Arthit’s POV
I followed him with a glance.
I couldn’t help but smile.
What with this anyway?
I looked at the plastic in my hand.
This man is so complicated.
I thought.
Since he already gave it to me might as well eat it.
I went to our coach’s office.
When I opened I saw the take out, my stomach rumbled.
There were two boxes, each has different dish —- Khao Pad and Yam Nua.
It made me hungrier.
“Mmm, it smells delicious.” I heard Bright said.
I saw him entering the room with Prem behind him. “Indeed, “
“Can I have a taste? ” he snatched the fork in my hand.
On reflex, I was quicker to put it out of his reach. “Nope, not happening. “
“Why not? ” he asked.
I don’t feel like sharing this food Kong gave me. “Just because, ” I showed him a mischievous smile.
I slipped out the wallet inside my pocket and gave him some cash because I felt guilty.
“If you really want some, go buy your own. Just not this. ” I said.
“What difference could it make? “
I started to eat and snubbed him.
I even waved my hand as if shooing him away.
“How weird can this guy be? ” he asked Prem.
Prem just shrugged. “Maybe he’s just hungry.”
“It won’t hurt if I just have a taste of it.” he sulked. “I hope you choke, ” he directed at me.
I just laughed at his remark.
After eating, I took a rest in preparation for the game.
I saw Kong getting ready as well.
He was warming up on the other side of the court.
M was helping him by assisting him with the ball.
“Let’s start, ” I heard Knot said.
I walked towards the court while Knot and Kong met me halfway.
He looked calm, not even a hint of nervousness.
“We will use only half the court since it’s only you two. The first one to get 30 points, wins the game. ” Knot started.
We both nodded in sync.
“Now, let’s toss the coin to determine who gets the ball first. Which side? ” he turned to Kong.
“I’ll take whatever Arthit’s not going to choose. “
Knot’s lips perked up.
My eyes narrowed. “Tail, “
“Head, it is then. “
Knot then tossed the coin. “Head,”
He threw the ball to Kongpob.
The game began.
He speed dribble the ball while standing still since I didn’t come close yet.
He was devising a strategy on his offense.
He started to move his way to the ring swiftly.
He is a careful player.
He continued to dribble his way to the basket.
I tightened my defense by not letting him pass through.
I bent my knees at an angle and I stuck my bum out.
It provided me balance and stability and at the same time, if there’s an opportunity my hand can easily poke the ball for a steal.
I don’t see anything special about his skill yet.
He looked at me straight in the eyes then shifted his gaze at the shot clock timer.
5
4
He could get a 24 second violation if he won’t shoot now.
3
On the contrary, I think that was his goal — a buzzer-beater point.
Just when I thought, he was going to drive to finally score.
He stepped backward and did a fade away shot leaving me behind.
It came off the backboard and down through the ring for a 2-point score.
I saw him with a triumphant smile on his lips.
It’s my time for the offense now.
“Did you like the food?” he asked while I was holding the ball.
I paid no heed to his question.
Maybe I could thank him later.
I dribbled the ball, slowly walking towards the basket challenging his defense.
I made sure I was alert for all of his defensive attacks.
His shoulder was long so I need to be careful with his lead-hand.
I did a reverse dribble since I was closely guarded by him.
I was planning my offense when he poke the ball and successfully got it out from my grasp.
He was quick to run after the ball.
Shit.
I quickly put my defense up.
He was quick.
He drove to the basket when I wasn’t fully ready yet.
He was careful not to have a body contact with me.
I kept him at arm’s length when he tried to get away.
I executed a tight defense that will discourage him to shoot.
We were in the three point line when he spoke. “So what do you want to eat later?”
“You wish, ” I snorted.
He chuckled.
That’s when he jumped for a three point goal. I tried to block it but to no avail instead my hand touched his.
A foul was called against me and the ball went it.
A chance for him to do a four-point play.
I sighed long and deep.
I shouldn’t underestimate him.
His free throw went straight through the hoop.
I looked at the score board.
6-0
It’s time to take this seriously, not that I wasn’t taking it seriously earlier.
But now that I have a glimpse of his play.
I’ll be more careful with my moves.
After playing for what seemed like eternity, I managed to tie up the score: 27-27.
We have under a minute to play.
I’m on offense and he was on defense.
His defense was indeed commendable.
He is equally quick.
He was trying to dictate the direction on where I should dribble the ball.
He was overplaying me on one side so I was forced to dribble using my left hand.
It dawned on me – he found out my weak dribbling hand.
I couldn’t help but admire him.
In that short span of time, he was able to read my play.
He shuffled his feet quickly so he could confuse me.
But I’ve been playing this game for a long time to be distracted by it.
I dribbled forward, pressured by the shot clock.
I moved forward and tried to pull up a jumper.
The ball touched the ring but it did not go in.
I ran to the basket for a rebound.
He didn’t expect it so he wasn’t able to put his guard up immediately.
He was back on his defensive stance again.
Our faces are inches away.
I kept his gaze at me while dribbling so he wouldn’t be able to see my next move.
I have it all well-planned in my mind so it somehow put me at ease.
He was staring at me intently.
Watch me. I thought.
Then smiled dazzlingly and confidently.
Before moving away, I winked at him then turned around, do a jab step and drove to the basket.
2 points
I expected him to be nearby but when I turned to look at him he was standing still to where I left him, frozen.
I furrowed my brow. What happened?
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