*NOT EDITED*

°°°°°

But during our little fit, I couldn't help but think of ways to get rid of that crazy fear that Victoria's presence had sparked the moment I set eyes on her

❦︎

~[JASON]~

I knew everything.

I knew that the junior team was going to begin their tournaments today, I also knew that coach Tina's mom lived in Badagry; she had said it a number of times to my hearing.

I'll personally take you for the tryouts tomorrow, I had blurted out without thinking, in a bid to enforce some distance between her and Tracy. But when the plan came together in my head, my lips stretched into a small smile as I looked at Victoria.

She was scared, I saw it in her brown orbs... and I liked it.

I did what I had to, to make sure that I was going to be the one to conduct the try outs. I had to satisfy that urge in me to make her suffer.

Calling coach Tina with a new sim was the first step of the scheme; using a handkerchief to create a voice changing effect in the speaker, I had introduced myself as her mother's neighbour, telling her that the old woman just had a heart attack. She would go to Badagry and find her mother hale and hearty, they would have quality mother-daughter time and she would have me to thank for that. Lovely.

Someone had to go with the junior team for their tournaments and it was coach Ayo. And who better to leave to the task than her trust team captain, Jason Ugonna?

Victoria's chance of getting into the team was in my hands. I was going to make her suffer for it. The thought alone brought some kind of joy to my spirit.

Of course, she would get on the team if she was good enough, but she'd suffer for it.

Am I crazy for going to such great lengths just to do this to her? No... okay, probably.

It was just an attempt to get her away from Tracy and Charles, at least for a few hours a week.

I had taken that action based on how threatened I felt by her presence. She showed up and boom! She had stolen the hearts of my friends. My own friends.

I was terrified of what I would do to myself if my friends ended up leaving me. I had lived with this fear since Dad and her left two years ago. Anybody could leave at anytime, I had it at the back of my mind. But Victoria's sudden presence had spiked it, and I hated her for it.

I already lost Dad, I lost her too. I couldn't help it, I felt that slowly, my friends were slipping away... and I was tired of losing the people I loved.

And I sure as hell was not going to let the 'oh so great' Victoria Kanayo take my friends away from me too.

Teachers and fellow students already tagged me a loser because I had lost to her for two years straight. They never said it to my face but neither tried to hide their side talks.

He has dragged SH's name in the mud, I once heard a teacher say.

I never expressed nor admitted it but it hurt... deeply.

And deep down I knew they were right. I am indeed a loser.

°°°°°

So, there we were, on the court, about to begin the try out. But I had a slight case in hand-Jude.

His involvement was the only problem with my little plan. But I was still the team captain, what I say will stand.

Believe it or not, authority is delightful.

"We'll begin with testing your skills first," I said, looked her squarely in the eyes. "Like passing, dribbling, stealing, dunking, and all that."

She nodded, taking a deep breath. She was nervous, I could tell from the beads of sweat gathered on her forehead.

"Let's begin the first drill." I smirked, passing the basketball to her.

°°°°°

She was good, I'd give her that. It was nothing I could deny. Even Jude could not bring himself to shut up about her capabilities.

I made her run around the court several times as a 'warm up exercise' before we began the try out drills but she was still standing. Panting, yes. But still had rigid stamina.

And with the drills? She handled the ball with exquisite professionalism. Despite myself, I had to admit that she possessed raw talent, although not out loud.

"She's really good," Jude was still blabbing. "Like WNBA good." he walked over to her, grinning like a mad man. "Welcome to the te-"

"We're not done."

I was the one to decide, not him. He was only there to assist and that was all I let him do. Jude turned to me, perplexedly staring at me. I was sure he as well as Victoria was wondering what else I had in mind at that moment.

"We'll play a ten-minute half court match," I announced, looked at her. "Jude and I against you."

She grimaced, her face showing how fatigued she was. "But-"

"Do you want to get in the team or not?" I blocked her sentence. "You can leave if you have an issue with my decision."

"Okay..." she exhaled. "But can I rest a little?" she sat on the floor, folding her legs beneath her thighs before I could even answer.

"You have twenty minutes."

°°°°°

Another team mate acting as the referee blew the whistle, signalling the beginning of the match. The ball was thrown in the air and I made a quick jump for it, successfully snatching it from the air.

I swiftly passed the ball to Jude when she tried to attack, he returned it when she went for him.

With three steps and two bounces, I did a smooth lay-off, scoring the first basket of the game.

There was no sweat in that, it was easy.

She now had possession of the ball. And I watched as she tried to dribble Jude, protecting the ball. She was seriously struggling and I liked it. The court was silent, only the screeching of their shoes against the floor was heard.

Jude successfully stole the ball from her and she was quick to attack him, trying to gain possession of the ball again. But Jude passed it to me and I intentionally stalled, bouncing the ball instead of shooting for a basket. She ran to me, making a futile attempt at stealing the ball. She was tall but I was significantly taller. I took my dear time dribbling her, enjoying how she sighed out of exhaustion. And then I shot the ball, making a basket as effortlessly as I did the initially.

