Disclaimer: I own nothing. Aaron McGruder owns is all. If I did, Huey would be POTUS.

REVIEWS:

LavenderLuvER18: Thank you. I so look forward to your comments, you got no idea. Thank you so much because you make me smile. For real. 😊.

dannyphantomlover7: I'm so happy you're still reading! Oh my god! I so went back to look at your last comment and I was like "homie, love you." Thank you for still being on this road with these characters.

WARNING: Um. Hmm. How do I say this? It gets, "interesting." I hope you all like it. But, if you do not want to read the more "interesting stuff," just skip from "I squeeze that small frame" to "I inhale happiness." You'll see the beginning and ending of the scene as usu. Either way, I hope you all enjoy.

CHAPTER 31:

I sit down, smell that Hugo Boss cologne, smile, turn to my left, and I say, "Here you go Leo." I see that big smile, those dark eyes, and know now more than ever where Caesar gets that face. He get it's from his mom's family. That's what Ming said. Leo is Caesar's mom's brother. And, it's really cute how all of us know so much about our boyfriends and talk to each other about it, like we're all best friends. I give him his soda and mom's water and turn back to the court, feeling my face light up, seeing all the lights shinning down.

I hear Leo say, "You excited to see your sister and friends tonight Jazzy?" I smile, put my head on his shoulder, feel my mom's warm hand on my left shoulder, and I say, "Yes. I can't wait to see them come out and play this team." I feel someone sit to my right, look over, and see Grandad helping Ms. Lola sit down next to me. I smile seeing them both wearing the same shirts my mom and Leo are wearing and I say, "I'm happy you could come Ms. Lola." She smiles back and says, "Me too Jazzy love. I can't wait to see little Cindy and the rest of her team play." I feel my smile get bigger thinking that Ms. Lola calls the team my sister's team even if she isn't the captain. Then I inhale, seeing that afro helping Grandad sit down on Ms. Lola's other side. He loves Grandad so much even if never says it, not even asking Grandad if he needs helps, just helping him whenever he can.

I inhale, excited for tonight, turn back to the court, take a drink of my water bottle, and hear Grandad say, "Well, I know baby girl and those girls are good, always practicing, and not having lost one damn game this year so I know they'll win. Damn, should'a bet money on the team when Ruckus asked." I feel my lips twist, seeing uncle Ruckus down there in his referee outfit, wondering just how old uncle Ruckus is and hoping he doesn't get hurt being down there. I think he might even still have a bad back from Riley's attacks on 'Santa'. I shake my head thinking about Riley as a kid and then I hear that voice say, "You'll we gotta pass." I feel my smirk, knowing his swearing and rudeness with other people has gotten way better since we came back from Chicago. I hear him say, "You'll move befor' we keep our damn promise from last time." I roll my eyes. Maybe not. And what promise is he talking about? I look down to my right to the bleachers right below us, see two guys, I think students at our school, stand up, and let the guys pass by in front of them.

I see Riley walk over to sit in front of my mom, Hiro in front of Leo and I see Caesar stay behind and sit in front of Grandad and Huey. They're all so cute wanting to sit next to their best friends. I hear that same voice say, "Ms. S ma head hurts." I can't help but giggle, remembering he's such a baby with my mom, and feel my mom's hand leave my shoulder. I look over and see her start massaging Riley's head. He's so cute now with my mom. I wonder if Huey will ever be like that with her. Huey. I look over to my right, over Ms. Lola and Grandad's head who are whispering to each other right now, reminding me of Hiro and Lauren, and see those burgundy eyes looking at me. I smile at him, see him exhale, and wonder if he thinks I smile too much and if I'm still really childish.

I hear Caesar's voice say, "Wonder if they're all gonna be hungry after the game." I look down at those dreads, see he has his arms crossed over his chest, and he's staring out at the court. I look out, exhale, and say, "Well, I know how similar my sister and our friends are so I say yes." She's always hungry after practice. I feel my smile seeing the stands in front more than halfway filled. Their families and friends came to support them and they're all wearing their team's color, blue and orange. I look down and see Caesar wearing his red and gray shirt, look to my left and see Hiro in his red shirt, and then see Riley wearing that awesome gray jacket with the bright red lines over the writs, the collar, and the bottom of the jacket. A track basketball jacket with the colors of the team that my sister found online. And then that patch. That's how I know my sister likes Riley that much. She bought the patch for the school basketball team at the student store and sewed it on the left side of that jacket and then gave it to Riley. I don't know when she gave it to him, but I remember hearing the 'Damn Cin! That shit for me!' last weekend coming from upstairs after Huey had falling asleep. I was happy it didn't wake up Huey but I think that's when she gave it to him. My gangster little sister that sews for her boyfriend.

I look up to my left and see Leo and mom wearing those red t-shirts that say, 'Wuncler's High Basketball!' in the front. I smile, look forward again, put my head back on that shoulder that smells like Hugo Boss and wonder where Tom is. No Jazmine. Not right now. I exhale, look down, and remember how happy I am now. How happy mom and my sister are now. And things always work out in the end. I look up at the court, feel that stare, smile, look to my right over Ms. Lola's and Grandad's head, see those burgundy eyes looking at me, and wonder if I can go annoy him by sitting on his lap. Jazmine stop being dumb. I giggle, see him exhale, and then I stop giggling, hearing that voice say, "Oh my gosh Huey! You're here tonight! And we're sitting next to each other!" I exhale, roll my eyes, see him close his eyes, know he's shivering, and wonder if I can text him that he can leave early if he wants and I'll tell him how the game goes.

Then I hear Ms. Lola's warm voice say, "Jazzy love how about you and Huey go get Robert and I some waters?" I look over at Ms. Lola, see her smiling at me, I smile back, and say, "Yes Ms. Lola." I get up, see those burgundy eyes follow me, and hear Ms. Lola say, "Oh and you should go down the steps sweetheart so you don't go over anyone and when you come back you can come back up those same steps." I feel my smile get bigger, knowing what she's trying to do, see Huey step down next to Caesar, and see Caesar stand up to let Huey pass in front of him. I see Huey pass Caesar, get to me, put his hand out to help me down, and then hear Caesar say, "Jazzy girl can you get uncle Leo some water to?" I smile at Caesar, nod at him, grab Huey's hand, take that step down, and hear Leo's voice say, "I already have soda. You don't have to get me anything Jazzy." I hear Hiro say, "Leo you can't be drinking only soda. You need water," followed by my mom's voice saying, "I told him boys, but he doesn't listen." I start giggling at them all trying to take care of Leo and hear that shriek say, "Huey where are you going?" I exhale, look to the side, wondering if I'm going to have to slap her tonight, feel that pull on my hand, and hear him say, "Let's go." I follow those shoulders down the bleachers, happy we're this far down because we got here early enough, see students move to let us pass probably because it's Huey and because of his 'Spawn' reputation, and get down to the floor. I look up at the clock and say, "We have ten minutes." I see him nod and I follow him.

Okay, so a water for Ms. Lola, Grandad, and Leo. I think I saw Riley with a water bottle and I know he always has water with him because he needs to stay hydrated. I wonder if we should get soda or water for Caesar and Hiro. I look up, see those double doors, and I say, "I know we need to get three waters but we should get something for Caes and Hiro. Do you know if," but I stop, feeling him grab my hand as we keep walking. He's grabbing my hand again in public. I ask, "What's wrong bestie?" Darn it. I need to stop calling him that in public. But he doesn't look mad that I called him that. And why is he looking at the bleachers where the other team's family and friends are sitting? I look over, and inhale, seeing him. And, he's looking at us. I hold that hand tighter, feel it hold my hand, and know I will be slapping someone tonight and it might be a stupid guy. And this time my bestie won't need to protect me from those kinds of jerks. My bestie.

I look back at Huey and see he's still looking at those bleachers. I exhale, see we've reached the double doors, and I stop. I see him stop, look down at me with those intense burgundy eyes, and I say, "Huey it was a long time ago. Remember that okay. And I will slap him this time. I promise." I see that long exhale, give him those seven seconds, see him nod, feel my smile knowing he trust that I can take care of myself today, feel him squeeze my hand, and I follow him to the concession stands, happy we're holding hands again in public.

We buy five water bottles from the guy behind the first stand, I look over to my right and feel my eyebrow rise seeing Huey staring down the guy, and I hear the guy say, "Do you want a bag?" I look back at him and ask, "Like a plastic bag?" I see his eyebrow rise and he says, "Yeah." I smile and say, "No thank you. It's bad for the environment. Thank you for the water." I grab three bottles and say, "Huey get the other two bottles please." I turn around, start walking back, feel that warmth walk up next to me, and hear that monotone voice say, "You do know it takes more energy to create paper and recycled bags than it takes to recycle plastic bags?" I look up at the double doors, hearing the families and friends all talking, and I say, "Some people say that but we gotta start somewhere and I think at least by not using plastic bags that's somewhere bestie." I hear that exhale from him and I say, "I'm sorry if I still call you that in public sometimes. I'm really trying to cut back on it." I hear him inhale, exhale longer, and hear him say, "Don't let it happen again." I feel my smile, remembering that kiss he gave me at DuSable when he said that, and I say, "Okay bestie." I hear that exhale through his nose, making me laugh, and run in front of him into the gym. And, I instantly regret it, seeing some people staring at me, wondering if my hair's out of the two buns I put it in after I got home from school.

I feel that warmth next to me, exhale, and I start walking to our friends and family. Once we get to them, we start walking up the bleachers. I walk up the empty seats between Caesar and Hiro, see Huey's LSAT book where I was sitting, and hear Ms. Lola's warm voice say, "Jazzy sweetheart why don't you sit there and have Huey sit up here next to me just in case I need him for anything." I open my mouth to tell her I'm okay with Huey sitting next to Ashley. I trust him. But, then I hear that voice behind me say, "Caes, Hiro." I look to my left, see Caesar catch a water bottle, hear someone catch another bottle to my right, feel those warm hands on my shoulders, feel him move me a step to the right, see him step up, grab his book, and sit down in that seat I was sitting in with that book in his lap. I smile, hand a water bottle to Hiro, and I say, "Please give that to Leo Hiro." I step in front of Huey, feel my cheeks getting warm seeing how cute he looks in that dark red t-shirt he's wearing with those dark blue jeans, and those new black converse Riley gave him for his birthday last week, and hand the last two bottles to Ms. Lola, smiling at her. I sit back down, in front of Huey, feeling those knees touch my back, sit back, and he lets me.

