One month into the second try at our relationship, everyone had forgot about the whole situation and moved on.

But not me. I was waiting for Calem to make a move every single day. It was something I was paranoid of and often got questioned for being so cautious and strange. It was now early December and time again for Christmas. I was happy because it was going to be better than the last Christmas.

I jumped out of bed excitedly. The cold breeze outside bringing a slight chill around the house. I made some hot coffee to keep warm and sat down in my seat. Thoughts came into my head.

After these past few months, I haven't had Serena with me so I have had more free time.

Now, I was finding it hard to balance everything and keep Serena happy. I wanted Serena to be happy. Ever since the new found anger overcame me on the night she confessed, I have found it extremely difficult to control my anger and have the tendency to shout and get mad at friends for the smallest of reasons.

Today was the final day of our trials for the basketball team and it was a compulsory attendance trial. If you didn't go, you didn't make the cut.

I realized my mom was trying to snap me out of my thoughts and looked up at her.

"Dear, focus on what is in your hands, I know you are nervous right now, but you need to focus" She set a delicious plate of eggs on the table and I wolfed them down in seconds. I was so hungry that a horse wouldn't be enough to fill me up.

After breakfast I headed upstairs and checked in the mirror. I ran my hand along the bottom of my chin and up to my jaw. I could feel small, prickly hairs. Growing up was weird. If you wanted a beard, why does it take so much time to grow?

I brushed my hair and got changed, before placing my cap onto my head. There wasn't much to do so I decided to go to Serena's.

I quickly knocked on the door and waited by the doorstep.

"Ash!" She said, surprised.

"I came around to see if you want to get some pizza?"

"Sure, let me get my bag"

She shut the door for a second, before coming back out with her bag slung on her back.

We headed to the pizza place and a hand crept over mine. I clutched it and smiled.

Once we had sat down and ordered, Serena brang up his name.

"Ash, what's the deal with you and Calem" She looked at me for an answer.

The mention of his name blinded me with rage for a moment.

"I will never forgive him, Serena. I found it difficult to forgive you, but you're the best thing in my life and I realised I didn't want to lose you" Serena blushed slightly at this. It seemed she thought about the past few months more than me.

"The mention of his name puts my on the brink of insanity" I had fire in my eyes, the eyes Serena had seen on the night we seperated.

"Well, we wont say his name anymore. I understand why you wont forgive him" She looked worryingly at me and I calmed down to keep her happy.

"The reason I wanted to take you out for lunch is because I have basketball in-" I checked the time to make sure "2 hours, so I decided to spend time with you instead of missing out"

Serena sent one of her stunning smiles my way and winked "You're too kind Ash. What would I do without you?"

"Live your life and fulfil your dreams" I shrugged and took a bite of pizza. Without me Serena could do so much with her life. It was the same with me so it made little difference in truth.

"I guess I couldn't answer that question myself" Serena also shrugged and I laughed.

"I love you too much Serena" Her face went very red and she smiled a little nervously.

"I love you just a little bit more" She teased. I grinned and playfully dragged her out of her seat and put her on my shoulder. I took two steps outside before putting her down.

"You are heavy, Serena" I moaned, stretching out my back.

"Way to make a girl feel special" She frowned and folded her arms.

"Guess I am too good at sweet talking" I teased, before suggesting that we head home so I could make it to the trials.

"I am coming too, Ash, for moral support!" Serena had an expression on her face that suggested she wanted to come.

I gave her a warm smile "Great! Thanks babe!" She followed me inside and I got my gym bag.

"I am going to basketball mom!" I shouted into the kitchen.

"Have fun, sweetie and good luck" She popped her head round the doorframe of thd kitchen and I waved goodbye, before stepping outside. I grabbed Serena's open palm and we headed to the schools basketball court. When I arrived, everyone was already there.

"Final day, hey Ash?" Drew said, lightly punching my shoulder. I had serena beside me, fitting like a jigsaw piece as she had hooked her arms around my bicep and rested her head on my shoulder.

"Hey, Serena. You here to watch Ash?" Cilan asked and she nodded in reply.

"Warning, he sucks" Kenny grinned and the guys laughed as I chased him around the court. We ended up back with the others, but I had Kenny in a headlock.

I applied pressure and he began to ask me to stop.

"Say, Ash is the best basketball player" I grinned and applied more pressure.

"Ok! Ash is the best basketball player in the world" I released the lock and grinned stupidly.

"You're too kind Kenny"

Kenny rubbed his neck and moaned "Someone remind never to call looney tune back there bad at anything"

"I will remind you with headlocks" Kenny had a face that suggested I had made a point by saying this.

We all laughed again. Serena looked a little uncomfortable.

"What's up?" I looked at Serena.

"People keep staring at me, I am not liking the attention" She sounded creeped out, so I had an idea.

"They can't help if you're so beautiful" I said this and drew her in close. She had to put her hands on my chest to stay upright. I planted a kiss on her lips and held on for what felt like forever. Pretty sure we made out infront of everyone. Serena heavily blushed and I broke the silence with an awkward laugh.

The sounds of random conversations started again and I felt glad. Everyone knew Serena was mine. All mine. Everything about her made me feel happy.

The captain of the team came out and instantly made us do laps of the court and press ups if we stopped. After 50 laps and no stopping, we went into a practice tournament. Only 4 trialists could make it and so with 40 people, we had 8 teams of five. The main team sat and watched. After the four of us gathered, we got the last person on the court. Someone who could hardly play the sport.

"We only need us four to win" Drew said. He reminded me too much of the captain "Keep calm but don't lose focus of the objective. We are here to make a good impression, not to win. Break on 3" we put our hands into the middle.

"3"

"2"

"1"

"BREAK!"

(Off court - third person)

The tournament had gotten underway and Drews team had scored a three pointer ten seconds in. They perfectly defended the other team and scored a quick rebound.

"That team is looking good, huh?" One of the players commented.

"Drew and Kenny are already in my final picks. They show what it takes to go pro and Drew looks fit to be a future captain" he then gestured to Cilan and Ash "They still need to impress me more on the court, but it doesn't mean they are not on my mind" The captain put his legs up and observed the game.

(Ash)

We battled hard to get to the final game and it was an intense game. We had to pull out all the stops and created an impressive defensive play. With 30 seconds to go, it was 36-34 to us and then they scored a basket. The game was too close. Cilan scanned the other team and realised a weakpoint in their formation. Drew called a timeout on 16 seconds and we gathered.

"Listen, that formation, is the formation we practiced our set play on" We all realised he was right. The set play was something we practiced and executed while on holiday.

Once we got everything ready, the clock continued to count down. The fifth team mate passed me the ball and I instantly began to sprint across the court, bouncing the ball and dancing around the first person. Their diamond formation left gaps in the middle so began to pass it round the gaps. I gave it to Kenny and he gave it to Drew. He purposefully faked a shot off of the backboard and Cilan, who had grown confident of slam dunks used his height to leap up and slammed the ball into the basket.

We won and the captain made his picks.

He picked Drew and Kenny first and then Cilan and me, but he sounded hesitant.

We headed home afterwards and I stood outside with Serena.

"Looks like some free time with you is going out of the window" I said, feeling tired from working hard.

"A second with you is enough Ash" Serena smiled. I put my arms around her waist and pulled her in.

"You are too great, Serena" I grinned, still hugging her. She looked up from my chest and winked.

"I know, Ash" We both laughed and entered our houses.

A long day deserved a rest so I took a shower and then collapsed into bed.