https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/08/we-0-09-roundball-one-on-one.html
Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
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Maybe it is by intent that we are working near an outdoor basketball court this midmorning. Our charges having been playing one-on-one for more than half an hour as you measure time.
(Yes, this world has a game you would only call basketball -- and some other games you'll find familiar, too.)
Water Princess checks the ball to Earth Prince and then turns and puts it down, her back to him, dribbling as she backs up. He reaches under her arm in an attempt to steal the ball, and she deflects it between his legs, whirling around him to pick it up behind him before he gets to it, and drives to the basket with him practically glued to her back. Approaching the basket, she feints a straight-on lay up, bumping the ball to her right hand to lay it up from the weak side as his hands close on air to her left.
Momentum carries him forward and he rolls, laughing, as the ball hits the backboard and drops through the hoop.
"You're pretty good at this." He leans back on the ground, taking a breather, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"You're holding back." She retrieves the ball and brushes perspiration from her eyes before reaching out to give him a hand.
"Not much." He grins and takes the hand, letting her give him leverage up.
"Three brothers, and all of them played on the team in high school." She grins, too. "Are you going to give me my hand back?"
He mugs an evil grin. "Here I was planning on teaching you some easy stuff like how to use your wrist to shoot, and how to take aim on the basket."
"Oh. You didn't think I'd let you get that close to me, now, did you?" She puts the ball in his chest and lets go, causing him to drop her hand to catch it. While his hands are occupied, she suddenly grabs his face with both hands and pulls him close, planting a quick kiss on his lips.
They both recoil in shock and stare at each other.
(Intervention does not seem necessary, however.)
Grinning and shifting the ball to his left hand, he slips his right hand around her waist and draws her close. "Foul. I call foul."
The moment stretches out, not quite to eternity. Water Princess shakes her head and draws back, looking down. "Sorry. I, uh, got kind of carried away."
"I'm not complaining. Do I get a free shot?" Earth Prince keeps his arm around her.
"Huh?"
"Another kiss, I mean."
"I shouldn't."
"Uhm, maybe go for a walk?"
"It's just too unreal."
"What do you need to convince you it's real?"
"Time. And other people around. I've got your attention now, but what happens when you're at the Hyde, and I'm still in high school, and I have to compete with all the girls there?"
"I don't think there'll be any competition."
She turns away and elbows him in the side, but does not break away. Another long moment passes.
"Do you have a boyfriend at home?"
"Hardly ever been on a date. I go to the dances at church, and I have to drag the guys out on the dance floor."
"Hard to believe. Are the guys at church blind, there?"
She laughs and gives him a sideways hug. "They're shy about dancing. I could take a walk. Are you okay after that roll?"
"Couldn't be better. I'll take another if you'll give me another kiss."
She rolls her eyes and reaches up to tousle his hair.
"Darn." He sets the ball down and they walk arm-in-arm off the outdoor court and up into the mountain paths.
(We appreciate your staying to finish things here while we go to keep an eye on our charges.)
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Keep it on topic, and be patient with the moderator. I have other things to do, too, you know.