I hear the announcer say, "Welcome everyone to the biggest game of the season between the two rival teams of Woodcrest!" I hear the cheering, feel my smile, feeling the excitement from the crowds, and then hear the announcer say, "Now let's welcome the visitors first! Coming all the way from Woodcrest Academy High, a team that's been undefeated this year, the jackrabbits!" I look down, to the left, and see the girls from the other team running into the court from the visitor's locker room in their blue uniforms with the orange jackrabbit shape on their jerseys. I hear that cheering from the other side and feel my smirk, knowing they don't know how good our school's team this year is. I also remember we play this team every year, this is the first year I've come to all the basketball games for our school, and that's probably why I didn't know that guy was in that school. Focus Jazmine. My sister and friends.

I hear the announcer say, "And, the home team, undefeated this year as well, the Wuncler High Women Wolves!" I hear the cheering on our side and can't help but start cheering with everyone. I see those two long braids I love run out, hear Riley start yelling 'show 'em who be owning these streets C-Murder!', see that one long black braid run out, hear Caesar yelling 'Show them how you'll roll babe!', see that one short black French braid run out, and hear Hiro yelling, 'Own it babe!' I start laughing thinking about how cute they all are, feeling those knees on my back, and I exhale, happy he came.

He doesn't usually come to their games and I didn't ask him to come. He's actually supposed to be at the shelter working right now. I called the nursing home and told them I wasn't going today. But after school, when I was supposed to walk home alone because Huey was going to work and I wanted to go home to get ready for the game, I found him halfway to the entrance of the school. He had said he called Mr. Willis and said he wasn't going in today. I wanted to ask him if he was feeling sick but then he turned around and started walking towards the entrance of the school and I followed him. And really, I was happy he decided to not go to work. I had gotten this creepy feeling on my way out of class, like someone was following me. But when I saw Huey that feeling kind of went away. Then there's the Cairo thing, where every time I walk back to my desk after going to the restroom or getting up to talk to Ms. Reed I see him look at me. I don't even get mad anymore. It just kind of makes me feel bad, like I'm hurting his feelings even if I'm not doing anything. Okay, went off on a tangent. What was I thinking about? Oh yeah, why Huey's here. So I was happy to see Huey because that creepy feeling went away when I saw that figure walking up to me and I also stopped thinking about feeling bad about Cairo. Then, we walked home, I told him I was going home to get ready for the game and I'd tell him how it went when we all got home. I went home, took a shower, put on my red t-shirt, took care of my hair, put on my dark blue jeans, and my old burgundy converse. Then, I came downstairs and found him in my living room, reading one of my mom's books, dressed in that shirt and jeans. I walked up to him, he looked up, and put down that book. And then he did that thing he does sometimes where he looks me up, making me feel flushed with how he was looking at me and how cute he looked dressed like that, got to my buns, and before I could say anything he said, "Go change." I felt my eyebrow rise, smirked, and remembered we were alone because my mom was still at work and said she'd meet us at the game and my sister stayed at school with our friends to make sure they'd all be at the game an hour before it was supposed to start. And, I remembered I hadn't annoyed him at school all day calling him my bestie, and I said, "No. You like how I'm dressed so I'm not changing bestie." I saw those eyebrows lower, I laughed, felt that warm hand on my hip, wondering when he started touching me so much outside of his room, stopped laughing, smiled at that cute annoyed face, and I said, "And, I have to wear the team's colors but I'll take a sweater okay and only take it off if I'm hot or when we're back at home." He gave in pretty fast but then said he wanted to go get his LSAT book from his house. We went to get his book and then we all left to come meet Leo and everyone here. And now here we are with those knees touching my back and I'm sure that book on his lap, open and being read by that warm brain. And, I still don't know why he came, but I'm happy he did.

I look back out at the court, see all the girls on the team, see Sam and Miranda, and exhale remembering. My sister said Miranda hasn't tried kicking Sam off the team after she stopped telling her stuff about us and now Sam doesn't even hang out at the team's table. I see my sister, our friends, and Sam all huddle with the team, talking, and I exhale. Sam seems really happy now, always laughing with us when we bump into her and her girlfriend in the cafeteria. I hear that voice, loud enough that even I can hear, say, "Can you believe they let those kinds of people stay at this school. I mean they don't even try to hide it. Just walking around the school holding hands like it's okay." I inhale, feel those knees on my back, wondering if I'll slap her now or after the game, and then hear Grandad's voice say, "Cutie pie that the girl that scored the last shot at that last game?" I feel my eyes open, looking at Sam and remembering the last game Grandad came to. I look over at Grandad and say, "Yes Grandad. Sam got the last shot at the last game you came to." I see him exhale and he says, "Should'a bet Ruckus when the fool asked." I start laughing, hear everyone else laughing, and inhale, feeling that hand brush up against my back for a second, wondering how he did that.

I hear the announcer say, "Alright let's get the show on the road people! For the tip off we have Vanessa Landers from the jackrabbits and Cindy McPhearson from the Wolves!" I hear the cheering coming from Riley, look back at the court, and see all the players taking their positions around uncle Ruckus with my sister at the center, feeling my smile knowing she might not be team captain but the coach always gives her the tip off. I see uncle Ruckus talking to them, I'm sure about the rules. I hold my breath like all those times, pray to Santa or Black Jesus or whatever is listening out there that she gets it because I know how superstitious my little gangster sister is. I see uncle Ruckus bring the ball down and see that ball go up slowly, rotating up in the air, see it reach the tip of that arch, see those two hands, one that's small and strong and belongs to my little sister, feel myself bite my lower lip, and see that small strong hand go up higher than the other hand, feel my smile, see that hand touch that ball and knock it towards that long black braid, and remember how to breathe. I exhale, feel those knees move back, and know he was watching the tip off to and now he's going to start reading. That warm brain that doesn't know how much of a good person he is and cares that much about our friends that he didn't start reading until after the tip off.

I see that ball going from player to player on our team, get back to my sister, feel my smile seeing her inside that three point line, see her jump, see that flick of her wrists, the ball in midair, reminding me of that painting in her room, and see the ball go through the hoop, only touching the net. I start cheering, hearing everyone else, and hear our mom say, 'That's my baby!' I open my eyes, sit back down, wondering when I stood up, look up at the court, see my sister looking over here with that smirk for a second before moving back into the court to wait for the ball to be passed to her, and remember that I thought about Tom earlier. I know he was good to us when I was little, really little, like before Huey and Riley moved here. And then when they moved here, he was still good to us for a while but he had already started to not want to talk to me about my black culture. I think that's why I liked going to the Freemans' house with my parents so much, because my dad acted like my dad there. He was nice and even talked about being black when he was with them. But, I'm starting to think it was a kind of a show he put on, especially with the Freemans. I don't know. I feel that hand on my back again for a second, feel my face getting red, see Ming score the next two points for the team, hearing Caesar cheering for his babe, and know, just like what my friend left back in Ohio, it was nothing and it doesn't matter. What Tom was and why he started getting cold at home with mom and me was nothing and that's why it doesn't matter anymore. That's something Tom needs to figure out, not me. I look back at the court and see those two braids I love with all my heart, see her pass the ball to Lauren, and feel my smile seeing Lauren jump next to the hoop, see the flick of her wrists, and see the ball go into the hoop. I hear that cheering to my left, not knowing Hiro could be that loud, and hear him say, "That's my girl!" I smile, not remembering them all being this loud at the other games but this is a big game so I guess we're all excited.

Then I hear Caesar say, "Jazzy girl trade seats with my ass." I look over to my right, see Caesar looking at me, see he's moved a few inches closer to me, feel my eyebrow rise, and hear a girl's voice say, "Caesar why don't you wanna talk to us?" I look around those dreads, and exhale, seeing two of those girls that hang out at the popular tables sitting next to him with Ashley on the bleacher over them, all looking at Caesar. I roll my eyes, stand, and hear that monotone voice say, "Caes." I hear Caesar say, "Man Hu. You know I ain't as patient as your ass. You trade with my ass then."

Then I hear that warm voice of Ms. Lola's say, "Now Gretchen and Karen we do have a code of conduct at this school and I would expect both of you whose parents I see at every PTA meeting to be aware that that code is to be taken seriously by all students, including where it states that we should always respect other's personal space and let them enjoy school events without distracting them." I look over at those girls again, see them looking at Ms. Lola, see them exhale, and hear both of them say, "Yes Ms. Lola." I feel my smirk, knowing why the principal and vice principal both listen to Ms. Lola's advice. You just get this feeling that you need to respect her no matter who you are. I look up and see Ashley roll her eyes and I shake my head. Maybe not everyone gets that feeling. I hear Caesar's voice say, "Sit tiny one cuz Ms. Lola took care of it." I look down at him, see him smirking at me, smirk back, and sit back down in front of Huey, feeling those knees again. I hear the long exhale behind me, feel those knees move back, and know he's reading again.

I look back up at the score, know the game just started, there's still three quarters to go and things could change, but right now, because of those shots my sister and friends got, we're ahead. And, I remember I'm still thirsty. I look down for my water bottle, remember I had it when I was sitting where Huey's sitting now, turn around to look for it, and feel my eyes get big seeing Huey's jeans raised a bit from him sitting down. He likes wearing those original straight fit style jeans that are baggy but don't drag at the bottom. They always fit him just right and look really good with those converse he uses. But right now, I think because of how tall he is, how he had to pull his jeans up a little to be comfortable sitting in the low bleachers, his pants legs are up a little bit, and I can see those socks my little sister gave him for his birthday. This is also the first day he's wearing those new converse. I exhale, feeling my heart swell. He's wearing those socks and I think decided to wear those converse for the first time today maybe to give my sister and Riley, who I can hear cheering on my little sister right now, good luck. I wonder if he'll let me help him this weekend. Focus Jazmine.

