
Me: we're signing a petition to never go through this again.
Jensen: I'll second you on that.
NEXT DAY******
The headline for today's paper was kinda bittersweet:
DISASTER AT STARLING STRIKE: Tensions Flare After Starling Defeats JRC.
Starling secured yet another victory, defeating JRC 75-59. However, spectators were forced to witness a terrible injury which occurred after Jensen West and Keima Ibeh both went after a loose ball. Rumors of their feud were further confirmed yesterday after both parties were seen arguing heatedly. The question remains: Who is to blame, and how can the team find peace?.
I mean, from an actors point of view, we sold that shit. Damn. I'm probably gonna be considering a career at hollywood.
Kayode: are you happy with that?.
Me: happy with what?.
Kayode: you fighting with your friend, if not your best friend.
Me: I hope you aren't calling that snake my best friend.
Kayode: are you going to tell me what really happened now?.
Me: I feel like he's jealous I'm doing well in the team.
Kayode: you feel?.
Me: I know. At first he was all opening, but the moment the headlights started focusing on me, he switched up. Attacked every single thing I did. Condemned every single mistake I made. Like who the fuck does he even think he is. He thinks I'm someone he can just boss around?.
Kayode: okay, just one question. Was this the best remedy?.
Me: I don't understand
Kayode: (reading from his phone) "Early reports from coach Josh indicate Keima suffered a high ankle sprain, an injury that will keep the star off the court for six to twelve weeks. And for Jensen coach Josh also confirmed a severe shoulder dislocation, meaning he faces weeks of immobilization and physical therapy before he can even attempt a return". You're both practically useless for the next couple of months or more. Meaning you'll miss the match against starfield, you'll be missing a lot of games. Again I ask, was this the best remedy?.
Me: stop making it my fault.
Kayode: I'm not. You're both guys for heaven's sake. At one point, even the school called you guys yin and yang. You literally completed the other person. I need the both of you to fix up. If he won't be the big boy. You be.
Me: yeah yeah. I'll do that.
Kayode: I have classes now. So I'll be off. Give me good news when I return.
Me: it's Saturday dawg.
Kayode: I wanna make streak. So I have to put in the effort.
Me: you guys can just drop dead at this point.
Kayode: how's your baticadious prep coming up?.
Me: fuck
Kayode: I thought so.
Me: just fuck off already.
Just so you lot know. I'm not lazy, just not strong enough to learn right now. I have an injury for heaven's sake. Well Jensen just texted, Again.
Jensen*: how are you now?.
Me*: genuinely curious. Why the fuck bro?. Do you have a crush on me or something?.
Jensen*: I'm just concerned. I can swear I heard your rib crack. You sure you don't want to go for an x-ray?.
Me*: again, no. Thanks though. If something's wrong I'd defo let you know. You're my best friend ffs.
Jensen*: okay. It's just been on my mind.
Me*: I understand. What do you think about today's front page?.
Jensen*: we sold the fuck out of our role
Me*: I know right?. Mahnnn, I'm just waiting to see the faces of everyone when we break character.
Jensen*: I'm not looking forward to that. Do you know how many people I've lied to in the span of this last day?.
Me*: lol. That's why we're method actors.
Jensen*: trust me when I say this didn't make the sense you thought it would. But back to me. I lied to Tephnine with a straight face.
Me*: you do that all the time, what difference does it make now?.
Jensen: first off, I don't. Secondly I only lie cause its needed. This isn't. There's no way Tephnine would spill on us.
Me*: we both know that, but what if she tells her best friend and that one tell another and before you know it, everything becomes useless. Have you thought about that possibility?.
Jensen*: that is impossible, we both know.
Me*: I'm just saying, you never know.
Jensen*: I do get your point, but no issues. We'll talk about that later, I have a visitor.
Me*: I'm guessing a girl
Jensen*: what else?.
Me*: fucking bastard
Jensen*: lol. Talk later
Me*: fuck you. Talk never
I thought about going to bed but another thought struck me, 'Lets give Natasha an update on my "injury"'.
Me*: angel of mine. You online?.
It took her exactly three minutes to reply.
Natasha*: sorry, I was busy with some chores. How are you?.
Me*: tragic.
Natasha*: why?, what happened?
