"D-D-Defense!" 

Clap, clap, clap, clap

"The game is close, 13-11 and it's only the beginning of the first quarter....the other team is really good....we are barely ahead."

The cheerleaders started another chant ~ I tried to concentrate on the game itself and not the star shooter who has made 11 out of those 13 points.

"Where in the world is Luke?"  I thought, looking around me, trying to keep my mind distracted. 

I saw Haru on the opponents side of the court. The score was now 13-13.

I dared not look at who was passing him the ball.

....But I could feel him looking at me...

Not able to sit still, I tried to avert my eyes as my friend, Rose Bud's team captain and point guard,  Haru Morinaga, and his right hand man....the very same man keeping me on his leash, made their way down the court.

"And that was another 3 poooiinnnttteerrr for Rose Bud made by #15 Joorrrdddaaannn Neewwwberrrryyy!!!! He is on fire tonight ladies and gentlemen!!!"

The crowd cheered. 

"Ughhh....I feel hot all of a sudden.......I need to get some air." I made the mistake of turning my head back to the court as another 3 point shot swooshed through the net by no other, than #15.

"fuck."

It looked like he was floating in the air, almost in slow motion. I caught a glimpse, even from afar, of how well his muscles were built as he held his perfect form. 

As he floated back down to the ground, I stayed frozen. His long hair that the coach had been nagging him to cut (I over heard one day in class), had flown up with his body and uncovered his eyes, and part of his face that I've never seen before.

"Shit....where is Luke...? "  I kept mumbling excuse me as I walked between people in bleachers, headed for the front door as fast as I could. 

As I went out side I dialed his number and waited for it to ring. 

I could hear a default J-phone ringer somewhere behind me. 

Luke is a J-phone user.

I turned around and saw a guy standing against the wall dressed in dark blue, slightly torn blue jeans, black converse, and a black hoodie pulled over his head, with a black cap underneath.

He pulled out his phone as he took a drag off of his cigarette.

"AH-HA! I FOUND YOU!" 

I ripped the guy's hood off. His cigarette fell out of his mouth as he jumped in surprise.

"Dude What the fuck?! ...you scared the ....fuck man.." 

"Ehh? ..so..sorry I said."

"I thought you quit ...Luke." 

"I thought you did too." He said as he handed me one, already knowing what I was going to ask. I lit mine with his, he blushed and looked away.

"Ehh? Or at least I thought he blushed...it looks like he's been red this whole time."

"Eh Luke? ...Are you feeling okay?"

"Tch...you even have to ask that? After this long?"

"Huh?" I said.

"It's nothing, lets go inside after you're done with that." He said, then we just stood in silence. 

"Something is up with him........oh well.... I have my own problems to deal with.."

Gulp

I looked down at the court. This time, and I don't know why, but I let my guard down and my eyes went straight to him....I froze and covered my mouth. "Jesus Christ.." 

Sweat now glistened off of his shoulders, his jersey had shifted to where some of his chest was showing. "God he's built.." I thought.

~He he he~ "I told you he would be playing."

"You should just woman up and confess to him already!!"

I glanced behind me.

"No I can't!!!"

"Stupid girls."  I thought.  I glanced back again. 

"And the short one is beat red in the face....confess her feelings?........to who? ....probably Haru."

My eyes instantly widened. "Unless......No..... It...It can't be...can it?"

Tha-dump Tha-dump Tha-dump

"He's so hot!" Came another girls voice.

Tha-dump Tha-dump Tha-dump

I looked back down it was now half time. As he was walking off of the court he said something to his teammate, wiped his face and met me dead in the eye. 

Then he smiled. 

That was the last thing I remember about the entire second half of the game. I know Luke became extremely engrossed, along with everyone else at one point in it. I remember people shouting, and I heard the final buzzer. However, even with all of that commotion, I didn't even know who won.

 I simply could not stop staring at Jordan. 

"He really does shine like a star..."

"Now's your chance!"  Said one of the same girls from before. This time she was in front of me as the crowd became noisy and began to shuffle out.

"The little short one is all red again."

I narrowed my eyes.

That's when Luke looked at me in suspicion. As he sipped on his soda...........why he has always had a drink in his hand.... I will never fully know.

"Look Alex! Jordan's over there! Just go talk to him tell him...I don't know...like say good game or something!"

Tha-dump Tha-dump Tha-dump

I felt my face burn and I grabbed my stomach. "Luke....I think I'm sick!"

"No you're just fucking stupid is what you are." 

"Ah! So mean!" I retaliated.

"It's only the truth."

I became so caught up in the arguing I didn't realize that we had walked all the way down onto the court where all of the team members were hugging their family members and friends, and the other team was loading onto their bus. They looked upset.

"Ah...I guess we won then.."  I thought in a daze. 

"Get off of me you are SO sweaty! quit it!"

 I looked to Luke who was stuck in a bear hug by Haru.

"Help me!"  He mouthed. 

"He's ...blushing?.....hmmm.....I don't know what's wrong with him buuutttt..."

"Not a chance."  I mouthed back smirking.

I flipped him off discretely.

"Fuck you!"  He mouthed. I snickered. 

"He is so embarrassed for some reason and it is just, too. Damn. Funny."  

Ignoring his death glare I congratulated Haru and the players that were present on their win.

"Have to get out of here before HE finds me.." I said out loud to myself.

"Before who finds you?"  I turned around and before I knew it I was being dragged outside. 

"Jordan!..Ackk!!...Wait!!!" 

I turned my head quickly, I already knew what color my face was... and I wasn't about to let him see.

tha-dump tha-dump tha-dump.

"I'm so happy you came!" He glanced back at me and smiled, not letting go of my wrist. For I moment I pictured the time that Luke walked me forcefully like this from the nurses the day we "officially" met, and then became friends.

"But this feels different........way different.."

tha-dump tha-dump tha-dump!!!!

"Shit...something wrong with Luke?...more like there is something EXTREMELY wrong with me."

As we exited through a seldom used door into the quiet darkness. I saw him smile once more in the moon light.....a genuinely happy smile. A smile happy to see....... me........

"Shit.."