I see my water bottle behind that foot with the red sock, put my hand behind it, grab it, turn around, take that drink, and smile, seeing Sam score that two point shot. Ahead of the game, all of us wearing the team's colors, and my bestie wearing those socks and shoes. It's going to be a good game.

I look up at the score. Ninety-two to eighty-nine. We're ahead by three points. And it's the last quarter. It's been almost an hour and a half with all those fouls, some breathers, and a few clock stoppages. I look back down at the court and see my sister sitting down, drinking water, with Lauren sitting down next to her. I exhale, look over, and see Ming and Sam talking about two feet away. They needed this breather. They all look tired. I look over and see Miranda and the coach talking a few feet away from Ming and Sam. I shake my head. They were doing so good, staying on top of them, and then she had to do that. I look back up at the clock and see it's almost over. Hopefully what happened doesn't hurt our team. I look over at my sister, see Lauren's hand on her back, knowing they all scored a lot of points but my sister scored the most and she has to be tired the most. I feel my smile knowing she's so talented.

I look back to the court and see uncle Ruckus and the two other referees talking, trying to figure out how they're going to make that call. I see uncle Ruckus flailing his arms, wondering why he looks mad. I see him stop, nod, and walk back to the student that's holding the microphone. He grabs the microphone and I hear him say, "After careful deliberations, the two white referees, who helping cuz my re-vitiligo makes it hard for me to move so fast, decided that was a foul and." I close my eyes. No. I hear the booing from our side, remembering that game where he gave Riley the technical foul and I yelled that it was bullshit, feeling like I want to do that right now even if mom is raising us to not curse and Leo, Ms. Lola, and Grandad are all here. I hear uncle Ruckus continue, "Now calm down ya'll white folks. I ain't the one that called it. It was these two white men that know the rules and be here from that school with all the little vanilla-colored children." I open my eyes, look at the other two referees, and inhale, seeing them talking to the coach from the other team. I hear uncle Ruckus say, "And we addin' ten seconds to the clock." I stand up, hear the words coming out my mouth, "That's some old bullshit!," feel those hands on my hips pull me back down, feel the seat under my butt again, those hands move up to my shoulders, and feel myself shaking. They're cheating. I know it. They're giving that foul just because Miranda did a stupid move and pushed that girl on the other team after that girl touched her. Miranda was wrong. She shouldn't have done that but that girl did touch her, but now they're giving the other team an extra ten seconds when the game was almost over. That gives them enough time to make a few shots to get ahead before the game ends. No.

I hear Riley's voice saying, "That's bullshit Ruckus! Take that damn call back!" I look to my left and see Riley standing, looking mad, with Hiro sitting and looking down with his fists over his knees. I hear Caesar say, "The hell man! That's 'nough time to let them win you piece of shit!" I look to my right and see Caesar sitting like Hiro is but looking out at the court. I look out, see my sister looking down, and know she's tired. No. My little sister. And this is their rival team. I know we lost to this team last year but that's before my sister and our friends joined the team. I see that pretty blonde head move up, see those blue eyes look at me, see her smile tiredly at me, and I mouth, 'Love you sissy'. I see her nod, see her stand, and hear a warm strong voice say, "That's my girl! Go wolves!" I feel my smile, see my little sister's eyes follow something to my left, see her smile at our 'pops', see her inhale, cup her hands around her mouth, and hear her yell in that sweet deep voice, "Wolves eat rabbits all damn day! Go wolves!" I smile, feel the energy, and hear Riley's voice yell, "All fucken day! We own this shit! Go wolves!" I see my little sister look over at Riley and see her blush from here. I look over at Riley, see he took off that jacket and I can see the white wife beater he's wearing, see those muscles on him, wonder when he got them, hear a few girls nearby say, 'Damn baby', and I shake my head at them. I see Riley look back at my mom, hear him say, "Sorry Ms. S," and see him sit back down. I laugh, seeing how cute he is with my mom, feel those warm hands leave my shoulders, and smile, hearing the rest of our side cheering our team on.

I look back out at the court, see my sister and friends huddled with the team, and swallow, knowing I want water right now but I can't miss anything. I see them all move away, see them take their positions again with my sister and Ming at the front blocking the other team, and see that girl, the one that tried taking the ball from my sister at the tip off and then touched Miranda, standing outside of the court and holding the ball. I see her look at my sister, squint her eyes, and see her throw the ball over my sister. I shake my head, knowing she's trying to start war with C-Murder, see that ball going over my sister's head, see those two braids turn, see one of the girls on the other team grab the ball, dribble it, see her pass the ball to her left and see Sam steal the ball, start dribbling it, and hear the cheering from our side.

I look up at the clock, see it's at twelve seconds with that extra ten seconds they got, look back down, and see Miranda has the ball now. She throws the ball, and that girl, Vanessa, steals it. No. I see her pass it to another girl on their team, see that girl shoot the ball inside the three point line, see the ball in midair, and see it go into the hoop. I close my eyes. No. No. No. They're tied now. I open my eyes, look back at the clock, see there's still nine seconds, look back down at the court, and see my sister's outside the court holding the ball. She throws the ball to Ming, Ming dribbles it, spins, passes it to Lauren, and I feel my smile knowing how fast our team is. I see Lauren dribble it, pass it to Miranda, hear a few groans, wondering if everyone's seen just how bad Miranda's been playing this game, see Miranda throw it towards Sam, and see that girl again steal it. No. I hear a few curse worse from the guys, see that girl pass it to that same girl that threw that three pointer, feel myself move forward, feel that warm hand on my back, and see that girl's covered and can't shoot. She throws it back towards that girl Vanessa and I see those two braids I love steal the ball. I feel myself stand, hear the cheering, she dribbles it, but she's not able to take a shot at the hoop. She throws it to Lauren that's closer to the hoop, hear the cheering from our side, and I look up at the clock and see we have four seconds. I look back down, see the ball go to Ming, see Ming throw the ball back to my sister, see that girl covering my sister, see that girl shoulder my sister, feel my foot move forward to go beat her for touching my little sister, and feel those warm hands on my hips not letting me move forward. I see my sister use that push to her shoulder to spin around and behind that girl. I see my sister jump, flick her wrists, throw the ball, feel my eyes open, and see that ball in midair.

I hear the announcer saying something like 'this will determine the entire season', feeling those warm hands on my hips squeeze, wondering if he knows he's doing that in public, even if everyone's looking at the game, that shrieking voice saying something like 'told you best we'd do is tie', and see that ball go through the hoop, only touching the net, followed by that loud horn signaling that the game's ended. 'Nothing but net' my sister and Riley would say. And that's how they won.

I can't help it and start jumping up and down, cheering with our side of the gym, feeling those warm hands leaving my hips, and hearing the guys all yelling, 'That's the shit C-Murph!', 'That's right homie!', and 'Damn shit Cin!'. I start laughing, seeing my little sister being carried by the team, getting all that attention she doesn't like because she only likes people being scared of her, seeing that cute red face on her, and feel myself sit down, sitting back on those strong knees and wondering how tired my little, beautiful, talented sister has to be.

I say, "You know, this kind of makes my sister the MVP of our little group Riley. How do you feel about that?" I put my hand up to his face, holding my hand in a fist to his mouth like it's a microphone. I see him smirk down at me and wonder if he's as tall as Huey now. I see him look forward, stretch his arms over his head, bring them down behind his head, crossing them behind his head, and lean his head back.

I see him look back down at me with that Riley Freeman smirk and he says, "Jazzy now you knows I'm still MVP of this damn school and our crew. Shit and C-Murph only that damn good cuz of ma ass practicing with her every damn weekend." I feel my eyebrow rise, feel my smirk, and I say, "You sure it's not the other way around and the reason why you're so good and your team's been undefeated this year to is because you've been practicing with each other on the weekends and any other time you can since we were like ten?" I see that smirk start to become that smile that we get to see whenever we all talk about money, cars, or fast food, and he says, "Don't be talking shit crazy ass Jazzy or I'ma put your tiny ass in a luggage and send your ass back to Chi-Town." I smile, bring down my hand, look forward, see that we've passed the concession stands and should be passing the visitor's locker room soon, and I say, "As long as you send Huey, my mom, my sis, my friends, and you come along to, you can send me to Aunt Cookie's anytime." I hear his laugh that's louder than any other laugh I know and I hear him say, "Shit. C-Murph ain't going near Chi-Town without ma ass. Shit. Almost killed a few at that damn airport." I laugh, hearing him laugh with me.

Then I hear him say, "Jazzy, gotta ask you some'ing." I look up at him again, see him inhale, and he says, "You think, you know, none of that shit matters to C-Murph?" I stop, see him take another step, see him stop and look back at me, with that look. I feel my small smile, knowing they both do that. Both him and Huey have that look of vulnerability.

I exhale and say, "Have you told her about them?" I see him exhale, look down, and nod. I ask, "And what did she say?" I see him inhale, look back up at me, and he says, "That she 'on't care about that fucked up family and 'bout how they live, that she just cares she didn't meet ma folks. You know, that she just." I see him stop, exhale, and say quieter, "Wants ma ass to be happy and not think 'bout their asses. But." I see him inhale, look away from me, and he says, "How can she say that shit, like none of that even matter? Shit, we fucked up cuz of them, maybe will be fucked up for a long fucken minute. And I 'on't know. Maybe, even if she can't see it, seeing her tonight, I'm just thinking, you know, maybe, she deserves you know, more and shit, least more than being with someone with such a fucked up family you know." I feel my eyes open, remembering that night they went on their first date, seeing how similar they are, not just in how they talk and how they can make anyone laugh, but maybe also in how they think about themselves and those people they think they come from. And, I know Huey and I are older than them, not by a lot, but by a little. I'm older than my sister by three months and Huey's older than Riley by just a little over a year, where for only two months out of the year Huey's older than Riley by two years. Huey turned sixteen last week and Riley will be turning fifteen in two months. But, we're still older than them. And maybe they both do that, turn to us because we are a little older. But, I also don't want to force anything onto them and I don't want to tell them how to or if they should have a relationship with each other.

