Once that moment passed the game resumed but there was a tension in the air of the green team that any other altercation could generate an explosion
"That boy is a disruptor" Said coach Joe toward Artie
"Is that good or bad?" Asked Artie toward him
"That we will discover this season" said Joe with a smile on his face
"Do you mean he will be on the varsity team?" asked Artie to Joe with an excited smile imagining Aaron on the team
"Yes" said Joe sharing the same smile as Artie "But he must start as a substitute in the first games of this season" he finished adding in a grave tone
Because although Aaron was playing well as a Power-forward he still committed errors at the moment of going up and down the court as if still subconsciously he had not accepted that he was in a different position
"Talk to Derrick after the game ends" Ordered Joe toward Artie
"Tell him to show him videos and set up a training plan for him so his adaptation is faster" He concluded while his gaze did not pull away from Aaron
"Do you plan for him to play power-forward this season?" asked Artie while also observing Aaron on the court
"I plan for him to alternate between power-forward and center" Responded Joe "He has the potential for both positions and a player who can play in both positions suits the team" Joe finished giving his analysis
"To us and himself" thought Joe believing that Aaron was wasting part of his potential by focusing solely as a center that although he has potential to be an elite one he also has it to be a power-forward not one at the level of tim Duncan but enough to stand out
"You are not the only one who notices his potential" said Artie while pointing toward a corner where the college recruiters were located
"Ugh" was the sound of annoyance Joe made thinking about those people
If there was something Joe Arbitello hated it was dealing with college recruiters
Unfortunately part of his job was dealing with them because despite knowing that every year he had to say goodbye to his players he always wished them the best and truly cared about their future so he advised them on their choice and future
And of course also being at the head of one of the most prestigious high school basketball programs in the country he had made contacts with several important NCAA coaches so whenever he found a good player he recommended them earnestly to those programs
"There are Larry and Phil" said Artie pointing to the two men who were whispering in a low voice while their eyes were fixed on Aaron
"It seems we are not the only ones who see his potential" Said Joe seeing how the vast majority of recruiters did not take their eyes off Aaron
"I can already imagine their faces when they find out he is only a 9th grade boy" Said Artie imagining the faces of the recruiters
"If he plays like this now imagine the offers he will receive as soon as he is in his junior year" Said Joe already imagining the problem that will be for him
"We are witnessing a future 5-star recruit" Artie finished saying with a big smile on his face
"Don't even doubt it" said Joe without hesitation as if it were only a matter of time for that to happen
After that both remained in silence watching the game and analyzing the plays and strategies for the season seeing that the time was running out Artie took the whistle to his mouth ready to end the game
"FIIUU!!" the strident sound of the whistle was heard giving to understand that the game had ended
25-18 final score green team in the lead
Aaron Reed statistics
Points: 9
Assists: 2
Blocks: 2
Rebounds: 1
Due to the isolation by the majority of his team plus the fact that he played in a relatively new position for him Aaron's numbers were not the same as the previous game but at least considering all that Aaron believed he had done decent
"Not bad" thought Aaron thinking about his statistics "But they can be better" he finished thinking while approaching with the rest of the players to the place where coach Joe was located
"Gentlemen with this the practices conclude" began saying coach Joe with a smile on his face
"Those who were chosen will see their name on the list that I will publish tomorrow on the school bulletin board" coach Joe began his speech
"And to those who were not do not feel bad and try again next year" he continued with his speech
"And remember as jordan said: If you accept the expectations of others, especially the negative ones, then you will never change the outcome" he concluded his speech followed by a round of applause at the end both from the players and the coaching staff
After that everyone prepared to leave toward the lockers to change and return home to rest after an exhausting game
"I'm nervous dude" said Drew once he approached and was at Aaron's side
"Relax you did well" said Aaron while giving encouragement to Drew
"Not as much as you" said Drew while remembering the plays Aaron made
"if the coach hadn't put me as power-forward it could have been better" said Aaron still without being able to fully understand what the reason was why the coach decided to change his position from one moment to another
"It's not that you did so bad either" said Drew while with his hands he replicated the dunk Aaron made in that game
"You're right" said Aaron shaking his head and thinking positively about his performance
After that they entered the lockers to take a quick shower and change clothes to return to their respective homes and call it a day
Or so Aaron thought
"Hello guys" said a voice behind the boys once they left the lockers
"Meghan" said Aaron in the most polite way possible while mentally cursing the intrusion of Meghan and her two friends
"girls" said Drew in a tone believing he was flirtatious
Masterfully ignoring Drew as if he didn't exist Meghan had all her attention set on the cute blue-eyed boy in front of her
