After the endless lecture from the teacher and the morning classes, the bell rang like a celestial sound starting a well-deserved break.
"Finally". Aaron could be heard getting up from his desk while he stretched to remove the stiffness from the muscles of his arms and back.
With a look toward the desk next to him, he could see Drew asleep on his desk with a trail of saliva coming out of his mouth, while he was in a deep sleep dreaming of who knows what.
"Wake up friend", Aaron said in a resigned tone while shaking his friend as if this were part of his day-to-day.
"Mommy", Drew was heard murmuring still sleepy and not knowing where he was.
"You're in school dude", Aaron said this time with a dead fish look, rethinking how he was friends with this guy.
Coming out of his stupor and wiping the saliva from his mouth, Drew stood up and began to follow Aaron heading toward the cafeteria.
"I need a coffee dude", Drew said rubbing his eyes while walking with his back slightly hunched in the direction of the cafeteria.
"What you need is to sleep at least 8 hours", Aaron said while looking at Drew half-dead.
"Nothing that caffeine doesn't fix", Drew said while slightly quickening his pace toward the cafeteria.
Once they arrived at the cafeteria they heard the noise of voices and chatter of teenagers throughout the cafeteria, sitting in groups and whispering among themselves.
The cafeteria followed the classic hierarchy system of all schools with the athletes and cheerleaders at the top of the high school social chain; instinctively Aaron's gaze turned toward the table where the basketball team was.
He saw how they were at the center table of the cafeteria laughing and joking among themselves; and the thing was that if this school could be proud of anything it was its basketball team.
"What must it feel like to be there". Aaron heard Drew say while he also had his gaze on that table.
"No idea", was Aaron's simple response while his gaze turned toward the lunch ladies while picking up a tray.
"I'd give anything to be in their shoes for a day", Drew said with a hopeful look imagining being seated at that table with the team jacket.
"If you want to be there then start training and concentrate on the open camp this afternoon", Aaron said while locating an empty table and prepared to sit at it.
"I'll try my luck", Drew said with a half smile until his eyes landed on Aaron as if he had devised a plan.
"Oh I'll simply be the friend of a guy on the team", he said it while giving a meaningful look to Aaron.
"What are you talking about?". Aaron asked without understanding what his friend was thinking.
"I'm just saying that if I were simply the best friend of a great basketball player I could have all the benefits without having to be on the team", Drew said in an excited tone as he related the plan he had in mind.
"Think about it I'd be your guy next door, you'll be under the school's spotlights and I'll be behind you", Drew finished with a smug smile as if challenging Aaron to find any flaw in his logic of thought.
At that Aaron gave him a blank look while trying to see if what Drew was saying was serious or a simple joke from his friend; or he was doing that until he heard a voice he didn't want to hear.
"Hi Aaron", said a sweet female voice with a slight touch of flirtatiousness in her tone.
"Meghan", Aaron said with a flat tone in his voice while directing his gaze to the girl at his side followed by 2 other girls.
"I heard that today is the open gym for the basketball team", Meghan said trying to follow the conversation while masterfully ignoring Aaron's slight look of annoyance.
"Uhum", was the only response Aaron gave her hoping that was all she wanted from him.
"Just so you know we'll be there supporting you", Meghan said pointing to the 2 girls behind her while sitting in the seat next to him and invading Aaron's personal space.
"Ok", was Aaron's dry response while his gaze returned to concentrate on his tray hoping that way she would understand the hint that he didn't want to talk to her.
"I also applied for the cheerleading team", Meghan said while moving her hair and throwing a sensual look at Aaron.
"I hope you can also go support me", Meghan continued saying in a sweet tone.
"I'll think about it", was Aaron's dry response hoping that would end the matter.
Once Meghan believed she had achieved her goal she stood up and headed to her other table along with her two henchmen while swaying her waist with that skirt that left little to the imagination while turning her head and throwing a wink at Aaron.
"Man I can't believe you have Meghan's attention and you do nothing". Drew said regaining his senses while his gaze was hooked on the girl in question.
"Not worth it". Aaron said rolling his eyes at his friend's stupid puppy-love look.
Meghan is the prettiest girl in ninth grade with her olive/tanned skin, straight black hair and her hazel eyes gave her a sensual and attractive air that drove all the boys crazy.
"I'd give anything to be with her", Drew continued saying in his daydream while continuing to look at Meghan until losing sight of her.
"She's very superficial and clingy dude", Aaron said while thinking about the girl in question and remembering how persistent she was toward him.
"I wouldn't mind if she were clinging to me dude", was Drew's simple response.
After that they continued talking about meaningless things and their favorite players until the bell rang signifying it was time to return to class.
3:00 pm
Finally the school day ended and a crowd of students could be seen rushing out the main door of the school heading home or to hang out at the mall.
But Aaron was not one of them he along with Drew by his side headed toward the school stadium.