We went on like that, her struggling to score against Jude and I but failing wretchedly. Yes, she was good. But not good enough to beat two strong players like Jude and I.

The final whistle was blown and the match ended with her not making a single basket. 18 - 0, that was the final result. It amused me, seeing her big, fat zero displayed like that for everyone to see. I felt a sense of fulfilment, I had finally beaten her in something and that single fact was enough to bring a wide grin on my face. I did not fight it, I smiled... a wide one.

But then, this was not The Nationals. It was a mere ten-minute half-court basketball match that I beat her in and that too with Jude's help.

All my sense of satisfaction left me with my next exhale. The fact remained that she was still on top and I was still shamelessly beneath her. In the eyes of the nation and clearly in the national rankings.

Basketball did not matter.

"You were good," Jude sighed, looking at Victoria. "Very good. I mean, you played against people like Jason and I and still managed to have possession. Nice one." He punched her playfully on the shoulder.

"Yeah!"

"Totally!"

"Her skills are on point!"

Praises erupted in the court. Everyone wanted her on the team, irrespective of the result. I did not like that but at the same time I could not dispute the level of her capability, she was truly a capable player. As annoying as it was, I had to admit it to myself. She was more than worthy of being on the team.

Sighing, I walked over to her. At least she'd be away from my friends for hours every Wednesday. It was somewhat a plus for me. "Welcome to the team."

°°°°°

"Yes!" Tracy shrieked, literally throwing herself at Victoria for a hug. I cringed; I knew Tracy for her bone crushing hugs despite her slender arms. "I knew you'd make it."

She had insisted that I come over to the football field-where the cheerleaders practiced-with Victoria once the try out was over and I did not have any other choice if I still wanted to be healthy by the end of the day.

"Yeah, I'm very happy," Victoria laughed, pulling out of the hug. "I just have to wait for my jersey."

"You can just receive it from the sports administrator. Pick whichever one's your size and they'll have your name and preferred number printed immediately," Tracy informed her. "I'll go with you."

And before I knew it, she was dragging Victoria away, definitely to the administrative block.

I watched them; their hands intertwined as they walked towards the exit of the sporting arena. It aroused my anger. They went along, giggling about Mars knows what and I was there, sucking in short breaths, fists clenched.

"I still don't understand why you don't like her." Charles stood beside me; I could see him from the peripheral of my vision.

I didn't even notice his presence all the while, perhaps, he had just arrived from football practice.

I turned to look at him, taking him in in his navy-blue football jersey. "Who?" I feigned confusion, frowning.

He scoffed. "Don't give me that crap, dude," He squinted. "You don't like her. It's too obvious."

"I have nothing against her." I denied.

"Yeah right." he sighed as he sat on the grass, pulling me down with him against my will. "Why don't you like her?"

We were looking at each other now and it felt like he was staring deep inside my soul with his deep, brown eyes. Like he already knew what he wanted to know but just wanted to hear me say it.

"I have nothing against her." I repeated, looking away to focus on the vast football field.

"Jay, look at me." His voice was soft and calm. I complied and he gazed at me for a few seconds, our eye contact never breaking. "I know you're scared." He pushed himself backwards, resting his weight on his elbows. Our eyes were locked again because I found myself following his eyes. "You're scared of something but I just can't place my hands on what you're scared of."

"I'm not scared of anythi-"

"I don't understand how this fear relays to that girl either." he looked genuinely confused. "What are you scared of, Jay?"

"Nothing." I sighed, finally breaking our eye contact. Although, I was asking myself that same question internally.

What am I scared of?

The answer was right there in my mind. But I was not even bold enough to admit it to myself.

"You know I'm always here, right?" Charles was now seated upright, his hand on my shoulder. "Right?" he looked at me expectantly, urging me to answer with a gentle shake.

"I know." I really did know but I also felt like I was about to lose it, like his comforting attention was gradually escaping my grasp. They now had someone else to associate with... someone better. What if they-

"Let's leave this place..." he got up, pulled along with him. "...before the sun fries us."

I laughed. "Idiot."

"Fool."

We both doubled up in laughter, not particularly knowing what it is we were laughing at.

But during our little fit, I couldn't help but think of ways to get rid of that crazy fear that Victoria's presence had sparked the moment I set eyes on her.

•
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A/N

Said it before and I'll say it again, Jason is messed up. He's really desperate to preserve the people he loves... he's one little possessive thing.

His attitude toward Victoria is not justified at all, she doesn't deserve that. He's acting based on what he feels and perceives which might be wrong. He has flaws, guys... he's human, isn't he? (Well, fictional. But you get what I mean.)

What do you think he's scared of though? And how does it even relay to Victoria?

Lemme hear your theories!

VOTE! It really motivates me to write more.😌

I love you guys! ♥️♥️♥️ And stay safe for me oo!😗

Next update: Saturday.