The First Telekinetic

{Huh?

Out of habit, Michael lifted his hand and rubbed his skull, but his finger was three inches over his head. While he knew that he missed his head, what scared him was that he felt the sensation.}

Michael closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Could this be virtual reality? Or, perhaps I am in a coma? Either way, from what I can tell, I am in the past.

Michael grabbed a toothbrush and applied some toothpaste. After splashing some water over it, he brushed his teeth. He felt the brush on his teeth and exhaled. (At least, this is not virtual reality. But, if this is not a dream or VR, what is going on?)

"Michael hurry, I have to pee!"

With his toothbrush in his teeth, Michael turned toward his bathroom door and opened it. Kathy rushed in and replaced Michael's existence in the bathroom. Why not use the other bathroom?

Michael walked into his parent's restroom and noticed they left the door closed. Makes sense, she did not want to walk in someone. He slid the door open and walked toward the restroom sink. After he cleaned his teeth, Michael felt his stomach rumbling.

(Ok, I am feeling, hunger, and taste. This is not VR. Is this time travel or is the world I knew a dream?)

"I'm so fly; I can't help it."

(Did I have that as my ringtone? Thank God that fad ended. This cannot be a prank; it's too detailed. For now, I will have to play along.)

Michael grabbed his phone and flipped it open.

"Hey Mike, you wanna take a few shots before the game?"

Michael paused for a moment and replied, "I should be free. Let me get back to you."

"Dude, shut up, we both know you're free. See you soon."

Michael retorted, "Don't say I did not warn you," and hung up.

(Basketball, huh? I haven't played after breaking my finger.)

Michael thought back to the past and remembered that game. After he drew in two defenders and passed it to his open center, his team obtained the lead. His coach gave a decent speech, and the team was raring to go.

After Michael yelled, "No," their center grabbed the ball, which Alex deflected and was about to obtain the lead. Their center noticed the situation and hugged the opposing guard, which was a foul.

It would give the enemy a chance at making two free throws, but it would stop the clock. If they scored without stopping the clock, they would have won the match.

After the foul, Michael shook his head; he blamed himself because he could not deflect that pass. He allowed a pass too close to the rim. The center was also looking down after not guarding the other center.

** Pov change Michael **

It's rare for a center to knock down free throws, but this kid could do it. The coach called a timeout and began drawing up a play while everyone stood at the free throw line.

On defense, our coach believed it was about willpower and discipline. However, on offense, he was more of a planner, or an X's and O's guy. It was a conventional play; our coach called it Burst.

Our center would stand on the left side of the key*. I would then stand near him and attempt to run my defender into my center. However, it requires me to sprint and catch the ball while turning toward the basket. The other team knew about this tactic: The pick.

However, if they send over two players to stop me, it can give someone else a chance to score. Our shooting guard, (SG) would not pass it to me and would then provide the opportunity for someone else to score the ball.

Anyway, it was a hard shot to make, but it was also hard to stop. That whole plan gives me half a second to take a shot. It was do or die. Once the official handed the ball to our SG, I sprinted toward our center who was setting a pick. This forced my defender back as planned. My shooting guard tossed the ball toward an open spot nearby. Sadly, it was tossed higher than usual. But, I could catch it. I leaped for it but knew I could not land; I had to catch and shoot the ball in the air. At that moment, I thanked God for adrenaline and took the off-balance shot. Everyone in the building was still.

The defender turned his head. I squatted and watched the ball rotate in the air. The ball hit the rim. (I missed?) However, the ball bounced on the rim again. There's still a chance. My center jumped in the air but did not touch the ball. He knew, if he did, we would lose the game also if the other team did, it would be goaltending violation, which would give my team the victory.

The ball bounced over the basket and hit the other side of the rim. Fall in dammit! However, I missed the shot and watched in horror as the ball landed on the floor without entering the rim.

Suddenly, I heard a whistle; I looked toward the referee who was sprinting towards me while yelling,

"Are you ok!?"

I stared at her and asked, "Was I fouled?"

"Yes, but look at your hand."

Fearfully, I lifted my arm and peered at my hand…

"No!"

I studied Alex, the man who injured me. He was trembling. I knew it was not intentional; basketball is a contact sport. It happens. I grabbed my thumb and adjusted it while gritting his teeth and dealing with the pain.

The referee placed his hand on my shoulder and said, "You're injured. Also, your teammates can take those free throws you earn. They fouled you from beyond the arc, which means you guys only need to make two out of three shots to win the match and making only one will send you to overtime. Your guard has not missed a free throw today, and he has three chances. Have faith in him and take care of yourself."

I nodded and allowed her to lead me away, but I stared at my fellow guard and said, "You better win."

He nodded and headed toward the line. Afterward, I looked toward the women escorting me and said, "How did this happen?"

She said, "He did not give you space to take the shot. He hit your hand on the way down."

"I see."

Suddenly, Michael's flashback ended when he heard Kathy say, "Michael, what are you standing around for?"

____

The "Key" is the square box in front of a basketball hoop. In terms of the story, they use it to provide the location of some plays. In real life, they use additional rules in this area, such as goaltending.