Episode 5

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...Leo...

I woke up late because I was busy thinking about Jasmine again, and recounting times as kids when I kicked her, or make fun of her hair, now thinking about it sounds cruel but I couldn’t help myself. I got up grudgingly and closed my curtains, I went into the bathroom and had a shower, I picked my casual sweater and wore my sleeveless basketball jersey underneath and my black shorts_cause I was going to basketball practice_ Sundays the court are always empty except from my best friend Nathan.

I got down and was about to leave the house when mom stopped me “ Leo, Mrs Flores invited us for breakfast at her house”

I froze and did a quick recap of who Jasmine is: my next door neighbor, a girl who I may have a crush on, it’s crazy I can’t meet her not now and why the fuck is she making me nervous.

“No” I yelled and my mom was shocked at my outburst “ No... i don’t want to go..”

“Why, I thought you and Jasmine were friends” My mom said looking at me

You have no idea, I thought

“Mom I have to meet up with Nathan, it’s urgent I have my tournament next month and I have to train really hard, and you know on Sundays It’s the only time the court Is free for practice”

“ So what you miss one practice heck it wouldn’t take long and we can’t reject their hospitality please just come over it wouldn’t cost you anything”

I could think of a million things it would cost me first my sanity, seeing Jasmine again, my dignity. I sighed and decided to go “ Fine but quick breakfast to be honest I kinda miss Mrs Flores cooking” My mom glared at me “ but not as much as my lovely mother” I said smiling awkwardly

We left the house and went over and knocked on the door and Mrs Flores answered warmly, unintentionally my eyes scanned for Jasmine but I didn’t see her, I felt relief but anxious at the same time.

We sat down and I heard footsteps, I looked towards the stairs and saw Jasmine looking so freaking hot, I wanted to pinch myself to see if it was another dream but nope it was real. First she looked shocked and then horrified and she mumbled something and came down she was wearing a sleeveless cropped top and low waist jeans.

A thought crossed my mind, where was she going dressed up like that?, please don’t tell me she has a boyfriend, I suddenly felt shy and I think she noticed cause she was staring at me and I could only keep my head down. I unexpectedly blushed feeling her gaze on me, what the... how is she making me shy.

After the breakfast I thanked Mrs Flores and left, I walked to my house and closed the door behind me cause I forgot my cross bag I looked out my window and saw Jasmine running out of the house and grabbing her bike, WOW classic Jazz.

I left the house before mom could drag me to another breakfast, I peeped in the garage and my dad’s car wasn’t there, he had gone to work earlier. I walked out onto the neighborhood and Gema my basketball mate caught up to me, and I noticed she always had a crush on me.

“Hi Leo, going to practice?” Gema said playing with her hair( Gema was a honey blonde hair girl, perfect body, blue-green eyes and a pale face)

“Yeah with Nathan, you know I always go on Sundays” I said not sparing a look at Gema

“Can I join you? “ Gema said looking at me and I stared at her for a millisecond and looked down

“ It’s usually i and Nathan who plays there, so maybe next time” I said not wanting to hurt her, her face fell but she took a deep breath

“Why don’t you talk to me Leo?” I was taken aback by the question but looked at her and I saw a tear threaten to escape her eyes

“I’m not avoiding you.... just prefers my space” I said looking back up

“ But you always talk to Jasmine, why?” The simple mention of Jasmine’s name made my heart race

“You like her don’t you?” Gema said sniffing a bit

“No I don’t like Jasmine, she’s just my neighbor” I said keeping a straight face “but if you’ll excuse me I’m meeting up with Nathan and no you can’t come”

She looked at me sadly and nodded and I turned around and left heading for basketball court.

I reached the court and found Nathan bouncing a ball casually(Nathan was a brown hair boy, my height and grey eyes) as soon as he saw me he stopped, held the ball and smirked

“Hey Leo, you’re late” He said walking towards me as I removed my hoodie and dropped it on the nearby seat

“Just got dragged by mom for breakfast at Jasmine’s house, you remember her?” I said reaching him

“Oh Jasmine, that your hot neighbor yeah I remember her” Nathan said smiling remembering when they first met, and I unintentionally glared at him and he noticed “What don’t tell me you like her, bro to be honest you’re lucky, I tried to get her attention at school but she doesn’t even look at me, you’re so lucky to be close to her, after all she is the hottest girl in school I will kill to date her”

I rolled my eyes “ i don’t like her, and she hates me”

“Dude you need to hook us up, since you don’t like her I can date her” Nathan said and I didn’t want her to date someone else especially Nathan cause he’s a playboy and I couldn’t tell Nathan that.

“Let’s just drop this conversation and focus on the court, let’s see if you can beat me” I said grabbing the ball from him and dribbling

“Okay, challenging me alright let’s play” Nathan said marking me and running to catch the ball

Two hours later Nathan collapsed on the floor and crawled to get his water bottle, and I just stood there panting and sweating.

“Nathan you know for the tournament you can’t play like this man up” I said smirking and Nathan gave me a death glare before turning back to his water, and I chuckled

“Hey man I’m tired” Nathan said regaining balance

“You know Gema can beat you right?” I said teasing Nathan, he hates Gema and are rivals on the court

“Don’t just bring her up Jasmine is way better than her, let’s do a switch you take Gema, I take Jasmine that sounds nice” Nathan said raising an eyebrow and I clenched my teeth .

“I said enough about Jasmine, do you really have a crush on her or just want to taste her” I said getting mad and Nathan just looked at me and smiled

“I truly like her and I make my feelings show unlike you my friend, just admit it you like her and you’re scared of it that’s why you run” Nathan said looking at me, then turning to grab his bag “ You coming?” I nodded and grabbed my hoodie and my bag and went home.

I reached home alone cause Nathan’s house is a few blocks from mine, I went upstairs and had a shower, looked out the curtains and went to sleep, with Jasmine on my mind.

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