A New Friend

"Hey you're Richard Dalton right?" a guy with brown hair asked as he stopped me in the hallway. I furrowed my eyebrow........ What does he want? It's been a week already and I've not seen his face anywhere.

"Yeah man and you are? " I raised my eyebrow.

" My name is James Thompson " he grinned.

" I've never met you, how do you know my name " I was curious

" You play basketball, don't you " he questioned

" Yeah I do" I muttered

"I also play but I was sick during the holidays. I couldn't resume with you guys " he stated

" Oh! My bad, so how are you feeling now " I asked

" Feeling great, thanks " he stated

" I've got to go to my next class, see you at the court, bye" I told him

" Bye" he waved at me

After listening to teachers rambling on and off, school hours were over. It was time for practice.

I went late to the locker room, did some change of clothes and left for the basketball court.

" Gather close Rangers, we need to practice harder because the red hawks are visiting us these Saturday here at our court. It's our first match of the season guys " Coach said

" We need to win" he said again

We practiced for hours by shooting the ball in the basket, watching our defense and how to steal balls from our opponent's hand before Coach blew the whistle and announcing that practice was over.

I was practicing at the court when I noticed that someone was watching me. I turned back and there he was

" James what are you doing here "I questioned him

" I should be the one asking you that" he said

" I always practice for a little bit before hitting the showers" I explained to him

" I would like to Join you in practicing, I've missed out and I saw your skills during practice " he said

" I hope your friend won't be annoyed with me "

" Who? " he asked

" Tony "I mumbled

" He is my best friend and a Squad also " he said

" What's a Squad "I asked curiously

" I'm a squad, Tony is and Peter also is. The Rich Squad. Don't you know " he said

" Hello, I'm new here and how do you expect me to know all this " I shot back

" I'm sorry okay but now you know about us right " he smiled at me

" Yeah I do, let's practice, shall we "

" Yes" he said

After our little conversation, we practiced for some minutes and went back to the locker room.

" let's go have a bath " he headed for the showers

I hesitated a little before heading for the showers. After getting wet, I dressed up in the shower room. I came out only to find an empty room, he left already.

I was on my way to the school's car park to meet my sister when a hand suddenly grabbed me, before I knew it, I was pushed against a wall, arms pinning me down as the owner of those arms glared at me spitefully.