Scene: You've decided to take on Basketball as a new hobby. Dancing just wasn't cutting it for you, so you decide to go to the court every night to get some practice. So far you're making progress but one night you arrive at the court and there's a boy there. There's two goals so you decide to stay on the opposite side of him. You shoot the ball a little too hard and it bounces off the back board and hit the boy in the . Uh-Oh. 

"Oh my gosh! I am SO sorry, are you okay?" I asked. 

"Ouch...that hurt. But I'll be okay. You're using too much force when you shoot the ball. You have to be light when shooting the ball not just chug it. If you do that then you'll hardly ever shoot a basket." He explained as he handed me the ball. "I'm Tao"

I grabbed the ball. "What do you mean 'be light'? Aren't you supposed to shoot when you get a chance? Because obviously there's only so much time to handle the ball." I said. 

"Do you know anything about basketball?" He said. 

"Not really, I just started playing actually." I said. 

"Who's teaching you?" He asked. 

"Well....nobody." I said. 

"No wonder. Of course you're not going to know what I mean when you have no teacher." He smiled. 

Who the hell is this guy? Some kind of basketball expert? 

"Umm, sure. I guess you have a point." I said. 

"I'll give you a few pointers if you want?" He looked at me. 

"Okay, yeah." I smiled. "When?" I asked. 

"Right now." He said.

"Alright." I said. "So 1-on-1?" 

"You sure you ready? I don't mean to brag but I'm pretty good." He smiled. 

Cocky much? I scoffed. "Whatever. Let your skills do the talking." 

"Alright. First to get to 21 wins." He said. "No hitting or slapping hands to steal the ball." 

"Works for me." I said. 

"Which ball do you wanna use?" He asked. 

"It doesn't matter." I said. 

I was starting to feel excited now. I haven't played against anyone yet. 

"We'll use yours." He said. "You can get the ball first" 

"Kay." I grabbed the ball and started bouncing it. 

"Seems like you can handle the ball pretty well. Now show me what you got" He said with a smile.

We began to play, it felt like hours passed and yet neither of us had made a basket yet. Either I'd steal the ball or he'd steal it from me.

"You're quite the opponent." He said as he bounced the ball. "Not bad for someone who's never played before." 

"Thanks...now hand it over." I snatched the ball away from him and ran towards the basket. 

Before I got the chance to shoot it, he came out of nowhere and stole it from me. He made the first basket. 

"1-0" he smiled. 

I checked my watch. Oh damn! It's already 10:15! 

"Looks like you win." I smiled. "I gotta go now." 

"You coming tomorrow?" He asked. 

"Umm, I'm not sure." I said. 

Why was he asking? We've only just met. 

"Alright, well guess I'll see you around then." He smiled. "What's your name anyway?" 

"(Your name)" I smiled. "I'll see you around Tao" 

I grabbed my bag and walked out. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next night I got ready to go to the basketball court again. Wondering if Tao would be there, I grabbed my gym bag and walked out the door. Maybe I should ask him to teach me a thing or two about basketball. He seems to know exactly what he's doing anyway so...

I put my headphones in and began making my way to the court. 

It didn't take me long to get there. I was feeling a bit excited and also hopeful that he'd be there. I walked inside and closed the gate but there wasn't anyone there. 

"Guess it's just me tonight" I muttered to myself. 

I began just shooting hoops. So far every one of them were perfect, haven't missed a single one. I decided to go for the 3 pointer. 

"Freeze." 

Huh? I stood in place. 

"You see how you're standing?" 

I heard footsteps approaching me. 

"Stand straighter." I felt his hands touch me.

I did as I was told. 

"There you go. Now fix your footing. Your legs are too far apart." 

He showed me how to stand and I mimicked his move. 

"Okay, now shoot" he smiled. 

I shot the ball into the air. It swished right into the basket. 

"I did! Omg!" I smiled. "That felt ALOT easier. Thanks Tao" I looked at him. 

"You're welcome. I said I'd give you a few pointers didn't I?" He said. 

I nodded. "So give me as many pointers as you can. Be my teacher for tonight." I smiled. 

He became bashful and just smiled. He wouldn't even look directly at me. 

"What?" I said. 

"N-nothing, it's nothing. I'd be happy to teach you, (your name). So what do you wanna start with?" He asked. 

"Anything. We can start from basics if you'd like." I said. 

