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Chapter I

    “I could beat you any day,” I taunt.

“Is that so? How about we have a game of one on one then?” 

“It’s on Marais.”

I stare at him intensely and he tosses me the basketball that was in his hands. I catch it and feel the rough leather in my fingers. 

“You ready to lose?” I ask. 

“In your dreams,” Jonah quips.

I begin to dribble the ball and cut around him. I drive to the basket and make a layup, he stands in the same spot with his jaw dropped.

“What? Never seen someone play basketball before?”

“Alright, pass me the ball,” he says, ignoring my comment.

I throw it into his open hands and he catches it with a smack. He walks out to the foul line and shoots. I try to jump up to block it but it’s no use.

“That’s not fair! You’re too tall,” I whine.

“You just don’t wanna lose.”

I walk up to him and rip the ball from his hands.

“Watch and learn,” I say determinedly.

I drive up to the right side of the basket but he cuts me off. Thinking on my feet, I pass the ball under my legs and switch directions. This gives me an open shot.

“Ooooo SWISH!” I cry in triumph.

He laughs softly and I bounce pass him the ball. He dribbles out to the left side of the three point line and throws the ball into the air. It passes through the net with ease. 

“Your kidding,” I sigh.

“Still think I’m so easy to beat?” He asks with a smirk.

“Fine, you win this time. But I will be victorious someday,” I declare.

I sit the ball on the rack in the parking lot. We walk back in the apartment building in the soft orange light of evening. Jonah pulls open the door and gestures me inside.

“After you.”

“Why thankyou.”

I step inside the building and am met with the stale smell of the lobby. We step on the elevator and Jonah presses the 3 button. The elevator lerches and we begin to move upward. Once the we hear a ding the doors swing open and Jonah takes my hand. He leads me down the hall to our apartment room, 17. He takes the key out of his pocket and turns it in the lock, the door clicks and he pushes it open.

“Home sweet home,” he sighs.

I walk inside and throw myself down on the old couch. I still don’t understand why Jonah would want to stay here with me when he could be in LA living large. I know he’ll have no choice but to go back soon, the band needs him there.

“Jonah?”

“Yes love?”

I ignore the cringey name and continue, “when exactly are you going home?”

“Oh, I uh, hadn’t really thought about it.”

“Jonah, you know the band needs you there. They can’t keep making music while your living in a dusty old apartment with me,” I say.

He lets out a heavy sigh, “I know. I just don’t wanna leave you here all alone.”

“I’m not alone, I’ve got Lucy,” I remind him.