Free LS: The Beginning by Kelvin O'Ralph Page B

accepted.
    “It’s nothing; just helping a brother out.”
    I already knew the reason why he stressed the word brother. This was because I had the ability to sense the girl who made my heart surge, especially when she was close by.
    As I turned back to formally know his reason for his action, my body grew rigid. I could hardly move an inch as I stared at Lisa. She wore a red singlet and yellow skinned pants that stopped above her knees. Her hair was pulled back with a yellow band and her skin glittered as always. I had no reason to judge Derrick; I would have done the same if I were in his shoes.
    “My train’s here. Got to go,” I told Derrick with a grin.
    “Go get her, bro,” he muttered.
    At that instance, I disliked Derrick due to the repulsive thoughts that went through his head. However, I hardly got angry; one could say I had a cold temper.
    I strode to meet Lisa, who was starting to warm up before using any of the equipment.
    “Hey,” I said.
    She stopped and looked up. “Hey.”
    “I was having the feeling you wouldn’t show up.”
    “Same here,” she said, smiling. “So, have you been able sign up for the tryout?”
    I was about to reply, but paused. I'd only told her I was coming to use the gym, but then I couldn’t dwell on it because it was the least strange thing I'd encountered during the last few weeks.
    “I’ll be given a private audition, if I may call it that, with the coach. T hanks to Derrick over there,” I answered.
    “That’s good,” she said, halfheartedly looking at him. “He is pretty good, you know,” she added, lifting a huge amount of weight.
    “Yeah, I heard,” I replied. “Please, could you stop this?” I pointed at the weight she was holding.
    “And why is that?” she demanded.
    I collected the weight from her with ease.
    “You’ll raise suspicions when people see a girl carrying such weight,” I explained.
    As Lisa and I worked out, I heard Derrick in another room talking to a man who I assumed was the coach about a new kid who can fill the point guard position. What was his cut in all this? I wondered. I thought it was Lisa at that moment, but his thoughts about Lisa didn’t involve me. Was he just being nice?
    “He’s talking to the coach now,” Lisa announced.
    “Yeah, I can hear them.”
    I stared at Lisa, noticing the gloomy look.
    “What’s the problem, dear?”
    “I have been giving my parents and my younger brother flimsy excuses why I don’t eat. I really don't know what to do anymore. Right now, I’m glad they haven’t noticed I don’t sleep as well.”
    “I believe you should open up to them very soon. It wouldn’t be nice if they find out another way,” I said.
    Lisa nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.”
    Meanwhile, the conversation between Derrick and the coach became fruitful; the coach said, “Tell him to come see me, ASAP .”
    “He’s presently in the gym,” Derrick said.
    “Then go get him. I have a meeting to attend in the next thirty minutes.”
    “Oh thanks, Coach. I won’t let you down,” he promised.
     
    “Are you ready for the tryouts now?” Lisa asked. She must have heard the conclusion of their conversation.
    “I’m not so sure. I’m not as good as Derrick thinks, ” I said in a low voice.
    “You’ll do just fine,” Lisa encouraged.
    “Thanks, I hope so.”
    Just then, Derrick barged in looking happy, about to tell me the good news. He paused as he saw Lisa and I together. His focus diverted to her, but she didn’t look at him.
    Finally, he turned to look at me. “The coach wants to meet you. He’s in the basketball court waiting.”
    “Thank you so much. You won’t regret this,” I assured him. My sudden interest in sports was a bit weird, but I followed my heart.
    Derrick ignored everything I said because of the gorgeous girl beside me. He was lost in her beauty as he stood in front of us staring at her.
    Lisa leaned forward to whisper into my ear.
    “Can I come with you? I want to see you