He began showing me the correct way to pass the ball,dribble and shoot it. He even taught me a few tricks on the court that weren't considered to be a foul. He knew his , I gotta hand it to this guy. He really knew what he was doing and he's such a great teacher. So passionate about basketball. I was really amazed by his skill. Defense was a bit too awkward since he was so close to me. 

"When you're on defense you need to make sure you umm...well...you know..." He scratched his head and became bashful again. 

I was beginning to think that was über cute. 

"You mean stick my out?" I said. 

"Y-yeah. That way the person behind you won't be able to take the ball so easily. Because your...umm...your...." 

"" I smiled. 

"Yeah...it will pretty much put some distance between your opponent and the b-ball." He said.

He was blushing! I wanted to laugh but held it in. 

"Okay. I'll keep that in mind Tao. Thanks" I said. 

I looked at the time, I still have about an hour. My stomach growled, maybe I should get something to eat first. I think I'll buy him dinner as a thank you for teaching me all these things. 

"Tao?" 

He was shooting hoops. He stopped for a minute and looked at me. "Yeah?" 

"Are you...umm...busy?" I asked. 

"Busy?" He said.

"Yeah, like are you doing anything after this?" 

His eyes widened & he became a bit nervous. "N-no. Why?" 

"Well I'm hungry and I was going to get something to eat...so I was wondering if you'd like to come with me. I wanted to buy you dinner as a 'Thank you for tonight." I said.

I felt nervous and afraid as I said this. My stomach was filled with butterflies.

He looked at the ground and kicked it slightly like a shy little kid. "Sure...I'll tag along." 

I smiled and felt my heart thud hard in my chest. "Kay, come on." I grabbed my gym bag. 

"Yeah..." He said. 

We both walked side by side conversing about basketball and our basketball idols. 

"Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are two all time great players in the NBA. Both came from high school to the NBA but who do you think is better?" He asked. 

"In my opinion the better player is LeBron James. Kobe has played 17 seasons and is a 14 time All-Star. LeBron has played 10 years and is a 9 time All-Star. The one area where Kobe has LeBron beat is championships 5 to 1 but remember Kobe has played more years and with better players. Kobe has played with one of the greatest centers of all time Shaquille O'Neal who deserves most of the credit for 3 of the championships that Kobe has. LeBron is coming into his prime and will end up with more championships, I think. Kobe has averaged 25.5 points per game, 4.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game over his career. While James has averaged 27.6 points per game, 6.9 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game. James has better stats but that is only one reason I feel he is better than Kobe. The greatest players make other players better and LeBron is much better at making those around him better. Kobe is a selfish player and does not want to pass nearly as much as LeBron. LeBron is a much more athletic and explosive player than Kobe. If LeBron wanted to, he could score more per game, instead he is a forward who can pass like a point guard. Basket-ball is a team sport and LeBron makes everyone around him better. Kobe does not do this and that is why LeBron is the better player." I explained. 

He was really surprised by my answer. Very impressed I'd say. He smiled.

"What?" I asked."was it something I said?" 

"No. I just never met a girl that knew so much about basketball. Most girls don't like sports. The ones I know anyway. I still think Kobe is better." He said. 

"Why is that?" I asked. 

We got to the restaurant and they immediately seated us. They gave us a moment to look over the menu. 

"Well? Aren't you gonna tell me?" I urged.

"Yeah, Think about it. It's common sense for Kobe to be better. Michael Jordan himself said that Kobe was better than LeBron. Kobe won 5 championships while LeBron has only won 2. His career points are 31,617 while LeBron only has 21,114. He's made 5,145 defensive rebounds and 1,430 offensive rebounds. LeBron hasn't even made it close to those numbers. Not only Michael Jordan says he's better BUT also Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, Jerry West,Charles Barkley,Clyde Drexler,Shaq O'Neal,Isiah Thomas,Mark Jackson,T-Mac,Vince Carter,Pau Gasol,Chris Bosh,Lebron James,Lamar Odom,Chauncy Billups,Sam Cassell,Darius Miles,Jerry Stackhouse,Richard Jeferson,Amare Stoudamire,Caron Butler,Carlos Boozer,Jon Barry,Steve Kerr,Dirk Nowitzki,Allen Iverson,Richard Jefferson,Tyronne Lue,Rip Hamilton,Deron Williams,Monta Ellis,Jason Richardson,Ron Harper,Ron Artest,Baron Davis

Marcus Camby,Chris Kaman,Shawn Battier,LaDainian Tomlinson,Al Thornton

Nick Young,Newble,Wally Szczerbiak,Corey Maggette ,Gilbert Arenas,Jordan Farmar,Doug Collins,Coach Phil Jackson,Coach Pat Riley,Coach Popovich,Coach Karl,Coach Byron Scott and

Coach Don Nelson say that he is. It's all about the skills baby and Kobe's got it. It's not about being selfish or anything it's about skills and winning the game. Kobe knows how to do that best so therefore there's no way LeBron is better." He smiled. 