I exhale and say, "Riley." I see those burgundy eyes that only the lineage that comes from Grandad have look back at me, and I say, "Then why don't you tell her how you feel about this and let her decide what she wants? I know one thing that Grandad taught you both is to be gentleman and." I stop, seeing that smirk, shake my head, smile at him, and say, "And that means being honest with whoever you're with okay. So, just be honest about how you feel and if it's not meant to be, because she thinks or you think you both deserve or want something else, then you two can decide what you wanna do, if you wanna be with each other or not. And I promise to always see you as my annoying little brother and she will always be my sister." I see that long exhale from him, know he's thinking with that gangster artistic mind of his, see him purse his lips, something really rare for him, and he says, "A'ight Jazzy. I'll do that shit. But cuz you said that and cuz you reminded ma ass you are like ma lil sis, I gotta tell you som'ing else."

I feel my eyebrow rise, see him inhale, and he says, "You knows we seen other girls." I feel my mouth open, close it, and nod, not sure if I want to know more. I see him exhale, look away again, and he says, "I ain't wanting you to say shit to McHater 'bout this a'ight." I see him look back at me, I nod, not sure what we're talking about right now, and he says, "I'm damn sure, knowing his ass cuz he ma only brother, he saw them, did whatever the fuck he did, but didn't get you know, close and shit."

I blink, once, twice, and say, "What do you mean close?" I see him exhale, roll his eyes, like it should be obvious to me, look back at me, and he says, "Like all that gay shit Jazzy. You know, like emotions and all that crap." I blink, trying to understand, see him exhale, and he says, "I'm trying to tell your ass Jazzy that we both didn't get close to them, for sure I knows none of them knew about ma family or Chi-Town or any of that shit, and I'm damn sure, knowing his punk ass, he ain't tell them shit to." I feel my lips purse, knowing I knew there were other girls, but not sure why he's bringing them up, and I say, "Okay, but why does it matter that you guys didn't get close to them Riley?"

I see him roll his eyes again and I start feeling dumb, thinking maybe I'm just not smart enough to get what he's trying to say. I see him inhale and he says, "It matters Jazzy cuz we could've gotten close to their asses, tol' them 'bout at least Chi-Town, some'ing about that time, but we didn't." I see him look at me, waiting for my response I think. I nod and say, "Okay Riley." I see him close his eyes and hear him mumble, "Smart like his dumb ass but don't get simple ass shit." I open my mouth to insult him, but then close it, seeing him open his eyes and squint them at me. He exhales and says, "I'ma say this shit cuz like his ass your tiny ass only see shit when it hits you in your big ass forehead. Jazzy, McHater and I had girls, ain't sure how many, but me for sure, some, and if he like me, coming from the same damn family and being raised by the same people, then I knows he never let them girls get close, didn't say shit to them 'bout any of that fucked up shit, cuz we always knew they didn't need to know cuz those girls ain't staying, and I think, we knew if it weren't you two, it was just gonna be girl after girl, playing ball and going through ammo, him reading and learning his Karate shit, and we were cool with that."

I feel my mouth open, not believing I just heard that. Did Riley just tell me that Huey and he didn't get close to other girls they were seeing because they were waiting for my sister and me and if it wasn't us, then they were okay just never being close to girls, just playing basketball, reading, training, not really ever getting close to girls, women? I see that Freeman eyebrow rise, feel my smile, and I say, "Thanks Riley." I see him look away, exhale, and mumble, "All them damn books and plant food and can't get simple shit."

I roll my eyes and say, "Fine. I get it. Sorry I can be a little slow but Riley." I see him look back at me and I say, "Remember to tell her how you feel okay and let her decide but do me a favor." I see that eyebrow rise again, I exhale, and I say, "Tell her what you just told me because I'm not going to." I see that blush on those cheeks, see him smirk, look away from me, and he says, "I'll think 'bout it a'ight." I smile and say, "Okay. Now let's go get that MVP and our friends so we can all go eat." I see him look back at me with that smile that I hope is always around protecting my little sister, no matter what they are, boyfriend and girlfriend, best friends, or just friends, see him turn around and start walking again.

I walk up to him and see we're about to pass the visitor's locker room. I exhale, happy we won tonight, even if those referees were cheating, giving more time to that team, and that team was playing dirty by touching our team. I inhale, hoping I don't ever see that girl or I might slap her.

I hear a girl and a guy talking, almost yelling, from the visitor's locker room, and I look at Riley. I see him look at me confused, shrug his shoulders, and look forward, as we keep walking, passing those doors. Then I hear that girl say, "So what! You into niggers now to!" I inhale, hear the inhale next to me, and we keep walking. I exhale, happy Riley's a lot calmer now and doesn't just rush into things.

We finally pass those doors and I hear that guy's voice say, "I was just looking babe! Fuck! I mean I told your ass! I used to punk her ass for being the half monkey looking nigger she was!" I close my eyes, remembering those names, how that was one of the nicer names, hear that exhale behind me, open my eyes, and see that Riley isn't next to me anymore. I look back, see that he's just standing there, a foot away from those doors, and I can see he's shaking. No. I walk up to him and I say, "Riley. I know who that is. Huey already took care of him a long time ago. Let's go okay." I see him squint his eyes at me. I exhale and say, "Middle school Riley. First day you guys got there." I see his eyes open and then hear a slap, followed by the sound of doors opening. No.

I see Riley turn around and I step next to him, as those doors swing shut, with Chase on the floor in front of us and a big red mark on his cheek. I see him open his eyes, blink, look up at me, and see him look me up. I inhale, knowing I want him to give me a reason, a chance to slap him, punch him square in the face, flip him over, wait for him to get up, and then drop kick him hard, for all those names, every single one of them. I hear Riley say, "Don't be looking at my lil sis like that fucker or I'll beat you worse than my brother did back in middle school you punk ass bitch." I see that jerks mouth open and I hear the doors open. I look up and I close my eyes, seeing her. Great. I hear that girl say, "Shit. Well here you go. You want the half nigger. Fucken have her." I open my eyes, see red, knowing no one calls anyone that word while I'm around, push Riley back, move up to her, see her eyes open, and say to her face, "Call me that one more time and I will twist your wrist so hard you will not play for several months. So, please, say it again." All I see is Tom saying that word and I don't know why. That's all I see right now. And, I see this girl, that called me that name like she says it every day. I exhale, see that girl's eyes squint, and see her open her mouth. I crack my knuckles, getting ready to twist that arm back, see her eyes open, and see her mouth close.

I feel a hand on my shoulder, feel a pull back, and step back, next to Riley again. I hear a groan, look back down at Chase, see him get up, and feel my smirk seeing he's shorter than Huey. I see him look at me, remember all those times I cried in 6th grade because he had targeted me and was bullying me, calling me those names, just because I was half black, even if I was a girl and he was bigger than me, how because he did it, it made it okay for other kids to do it, and even when some of them got tired of bullying me, he never did, how even after Huey defended me that day, he still showed up to the cafeteria every day and looked at us from the entrance, hoping Huey wouldn't be there that day, and how happy I was that Huey never missed school. I feel my eyes open. Huey never missed school. And, he was sick a couple of times, had good reasons to miss school on some days, like when he wanted to go see Shabazz that one weekend but Grandad said he could only take him during the week that time and the next time he would be able to take him on a weekend would be in a few weeks. Huey still didn't miss school. He just waited to go see Shabazz when Grandad could take him on a weekend. I blink. I think Huey didn't miss school to protect me. Even when all we were was just best friends and I was still maybe just his annoying neighbor, he still didn't miss school during middle school for those two years, just to protect me. I feel my smile, blink, and remember this jerk.

I exhale and say, "We don't go to the same school anymore and I don't ever have to see you again, unless it's for rival games, so I don't care what you think about me you jerk." I look back at that girl, see her squinting her eyes at me, and I say, "And don't you ever touch my sister again, pushing your shoulder into her like that. That was a dumb move and it only helped in making your team lose." I hear Riley in that serious voice again say, "And that shoulder you hit was ma girl's and if I see your asses near Jazmine or Cindy, doing shit that ain't 'bout playing a fucken clean game, I will find your asses, and I couldn't give two shits if you white, female, a racist son of bitch or a racist bitch. I will find you and I will fucken kill you." I hear them both inhale and hear that girl say, "Is that a threat?"

I look back at her and I say, "Vanessa Landers right?" I see her lift her chin, feel my smirk, and I say, "That's a threat coming from my family after your boyfriend for years and now you called me a name that's racist and makes me feel threatened. I can also talk about all the other stuff your boyfriend called me in middle school. How he bullied a girl that was smaller than him and could not defend herself back then. And I'm sure my mom, who I'm sure your boyfriend remembers, who knows a lot about how laws work, will help me if you try anything." I see her purse her lips and I hear that guy say, "Damn Jazmine. What happened to your ass?" I look over at him, see him looking at me, know that look he's trying to give me without making it too obvious, roll my eyes, turn to Riley, and I say, "You're girlfriend slash my little sister is more important than these two." I see him exhale, see his eyebrow rise, see him look back at Chase, and he says, "'Member what I tol' you, you punk ass bitch." I hear the inhale from Chase and hope he either remembers Huey's punches and assumes his brother can fight to or he's just not as dumb as he used to be. I hear him exhale and I feel my smirk.

I see Riley turn back to me, see that smirk of his, see him turn away from those two, and I turn to, as we keep walking towards the home locker room, hearing that racist jerk and his girlfriend continue arguing, quiet enough we can't hear it.