Me*: so I ended up not listening to your warning and now that bastard Jensen just destroyed me
Natasha*: wait I'm lost. Explain.
Me*: haven't you heard?. I won't be playing against Starfield.
Natasha*: why. What's wrong?.
Me*: I destroyed my ankle. Or more accurately, Jensen destroyed my ankle.
Natasha*: Jesus!. How?. Babe I'm really sorry.
Me*: you don't have to apologise. It's not your fault. It's just that bastard's.
Natasha*: please tell me what really happened.
Me*: so I've always suspected he hated me. He just proved it. Honestly he's the most selfish and arrogant person I know. Doesn't want anyone above him. I just fucking hate him.
Natasha*: I'm sorry babe. This must hurt a lot. Because I've always thought he was your best friend.
Me*: I guess that makes two of us. Now, I don't even know when I'll resume playing. But at least, he's also useless.
Natasha*: what do you mean?.
Me*: he dislocated his shoulder. Should be out for a month at least. I wish he broke his jaw or something. Fucking bastard.
Natasha*: don't be harsh
Me*: he deserves it. For causing me this pain, he deserves more.
Natasha*: I wish I could make it all better
Me*: not as much as I do honestly. But then look at the bright part, we'll be spending a lot of time together on that day.
Natasha*: I guess there's a silver lining then.
MATCH DAY, LAURELS COLLEGE VS STARLING STRIKE. ROUND OF 8 KINGS YOUTH CUP TOURNAMENT*******
Now I feel like I owe you all an explanation. Our basketball league competition was split into four divisions. West division consisting of 16 teams which were picked from high ranking schools in the western states of the country, then we have the East division, North division and finally the Middle belt division all following the same rule.
Now for the kings youth cup, four teams from each divisions are picked and seeded. Playing from the round of 16, all the way to the final. Laurels college were from the Middle belt division, and so far they've been something of an under-dog. Their last win was against a school called madeday college who finished 3rd from our division last season. So now you see this match isn't going to be easy, and guess what?. Our psychopath of a coach won't be playing two of his best players. Stupid if you ask me, but again we trust coach. And incase you were wondering, Victory Academy is also from the middle belt, and not just that. They are the leaders who did a 3-peat of the middle belt division. And not only that they also won "THE LEAGUE MASTERS TOURNAMENT".
Incase you're wondering what that is, it's when the winner of each division play against each other in a semi-final and then the final. The winner is crowned the league masters. And Victory Academy have taken two in the last 5 years. Now you see why I savoured that win against them. It might have been a friendly competition, but who we won deserved that much celebration.
Going back to reality, it was past 3pm and we just rounded up our final class before the big game. The noise from the court were already getting way too loud, this was that big of a match. I was using my crutches to sell my part well, before I ran into Tephnine. She hasn't been on school ground for the last 5 days. She only knew about my 'injury' on phone.
Tephnine: what happened to my baby?.
Me: Jensen happened. Your brother happened.
Tephnine: I'm sorry about that, I asked him too and he was hell bent on pinning the blame on you.
Me: is he fucking serious?. Everyone saw what happened, that bastard purposely sabotaged me.
Tephnine: babe
Me: I'm sorry, didn't mean to say that. I'm just really pissed
Tephnine: it's okay babe. How can I make it up to you?.
Me: you did nothing wrong dear. You don't have to do anything.
Tephnine: I know. But I really want to.
Me: then let's decide after the game. I've gotta go now.
Tephnine: why?.
Me: coach asked everyone to turn up whether half or full.
Tephnine: so..... You're half (smiling)
Me: I mean... Look at me, aren't I?.
Tephnine: (laughing) not to me you're not.
Me: mahnnnn... You're so sweet
Tephnine: really, what flavour?.
Me: You're not teasing me today. (Laughing) Bye, I'm off.
I hurriedly 'crutched' myself outta there. Laughing and waiting for my oscars. Didn't take long before I ran into the bookworms.
Cynthia: ohh, the school paper wasn't exaggerating.
Barry cooper: that should be really painful.
Me: nahhh, it's nothing. Just overdosing myself with painkillers.
Cynthia: is that really healthy?.
Me: honestly don't know, don't care.
Chiamanda: well I guess this is a good news on its own.
Me: uhhh. Why?.
Chiamanda: it means you're going to have time for our meeting today.
