The three finally reached the local park and walked down a little green hill to the basketball courts. Aaron was riding on Jordan's back after being persistent about asking her for a piggy-back ride. She had given in and it kept him happy. Jordan squinted her eyes and could just make out two figures standing on the sideline, near a bench. She guessed the one with bright red hair was AJ and the other one was Brian. Nick began walking faster towards them. Jordan put Aaron down and followed him to the other guys. "Hey Jordan, these are two of my best friends. This is AJ and Brian. Guys, this is Jrodan, she moved in next door.," Nick said.
Brian smiled and held out his hand. "Its nice to meet you.," He said.
AJ grinned and almost involuntarily checked her out(he is a guy ya know!). He held out his hand also, "Nice to meet you."
Jordan smiled at them, "Nice to meet you all too."
They stood around for a little while, talking. "Alright..let's play!," Nick exclaimed.
AJ laughed, "Alright Nicky, don't whine."
Nick shot AJ a look and said through gritted teeth, "Don't call me Nicky."
AJ put up his hands in defense. "Sorry man.."
"Come on you two, quit arguing.," Brian said bouncing the basketball.
Aaron grabbed Jordan's hand and practically dragged her onto the court. The other guys followed them. AJ nudged Nck. "She's pretty fine..," He said.
"No, really?," Nick said sarcastically.
"So, do you like her?"
"I dunno..I just met her yesterday! But so far, she seems cool."
"Yeah..," He said agreeing.
They all 'congregated' at mid-court and tried to decided who was going to be on what team. "Okay..I'll take Jordan..," Brian said.
Jordan walked over beside Brian. "I guess I'll take AJ..Aaron, you be the alternate and come in whenever one of us needs a break, k?," Nick said looking at his brother.
Aaron nodded and walked over to the bench.
Brian and Jordan were standing off to the side a little was, planning a strategy. "Okay..you take Nick and I'll take AJ. Is that cool?," Brian said.
Jordan shrugged, "I guess..I mean, Nick is waay taller than me. But he hasn't seen me play yet.."
Brian smiled, "Yeah..thats why I like guarding AJ..he's about my height."
"You're not that short Brian!"
"I'm short for a guy..You're tall for a girl.."
"I guess..Let's play.."
"K."
Brian said he would guard AJ and Jordan said she'd guard Nick. They started to play, and right away Brian was glad he had Jordan on his team. She did have a pretty tough time guarding Nick because he was like ten inches taller than her, but she kept up with him.
Jordan got the rebound off a missed shot by AJ and dribbled downcourt. Nick ran after her and caught up with her but she was already near the basket. She faked left and went around him and shot the three. It went in, signaling for the game to be over.
Brian gave Jordan a high five and then started doing a victory dance. Nick ran his hand through his sweaty hair and sighed, "I can't believe we got beat by a girl!"
AJ groaned, "I know! Nick, I thought you were supposed to be good at basketball!"
"I usually am..Its just that...well..she's good!"
Jordan smiled, "I'm not THAT good Nick.."
"Uh huh..sure..whatever..," He said, not convinced.
"Yea Jordan, thats just why you made like four three pointers...," AJ said.
"Whatever.."
Brian had picked up the ball from the grass and walked over to the three people. "Well..I'd like to say that I am glad I picked Jordan and not AJ like I was thinking about.."
"Thanks Brian..," AJ said.
"No problem."
Aaron bounced over, "Can we go home now?"
"Yea Aaron, mom said dinner was at 5 anyways and its four now..," Nick said.
Jordan looked at her watch, "Yea, I gotta get home too...I've gotta be somewhere.."
"K.."
"It was nice to meet you guys though.," Jordan said looking at Brian and AJ.
"You too Jordan..we'll see you soon though, I'm sure..," A said.
"Yea..I need to get you on my team in basketball again..," Brian said.
Jordan laughed, "Okay."
Nick, Jordan, and Aaron said goodbye to Brian and AJ and then walked back towards their homes.
Once, they reached the Carter residence, Aaron ran up the driveway and into the house. Nick turned to Jordan, "So, I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yea, I guess so."
"Okay..I'll talk to you later then.."
"Bye Nick.."
Nick walked up the driveway and into his house. Jordan walked to her house and unlocked the door. She noticed the flashing light on the answering machine and pressed the 'Play' button. What she heard made her want to scream.
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