Finally. I push the door open and I say, "Okay, I'll go get my sis and the girls. Just wait here." I step inside the girl's locker room and hear him say from behind that door, "Hurry it up Jazzy befor' I go and beat the crap outta that racist piece of shit." I feel my smirk and walk towards the back where I know the restrooms are and they might be after their showers. Hopefully they're almost done and we can make it to the pizza place they all like downtown.

I start walking through the locker room with the gray wall to my right, seeing that it's kind of creepy being in here when it's not full of girls coming and going from gym class. I feel my smile, knowing, she's the MVP tonight, ignorant people don't matter, and Riley just told me how special she is to him and I hope I am to Huey. Then, I feel my eyes open, hearing a voice say, "Why not Cin!" I inhale, start running towards the back, and hear Ming's voice say, "You're a piece of shit Miranda! The fuck's wrong with you!" I turn that left and feel myself exhale seeing my sister behind Lauren and Ming, but feel my eyes squint seeing my sister looking down, focused, with her mouth closed. Why is she looking at the floor like that? Something's wrong. I look over to the left, see some of the other girls on the team and Sam, and then more to the left, I see Miranda standing there, with her eyebrows lowered and pursed lips, looking at Ming.

I ask, "What's going on?" I hear an inhale, look over at my sister, and see her look at me with those big dark blue eyes, dry and scared. I see her take those small steps towards me, looking at me with those big eyes, see her get to me, see her hair is still a little wet, see her lift those arms that have to be tired, and I inhale, feeling her hug me around my torso, putting her face in my neck. I put my arms around her small frame, and I say, "Sissy what's wrong?" I feel her exhale, feel her squeeze me, and hear her say into my neck, "She, she, I 'on't know Jazzy. And Riles." I feel something wet on my neck, like tears, inhale, look up at Miranda, and see her smirking at me. I close my eyes, remembering she's on the team, and I cannot hurt her.

I hear Ming's voice say, "Sam. Get 'em out." I breathe, knowing my sister needs me to be calm and I need to find out what's happening. I hear Sam say, "Everyone out. And no one say anything about this or it could back get to the coach." I hear some 'Okays' and then steps moving away. Then I hear Sam's voice say, "Miranda, we're not even okay anymore. Don't talk to me outside of practice and games." I hear some steps coming towards me, feel a hand on my shoulder and hear Sam say, "Take care of her."

I open my eyes and see Ming and Lauren in the same place, looking at Miranda, squinting their eyes at her. I look over at Miranda and see she's still looking at me with that smirk I want to slap for some reason. I exhale and say, "What happened?" I hear an exhale, look over at Ming, and I hear her say, "This bitch fucken kissed her." I inhale, look back at Miranda, see her still smirking at me, and she says, "And now she gotta tell her boyfriend that she kissed a girl and see if he can handle that with how much of a guy he is and how I heard he used to call everything he didn't like gay." I feel another tear on my neck, knowing she's not ashamed but it's hard for her because she's always been really private about that stuff. I hear Lauren say, "Don't be stupid Miranda. Riley won't care." I see Miranda inhale and feel my smirk, knowing it happened because Lauren said his name. I hear Ming say, "Shit Miranda. The fuck you thinking? That just cuz you walked up to her in the fucken locker room and rushed her, when her ass was tired from a fucken game that she had to save after all your fucken mistakes, anyone, shit, her fucken man gonna believe she actually wanted to kiss your ass?" I see Miranda look away, smirk, and I hear her say, "It doesn't matter as long he knows it happened that'll be enough to hurt his player reputation where he'll let her go and she can finally have a choice."

I inhale and say, "Miranda." I see her look up at me and see her lift her chin like that last girl down the hallway and know I am slapping someone tonight. I exhale and I say, "She's always had a choice. But now, after you kissed her when she didn't want it, I'm telling you right now, I will never let her be with you." I see her squint her eyes at me and she says, "You have no say in that when you're not even her real sister." I inhale, feel the shaking of her small body, and I say, "Sissy, let me go because I need to beat her." All I see now is my little sister, hugging me, her small, strong body shaking, knowing this dumb girl doesn't know her, doesn't know what she's been through in her home life, her relationships, and how happy she is now.

I hear Lauren say, "You're so stupid Miranda saying that because for sure our Cindy will never be with you now." I close my eyes, trying to relax because I want to get her out of here, away from this girl, and I hear Ming say, "I promise you Miranda, you know jack shit, and you just fucken proved it."

I hear myself say, "Sissy, I know you, I know what you've been through, and I'm not letting another person hurt you. Please, let me go and go outside so I can take care of this." I feel her long exhale with the shaking, feel her nod into my neck, feel her pull away, and I look at those watery eyes, just like at the party at this dumb girl's house. I see her exhale, looking at me, see her blink, thinking, reminding me of Riley five minutes ago, see her step back, wipe those tears away, see her turn back to that girl, and she says, "I just fucken cried you stupid bitch cuz I don't fucken like people touching ma ass without me wanting it you piece of shit."

I put my hand on her shoulder, feel her relax, and I hear Miranda say, "But Cin, just give me one chance. I'm not asking you to be my girlfriend, just a date, anything. I know you liked me last year a little. I promise, that kiss, it'll be better. Everything will be better with me. I can treat you the way you deserve, taking you anywhere you want. I know what you're used to and I can give you all of that. And I promise, I know you haven't been with a girl before but I swear." I close my eyes and start laughing, not hearing anything else she's saying. Oh my god, Black Jesus, or Santa.

I hear our other two friends laughing and I hear Miranda say, "The hell are you laughing at!" I feel my little sister grab my hand, open my eyes, see her smirking at me, and I exhale, happy to see that smirk. I see her look back at that girl, see her chin rise, and I hear her say, "Ma sis and our friends are laughing at your dumbass cuz you don't fucken know me." I hear Lauren say, trying to stop laughing, "Where'd you even hear that stuff from. Got some bad info." I hear Ming say, "Shit. Yeah whoever the fuck said that shit was having fun with your fucken ass."

I exhale, feeling my smirk, look back at Miranda, see her looking at my sister with squinted eyes, and she says, "Cin. I know you. Just give me," but my sister cuts her off with, "No." I look back at my sister, see her exhale, look down, shake her head, and I hear her say quieter, "Can't fucken believe I even thought he even care. I know his ass. And I knows what I am." I feel that squeeze on my hand, feel her hand leave mine, and I bring down my hand.

I hear my sister say, "You don't gotta know shit about ma ass Miranda but I'ma tell you right now, you don't fucken know me. I don't need no fucken shit you think I need. And you don't know who I been with." I hear Miranda say, "But Cin," but my sister cuts her off again with, "And I aint' fucken done so shut the fuck up!"

I hear a voice say, "Cin, the fucks happening?" I exhale, see Miranda inhale, and see her look over my sister with that look again she gave him at that party, where I wanted to slap her the first time. I hear my sister exhale, I look back at her, and see Riley's standing behind her now. I see him put his hand on her shoulder, see my little sister put her hand over his, and feel my smile hoping, even though I told him what I told him in the hallway, that they stay being more than best friends. I hear an inhale and hear Miranda say, "Cin and I kissed."

I hear another inhale and I hear Riley say, "Fuck you and what you gotta say. I hear it from her. And if shit did happen and you fucken touched her and she." I hear him stop, look over at him, see him looking down at my sister's head, reminding me of how much taller he is than her, and I hear him say, "She a'ight with that, then I'll let her go." I hear an inhale, look down at my sister, see her eyes are open, looking at the ground, and I hear Riley continue, "But if she ain't a'ight with whatever the fuck you did then you being a fucken female won't stop ma ass from getting to you."

I hear that sweet deep voice say, "Riles, you betta than that shit. Member how family raised you." I hear him inhale, see my sister look back up at Miranda, and she says, "Last thing I'ma ever say to your ass is that no one, not one fucken person, ever, ever fucken rushed ma ass cuz," I see Riley move up, step in front of my sister, see my sister grab one of his hands with both of hers, see him take another step, and I hear her yell, "Aunt Cookie Riley!" I see him stop, feeling my eyes bug out, not knowing anyone, other than Huey, could stop Riley when he's like that, when he has that look. I've seen Huey and Riley fight, really fight, where I saw how mad Riley was and nothing, not me, Grandad, or anyone else could stop him from lunging himself at Huey. That's the look he had right now. The look he's had those times when no one could stop him from running towards Huey even if Huey had already dropped kicked him a few times and they both had Riley's blood and Huey's sweat on their shirts. But I guess my little sister is one thing that can stop him even when he has that look.

I see my sister step in front of Riley, not being able to see her body anymore because he's that much bigger than her, and I hear her say in that C-Murder voice, "No one ever done that shit cuz I ain't never met anyone as fucken stupid as you thinking I deserve anything but respect and fear you stupid bitch. And if you can't fucken show me that then I 'on't fucken wanna see your face ever again. You ain't ma friend and you barely a fucken captain to this team and if I ever am single again, I ain't gonna be looking for your ass, cuz I only want the best and you ain't even close to what I got. So, fuck off!"

I hear an inhale and hope this is the end of this because my sister doesn't deserve anyone messing with her happiness.

I hear Ming's voice say, "Don't come near our girl again dumb bitch and hope the coach don't find out 'bout the shit you pulled today or you might fucken lose your shiny fucken title." I hear that inhale again and then I hear Lauren's voice say, "Leave Miranda. Now."

I hear an inhale, then an exhale, see Miranda move to the side, walk up to me, look at me squinting her eyes, and pass me, hearing her footsteps get fainter until I hear the door to the locker room shut.

I exhale and then hear Riley's voice say, "You'll, we need a minute." I exhale again, look up at our friends, see them grabbing their gym bags and their backpacks, and walk up to me. I turn with them towards the corner where I made that left and start walking towards it to get to the doors, not looking back at my sister and Riley, knowing things always work out in the end.

I kiss her forehead, lay back down, and I say, "You wanna talk sis?" I feel that arm come across my chest, feel her forehead on my shoulder, and I hear her say, "Love you sissy." I smile and I say, "I love you to."

