It doesn't have to end

Chapter 9

Christian's POV

Does Odessa really have an effect on me? No, that can't be possible. This is just fake dating as her punishment. After these two weeks, we're done. I doubt that we'll even utter a word to each other. I'm not interested in her, and she's not interested in me.

It's been four days now, and she's been loosening up a little bit. I walk her to each and every class, sit with her in classes we have together, join her in the library when studying, and tell her about basketball, which she seems really interested in. Basketball practice has been more intense, and I'm getting better and better with each practice. Since the last game of the season is almost near, and we're about to head to college, everyone is trying to get their game up in both academics and the sport or club they're in.

I wonder if Odessa will be there during the last game of the season. Why am I thinking about that? Alex, that son of a bitch, told me that within the past few days, I've been acting different. I asked him how, and he just shrugged. I know he just said that to mess with me and make me think about it all day, and it's fucking working. Even if it was just a joke, I can't help but think about how I've been acting these past few days. If anything, I'm getting praises from my coach; I've been learning like I usually do, just that this time with Odessa, and that's about it.

I made a promise to myself that if a girl is going to change me, it's going to be for the better and nothing less. No girl is going to let me slack off, and it's definitely not going to be my rival. That's a promise.

It's after school, and I just took a shower, got dressed, ate, and packed the necessary items needed for practice. Every day after school, I go to a basketball court that's about 25 minutes away from where I live to get some extra practice in, and thankfully, there's a park near it, so I can just catch a break if needed. I was done getting ready and drove there; thankfully, there was barely any traffic. There were three other people there, and by the looks of it, they were about to leave, so I am just going to chill in my car and wait for them to leave.

The sun is almost setting, and when I look up, the court is empty. To others, basketball may seem intense, but to me, it feels like I'm releasing stress. It helps me forget about everything and calms my body, mind, and soul. When practicing alone, I envision my toughest opponents and their tactics and act as if they are in the court with me; I also work on my three-pointers. I realize how late it has gotten, and I am drenched in sweat, but I don't stink, though. I am tired and out of breath, so I squat on the floor and gulp down the remaining water I have left, thinking of how long I'll be here.

I took my gym bag and walked to my car when I glanced at the park and saw a familiar figure sitting under a streetlight, wearing headphones and learning. Is that Odessa? I went up to her and sat in front of her. She didn't even bother to look up and asked, "What do you want?"

"So I can't even say hi to my girlfriend? You didn't even cheer me up during practice. Some girlfriend I have," I say.

"Christian, we are not in school; you can drop the act, you know," she says.

"Yeah, but it's fun teasing you." At this point, she was looking at her lap, and her braided hair was falling down her face. I just wanted to reach out and touch it. She's always in different braids, rocking each one every time.

"You're done with practice, right?" she asks.

"Mhm," I hum in response.

"So, be on your way," she says.

"Why don't I take you home?" I offer.

"No, my ride is almost here," she declines. She's still looking down at her book, so I lift her chin up, and she grabs my hand.

"Uber?" I ask.

"Mhm," she hums.

"You'd rather take an Uber late at night than ride with me?" I ask.

"Yeah," she says, as if stating the obvious.

"Anyways, how do I play? Do you think I play well?" I ask, trying to figure something out.

"You're okay," she says.

"So you were looking at me." She chuckled at herself, still holding my hand. She got an alert on her phone, and I knew it was time.

"My ride is here," she says and lets go of me, packing her things and getting up to leave.

"No goodbye kiss?" I ask.

"Goodbye, Christian," she bids and walks off.

She should be a model. Well, I shouldn't start going myself.