Every day on my way home from school I pass the same playground and every day there is a pick up game of basketball being played by kids my age. I always want to ask to play but I never know how and they always seem to have a full game. Today however, I only see five. They aren’t going to play three on two I think. This is my time to try and join in. I walk over and raise my hand. My mouth blurts out “need another?” before I even stop think how lame I sound. One guy gives me a quick look up and down then quickly says “no” and looks away. Damn. As I start to turn to leave another kid says “Wait, we need him, even if he just passes us the ball we can’t beat them a man down.” The first kid grunts “fine.” I’m in. First few times up the court I don’t get the ball much, and when I do one of them wants it right back. Thats fine, I’m just happy to play. Tie game and they have the ball. They make a bad pass and it lands right in my hands. Without thinking I start dribbling down the court. Everyone scrambling to get in position. The boy who didn’t want me to play makes it to under the basket and starts demanding the ball like he’s never wanted anything more in his life. As soon as I look at him his man tightens up and mine starts running towards him. This is it, this is my chance. As soon as I begin my shot I hear the boy yelling, no, my shot, pass it. Too late, the shot is up. My man can’t recover and come back in time. It’s in, I did it, we win. I hear one voice shout “yes sir, that’s game!” I look up and the other boy is storming towards me. He’s mad. That was his moment. He thinks I stole it. He stops in front of me, looks me up and down again and holds out his fist. I jump back nervous. We won, he wants to fight me for winning the game? Dude looks around confused, steps up to me and holds it out again this time more assertive. I put my hands up, is he really this mad about not getting the game winning shot? Now even more annoyed he looks at me and says “Bro, come on. Knuckle me” Everyone else looks confused and starts walking closer to us. I did the only thing I could think of. I punched him first. “WHAT THE HELL?!” I heard him say as he scrambled to get up/ the kids from the other team hold him back as the other kid from ours pushes me and asks me what my deal is. “What’s my deal? He was so mad I took that shot he wanted to fight me!” Everyone stops and stares. Someone, I don’t even remember who finally says a deflated “what?” I look around, now also confused.” He stormed over and shook his fist at me, TWICE, then said come on and knuckles. I’ve never been in a fight before was I not supposed to hit first?” Everyone immediately starts laughing like it was the funniest joke I’ve ever told. Now I’m really confused. Now not being held back the boy says “no you idiot, knuckles, like give me knuckles, a fist bump, I was saying good job you idiot.” I’d never been so embarassed in my life. “I’m so sorry, I had no idea. I’m so awkward I’m sorry” I looked around nervously again. He looks at me finally chuckles and says “No problem I guess” then he punched me right in my stomach and said now we’re even, see you back here tomorrow, same teams!” Everyone laughed and started walking home.