Me: unfortunately no. I've got to go.
Barry cooper: where?.
Me: to meet up with the team
Cynthia: why ?.
Me: coach asked us to. Also, make sure to watch the match. Cheer for us.
Cynthia: no promises
Chiamanda: I will
Me: thank you my guardian angel.
DRESSING ROOM****
Coach fuckface: Keima and Jensen have played their part. Now Jace it's all on you and the team. Right now they are brewing with confidence at our loss of two key men. Show them it doesn't matter. We'll always be the best. Are you all with me!!?
Team: yes coach!!.
Coach fuckface: then let's go win this!!!!
Team: whooooooooppp!!!!.
AT THE COURT***
Commentator 1: after the unfortunate incident that took place last week Friday, Starling would be looking to shake that off and secure a spot in the semi-final of the kings youth cup.
Commentator 2: today they play laurels college, a school from the middle belt division who not only sits second on their league table, but surprisingly knocked out madeday college at the round of 16. How do you think this match would go?.
Commentator 1: from a commentator point of view, anything can happen, but from a fan point of view, this might be an easy dub for laurels.
Commentator 2: I'd like to stop you there, I feel like Starling have this in the bag.
Commentator 1: Jensen is out with a dislocated shoulder, and the latest addition being our wonder kid Keima Ibeh, is also out with what was described as a Syndesmotic injury. Jace is a fantastic player no doubt. But do you think he'll handle everything alone?.
Commentator 2: even if the odds stack against Starling they'll always have my bet.
Commentator 1: now for the starting lineup.
PA ANNOUNCER: For laurels college, starting at guard, a 5'11 senior, number 10, Stanley Mario.
With this, they were loud cheers from the stands, while he took unto the court. He must be their star boy or something.
Commentator 1: the highest scorer of laurels, also the captain. He's one to look out for.
PA ANNOUNCER: And now taking to the court, (pauses for a while) Known for his clutch shooting and lightning speed. Some call him the 'Mario Kart' of the court. (Raising his voice a bit) A 5'11 second year forward, the number 17, (deepening and increasing his voice). ANTHONY MARIOOOOOOOO.
Again, he's met with mad cheers, believe me when I say laurel knows how to make their players feel special. And mario kart?, what kind of stupid childish name is that?. And here I was thinking wonder kid was bad.
Commentator 2: the twin brother of Stanley, another player to watch out for.
Commentator 1: And It's not just about the points. Did you know Anthony Mario is currently one of only two players in the middle belt division averaging at least 20 points, 8 rebounds, AND 4 assists per game?. He is the engine that drives laurel.
Coach fuckface: they are already going mad with confidence, they are already looking down on us. Win this game. I believe in you guys.
PA ANNOUNCER: Now for starling strike. He is a three point specialist feared across all divisions, he's known only by his call-signs. The rainmaker, Starling's sniper, The stinger, pick your poison. Standing at 6'0, he's a senior forward ready to shoot from any corner of the court. (Pausing and deepening his voice) He's your number 5 for Starling strike, I give you Jace 'The Rainmaker' Strongman.
The way the crowd went nuts, all I could say was damn. We love our player, we love Jace.
Commentator 2: when you talk about the 'unholy trinity', you talk about Jace. Yes keima is good, yes Jensen is good. But Jace, Jace is just special.
Commentator 1: that might be an understatement. He is simply on another level. This season, Jace Strongman is the only player in the entire 64-team league shooting above 45% from three-point range while attempting at least 10 threes per game. You can call him The Rain Maker, but the key word is 'efficiency.' When he shoots, the defense knows that ball is dropping. That's not something you chucked up as 'special', that has no definition.
Yes!!. Dickride my man. Yes!!. I love this. That aside, the rest of our team consisted of James and John simon, our own twins. Although it's kinda funny that both team have twins. Then finally Damian and Matthew Obidike (Matt).
Commentator 1: every one have taken their position on the court, kickoff anytime soon
Commentator 2: I hope everyone enjoy this game as much as I know I'll enjoy it.
Commentator 1: seems like the referee is set, the clock is ready to start. The moment you all have been waiting for is here.
(Referee whistle going off, and the ball being tossed to the air).
Commentator 2: the ball is up and we're underway.
TO BE CONTINUED******