Jaime still wept. Actually, Taylor thought she might cry all night. And she almost did. In fact, if Zac hadn't cut her up with their shaving cream booby-trap on Ike, she might not have ever quit...
"C'mon Jai! Please don't be sad! It'll suck if you're sad the WHOLE night!" All Zac got in response was a smack on the forehead with a pillow from Jaime. This catalyzed a huge pillow fight. Giggles and loud, girlish shreiks could be heard all through the west end of Tulsa as Tay, Zac, Ike, and Jai hurled fluffy projectiles at each other. Somewhere around 3:30 in the morning, Taylor and Jai found themselves the only ones up. They sat in an uncomfortable silence for a minute when Tay got an idea.
"Hey Jai, you wanna play some one on one?" He looked at her hopefully then added, "Oh, I MIGHT let you win...once." This, if anything, made her want to play. "Okay, Mr. Cocky. You're on. Oh, and I'M gonna beat you like a rug." She stuck her tongue out at him and scurried down the ladder. He smiled and followed her down the ladder.
They met on the court, and Taylor decided to be risky and get cocky. "Here, I'll give you a gimme." He said with a wink, handing her the ball. She looked angry for a second, but then turned around so she couldn't see the basket and threw the ball. Upon hearing a delightful swoosh sound, she hissed a "Yessssss" and turned around. Taylor was already bounding around like an idiot, dribbling the ball tether, hether, and yon. She giggled and chased after the blur. He, of course, sunk a basket and then handed over the ball sticking his tongue out at her. She giggled once more and attempted to pass by her opponent, but was playfully shocked when he refused to let her pass. "Ugh! Tay-lor! You know I can't get past! C'mon! Gimme some slack!" she whined, but to no avail. All Taylor did was block her, and each time she whined he'd only get a little closer. It was driving her nuts.
Now Taylor was using his full strength trying to get the ball from her grasp. Jaime laughed and turned, back towards him, and tried to make a shot before he could intervene. The effort was made in vain, because as soon as she raised her arms, Taylor had his all over the ball. One was on her waist, tickling her into giving up, and the other reached for the ball, which was still tight in her grasp. She giggled now uncontrolably. "Taylor! Stop it already! Knock it off! Stop it! That tickles! Tayyyyy-lorrrrr!!" her squeels echoed around the trees and off the halfpipe. He now had his left arm completely wrapped around her waist, and the other snaked down her arms, that refused to give up the prized possesion which was costing such energy. Jai was loving such attention. She had never gotten one-on-one attention at the orphanage, unless she excelled in something, which gave her the notion that if you weren't good at everything, no one would like you. Never-the-less, Taylor's caring generosity was exactly what the doctor ordered.
"I give in." he said after numerous attempts to get the ball out of her grasp. "I don't wanna play anymore." was Jaime's response, yet both of them stayed in their embrace. Taylor had his arms around her waist like a belt of sorts, and his chin rested on her right shoulder. Jaime was loving the whole thing more than he could ever have imagined. She could feel the heat off of his red cheeks, and his breath was lightly blowing on her ear. It was, in every way, a moment to remember. Not because she loved him madly, she didn't, she just felt...satisfied...as if all her apprehensions were proven wrong. And they were. It was the start to a wonderful friendship. Maybe more...