Nick was new, so he didn't have many friends. One day when he sat by himself at lunch, the headmaster walked in and announced that it was the basketball season, so they needed to practice after school till 6 o'clock. Nick smiled. He loved playing basketball.
Later that day it was time to go to the first practice of the season. There were other guys and they all sat together talking, but Nick just sat there and waited. "Alright boys! Line up and tell me your names," the coach demanded. "Ricky, Derick, Josh, Dan, Nick, "they answered, one after another. Practice went on and the coach began to try out the boys. Ricky and his friends did really well. But the coach ran out of time before he could try out Nick.
The next day, Ricky and his friends came up to Nick and told him he wasn't good enough though they had never seen him play. Nick said nothing. Soon enough it was time for Nick to try out. "We will start with free throws," the coach said. Nick stood on the free throw line and then shot. He didn't miss one shot. The boys were amazed. Ricky was mad because they were all giving the attention to Nick. The coach informed Nick that he made the team. All the boys were congratulating him.
Nick was happy that he was on the team and it was a good way to make friends. Ricky just stood there and looked at him in anger. Ricky always got the attention but now Nick did because he was an amazing player. The next day came and Nick went to lunch. He sat by himself and the next thing he knew was that the table he was sitting at was filled with all the basketball players except Ricky.
Soon enough it was time for their first game. The game was a close one...There were 5 seconds left and Ricky had the ball. Everyone was blocked but Nick was open. "I'm open. I'm open," Nick said over and over.
Ricky saw that he was open but he didn't care.
……
Nick decided to talk to Ricky after they failed the game.