I hear her exhale, feel that arm move away, feel her head move, that hair I love going down my arm, and I hear her say, "I never wanted to tell no one, you know, cuz that shit ma business." I exhale and I say, "I know sis. And you don't ever have to. You don't have to tell anyone about any of that stuff. Remember, that's your life and only if you want people to know they'll know." I hear her long exhale, see those stars, smile at how they make me think about her, and I hear her say, "I 'on't know. Never thought it was weird you know, like that I liked girls and guys. I just, you know, just did, and I ain't think there was nothing wrong with it, just didn't wanna tell no one. Just you." I feel my smile seeing those stars still shine a little even after all these years, and I say, "And I only felt okay telling you about the boys I liked and then the ones I thought were cute." I hear her snicker and hear her say, "Funniest shit is I tol' your ass to just tell them and they'd all date you but you never wanted to." I feel my smirk and I say, "Yeah, I remember, but you know I was too shy and I kind of, I don't know, I think I kind of was hoping, someday, something would happen with Huey."

I hear her exhale and hear her say quieter, "That's why I waited." I exhale, knowing, and I say, "I know sissy and." I stop, inhale, and say, "It kind of seems like the wait was worth it." I feel her moving, feel my smile, knowing she wants to laugh out loud, and I hear her say, "Damn shit it was." I feel that arm come across my chest, feel that forehead on my shoulder again, and I hear her say, "Can't believe he wanted to know all that shit. Like all that shit."

I feel my smirk and I say, "Kind of seemed like it went okay afterwards." I hear her laugh into my shoulder and I laugh with her. Then I hear her say, "Yeah. He was just you know, alright with all that. Shit. Didn't even bother his ass. So, after I tol' him, we walked out, met you'll and just ate, just feeling like everything was alright you know." I exhale, feel my eyebrow rise, and I say, "So you really told him about everything? Even Marie?" I feel that arm leave my chest again, look over at her, see those blue eyes that are bright and pretty right now in my dark room staring up at the ceiling, and I hear her say, "Tol' him 'bout Nikita and Janet to." I feel my smile and my other eyebrow rise, see those eyes turn to me, and I hear her say, "So now that stubborn ass guy, with the fucken ego the size of fucken Ed's house, knows I kissed a girl befor' his ass and liked two other girls, never been in a real relationship, and he be the first, and now his ego's probably bigger than fucken Chi-Town."

I start laughing, put my head back on my pillow, hear her laughing, feel her head on my shoulder, and I hear her say, "Well, I thought with the shit that happen tonight I kissed two girls but his ass kept telling me it just been one." I inhale, turn to her, put my arm over her chest, hold her, and I say, "He's right." I feel her chest move up and down and hear her say, "But Jazzy, it fucken happen," but I cut her off saying, "If Mark would've kissed me, would it have counted as my first kiss?" I hear her inhale, feel her small, strong hands grab my arm, and I hear her say, "That different Jazzy," but I cut her off again with, "No. It's not sis. It's the same thing. You never flirted with her like I never flirted with him, never made them think it was okay for them to do that, and you even have a boyfriend and she still did that. So no, that kiss or whatever it was that happened was not a kiss. It's what mom's told us is sexual assault. So no, it was not a kiss okay."

I feel her hands hold my arm tighter, hear her exhale, and then hear her say in that small voice, "So I still good for him?" I feel my eyes open and I say, "Of course sis. Don't be thinking you did anything wrong. She did. You didn't cheat or lie or do anything to hurt your relationship okay." I hear her exhale, see those blue eyes blink, looking at the ceiling, and I hear her say, "He said he wants ma ass to sleep over tomorrow like normal and he wants to talk and shit. Didn't tell me 'bout what but it kinda felt like it was 'bout something else, not 'bout the shit that happen tonight. But, if we do talk, I think I'ma tell his ass the truth." I feel my eyebrow rise and I ask, "What do you mean the truth sis?" I hear her exhale, inhale, and hear her say, "That wa happen tonight, it reminds me of those people, how her trifling ass was always bringing home guys from that fucken country club, how I felt fucken dirty being her fucken kid, and how I don't wanna feel like I'm ever like her hoe ass ever. But you know, never wanted to bring up that shit cuz of you know." I exhale and say, "The first game." I hear exhale longer and hear her whisper, "Never wanted to say nothing 'bout her hoe ass cuz everything they said was fucken true and I just didn't wanna make him feel you know fucked up for just saying the fucken truth you know. But, with all this shit. I 'on't know. Just feel like I gotta tell him I never wanna be like that trifling hoe and hope his ass don't think about that game."

I exhale, looking at those eyes staring at the ceiling, realizing how much I love her, how much I wanted to protect her tonight, wanting to get her away from that girl so I could beat her for touching my sister, how much my sister doesn't completely need me and was able to take care of herself tonight, defend herself. But, looking at those eyes that have always made me laugh and feel happy inside, that just like Riley and Huey, and maybe everyone else in my life, I can't make them feel the way I want them to feel, happy and safe all the time, seeing the positive, the good things about this world. I can't make Huey feel like that just because I feel a good person like him should feel like that all the time. I can't make Riley see that the family they came from doesn't mean anything to my talented and beautiful sister and she likes him for whatever reasons she does. I couldn't make mom see that she was always the best parent I could've ever wanted no matter how long she stayed with Tom. And right now, I can't make my sister see she's nothing like those people, that woman, she lived with that were horrible with her. I don't know. But I know I can't make her see what I see, that she's a big bright light that's warm and squishy inside and she's nothing like her. All I can do is love her and hope she sees that one day. And if that means her telling Riley that that dumb girl kissing her tonight makes her feel like that woman that called herself her mom and bringing up a day when they weren't friends yet and Riley hurt my sister's feelings in a game, than I have to let her do that. I have to let her talk to him or anyone about anything, no matter how much I think that woman doesn't matter, my sister is nothing like her, and she doesn't have to bring up how on that first day Riley and she met he said things that were maybe true. I have to let her.

I exhale and lay my head back down, keeping my arm over her chest, feeling her hands still grabbing my arm, not letting me go. I say, "Okay sis. Just know, you're my everything, always." I hear her exhale and hear her say, "I wanna put some new sticky stars up there and I want us to do that shit to ma room to." I move up, kiss her cheek, lay back down, and I say, "Okay sissy. Anything."

I squeeze that small frame even though I know she's still a little sore from last night's game, exhale, pull away, look at those clear big blue eyes, and I say, "You're my everything and you are my one and only sister."

You're not like those people you lived with and you're my bright light and he knows that and I love you and you don't have to bring up things that could hurt you or him. I want to say it all to her but right now she just needs to go up that staircase and tell Riley whatever she wants to tell him and I need to let her make her own decisions.

I see that smile that belongs to mom and me, reminding me how she is the prettiest girl I know, see her nod, exhale, and turn towards that staircase. I see those blue eyes focus on that first step and I see her take that first step up.

I exhale, turn to my left towards Huey's room, and start walking, knowing even though it feels like I'm letting my little sister go, not telling her what I want her to say or do or not say or not do, she's my age, she's in a relationship, and everything always works out.

I walk up the door and feel my eyes open, hearing music, music I'm not used to coming from his room. I get to the door and before I can knock, I hear the words, "Now that you've realized the pride's arrived, We got to pump the stuff to make us tough, From the heart, It's a start, A work of art, To revolutionize make a change nothing's strange, People, People we are the same, No we're not the same, 'Cause we don't know the game, What we need is awareness, We can't get careless."

I exhale, knowing he does like music but doesn't talk about it, kind of like a lot of things he likes. And I know, feeling my heart skip, the last time I heard him listening to music was that day, the first day of my lemonade stand, when he had that boombox and was listening to this song. That was the last time. And, he was walking to my house to hang out with me on that hot day when he doesn't like warm weather. I can't help but smile thinking that song reminds me of that February he saved me from Ed Wuncler. And, I want to hear that song in there with him.

I knock on that door, know that book is being put down on that bed, those clean toes are on that carpet now, those calves are walking towards the door, hear the music stop, hear the doorknob turn, and feel that warmth from that little heater.

I see those toes, those strong calves, those blue shorts, wondering how many basketball shorts he has, go up, see that plain black shirt that makes him look really cute, those shoulders I want to put my hands on right now, and those lips. I see those lips move and I hear him say, "In or out Jazmine?" I roll my eyes, see that smirk, see him move to let me pass, and I walk into that warm room.

I take off my shoes, happy I brought my slip on pink converse today, hear the door being closed behind me, turn to my left to put my bag on the drawer by the door, and feel my smile seeing that boombox. I wonder if he had it in the garage this whole time. I put my bag down and feel like such a little kid reaching over and pressing down on that play button. I see the cassette tape start moving in that circle, reminding me of the ones my mom used to listen to, and hear the song again. I feel my smile hearing the lyrics and then see that mocha colored hand grab that big knob and turn it to the left, hearing the volume lower.

I turn towards that body that's connected to that arm, see that black sleeve, that neck, those lips, and inhale, seeing what's behind that afro. I see that painting in that dark brown frame that I knew would match most of the furniture in the house so he could put it in any room he wants, if he wanted to hang it up. I feel myself breathe, seeing that painting in that frame hanging on that wall, at the same height as his other posters, with that laminated brochure from DuSable under it. He hung that painting this week and moved that brochure so it could hang under it. And, I don't really remember how to breathe. But I remember that Huey speaks in actions.

I take that step up, look up at those lips, those dark burgundy eyes, bring my hands up that chest, put them on those shoulders, squeeze them, seeing those eyelids come down a little, and I jump up. I put my legs around those strong hips, my arms around those shoulders, and put my lips on his. I feel those hands on my butt, feel them squeeze, and push my tongue pass those soft lips. I hear that groan from him and taste his tongue, feeling us moving.

I put my hands in that hair and feel how warm it is right now. I wonder if all of him gets warm at the same time. Focus Jazmine. I feel and smell those bed sheets on my back that smell like laundry detergent, knowing they're clean because he probably changed them today, and feel my legs get weak. I want that cock in my hand again. I feel that tongue leave my mouth, feel those lips kiss my lips, and I inhale and push that chest away.

