"Umm" Melissa muttered seeing how Aaron quickly turned off his cell phone as soon as she entered through the door
"What were you doing" Melissa asked directing a significant look at Aaron evaluating any reason or movement on his part
"Nothing" Aaron said looking away from his mother's eyes a detail that Melissa did not let pass
But out of the corner of her eye she could see how Aaron slowly tried to hide his phone behind his body
"Who were you talking to?" Melissa asked this time in a more interrogative tone expecting Aaron to respond with honesty
"Drew" Aaron lied quickly trying to prevent his mother from discovering who he was talking to or the photos he had just received on his phone from Meghan
"Aha" Melissa said not believing even a little bit Aaron's attempt at a lie
"Will you really tell me what is happening or should I check your phone?" melissa said more seriously letting Aaron know that she was not in the mood for games
"Ahh" Aaron sighed knowing that if he didn't tell the truth his mother would end up taking his cell phone and discovering what was in it so weighing his options he decided to be honest
"It's a girl" Aaron began to say seeing how the expression on Melissa's face changed upon hearing that her son was messaging with a girl
"She invited me to a party she's giving this Saturday for Halloween" Aaron finished saying wisely omitting the photos he had received minutes before his mother arrived home
After mentioning the word party he saw how Melissa's previously interrogative face changed to a smile that widened more upon hearing that her son would go to a party
"Thank god" Melissa said thinking that her son would finally go to a party and that god had heard her prayers
At that a grimace could be seen on Aaron's face at his mother's excited reaction upon hearing that her son would go to a party
"Is that girl your girlfriend?" melissa asked now returning to her previous serious expression
"She is just an acquaintance" Aaron said knowing that he barely knew Meghan
"Sure" Melissa said with a smile and a look that she didn't believe anything her son was saying
At that Aaron could not do anything other than roll his eyes knowing that anything he said would be misinterpreted by Melissa
"What is the girl's name?" melissa continued with her interrogation trying to draw more information out of Aaron
"Meghan she is a girl in my grade" Aaron said knowing that the faster he answered the questions the faster he could be free
"What is she like do you have a photo?" Melissa asked this time with a more insistent tone
"I don't have a photo" Aaron lied blatantly knowing that if he showed the photos Meghan sent to his cell phone his mother would be scandalized
After that Melissa continued with her questions and her interrogation about where the party is going to be what time and if Drew would go with me
"You have my permission to go" melissa finally said giving her approval for Aaron to go to the party
"Ok" Aaron said to that having already assumed his mother would give him permission seeing her initial reaction when he said he had been invited to a party
"And how was practice?" Melissa asked this time remembering that Aaron had done the practices for the basketball team although that was more of a formality than anything else knowing the talent her son had
"All good" Aaron said this time more cheerful now that the conversation turned toward basketball
At that moment a mother and a son could be seen talking calmly sitting on the sofa in the living room of a small apartment and how the son talked and gestured excitedly everything that had happened in the basketball game while the mother listened attentively with a smile on her face
"I think I'm already on the team" Aaron said with an authoritative tone but without arrogance knowing he had the skills to be with the starters and compete this season
"That's good dear" Melissa said with an excited smile on her face "What I don't understand is why the coach put you as power-forward and not as center?" Melissa asked who although she was not a big basketball fan knew enough to know in what position Aaron stands out
"I don't know either but I have some ideas" Aaron said pensively trying to guess what was the reason why the coach did not put him as center
"I'm listening" Melissa said wanting to know what her son was thinking
"My first assumption is that I am not physically strong" Aaron said remembering how he lost in the opening jump against Dominykas because he was physically weaker than him
At that Aaron could not help a bitter smile knowing that in basketball a center must be physically strong to dominate the zone, fight for rebounds, establish blocks, defend the rim and resist intense physical contact.