Damn. How was I gonna compete with that? , I really didn't know what to say to that. I simply smiled and kinda laughed it off. 

"Touché Tao. I really don't have a comeback for that." I giggled. "You know your stuff." I smiled. 

"Huh?" He kind of blushed. "Well no not really I just enjoy the sport so much I forget sometimes that it's just a game. Heh. Heh. Sorry if I offended you, since you like LeBron and stuff" 

"Oh no. I totally respect your opinion, I mean I still think Kobe's whack but you know.." I smiled. 

"Oh?" He smiled. "How's about we have a game. You represent LeBron and I'll represent Kobe who ever wins proves their idol is better." He said. 

"I'm not nearly as skilled as you though! You'd beat me." I said. 

"I'll give you a week to practice. I promise I won't practice for a whole week to make it fair." He said. 

"You're that confident huh?" I smiled. "Alright, I accept your challenge Tao. You better come to the court so I know you're not practicing." 

"I'll be there. I'm still going to teach you silly." He said. 

We had dinner and it was really fun. He talked about himself and I told him about me. We ended up talking until closing time. It felt like time just flew by, we even got our meal free because the waitress thought Tao was cute. We walked out the restaurant.

"I'll walk you home." He said. "It's late out and I wouldn't want anything happening to you." 

"That's very sweet of you Tao. Thank you" I smiled. 

He grabbed my gym bag. "I'll take it for you." 

"Thanks." I said. 

We began walking. 

"So where do you live?" He asked. 

"It's a 20 minute walk. Past Mr. Kim's grocery store." I said. 

"You live in those apartments?" He asked. 

"No. It's a house. Past the apartments." I said. 

"What?! No way! I hear that house is haunted! Is it true?" He asked. 

I chuckled. "No. Those are just rumors its not haunted or anything. If anything I'm probably the ghost they're talking about." 

He looked at me. "Ghost?" 

"I live alone. So maybe since people say no one lives there like when they hear movement or see me they get scared." I said. 

"Oh, yeah. I knew that." He said. 

"You afraid of ghosts?" I giggled. 

"N-No. Of course not!" He said. 

I hid behind him as he spoke. He looked to the right and left but didn't see me. I tried to hard to keep my laughter in. 

"(Your name) where'd you go?!" He said. 

"BOO!" I grabbed his side. 

He screamed. 

I laughed. "Seems to me like you're afraid if ghosts Tao." 

He pushed me playfully. "Whatever. I was pretending to be for your sake." He smiled. 

"Yeah sure you were." I smiled. 

We kept talking until we got to my house. 

"Thanks for walking me Tao." I smiled. 

He became bashful. He ran his hand through his hair and smiled slightly. "Y-yeah...don't mention it." 

"(Your name), what the hell are you doing? Who's this?" 

Oh great, he's the last person I want to see. 

"None of your business Johnny." I said. 

"It is my business because you're my girl!" He yelled. 

"No I'm not! We've been over for 4 months now, stop coming around because I don't want you!" I said. 

"(Your name) lets go somewhere else..." Tao said as he grabbed my hand. 

"Where the do you think you're taking her? Huh?!" Johnny said angrily. 

"Tao...just go. It's not worth it." I said. 

"He's not worth fighting but you're worth fighting for. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." He said. 

I felt my heart skip a beat at his words. Did he really mean it? Or was he just saying it because Johnny was here?

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Johnny said as he walked towards him, pushing me out of the way. 

I fell to the ground. "Tao, go." I said as I looked up. 

Tao's face went from gentle to angry. What's going on? Johnny kept yelling at him and trying to provide him. 

"Johnny! Stop!" I got up and grabbed Johnny. 

"Oh shut up trick!" He said as he flung me back to the ground. 

After that all I saw was Tao single handedly knock Johnny out with a single blow. I gasped at my surprise. He looked so innocent and shy....am I imagining things now?! Holy ! He knocked him out without breaking a sweat!! I looked up at him stunned. Johnny was on the floor out cold. 

