"Just take a break." Ms. Wilson suggested standing outside the basketball court. I was dripping with sweat and so were the teammates. I nodded gratefully and went to sit on the bleachers.

"Don't get too tired now, the game is tomorrow save some energy." Luke said giving me a water bottle.

"I am still not that good, I need all the practice that I can get." I replied, watching him close his revision books and notes.

"How about take some rest now and continue in an hour." suggested Nathan.

"It will start to get dark in a few hours, he can't play then." said Noah, his black attire seemed even more depressing today. Ms. Wilson walked to us after tending to the team.

"I am so sorry I could not play with you, I know you need all the practice you can get right now. This game could get you a lot of scholarships." she said regretfully.

"No miss, I understand that you are not well, and don't worry I'll do my best." I said, trying to be confident.

"I wish I could do something." she said.

"How about we do something." came Mr. Cruz's voice making us jump in surprise. Mr. Cruz stood with Mr. Davis holding a basketball. "Everyone try look alive, we have a game to win tomorrow." he said dribbling the ball towards the court and I ran to follow him.

We played first with Mr. Cruz and Mr. Davis on the same team against me and they of course won. I and Jackson were so confused as they signaled each other with secret signs and played tricks on the court, it was so hard to know their next move. If we corner Mr. Cruz, Mr. Davis scored the basket and if we cover Mr. Davis, Mr. Cruz did. They both were all-rounders with a very good range.

But the next game, I played with Mr. Davis and we won against Mr. Cruz and Jackson. We played with the team, and with different combinations of the team, and my team nearly always won.

"Good match kid, I think you guys will definitely win tomorrow." said Mr Cruz as we all sat down after playing continuously for hours.

My friends ran towards us to give water bottles to everyone. "That was such a good game, especially when Mr. Cruz and Mr. Davis played with Peter on the same team, it looked like an actual NBA match." Nathan gushed, smiling ear to ear. Mr. Cruz laughed and accepted his bottle.

"Yes sir, why don't you play together it was so good almost like choreographed." said Luke.

"It's been so long since we played together, I didn't know if I even remember our secret signs. We made them when we were even younger than you kids." said Mr. Davis flushed red because of the game, and his shirt dripped with sweat but he still glowed with happiness.

"Yeah we should play together more often, when Ms. Wilson gets better then we all can play." said Mr. Cruz with a teasing smile at Ms. Wilson.

"Yeah, yeah when I get better then sure. But you kids should go home now, it is getting pretty dark out here." said Ms. Wilson urging us to pack up.

I pulled on a hoodie and packed up. With a last-minute inspirational cheer, we all hopped on our bikes and zoomed away just to end up in Ben's house and fall asleep there.

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All of our school was on the bleachers securing 90 percent of the place. 10 percent of students from the other school looked intimidated as our school students shouted at the top of their lungs. My friends sat near the team bench cheering and Mr. Cruz and Mr. Davis stood with Ms. Wilson who was our coach. Coaches from different colleges came as well and I even heard that there were recruits in the audience too.

Ms. Wilson gave us instructions with Mr. Cruz and Mr. Davis gave us big motivational cheers as we got ready to play the match of our lives. I along with Jackson, Julian, Justin, and Jay went to the court, we coordinated the best so the expectations were pretty high. 

The other team with their yellow shirts was pretty fast too, so we decided to change our technique midway. They all were very tall, and I was the tallest in my team, which made blocking very easy for them. But our team had better coordination which played a great advantage.

When I finally made a three-point shot in the second half, the other team started foul playing but that played to our advantage too. It was an intense game, no one allowed the other to the basket and we kept blocking with all our might since it was three to zero, we played defensively.

Mr. Cruz gave us help with every break and halftime, and the whole school cheered, Nathan and Ben made a special cheer which now has spread to all the audience. 

But unexpectedly the other team threw the ball and Julian couldn't block it and they made a basket making two points. The last two minutes of the game put the audience on the edge of their seats, even the coaches held their breath as I passed the ball unexpectedly at Jackson and he jumped and dunked it in the basket.

Mr. Cruz ran to us shouting and pulled us all into a group hug as we jumped and cheered. My friends Mr. Davis and Ms. Wilson joined quickly and the cheers from the audience could be heard from miles away. Adrenalin-high students laughed and danced leaving all thoughts of exams behind.

It could easily qualify as the best day of my life and when Mr. Cruz and Mr. Davis jumped laughed and hugged each other, it became even better. Even if we could not bring them together, I feel like they will realize it themselves, with the amount of love they have in their eyes.

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So the main character won the match as expected, we all know Peter is a great player. 

Please do comment on how you like the story so far and if there is something more you would like to see.

Do VOTE please and see you soon with the new chapter!!!!