Against boys his age Aaron had the confidence to win not only with strength but also with his jump but against boys of almost 18 years with more developed musculature than him he would have inconveniences
"Makes sense" Melissa said agreeing with Aaron's assumption
"The second" Aaron continued saying "Is that maybe the coach saw that I could play in that position and that there is no competition for me if I play there" Aaron said remembering Roland's performance during the game that although it was decent there was nothing remarkable in his game except his above-average defensive ability
"Well" said his mother although equally Aaron could see a slight trace of discomfort on her face knowing that her son will not play as center
"The important thing is that I will play this season with the varsity team" Aaron said in an attempt to reassure his mother
"And although it is a challenge it doesn't hurt to try it after all a player who can play in two positions is better than one who can only play one" Aaron said thinking that in the future in the NBA it didn't matter what position you were all players had to be as complete as possible both in shooting and in assists and blocks
"If you say so" Melissa said getting up and brushing off the non-existent dust from her waitress suit as she headed toward the kitchen
"Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes I will call you when it's ready" Melissa said while starting to roll up her sleeves to prepare dinner
Meanwhile Aaron got up from the sofa and headed toward his room while waiting for dinner to be ready
Once inside the room Aaron lay on his bed while picking up his cell phone again and opening youtube
"Very well" Aaron said while googling on his phone Dirk Nowitzki best plays
After that waiting for it to load a list of videos about Dirk appeared among which were best moments and games
Choosing one at random Aaron set out to watch the full video while analyzing how Dirk played and positioned himself in that game he was seen how he placed himself in the corner of the perimeter of the basket with his back to the rival player to then turn and do his iconic Fadeaway adding 2 more points to the Dallas Mavericks
Seeing Dirk's beautiful jump Aaron could not help but rewind the video several times to see the same play over and over again
"It's beautiful" Aaron sighed seeing for the fiftieth time Dirk doing the Fadeaway a movement that Dirk perfected almost to perfection
While Aaron admired the movement he also analyzed Dirk's posture and mechanics at the time of launching the shot already knowing what he would practice once he went to rest in his mental court
"Aaron dinner!!" Melissa's shout was heard letting Aaron know that dinner is ready
With a reluctant look on his face Aaron turned off the phone and headed to dinner with his mother and probably his aunt who would arrive at any moment
Dinner passed without setbacks except for the new interrogation by Paola upon finding out that Aaron will go to a party Saturday night
"Whatever you do no alcohol" Paola said seriously in Aaron's direction knowing that although her nephew was someone responsible she also knew how crazy adolescent parties could be
"Don't worry aunt I know" Aaron said just as serious knowing very well the damages that alcohol does to the body and wanting to be an athlete he had to maintain his body in the best possible conditions and more in this growth stage
"Good" Paola said now with a smile trusting Aaron
After that talk dinner passed without setbacks while they continued chatting about day to day life until it was time to say goodbye and go to bed
Friday October 30 2009 8:00 am
This time Aaron arrived on time and with time to school walking calmly through the school hallways toward his locker but while he was walking he realized the not so discreet looks that the other students were giving him everywhere he passed
He could also hear some of the whispers of the students who looked at him
"There he is" said a boy toward his friend while looking at Aaron
"It's him" said his friend giving a significant look at Aaron while pointing him with his finger
To which his friend quickly lowered his hand with a face of shame seeing how Aaron directed his gaze toward him
"Lower your hand he is looking at us" the boy said quickly while giving an apologetic look to Aaron and leaving with his friend
"Weird" Aaron murmured without knowing why people were whispering around him
Without giving it much importance Aaron continued his way toward his locker where he found Drew taking out his books for class
"What's up friend" Aaron said while raising his fist for a fist bump with Drew who responded immediately
"All good friend" Drew said while giving an excited look to Aaron
"Did you find out?" Drew said expecting Aaron to know the latest school news
"Find out about what?" Aaron asked the excited Drew
"They already published the list of players for the sports teams" Drew said while waiting for Aaron to get enthusiastic at the news
"And?" Aaron asked without fully understanding his friend's excitement
"Friend you are on the Varsity team being a 9th grade student" Drew said expecting excitement or an excited smile on Aaron's face but what he saw was simply Aaron's calm while opening his locker and preparing for classes
"Aren't you excited?" Drew asked at Aaron's calm
"I already knew I would be on the team" was Aaron's simple response while closing his locker and heading to classes
It wasn't arrogance or anything but Aaron knew his skills well and knew that the tryout was just a formality for him
"And how did it go for you?" Aaron asked Drew this time
"I made the freshman team" Drew said now excited knowing that he also entered the basketball team but not at the same level as Aaron
"Congratulations dude" Aaron said giving Drew some pats on the back while congratulating him
"Thanks, thanks" Drew said with self-sufficiency
"And do you already know what you will dress up as tomorrow?" Drew asked this time toward Aaron
Aaron was about to respond when out of the corner of his eye he could see a certain blonde mane walking in the same direction as them and it was the same girl who bumped into him on Wednesday
Losing the thread of the conversation Aaron approached and lightly touched her shoulder
"Hello" Aaron said once he caught the attention of the girl who had to raise her head toward him
"Hello" she responded in a low voice almost like a whisper
"I couldn't apologize the other day for the collision are you okay?" Aaron asked toward her
"It wasn't your fault and I'm fine" the girl responded while adjusting her glasses that had slipped down a bit
"I'm Aaron by the way" he said while extending his hand
"As if I didn't know who you are" the girl murmured in a low voice
"Excuse me?" Aaron asked without having heard what the girl had said
"Nothing" the girl said with a slight tone of panic in her voice
"My name is Hannah" she said quickly while shaking Aaron's hand with her small hand
"A pleasure" Aaron said with a polite smile
"Likewise" Hannah responded with a half smile
After that both remained in silence looking at each other in a pleasant silence until a voice interrupted them
"Aaron let's go" Drew said while putting his arm around his neck
After that Aaron turned toward his friend while seeing Hannah turning on her heels and heading toward the same classroom as them
"What were you talking about with Hannah?" Drew asked looking toward the same direction as Aaron
"Do you know her?" Aaron asked turning toward Drew
"She is in our year but she is very quiet and closed off" Drew said while walking with Aaron toward the classroom
After that both entered the classroom and sat at the back while waiting for the teacher to start the class
But Aaron's gaze could not help but notice the blonde hair sitting in the first row
"So Hannah eh" Aaron thought while the class started
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