"We're here", Aaron said with a smile finally feeling in his element.
Once inside the gym he could see the crowd of students present ready to try to get a spot on the team.
"It's a lot of people dude", Drew said shrinking slightly behind Aaron.
"It's all good dude", Aaron said with a smile heading toward one of the coaches who was handing out gear.
"Name", the coach said with a firm voice.
"Aaron Reed", Aaron said.
Checking his list he found Aaron's name and a slight touch of surprise could be seen on the coach's face while looking at the notes on the list of names.
"Put this on and get in line", the coach said while passing him a Nike training kit then directing his gaze to Drew.
"Got it", Aaron said as he headed to the locker rooms to change into the uniform.
Putting his things in the locker he saw the door open again and Drew entering with a same Kit.
"Are you ready dude?". Aaron asked Drew who looked nervous.
"I think so dude …", Drew said while putting his things in the locker.
While Drew continued talking Aaron began to undress and as soon as he took off his shirt he saw that Drew stopped talking.
"Is something wrong?". Aaron asked seeing how Drew stopped talking and began to stare at him.
"Dude how do you manage to have a body like that", Drew said without taking his eyes off Aaron.
And the thing was that while Aaron didn't have prominent muscles yet he was defined with visible abs and pectorals he had the sculpted physique of an athlete.
"Diet, exercise and a stable sleep cycle", Aaron said while putting on the team's sleeveless shirt.
"Forget it sounds like too much work". Drew said resigning himself thinking that all that sacrifice wasn't worth it to have a body like that.
"It's a matter of perseverance", Aaron said finishing dressing to go out to the court again.
Once on the court he lined up with the rest of the boys who were here for the tryouts who observe him with different looks some with envy for his height and others as if evaluating a possible rival.
The silence was broken when the door opened and coach Joe Arbitello entered along with the team starters.
"Good afternoon gentlemen", coach Arbitello said as soon as he caught the attention of all the young men in the gym.
"Today we are here for the basketball team tryouts", coach Arbitello continued with his speech.
"Sincerely I don't expect many of you to make it onto my team", he said this time with a severe voice.
"But if you do let me tell you that I expect your commitment to the team as well as to this institution", he finished his speech.
"Now get in a line so my assistant can take your biometric measurements and then move on". He said stepping aside.
More than 20 boys could be seen lining up in front of a coach next to a scale and measuring tape.
After a few minutes it was Aaron's turn to have his measurements taken.
"Next". the coach said while Aaron stepped forward.
After that the coach was seen beginning the measurements while pointing the results on the sheet of his notebook next to Aaron's name.
Name: Aaron Reed Grade: 9th Height: 6'6'' Wingspan: 6'9'' Standing reach: 8'7''
"Very impressive kid", the assistant coach couldn't help but say once he had Aaron's results.
"Thank you sir". Aaron said as he headed toward the track and field tests.
These tests were based on jumping, speed and agility.
First he started with the jump tests for which measurement was taken with the help of a Vertec.
The first was the vertical jump without a run-up for which Aaron positioned himself flexing his knees while swinging his arms back ready to jump then putting all the strength in his legs he jumped and slapped his hands against the bars.
"26''". the assistant said with a hint of incredulity while looking at the equipment again trying to check that he wasn't making a mistake.
This time the reaction of the crowd was more startled since while Aaron stood out over the other candidates this jump test made them see that he wasn't just there for his height but also for his skill.
"Let's continue with the vertical with a run-up", the assistant said recovering from his initial shock and looking forward to how he would do now and Aaron did not disappoint.
Taking a few steps back Aaron ran straight toward the Vertec and propelled himself forward.
"Slap". that sound could be heard throughout the venue while several heads turned in the direction of the sound.
There they saw the back of a brown-haired boy crouching after the jump then fixing their gaze on the Vertec device and seeing that more than half of the paddles had moved.
"32''". the assistant suddenly said with even more incredulity in his voice upon seeing the mark.
At that the murmurs from the other candidates and even from the players were not slow to start.
"Did you see that friend", a boy in the back of the line said.
"I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes". His friend said while rubbing his eyes trying to see if they weren't playing some prank on him.
Meanwhile another conversation was taking place with the basketball team starters.
"Did you see that Maurice", a boy at his side said.
"Not bad", was all Maurice said carefully watching the back of the young man who had performed that feat.
"That's the kid the coach mentioned right?". asked the same boy with a frown and analyzing him deeply determining if he will be a threat.
"So it seems Roland", Maurice said.
"Do you think he'll get to play with us this season?". Roland asked with doubt in his voice.
"It doesn't matter if he plays or not", Maurice said. "What matters is that he knows his place", Maurice said with seriousness in his voice.
Author's thoughts
What do you think of today chapter?
If anyone is curious about what Meghan looks like, I was inspired by Maddy from Euphoria