I see those eyes, feel my smile, and I say, "Lay down." I see him inhale, see those eyelids lower a little bit more, and see him stand up. I stand up and watch him lay back down in those shorts and that black t-shirt. I breathe in the little bit of courage I brought with me today, unzip my sweater, take it off, hear him inhale, drop my sweater on the carpet, look back up, and see his head is bent to the side a little, looking at my chest. I feel myself squirm and remember what I'm doing. I look down, see my new dark pink lace floral half camisole spaghetti crop top, knowing it's cute but a little too sexy to wear with nothing else, and really, when I saw it today at the mall, when my sister and I went into the Victoria Secret Pink store and mom stayed in the Victory Secret store, the first thing I thought about was leaving this top here, in that little drawer. That drawer he told me to use to leave my extra clothes.

I feel my smile, seeing him looking at my top, exhale, and I unbutton my jeans. I see his mouth open, feel my smirk, and start moving my jeans down my hips. I really have to get new jeans soon because my hips are a little bigger now. I see him lick his lips and I bend down and take my jeans off with my socks, leaving them on the floor. I look back up and see those dark burgundy eyes. I exhale and wonder if he really likes my new dark pink G string panties that tie at the sides that much. I swallow. My Huey that likes my wide hips, my fluffy hair that's a little wet right now from my shower, my skin that confuses other people about what I am but he thinks makes me who I am, and hopefully other things he'll tell me one day. But right now, I want that cock in my hand again.

I step up closer to him, see that he's looking at my underwear now, exhale, turn to the bed, and see his book right next to him, by his hand. It's a new book. And it's facing down. I move over him, feel his thigh over my underwear, grab the book, bend the page so he doesn't lose where he is, stand up straight, and put it on the nightstand. I turn back around, see he's still looking at my underwear and wonder what his favorite color is. Focus Jazmine. I inhale, get on the bed, crawl over his knees to his other side, where the book was, crawl up to him, looking at those soft lips, and I ask, "Can we kiss again?"

I hear him inhale, see him sit up, bend down towards my face, feel those lips, and taste his tongue. I close my eyes, feel his hand on the back of my head, and the pull down. I put my hands on those cheeks and bend down with him as I feel him laying down on the bed. I feel that warmth in my belly and ask, in between kisses, "Can I taste you again?" I hear him curse, feel him roll me on the bed, open my eyes, and see those eyes looking down at me. I see him look down at my lips, feel the bed under me, and know we haven't done this, with me laying down on the bed and the lights on. I see those eyes look back up at me, see those lips move, and hear him say, "Can I." I see him stop, inhale, and hear him say, "Kiss more?" I smile, move up towards that face, kiss him, move back down, see him open his eyes, and I say, "Yes you can."

I see his eyes look down at my lips and see them go down and look over my body, I think at what I'm wearing, feeling my face get warmer. I see those eyes look at my lips again and see that face come down. I inhale feeling him kiss my chin and then feel him go down and start kissing my neck. I look back up at that ceiling mount that's covering the light bulb in his room, feel my eyes glaze over knowing Huey's kissing my neck, and close my eyes. I hear those kisses on my neck and start feeling that warmth in my belly going down between my legs again.

I feel that large hand on my hip, over that bow that ties on the side of my panties, smell that soap and that shampoo he used today, remember it's Saturday night and we can do this, spend time with each other all night, feel those lips and that tongue on my neck, and I hear myself say, "More Huey." I don't know what more is but I want more.

I feel those kisses going lower, getting to my chest, and I hear that deep voice I get to hear sometimes when we're alone say, "Can I," and I cut him off with, "Yes," not really knowing what I want still. I feel that hand leave my hip, hear myself whimper, feel that hand go under my shirt, and then stop over my stomach, feeling that warmth between my legs getting bigger. What's happening? I hear myself, in that voice from before, the one I'm still getting used to that I only use with him, say, "More." I hear him exhale, feel that body that's over my right arm shaking, remember who he is, how he was raised, and I bring my left hand down from that broad shoulder. I exhale, put my hand under my shirt, on top of that rough hand he has from all that training, and I drag his hand up to under my breast, hearing him inhale and curse on my chest.

I feel him move up a little, feel those kisses on my neck, feeling that warm breath after every kiss, and feel his fingers slowly going over my left breast. I feel my whole body shiver, feel a warm palm under that breast, and then, I feel a thumb go over my nipple. I feel my vagina closing and opening, and in that voice say, "Yes Huey, like that."

I hear him swallow and feel that thumb over my nipple again and again. Why am I this hot? And why are my panties this wet? And why do I want to pee right now? I finally remember how to breathe feeling him stop and then feel that hand move from that breast to my other breast, feeling him shiver or maybe I'm shivering. I feel that thumb go over that nipple. I hear myself say, "Shit Huey," and then hear him groan into my neck. I feel dazed and remember the lights are on and that's why it's bright even with my eyes closed, feel that wetness between my legs, and I hear myself say, "Why am I so wet." I hear him curse again, loud this time, feeling him shiver, feel him stop playing with my nipples, and before I can ask what's wrong, I hear him say, "Can I touch more?" I hear myself say, "Yes, please."

I feel that hand start going down, covering my stomach again, feel those kisses on my shoulder, and feel him stop at the top of my underwear. I open my eyes, see the ceiling mount again in that dark wood frame, see that afro to my right, feel those wet kisses on my right shoulder, exhale, know it's Huey and I like him because of who he is, bring my left hand down from his broad shoulder again, put my hand over that rough one again, putting my fingernails under my underwear band, and I drag his hand under my underwear, moaning from feeling his hand over that hair that only I've ever touched and feeling him bite down on my shoulder. I close my eyes, bring my hand back up to his shoulder, swallow, and I feel him, slowly, like that very first kiss, open his hand and cover my vagina, feeling his finger touch the outer lips of my vagina, hearing myself say, "Oh my god," and feeling myself pee a little. And, for some reason, I'm not embarrassed.

I feel those kisses on my chest now, feel that afro over my face, smelling that shampoo, and feel his fingers brush up those vagina lips now, hearing myself say, "More." I feel his finger or fingers, I don't know how many and I can't count right now, go between those lips they were brushing, touching the inside of those lips, feel myself jerk, hug that shoulder, and hear myself saying his name and 'more' and 'please' over and over not knowing what I want and how much but knowing I want it all. The moon, the stars, I want it all. I want all of you Huey. And, I want that cock that I can feel on my hip. And I want actions not descriptions.

I bring my right hand down a little more, feel that rough finger go up my inner lips now all the way up, say his name, remember that warm cock in my hand, slick with that coating, feel that finger go all the way down those lips, remember how thick and clean he taste, feel that warmth expand over my whole body, feel that finger go up my lips, put my hand over the head of his cock, feel that creamy precum that's coating it, feel him shaking, feel a bite on my neck again, and I move my thumb around the hole of his cock. I feel him jerk, hear him say in that really deep voice, "Fuck Jazzzzyyy", into my neck, feel that cum coming out of him, going over my hand, and feel that rough finger between my lips go inside of me.

There was explosion. A big, warm, amazing, incredible explosion. And, I peed. Oh my god. I peed. But it felt so good. All of it. The explosion and then when I peed after. It felt like I really needed to pee for days and for some reason I hadn't. But, it was different this time. Like how I remember seeing a kind of soft black color everywhere and then feeling my insides squish together then that explosion and seeing all those stars. So many stars. And, my body. That's where that squishiness and then the explosion happened. My body exploded inside itself, kind of. But it exploded. Like I know it's never done that. And, it felt so good. Like I want to do it all over again forever. And, I feel perfect. Like everything is perfect. And all I want is to hug him. And, I want to cuddle. And, I should probably tell him I'm sorry for peeing on his bed and I'll help him clean up, even though I'm not embarrassed I peed and I hope what we did right now we keep doing forever.

I open my eyes, see those auburn eyes looking down at me, wondering when they changed into that pretty color, feel my smile, and I hear him say, "I've." I see him stop, see those auburn eyes focus on me, and hear him say, "I've dreamed about making you cum." I inhale. Did Huey just say he's dreamed about making me cum? I feel my eyes open, remembering those things I read online about it being hard for girls to do that. I think they called it having an orgasm. How some girls even fake doing it. I didn't read a lot about that because I was just really reading stuff to help me make him feel good. But, I'm starting to remember the little bit I did read about that. The warm spreading over my body, the explosion inside my stomach that felt like my whole body exploded, the feeling of peeing, and then feeling that everything's perfect, that life is good and all I want to do is cuddle.

I feel my smile get bigger and I say, "I want to cuddle with my boyfriend." I see that smile, smile number five, how beautiful he really is, and hear him whisper, in that hoarse voice, "Yes." I inhale happiness.

I ask, "So, how was it Laurie?" I put my head on her shoulder, smelling that vanilla lotion, hear her giggle, smile at her, and hear her say, "It was."

I feel those arms around my waist, feel her chin on my shoulder, smell that coconut lotion, and hear my sister's sweet deep voice say, "The shit cuz you two made out till you knocked the fuck out." I hear Ming laugh and I start laughing with her.

I put my arm around her shoulders and say, "Laurie?" I hear her exhale, I look up at Ming, see her smiling at Lauren, feeling my sister hugging my waist, and hear Lauren say, "It was better than I even thought it could be. And, the best part." I hear her stop, I stand up straight, bring my arm down, feeling my lovable sister's chin on my shoulder, look over at Lauren, and see her looking down, blushing. I see her look up at us, smiling, see her move her hair being her ear, and hear her whisper, "Best part is that I trust him and he said he doesn't care about us doing any more stuff, if I ever want to." I see her look over at my sister and me and hear her whisper, "Thank you for bringing him."

I feel my eyebrow lift and say, "Laurie, we didn't," but then I hear Ming's voice say, "She right Jazzy." I look over at Ming, feel my sister chin's move towards Ming, see Ming smile at us, and hear her say, "Cin bear and you brought them two when you went to Chi-Town with those two best friends of theirs, even if some of their asses be too hard headed to say they are best friends."

