A/N: I've decided to rewrite this because I didn't like how the original was written. I had the complete story up a long time ago, but now I think it's time create an improved version! It's the same plot and same story, but the writing is better. I might change a few things in the story, so I hope you enjoy the improved version of The Game of Love!

It switches between Nessa and Tony's point of views. This story takes place during their senior year, just a few months after the events in Throwing Curveballs occurred. This is story 3 of the Nessa series, but you don't have to read the previous stories to understand this. Though I recommend you read Throwing Curveballs before you read this story. The order goes like this: Crush, Throwing Curveballs, The Game of Love, and You Could Be Happy.

I DON'T OWN ANY BANDS/ARTISTS/LYRICS/SPORTS TEAMS/COMPANIES MENTIONED IN THIS STORY. The rest of the stuff, I DO own :)

Chapter 1

Meet The Diehards

Tony’s POV

“Dude, these next two months are gonna be awesome!” Nessa exclaimed in excitement as she walked with Holly and me down the crowded hall towards the second academic building. “Baseball playoffs!” she listed with a fist pump.

“Our school’s last baseball game,” I added as I greeted some guys from my varsity baseball team with a quick nod.

“And that little thing called graduation,” Holly pointed out with sarcasm in her voice.

Paula, Kat, and Stacey came up from behind us. “Oh God, don’t remind us!” Paula whined as they followed us towards the building.

“Yeah, next year is gonna suck without you guys,” Kat commented as she squished in between Holly and Nessa.

"We'll miss you guys, too. Don't worry," Stacey, who was also a senior, reassured them.

Kat sighed. “No more non-stop baseball talk in Gallagher’s anymore,” she muttered in a sad voice, looking directly at Nessa and me.

I glanced over at Nessa. “I know, man! We always punk on him!” I exclaimed with a grin, already looking back at the times Nessa and I would tease and playfully argue with our English teacher, Mr. Gallagher—who was a diehard Dodgers fan.

“Yeah. He seriously thinks the Dodgers are better than our team?” Nessa said like it was the most stupid thing she’s heard. “Tell me, who was their best player the last ten years. Gange?? He sucks now! Garciaparra??” she exclaimed. “I liked him better as a shortstop for the Red Sox!” I always laughed at Nessa’s passionate hate for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Yeah,” I agreed, “And who the hell hit more than 500 homeruns from the Dodgers? Don’t care." I shared the same passionate hate for that baseball team.

Holly shook her head and sighed. “You had to bring up baseball?” Holly said to Kathleen.

We all laughed. “Damn, we’re too diehard for these girls, Ness,” I jokingly said.

“Okay, we’ll stop,” Nessa promised. She glanced over at me and gave me a small, amused secret smile, dimples and all.

When lunch came around everyone knew where to find me and Nessa: at the basketball courts trying to whoop each other's ass.

Nessa dribbled the ball in one place, waiting for me to block her. “Come on, 85. Where’s your de?” she challenged.

“You wanna see de?” I questioned, raising my eyebrow challengingly. I stepped behind her and wrapped my arms around her, forcing her to let go of the basketball in her hands.

“Hey!” Nessa laughed. “Foul!” she exclaimed in laughter as she wiggled away from my attempt to steal the ball. Her hair whipped my face; that flowery scent she seemed to always wear hit me hard.

She playfully pushed me and went off to sideline to get a drink of water. Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I sat down next to her on the concrete. “Give me some,” I ordered as I took her water bottle from her as soon as her full lips left it.

I took a long chug of the cold water; it felt good going down my hot throat.

With a sigh, I turned to Nessa, who was taking off the rubber band from her long, black hair. She let out a small breath of air as she pushed the bangs out of her face and wiped her forehead. I watched silently as she raked her fingers through the black silk on her head. It was like I was watching one of those hair commercials in slow motion.

Feeling my stare, Nessa turned to me after taking another gulp of water. “What?” she asked self-consciously as she touched her face. “Is there, like, a bug on my face?” she questioned, having a line of worry on her forehead.

How'd she always catch me staring most the time? Shaking my head, I laughed. “No,” I replied. You're perfect, I wanted to say.

“Campi!” I turned to see who called me and saw a tan guy with black hair. As he came closer, I realized it was Kevin Santos, one of the school’s starting pitchers of the varsity team. “What’s up, man?” he greeted, approaching our court.

Kevin peeked his head over our shoulders. “You kick his ass in basketball?” he asked, turning to Nessa as he shot her a grin.

Here he goes…I thought as I shook my head.

"Hell yeah, I am," she laughed. I chuckled and playfully threw my towel at her.

A flare of annoyance went through me as Kevin wiggled his way in between Nessa and me on the concrete. “You still wanna learn how to do the different pitches?” he asked Nessa. This guy took every chance to flirt with her.

She nodded. “Yeah,” she shrugged. “Sure.”

“But you have to teach me how to ball,” Kevin said with a crooked grin. “You know, so I can beat Campi over here one day." He didn't even bother taking his eyes off of her. “Deal?”

Damn, the guy was a smooth talker. I looked back at Nessa who smiled, dimples showing. “Deal.” I could hear the flirtation in her voice.

I noticed Kevin giving her one last smile before standing back up. “Catch you later, man,” he patted me on the shoulder, finally prying his eyes away from her to look at me.

I glanced over at Nessa after Kevin had left and she was still smiling to herself. I knew she had a thing for Kevin. He’d always flirt with her at the after-game parties and she was finally starting to catch on. And actually starting to like his advances. A few months ago she just ignored Kevin and brushed off his little compliments like it was nothing. But now, Nessa invited it all.

She looked back at me as I glanced at her amusingly. “What?” she questioned in an irritated voice. From the amused look on my face, she knew that I knew that she liked Kevin.

I raised my eyebrow, my small grin growing wider in amusement. “Shut up!” Nessa demanded, smacking me on the shoulder.

“I didn’t say anything,” I laughed as I shook my head, still flashing her a teasing smile.

Her cheeks flushed and turned rosy. I haven’t seen her blush about a guy in ages. It’s been forever since she’s been in a relationship. But with Kevin and everything, I could tell that could change soon.

In my mind, I knew I either had to deal with that or tell her. Tell her something that could change our friendship for, maybe, ever. So how the hell do you tell one of your best friends that you liked her?

I wasn’t planning to do it soon. Not if I wanted screw everything up.

A/N: I would love to get some feedback! Thanks! How about a new question? Even if you've read the original, Thoughts on Tony?