"You played incredible" said Meghan while smiling at Aaron and looking him directly in the eyes
"Thanks" was the simple response Aaron gave while turning around believing that was the end of the conversation
"Wait" said Meghan while stepping in front of Aaron
"Is there something else?" asked Aaron already wanting to leave the stadium
"On Saturday I'm going to give a costume party for Halloween all the popular people in school will go you should come" she said while running a finger over Aaron's chest and giving him a significant look
"I..." Aaron began to say trying to politely reject the invitation until he was interrupted by the overly anxious voice of Drew
"We will be there" said Drew quickly not wanting to miss the party
After that Meghan fixed her gaze on Drew as if she had just realized he was there
"I didn't say you were invited" said Meghan directing a disdainful look at Drew
"Aaron and I are like brothers where he goes I go" isn't it true Aaron said Drew while giving him a pleading look hoping he would accept to go to that party
Sighing deeply and knowing he would regret this later Aaron said
"Where and at what time?" Aaron Asked resigning himself to the idea of going to the party on Saturday
"I will text you the address" said Meghan while extending her hand asking for his cell phone
Once with the phone in hand she proceeded to write her number in Aaron's phone to then send a message to herself
"I will send you the address later" said Meghan with a wink while turning around and being followed by her friends now that she had achieved her objective
"Party on Saturday brother" said Drew with a big smile not being able to wait
"I didn't even want to go" Said Aaron walking next to Drew to the exit
"Don't be boring friend think about the fun and even more importantly about the girls" said Drew the last part with an even bigger smile on his face imagining all the girls in costumes at the party
"Maybe you're right" said Aaron thinking that maybe not everything had to be basketball and he could allow himself some relaxation
"I always am" said Drew with a tone of self-sufficiency in his voice
"Besides it shows that Meghan wants you and she is very selective with guys" said Drew giving a little smile to Aaron while patting his back
"I'm not interested in Meghan" said Aaron thinking and it's because although Meghan was physically attractive her queen bee personality made her unbearable for Aaron
"I'm not saying you be her boyfriend but at least you could have a good time with her" Said Drew moving his eyebrows suggestively toward his friend
"You talk as if you were an expert in relationships" said Aaron with eyes rolling while bringing his friend down to earth
"I could be if I wanted to" said Drew while puffing out his chest
"Sure" said Aaron sarcastically trying with all his strength not to laugh
"I'm serious" said Drew trying to let Aaron know that he is quite the galan
"Sure" said Aaron while increasing the pace of his steps ready to go home
"See you tomorrow!" Drew yelled at him heading in the opposite direction of Aaron
To which Aaron kept walking while raising his hand over his back as a sign of goodbye
20 minutes later
"I'm home" said Aaron as soon as he crossed the door of the apartment where he and his mother lived
Without obtaining a response he assumed his mother was doing a double shift again
"I guess no one is here" said Aaron already used to staying alone in the apartment
With a tired sigh Aaron proceeded to leave his backpack on the chair and head straight to change clothes and be comfortable
Once changed and relaxed Aaron prepared to turn on the television and look for something to watch until his cell phone vibrated
Text message
Meghan: 264-11
60th Avenue Little Neck, NY, 11362 20:00 pm
Meghan: the address for the party
Was the simple message Meghan wrote to him with the date and time of the Saturday party
Aaron: Ok
Meghan: do you know what you are going to dress up as?
Was the simple question Meghan asked Aaron trying to start a conversation with him
Aaron: No idea
After that Aaron wanted to put the shrugging emoji but to his bad luck he realized that currently emojis are not as advanced as they will be in the future
Meghan: I have some options do you want to see?
Said Meghan to seconds later send 3 photos to Aaron by message
Meghan sent photos
As soon as he saw the photos a part of Aaron ran out of air while the adolescent hormones did their thing
The three photos were in costumes that left little to the imagination in one Meghan was seen with a pure white angel outfit with wings on her back, the second was Meghan with a devil suit tight to her body enhancing her figure and the last one was the one that impacted Aaron the most it was a Meghan dressed as a cat with a leather suit and on all fours on her bed looking at the camera with a tail and ears
"Damn she is not being discreet at all" Thought Aaron without taking his eyes off the photos
But as if a god wanted to see him humiliated or embarrassed the door was heard opening while his mother entered
"I'm home" said Melissa while seeing how Aaron quickly turned off and hid his phone
"Is something wrong?" asked Melissa seeing Aaron's quick movement
"Nothing" Said Aaron while the images he had seen remained in his mind and would not leave for a good while
Author's thoughts
Meghan's appearance is alexa demie from euphoria
What did you think of today's chapter?
I see some of you have complained that the coach is an idiot, but let me tell you that it's 2009, and that's just how things were back then. The coach has to be impartial and show no favoritism. Also, the reason Aaron is playing power forward instead of center is mainly because he doesn't have the physical strength to fight against 17 and 18-year-olds yet, so the coach is protecting him from injuries.