I look over at the table, see them all talking, with that afro stuck in that new book. I think it's called Black Against Empire. And, I think it's about the Black Panther Party. I'll have to ask him or maybe just look over his shoulder. I feel my smile hearing the guys all laughing and seeing that tiny smirk on those soft lips. He smirks at school more now. The smirk that other people can see. Almost, maybe like he's happy. I feel my heart swell.

I hear Ming's voice say, "You doing good Cin bear?" I exhale, feel her head move to the side on my shoulder, look back at my little sister, kiss her head, and I hear her say, "Yeah Mimi's. I'm a'ight. That shit 'on't matter. And." I feel her hug me tighter, feel my smile, and I hear her say, "That shit kinda made it so we had to talk and shit. And." I hear her exhale, and she says, "Riles and I. We cool. We better than cool. We." I feel my smile get bigger and hear her whisper, "We ride or die, you know."

I hear a few exhales and then hear Ming say, "Shit. Good. Cuz if not, we were gonna fuck her up during winter break." I start laughing, hear them all laughing, put my hands on my sister's hands over my stomach and then hear, "I'm happy you look okay Cin."

I look up to my right and see Sam and Nickie. I hear my sister say, "Fuck yeah I'm a'ight. And you know, thanks." I see Sam smirk and she says, "'Course Cin. What happened was stupid and it didn't even happen okay. And believe me, if people find out about that, they're only going to be mad at her for trying anything with the women's basketball team MVP."

I hear my sister say, "Yeah. Thanks homie, but you made a few of those three pointers to." I see Nickie smile at Sam, grab her hand, kiss her cheek, seeing Sam get completely red, hearing all of us giggle, see Nickie turn to us, and she says, "Thanks for saying that Cin. I keep telling her she was great and she scored so many points in the second quarter and I'm so proud."

I hear that voice, closing my eyes, say, "See. This school's been going downhill since last year when they let them in." I hear a few inhales, feel her arms leaving me, hold them, open my eyes, look down at her, see her looking over at that table, and I say, "Sis. She's just a dumb girl and we have each other and what she says doesn't matter." I see her exhale and hear Nicki's voice say, "Cin, your sister's right. Don't worry about it." I look over at Nicki and Sam, see Sam put her arm over Nicki's shoulders, see Nicki smile up at her, and she says, "We're happy and we don't care what they say okay and I couldn't be prouder of who I'm with." I feel my smile.

I hear Ming's voice say, "Shit Sam. Told your ass she sounded like she worth it. And you been proud and been working your ass off on the team and we fucken proud of you to." I feel my smirk seeing Sam smile at Ming.

I hear Lauren's voice say, "Cin bear. You remember that speech from last year?" I look down at my sister, see that cute evil smirk, feel her arms leave my waist, and see her walking towards our table. I start laughing with our friends and start running after my sister.

I see her reach our table, grab Riley and Caesar's shoulders and use them to stand up on the seat between them. I see Ming sit down on Caesar's other side, see that pretty dark hair walk over to Hiro, and I walk over to the other side of table, feeling those reds following me, and lean on the wall next to Huey who's sitting down holding that book.

I look over the cafeteria, see Sam and Nicki in the middle of the cafeteria where we were talking to them, holding hands, see most of the students are already looking over here, and feel my smile, knowing a lot of people think my sister and friends are super pretty in this school, because they are.

I look up at my sister, see those loose fitting faded Lucky jeans, that dark blue muscle shirt, the Nike white sports bra, and those two long braids I need to trim soon, and feel my smile, knowing she is the prettiest girl at this school and that's why half the school was already looking over here. But then, there's Ming in her bright white slip-on vans, dark tight jeans, loose red sweater, white and red striped knot headband, and that light make up with red lip gloss, light blush, and dark eyelashes, and Lauren, in her pink and white vans, those light loose jeans, that cute black, pink, and white pullover sweater, her hair in those two hair clips on each side of her head, and that blush and mascara. I feel my smile get bigger, knowing they all don't know how pretty they really are.

I feel that warm hand brush my thigh, reminding me too much of Saturday night and where his hand was, feeling myself get completely red, see my beautiful sister cup her hands over her mouth, and hear her yell, "Announcement time haters!" I see the cafeteria quiet down, feeling my smirk, knowing a lot of people still fear the McPhearson. I see her bring her hands down, and hear her yell, "As you'll dumb assess know, both basketball teams at this, as the homie calls it, bs of a school, are un-mother fucken-defeated this year!" I hear the yells, actual roars from the other teams, the 'go wolves', and start laughing.

Then I hear my sister say, "That's right! And shit only happen cuz of damn team work bitches! Now! The reason for the announcement is a fucken warning!" I hear the whisperings, look down towards the entrance, see Mr. Leon walking towards us, see Riley start to stand from the corner of my eye, feel myself move forward, and feel that hand brush up on my thigh again, feeling myself exhale.

I hear my sister yell, "And I ain't done Leon! So wait a damn minute or it'll be social media for your ass!" I see Mr. Leon stop, see him inhale, and see him point to his watch on his wrist. I exhale seeing Riley sit back down. I guess he's going to give her that minute.

I hear that sweet voice say, "Like I damn said! This is a warning for all you'll haters out there! I on't care who you think you are, who you roll with, and what you'll think you know about ma crew, ma ride or die, ma friends, me or ma family! Anyone! Any mother-fucken one that disrespects the women on the damn team or ma crew or my sis and friends, talking shit or being a back stabbing piece of shit, I will find your asses and kill you!" I feel my eyebrow rise, remembering something Riley said on our way to the locker room on Friday.

I see Riley stand up, feeling my other eyebrow rise, hear a few girls say, 'damn', and shake my head. I feel that warm hand behind my thigh, feeling it pull me towards him a little, exhale, trying to relax, and move a few inches closer to him.

I see Riley turn around, grab my sister's waist, bring her down, start giggling, hearing a few curse words from those girls, see Riley turn to the cafeteria and feel my eyes open, hearing his booming voice say, "And I am the one and only Young Reezy, aka Riley Escobar, aka H.R. Paperstacks, aka Horse Choker, aka Pillsbury Doughboy, aka Louis Rich! And for you'll haters, I'm your damn black president with a mother-fucken blue lambo and we own this damn school! And we are the undefeated mother-fucken wolves!" I hear the yells, hollering, some girls screaming 'baby', and wonder if Riley should maybe go into politics.

I hear his booming voice say, "And I second what ma ride or die just fucken said! Anyone, anyone messes with this crew or the teams I will find your asses, and I couldn't give two shits what you are, what you like, and who you be with, I will fucken kill you!" I feel my smirk, feeling a little guilty that some people are that scared of them, but relieved that my sisters and friends are protected from dumb people at this school.

I see my sister cup her hands over her mouth, feel my smile at how cute it is that she has to do that if she's on the floor but Riley doesn't, and I hear her yell, "And for the MVP of the last damn game I'ma nominate Sam for giving the most passes at the game and for just being a cool fucken team player that don't care who coach, captain, or scored the most damn points! She's just cool as fuck and anyone got a problem with her your asses got a problem with me!" I feel my smile, seeing Sam still in the middle of the cafeteria holding Nicki's hand, completely red and embarrassed but smiling, and hear Ming's voice yell, "I second that nomination bitches!" I hear Lauren say, "Third to you all sata's!" I start laughing, hearing a few laughs at our table, feel that warm arm on my leg, and hear a voice from the far right say, "The math club nominates Sam to!" I look over and smile at Lena who's standing at that table where the math club hangs out with Phil sitting next to her, remembering she told me she started hanging out at that table after that guy wouldn't stop being mean about her dating Phil. I hear another voice say, "The team nominates Sam for the MVP of the last game!" I look over and see three of the girls that were sitting out for the game standing at the team's table. I exhale seeing Miranda looking away, like she's not even paying attention.

I hear Riley's booming voice say, "A'ight then! Shit been settled! MVP fucken decided and you'll haters been warned! End of announcement! Go wolves!" I hear the roaring again, I think coming from the guys basketball team table the loudest and feel my smile, hearing all the other tables also cheering and hollering.

I look down to my left, see that cute smirk on him that he's trying to hide looking down at the book, knowing he's proud of our team even if he doesn't say it, and inhale, feeling that hand behind my thigh again. I swallow, remember I haven't annoyed him all day today, and it's Monday. And, he's my boyfriend now.

I smile, bend down, grab that book, see his forehead scrunch, giggle, mark the page for him, turn away from him, sit down on his lap, hear him inhale, and scoot back, until I feel my butt go over his legs onto the bench, swing my legs in, sit up next to him, put his book back down on the table in front of him, open it to where I marked it, see him exhale, grab his book, and start reading again. I turn, grab one of the sandwiches with no jalapenos, take a bite, and feel my smirk, seeing Ming sitting on Caesar's lap, knowing they're also getting close, and seeing my little sister and Riley looking at her phone watching a basketball game that's going on right now. I look over and smile seeing Lauren and Hiro walking over to the line I'm sure to get a drink because we didn't get to get those drinks we were there for, and exhale, feeling that warm hand on my leg. I swallow that bite of sandwich, knowing that game, those dumb rivals, and letting go of my little sister was hard but everything is perfect right now. Perfect, like what it felt like on Saturday night. I feel that hand squeeze my leg, feel that hand go up a little on my thigh, and wonder if he's thinking about that right now to.

I feel my smile, exhale, and hope Saturday night comes soon so we can read, watch TV, cuddle, kiss, or have explosions, even if what I really want to do the most is taste him again.

Hi everyone,

I think I'm going to end this chapter here and continue on with the story in the next chapter because, like I've said in the past, I do not like cliffhangers. So, yes, here is stays. But, I do have the next chapter set up and can't wait to fill it in.

And, I'm so happy you all enjoyed the last one and I hope you all can tell me how you're finding the story and if it's getting too raunchy cuz I kind of think it is LOL.

Laters,

Bulma's Ego.