So this is chapter two and it starts to introduce more of what's happened. It ends in something of a confusing cliffhanger but don't worry..that will be explained later.
The gym filled with the sound of of his loud dibbles that throbbed in his head, something that lack of sleep always caused. But the major headache was something he could handle like he'd done many times before, considering sleep wasn't one of Gordo's strong points these days. He moved swiftly to the top of the key and ran to the hoop, getting some air and slamming it home. It was a normal thing for him, coming to the school's gym before classes started and getting in some shots. Gordo always saw it some kind of therapy, no matter what he'd been through the night before he could come here and shoot his problems away. Well at least enough so that he could make it through a long school day.
A sounding "Dude" filled the gym as Gordo gathered up the ball from the shiny gym floor. He turned his head, a smile instantly coming to his lips. Ethan Craft stood in front of him, an amusing awed look on his rather 'yummy' face as his best friends labeled it.
"What's up, Ethan?" He smirked as he tossed the ball his way, placing his hands on his hips to catch his breath. Ethan and Gordo had bonded over the Rome trip and after being teammates, they'd come to view each other as best friends. It was good for Gordo to have a guy best friend for once. Growing up, he had Lizzie and Miranda who were his only real close friends. Sure he had plenty of average guy friends and teammates he hung with, but Ethan was amusing enough to keep around.
A chuckle fell from the tall blond boy as he easily caught the orange basketball "No wonder your so much better then us..you practice like..all the time" He let a crooked grin spread across his features. Ethan was not the brightest bulb in the world, but he'd matured some since hitting high school. Much to many of the guys, that only helped Ethan appeal. He hopped up,landing the three pointer straight through the net.
"I don't know about 'so much better'. But I do put my work in" He shrugged,putting up the ball and tossing in a easy fade away shot.
"David Gordon, always humble man" Ethan joked with him. Gordo was humble, there was no doubts in that. His parents were perfectionist and their son was their prefect little pea, he had to follow suit even if the pressure was unbearable at times. To them, everything he did was just something that got him closer to being the best. Being the best didn't much matter to Gordo, but pleasing his parents did even when that seemed impossible at times.
Gordo glanced at Ethan, his smirk lingering "I've got to be humble. Only room enough for one big head in this friendship" A deep laugh coming from him as he tossed the ball back to Ethan. He glanced over at the clock and sighed, he could play basketball all day if he could but there classes to get to. Moving to the bleachers where he had laid his forgotten book bag, putting it up before swinging it onto his shoulder.
"I'll by pass that comment, since I know its the truth" Ethan's voice came from behind him, he turned just in time to see the ball leave his hands and bounce off the rim. "Then again, what do I have to get a big head on?" He laughed, a look of embarrassment on his face.
"Beats me, Craft" He chuckled and followed Ethan outside the gym that led out to a courtyard. The courtyard had been empty when he came on campus but now it was crowded with kids. Most of them claiming their normal morning gathering spots to chat with friends. Then some were headed to the cafeteria, obviously to get some breakfast before the school day began.
He felt a slight pat on his hand and looked over at Ethan "I'll see you in English, chill?" He said, in which nodded in response before Ethan took off in the direction was his girlfriend, Bailey Mitchells. He'd only hung out with the girl a handful times, but despite being a year younger then his group she was really cool. From where he stood, he could spot his friends gathering across the quad. They met every morning in the same place, as many 'groups' did, it was like their spot which was a comforting thing for Gordo. Stuffing his hands in pockets, Gordo headed over to the group.
Lizzie's eyes connected with his and he smiled, giving her a hello nod. After crushing on her all through middle school then going through a drama-filled relationship for two years, Gordo still managed to maintain a tight friendship with the blond. "Ah, Gordo.." She said,rushing over him obviously very excited. "My parents were obviously in a good mood for some reason that I rather not know about...but anyways, they agreed to the double birthday bash" She chatted along, linking arms with him as they continued to the 'corner'. The Corner was the classic nickname that their spot had been dubbed almost three years ago.
"Oh wow. I almost totally forgot about that" He said, setting his book bag down on the concentrate bench.
"Leave it to David to forget his own birthday" Gordo smiled as he set his eyes on the source of the voice, Kate Sanders. Lizzie was about the only person who continued to call him Gordo, even when they were dating. All the rest of his friends decided to call him David as it sounded more like the grown up he'd become.
Smirking as he stood in front of where she sat on the bench "Course, cause I can count on you to remind me" He said, leaning over and kissing her lips softly. Kate had been his steady girlfriend for three months, but they'd been friends with benefits for even longer then that. It was true that Kate was commitment shy since breaking up with Ethan for good in tenth grade. And after Lizzie, Gordo wanted to be free for a little while before tying another relationship. It was a good thing,though because Kate and him had spent the summer really getting to know each other. Needless to say that their relationship had been a shocker to everyone, but Kate had been a different person after his parent's marriage fell apart. She'd told him that she wanted to be different then her parents, who were miserable her whole life, and he helped her with that.
Kate laughed softly before looking towards Lizzie "Shocker, isn't it?" They shared a knowing look with a giggle. Gordo wasn't one for his own birthday and both of them knew that. He'd remember Lizzie's before his own, and they were only about a week apart. Which was the main reason for the 'Double Birthday Bash' idea, instead of two parties for the different birthdays they had decided to throw a huge party for both of them in Lizzie's backyard. Plus Gordo's apartment was just too small for any party.
Lizzie and Kate went on talking about the party planning as Gordo's eyes scanned the rest of the group. Of course, they were the same people from his middle school group like Larry. The gang finally accepted Larry after he cleaned up a bit before entering high school,claiming the he was the new Larry. And the 'new' Larry had a long-term girlfriend by the same of Ellie Yates, who was a little on the nerdy side but that was a good thing for Larry. He waved a short hello the couple before his eyes landed on a quiet Latina sitting just away from group. Out of everyone, Miranda had taken his new relationship the hardest, but she had every right to.
He walked over to where she was sitting and sat down next to her, his eyes never leaving her face. "Hey, you alright?" He asked, tying to be casual but she only shrugged. "I know this is hard, Rand" He tried to use a comforting tone.
Miranda finally looked at him "It's not hard, David...just different" She sighed
"Well...I don't want it to be" He pleaded.
She looked at him rather harshly "You should of thought about that before" She paused, questioning with her eyes. "Maybe things would be different"
"And we wouldn't have Kayla" He placed his hand on her hand, rubbing softly as he knew that would calm her down. "And you know she's a blessing to us both."
Miranda nodded, silently cussing him for being so right all the time. "She misses her daddy"