1 A Good Day-or is it?

I was so ecstatic I made the team, I could barely contain myself the rest of last period and I think the teacher, Ms Claire, started to notice just how jumpy and distracted I had become. I had been trying to get into the school's basketball team since like, Forever! Finally, that dream came through that day at tryouts. This was like my second year of tryouts and I was just beginning to think it would end like the first. I geared up, ready to impress Mr. Olson, the coach. I wasn't sloppy at all as I had had practice the whole year and it payed off. Mr. Olson was so impressed by my Charismatic Movement that he smiled the rest of tryouts-he never smiled for any reason. After tryouts ended, seeing Mr. Olson dish out a few curse words, spiteful remarks and a shot or two of the ball at some players, he said; ' you, Danny, Striker. Blonde, you're on defense, Thomson,... ' I just zoned out. I was the only blonde dude on the court and I had made the team ! I was so excited I didn't hear the rest of whatever he babbled on about .

'... now I want y'all to focus. Last Year, Bloomberg high took home the trophy, but this year, this is our year! This is the year of the cheetahs, the year of Varsity High! Now, boys. What did I say?!...'

' This is the year of Varsity High!!! ' , we echoed back.

' Now, sissies. To lay down a few ground rules. Practice starts at 4pm every Monday and Thursday, and at 2pm every Friday. You're late to practice, you're off my team! You mess up, off my team! You play worse than you did today, off my team! Do you catch on?! ' .

' Yes, Coach. ' we yelled back.

' Good. Now, get your lazy asses off my court. Use the weekend to prepare, 'Cause Monday is gon' be tough. ' he concluded, staring at his wristwatch.

We scurried off the courts to the locker rooms . I still couldn't believe I finally made the team. Now, there was no way Liam was going to make jest of me or call me names, I thought. Liam was my douche-y older brother and he took every opportunity he could find to remind me of that fact. Liam and I were nothing alike, by the way. He was brunette, sharp-eyed and did I mention, a big jerk. He was a few inches taller, with the smile of a model. I, on the other hand, was the Mr. Nice Guy of the family. I was thoughtful, focused, and, like I had been told, I was cute. I don't know if cute cuts it, though. I had come to notice that girls liked bad boys better, and that was so Liam. The bastard had such a reputation among them , i felt awkward walking past a group of girls. He had made the team in his first year of high school, and by the last had become team captain. He'd been shadowing me, taunting me about my inability to make the team by my second, so I couldn't wait to rub it in his face. Liam had become even more insufferable when he wasn't permitted to go to college outside the state because mom and dad didn't think he could handle himself, thereby making life worse for all of us . He wanted to get away from home, get some more freedom and just avoid the family entirely.

I was so lost in thought I didn't hear Jeremy call so he walked over and tapped me on the shoulder,

' Hey, dude. What are you thinking about ?' he asked.

' Oh, sorry man. I was carried away. '

' And you have every reason to be! ' he screamed and hugged me. '... I told you you could do it, man. I totally believed in you.' Jeremy, my best friend whined on about me making the team. He was lucky enough to get in in our freshman year and he had managed to make a name for himself as one of the best players.

' Thanks, man. I know you did. My God, it feels so good to finally be in it. Damn! ' I giggled.

' I know that feeling, brother.' He said as we fist pumped.

' hey, what's with that coach dude, by the way? ' I asked Jeremy-out of curiosity .

' meh, I dunno, man. Beats me how anyone could be so hot, yet so uptight. ' I rolled my eyes and he giggled.

The bell rang just about that minute and we hurried to our last class for the day.

Last period was biology and I probably would've shown more interest in the class if tryouts had come later . Biology class that Friday was as it used to be for most of the guys, but not for me. The biology teacher was like the hottest teacher in school, so this alone gave as much attention as she needed. It even got the jocks to participate in class.

' ...Are you alright, Mr Valentine? ' she asked, watching me. Just then, I realized the whole class was looking at me and I froze.

' I asked a question and I deserve an answer, Valentine.' She probed.

' ...uhm, I'm fine , miss Claire. ' I replied.

' What topic are we treating, Mr. Valentine ? ' she asked. Oh no, I don't even know the topic, I thought at that moment while I scanned the room for clues. My eyes met Jeremy's and he mouthed 'tha- hu-min an-a-to-my ' . Oh, that's it. Little wonder a boy and a girl were standing by the board like scarecrows. ' ...uhm, the human anatomy, ma'am . ' I answered. She stood by my desk for a few seconds, and then smirked, ' see me after the class. ' My eyes widened as I stared at her, but I couldn't protest.