The Life of Me

Page 8

Dai

Dai Parker sighed.

She loathed borrowing clothing from her brother's girlfriend. She just kept stealing all of hers!

"Kawua, why's Péng Jiayi here? I thought you guys went out for New Year's! Besides, she took my basketball hoodie, probably thinking it was yours." Dai complained. Kawua, her brother, smirked. "Seems to me that you're just jealous, that or you have someone in mind..." He let the thought hang in the air. Dai waved him off as if she waving away a pesky fly. "Don't be silly. I have basketball captain announcements today and I need my hoodie or Coach Schwarz will kill me!" Dai protested, rummaging about her room for the familiar garment. "Where is it?!" She cried out, casting more items and clothing articles about the space. Kawua disregarded her shrieks and squabbles as he left the room.

"Found it!" Dai bellowed victoriously, holding the pearl white and purple hoodie in her clenched fist. "Come on, Dai! Or you'll be late!" Mr Parker called from the kitchen. "Fuck nugget," Dai murmured, grabbing her bag, shoes, books and homework, slipping on her hoodie, and bolted down the stairs. "Bye Daddy! Love you!" Dai shouted before slamming the front door shut. Kawua beckoned for her at the bus stop. "Hey, found it," Dai uttered, panting slightly. "Hey, I saw how well you did at the last game, you'll be fine today, and make captain. I can feel it in my old bones." Kawua said confidently. Dai nodded grimly but smirked at her brother's childishness. For others, basketball was a game. For her, it was life or death. The bus pulled up, barely grazing a student with a trombone case, who made a strangled cat wail out of fear. "Alright, get on!" The driver barked.

No one was anxious for school. Today, was the day they announced who would be on the Jazz Band, Marching Band, Color Guard and, most importantly, the Basketball Team. Dai leaned forward, ready to hear the news.

"And now, your captain, Dai Parker!" Ms Asløg Toft, the secretary, announced to all the students. Dai pushed her way to the front. People are so stupid sometimes.

Once at the front, Dai smiled broadly as Mrs Toft handed her the captain's whistle. She raised it above her head as everyone on the basketball, football, colour guard, marching band, and other, began cheering louder.

"Students of Liberty High, this year, we make victory ours!" Dai yelled. The school cheered louder. Dai quieted them down, stepped off the stage and out the doors as Mrs Toft began a long and boring speech about victory and congratulating the new captain.

"Great job back there."

Dai turned around, startled. Cheyenne Pearce stood there, her normally bright eyes dull. "Thank you" Dai replied. Cheyenne nodded. "Didn't know you played," Cheyenne said. "I'm not all that I seem." She replied. Dai continued to wait for her ride home, which might not be here for a while.

"Alyssa is missing," Cheyenne whispered, her voice cracking in despair.

"You're kidding, right?" Dai demanded, the question throwing her off guard. Cheyenne shook her head, wet tears falling freely. Dai gave her a hug, without thinking. "We'll find her. I promise." Cheyenne nodded in reply.

The two stayed like that until Kawua drove up to them. "Day o! Day o! Daylight come and me wan go home!" He sang. Dai chuckled. "See ya, artist kid!" She called, getting in the front. Cheyenne waved. "Coach Jr!" She called back.

"Painter girl!"

"Whistle holder!"

"Di Vinci reborn!"

"Michael Jordan mini!"

"Art teacher!"

"Gym coach!"

"Mrs Parker!" Kawua shouted. Dai jumped. "Kawua!" She shouted, hitting his arm lightly. She waved and they drove off. Cheyenne waved back, a light blush dust across her pale skin.

Dai sighed. "I hate you," she said.

"Nah," Kawua responded with.

"Whatever,"