Tao came to me and looked at me. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" He moved some hair out of my face and searched my face. "(Your name)?" 

I snapped out of it. "Tao..." 

"Yeah?" He said still worried. 

I reached out and kissed him. "Thank you...." I grabbed my gym bag. "See ya" I smiled.

He touched his lips with his hand. 

"See ya..." He looked at me and smiled. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-A week later- 

"New rule." Tao said. 

"What? New rule?! No way Tao. Unfair, you're just mad cuz you're gonna lose" I laughed. 

"What'd you say?!" He hugged me tight. "Don't make me go wushu." He giggled. 

I laughed. "Noooo!!! Anything but that!" I said sarcastically. 

"That's what I thought." He said kissing my forehead. 

Ever since I kissed him he's been affectionate towards me. Also very playful. He hasn't kissed me yet and neither have I since then. We've become much closer though. I knew alot more about him than before and he knew alot about me too. 

"I can go wushu too you know?" I pushed him playfully. 

He laughed."As if. You ain't got the skills brah." He pushed me back playfully. 

"Wanna bet?" I asked. 

"One challenge at a time. First you have to attempt to beat me in basketball, even though its clear I'M going to win" he smiled. 

"Whatever. Let the score board do the talking Mr." I smiled. "So what's the new rule?" 

"If I win, I get to kiss you and you admit out loud that Kobe is the best. You also pay for dinner" he said. 

"And if I win?" I asked. 

"I'll let you pick." He said. 

"Fair enough. Deal." I said. 

"Don't think I'm gonna go easy on you." He smiled. 

"I might just let you win." I smiled. 

"Oh?" 

"I'd like a kiss from the Wushu master" I said. 

"Oh trust me you're going to get it, I already won anyway." He winked. "You won't be able to beat me anyway" he smiled. 

"Ha! Like I said let the score board do the talking." I said as I out my hair up.

The game began and so far none of us had made a basket. Finally my brain hatched an idea, I could totally make a shot if I distract him. I smiled at the thought. 

"Your ball this time" he passed me the ball. 

I dribbled it and this whole time I looked him in the eyes. I batted them a little and smiled at him. He seemed mesmerized enough then before he knew it I shot a 3 pointer. 

"Yes! 3-0! Woo!" I smiled and raised my arms in victory. 

"No fair! Your strategy is considered cheating! You distracted me!" He said. 

"No I didn't. I was simply making eye contact with you. After all you are opponent, I have to make eye contact to see what your move will be." I smiled. 

"Sure, eye contact. More like seduction...cheater." He smiled. 

"Your ball" I stuck my tongue out and passed the ball. 

We kept playing but I managed to not use my strategy often since he already knew about it. 30 seconds on the clock. 

"Tao shoots aaaaaannnnnnndddddd......he scores! Woo! 21-18 baby!" I smiled. 

"Hey genius, you scored in MY basket so uhh...WOO! I win!" I jumped up and down. "LeBron is betta than Ko-ahhh!" 

Tao grabbed me and hugged me tight. "I win regardless, it doesn't matter if I shot into your basket those 3 points were MINE. So how's about you-......"

I interrupted him like he interrupted me but I did it with a kiss. He kissed me back slowly and his hands ran down my back until they reached my waist. I smiled as we kept kissing. He softly bit my lip and then pulled away to look at me. 

"Kobe is better than LeBron." I smiled. 

"Hell yeah he is." He smiled and kiss me once more. "Glad you finally realized that." 

"Whatever. I'm still a LeBron fan." I said. 

"Play you again to prove you wrong." He smiled. 

"You're on." I pulled away and ran towards the ball. 

I grabbed the ball and ran towards the goal. He caught me from behind. 

"Traveling! Traveling! You can't do that." He laughed. 

I laughed along with him. "Foul! You can't grab me when the ball is in my possession!" 

"Oh yeah?" He said. "We'll if I can't grab you then I guess I'll just have to kiss you." He kissed my cheek. 

"Penalty for coming into physical contact!" I giggled. 

He slapped the ball out of my hand and kissed me. "I call a major penalty on you for stealing my heart" he smiled and caressed my face with his hand. His thumb my lips then once again he kissed me.

I never thought sports could do such a thing as this. He started out as just some guy on the court, next thing you know we're together. Always playing basketball. Regardless of what the reason is, I'm glad he's mine now....

THE END~