In Phys. Ed we went from learning the rules and plays of basketball to playing the game. We had to get changed into our sports singlet and shorts for our first prac session. Mr. Cristaudo divided us into two teams. For those who didn't get put into a team he had organised a weights and fitness circuit. I was in this group. As we were entering the gym from the basketball court I heard him yelling.

"Crone, where's your singlet?"

"Left it at home, Sir."

Some of us turned to watch what was going on because it had become very obvious Mr. Cristaudo didn't like Keean Crone. Cristaudo pushed Keean in the chest.

"Sit down, Crone." He turned to the rest of us and yelled across the court. "Johnson! Take his place."

Great I thought, another thing to make Keean hate me. I bit on my lip and jogged to the centre of the court. I glanced at Keean. He was leaning forward with his head hung. We started to play. I'd been put in as centre. Chris Hyatt who was my opposition and a foot taller kept winning the ball. By quarter time my team was thirty points down. I lost the next jump and swung my hands up behind my head in disappointment.

"Johnson! What do you think you're doing?" Mr. Cristaudo yelled. He blew the whistle for time.

"I'm too short, Sir. Chris is going to win the ball every time. It's not fair to my team." I glanced around and caught Keean looking at me with a grin on his face. It infuriated me. I quickly looked away. At least I was playing or trying to play. I hoped when he did play that he sucked.

Cristaudo nodded his agreement. "Righto. Crone! Get out here."

Keean came towards us. Mr. Cristaudo pointed at him. "Take her place. If you don't bring the right sports gear next week you'll be doing detention for a month. Got it? Johnson, take a seat."

Keean nodded, glanced sideways at me and moved into position. I sat on the bench hoping he'd suck and embarrass the shit out of himself. It wasn't to be. By half time he had done most of the work in equalling up the scores. The kids in the gym came out to have a break when we had a break. I noticed Keean sat away from the rest of us. He did that a lot. I didn't understand why. Most of the kids seemed to like him, had congratulated him every time he scored. I wondered if he was a bit of a snob. If his good looks, brains and now sporting ability made him think he was too good for everyone else. I noticed Victoria sidle in beside him. She whispered something. He grinned at her. I was biting my lip, thinking about what kind of person he really was and must have been doing the blank staring thing I do sometimes. I don't remember much about the break. I heard Mr. Cristaudo blow the whistle to indicate it was time to go back to the game. When I came back into focus I realised I was still looking in Keean's direction. He was staring at me with a curious look on his face.

I felt myself blush and looked away hoping he realised I hadn't really been looking at him.

Then Victoria sat beside me and whispered in my ear. "He's a babe isn't he?" I spun my head. Panic surged through me so I played dumb. "What?"

She grinned and tilted her head towards Keean as he walked towards the court. "Keean."

I grumbled at her. "I think he's a stuck up prick."

Victoria looked at me open mouthed. "But you couldn't take your eyes off him."

"When?"

She gave me a confused look. "Just then, you were staring straight at him. I think you made him nervous." Then she nodded her head up and down and gave me this all-knowing grin.

"Victoria I wasn't staring at him. God, I didn't even know I was looking at him. Shit I hope he doesn't think I was."

"Come on, Charlie." She cocked her head in disbelief. "No girl would blame you."

"Victoria, I was off in La, La Land. I've got stuff going on at home and just for the record I can't stand Keean Crone. He's a stuck up moody prick."

She laughed. "Good I can cross you off my list of possible competition."

I looked at her open mouthed. "Like I'd ever be competition."

"Yeah you're probably right." Victoria laughed again. "But you never know some guys like quiet weird chicks." She got up and went to sit with Kellie.

Katie was on the court playing on Chris's team. I hung my head in my hands hoping Keean didn't think the same way Victoria did.

Kerry was at home when I got there. I picked up little Matty and blew a raspberry on his tummy. I loved him to death but wasn't in the mood today so put him down and went to my room to lie on the bed. A little while later Kerry came in carrying Matty.

"Hey."

I rolled over to face her. "Hey." She sat on the edge of my bed.

"You okay. You seem a bit down lately."

I sighed, tickled Matty's foot. "I'm okay. Just school shit."

"They still give you a hard time?"

"No," I sighed and wondered if I should tell her. "It's not that kind of stuff."

"What then?" Before I could answer she raised her eyebrows and said, "Boy stuff?"

"No," I chuckled. "Not really."

Kerry slumped her shoulders. "Shit. Charlie what is this, charades. Just tell me."

I laughed and sat up against the head of my bed. "Please don't say anything to Mum and especially not to Katie."

"Okay..." Kerry said frowning inquisitively at me.

"Promise."

"Promise," she whispered.

"It's no biggy. I feel like a tool. I don't want to be embarrassed so I don't want them to know okay."

"I promise, Charlie," she insisted.

I stared at her for a bit wondering if I should tell her everything but decided not to.

"There's this guy at school."

"Is he hot?"

"Kerry, you want me to tell you the story or not."

"Yeah...but is he hot?" She laughed.

"Yes...he's hot." I grinned at her. "Today we were playing basketball and I did the blank stare thing. Apparently I was looking straight at him. Victoria Carter came over thinking I had the hots for him. I feel really embarrassed about it and hope he doesn't think the same. Okay. End of story."

Kerry peered at me. "But that's not the whole story is it? You do have the hots for him."

"I knew you'd think that," I grumbled.

"It's true isn't it? And you don't know what to do about it, am I right?"

"Kerry just leave it," I sighed. "It doesn't matter anyway, he hates my guts.'

"Want me to give you some advice," she said.

I chuckled. "What? Show him my tits?"

She shoved me on the leg and laughed. "No, I'm grown up now. Be yourself. You're real pretty, Charlie. If he hates you then he hates you but he'll be the one who misses out."

I huffed and fiddled with my fingers. "Yeah right. Be myself. Weird Charlie 'Beach Ball' Johnson."

Kerry cuddled me. "You're not weird and you're not a beach ball."

Matty started to cry because he was being crushed between us. I took him off of Kerry. "Go and make us a coffee because your advice sucks."

She shrugged and laughed some more then went to put the kettle on.

Copyright © 2017 by Donna Fieldhouse. All rights reserved.

Poor Charlie.  She really sucks at basketball :(

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