Smile Off The Court

"Are You Excited?"

Ryan

Dribble Dribble. Swish.

Dribble Dribble. Swish.

The beautiful orange orb floats through the air and into the crisp white net, bouncing on the floor once it falls through.

Tryouts are on Monday, but its ight I don't gotta go Coach forces me to be on the team anyways. 

Ever since last year, Coach Jones has been there for me and Ma. I'm grateful for him cuz I don't know what I would do if she was alone and unhappy.

I just wish I was happy.

But he fucked me over. He fucked US over. My mom loved him and he just left. I hate him.

Lately, the only time that I ever smile is when I'm around Ma and when I'm on the court.

Its my only way out of this bullshit ass city.

Don't get me wrong, I love New York its gon' be my home forever, but I need to get out of Brooklyn, and basketball is the only way to help my future. 

Most people think that I'm just this bad boy that don't give a fuck. Maybe they're right. But I honestly don't think so. I do care but I have to put that mask on so people don't fuck with me like he did. I'll never let myself be vulnerable again. 

I should take a walk 'fore someone see me out here sulkin like a lil bitch.

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Winter

"Winter!!!!!!" said Blake. I ignored him. I need to keep practicing tryouts are on Monday. 

"Winter if you don't get your ass inside right now I'm locking you out!" 

HAHAHA that's a good joke. He knows damn well that he'll lock me out, I'll continue to practice, and he'll come back in an hour and apologize and beg me to go inside.

~

As I predicted, he came back out and asked me if I would come back in because it was cold and I should eat dinner.

Satisfied with the amount of time I spent practicing I went inside and took a shower.

The shower is my happy place. It's the one place that I can think in peace, and cry without anyone asking me what's wrong. Sharing a room with my twin isn't exactly great as a teenager because its awkward and there is no privacy for either of us.

When I'm in the shower I think about my parents. I think about how last year my entire life changed in one day. How my brothers love me but don't know how to help me.

All I want is control. 

But I can't have it.

I've always lost control even as a kid. But once I lost my parents I began to spiral. Instead of being normal and depressed and constantly having panic attacks and cutting myself, I get angry.

I play with fire cuz I like getting burned. I get into trouble just for the fun of it.

I wasn't always like that though. I used to be happy all the time and I knew everyone in the school and I had NO enemies. Like none. Which is weird because in the typical Wattpad story there is always that queen bee which is a total bitch and she hates the main character, but I'm actually cool with that queen bee.

I finished taking a shower and went to my room. Well our room. I kicked out June and got dressed. I decided to wear some black basketball shorts and a plain grey t-shirt and I walked out to eat dinner. 

Daniel cooked white rice, beans with potatoes in them, and steak with onions. MY FAVORITEEEE. If food were a person, I would be a cannibal. I mean right now when it comes to guys some of them are a whole snack anyways.

We all sat down at the table and started digging in like the animals that we are. 

"So Winter are you excited for the beginning of the season?" said Daniel. 

"Of course I'm excited. Basketball is the biggest part of my life dumbass."

"Language Winter" said Jackson. 

"Jackson shut the fuck up you over here actin' like you don't be hollerin' at girls and cursing wit ya homies" I said sternly.

"Go to your room. Now. You ate enough. Maybe you'll use this Saturday night to think about how to talk to me." he said.

THIS BITCH REALLY TRIPPIN' RIGHT NOW

"Last time I checked, my parents are dead, so I don't know when it became a thing where I have to listen to you, or you get to boss me around." I shouted. 

"I am your legal guardian now. You have to listen to me. Now get your ass in bed. NOW!" he shouted back. I stomped to my room and slammed the door. I put on a sports bra, my compression socks, my sleeve and my basketball sneakers. I grabbed my ball and climbed through the window.

I walked to the basketball court instead of playing in our backyard. 

Dribble. Dribble. Swish

Dribble. Dribble. Swish

"Winter is heavily guarded. She fakes to the right and goes to the left, goes to the paint, and makes the layup with the euro step!

The crowd goes wild!!! Woooooooooo! Winter! Winter! Winter!  

The other team gets the ball and they're coming past half court and- OH Winter steals the ball and steps up to the three point line. 

She shoots, AND SHE SCORESSSSSS!!!

Winter Santiago wins the game for her team!"

Clap. Clap. Clap

I whip around to see the one and only dickhead, Ryan Lopez.

He smirks at my doe eyes and comes closer.

"That was great. So great that I got the whole thing on video." He whispers in my ear. 

"What the fuck Lopez! Come on bro cut me some slack. I just got into a fight with my broth-"

"I don't give a fuck Santiago. If you don't do what I say I'mma post it online. The whole school follows me. Do you think that they'll like the little fantasies that you dream up when you're by yourself?"

"Sabes qué demonios, López, me niego a dejarte chantajearme solo porque quieres ser malo. Publícalo. Adelante. Ya no me importa, no tengo nada de qué preocuparme. Pero confía en mí si no te sales de mi cara en este momento, será un puto problema para los dos." I say before walking back to my ball. 

He scoffs and walks away.

I shoot around for a bit to let off steam and head home.

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OMG this is my first official book. I've written other "books" but they were just me venting instead of trying to be creative. I tried to make this chapter as long as possible and I plan on keeping it up for the rest of my book. 

Shout out to my fellow New Yorkers!!!

Btw this story is gonna be taking place in Brooklyn because tbh I think all the other boroughs suck and I know my way around Brooklyn so I figured why not. 

Thanks for reading!

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Peace out y'all 

-Love Ava😎❤