The Game

𝟐

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒘𝒐 - 𝑼𝒑 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑰𝒕

I groaned when my alarm went off and stretched until my shoulders popped. Another day at Crestwood Academy. I slid out of bed and cut through my closet into the bathroom. The shower woke me up for real — hot water, steam everywhere — and I detangled my hair before I pulled out the big barrel curler. No flat iron today. I curled it into loose, glossy spirals that fell down my back and gave the front a soft swoop. Cute. Presentable. Me.

Back in the closet, Kyng and Shai slipped in behind me, nails tapping on the hardwood, big eyes saying good morning and feed me at the same time.

"Hey, cuties," I told them, squatting to rub their ears. "If I could call out and lay up with y'all all day, I would — but school calls."

They wagged like they understood.

I dressed in the new fit I'd planned last night: a cropped cream tweed jacket over a white tank, a tan plaid pleated skirt that hit mid-thigh, sheer black tights, and shiny loafers with white socks. I clipped on my small black crossbody, then kept the jewelry simple and all gold — tiny hoops in my double lobe piercings, a delicate bracelet, a dainty ring, a small vintage-style gold watch, and my favorite floral A pendant that sat pretty at my collarbone. I checked the mirror, fluffed the curls, and nodded. 

I grabbed my glasses, AirPods, and phone from the nightstand and gave myself one last squint. I wasn't mad at it. I spritzed on a fruity perfume — sweet peach with a little pear — and let it settle. Then I snatched my black JanSport from the chair and jogged downstairs.

"Morning, Daddy," I said, sliding into his hug in the kitchen.

"Morning, baby girl," he said, kissing the top of my head. "Breakfast on the way."

I glanced past him at Stephan, who was at the counter doing the most with his eggs.

"You're disgusting," I told my little brother.

He pursed his food-covered lips and blew me a kiss on purpose. I side-eyed him and sat, texting gm to Neilah and Ja'Colby while Daddy loaded my plate. I finished quick — eggs, toast, fruit — and wiped my hands.

"Thanks, Daddy."

"Uh-huh. Make sure your brother actually makes it inside the building."

"I heard that," Stephan said, scooping his last bite. "I'm not a child."

I looked at him and blinked slow.

On the way through the garage I clocked that Khari's car was already gone. "Khari dipped early."

"He had court prep," Daddy said. "Lawyer life."

"Mm-hmm." I smiled a little. Hearing lawyer life attached to my big brother still made me proud.

We climbed into my Lexus. Stephan ran his fingers over the dash like he hadn't sat in this car a hundred times.

"You gotta let me drive this one day," he said.

"Yeah — no." I hit the button and the garage door groaned open.

The drive was short, same as always. Stephan hopped out and immediately melted into his little crowd like he was built for it. Sometimes I envied how easy that looked. Then I reminded myself school wasn't supposed to be a popularity contest. Education mattered. All that other noise was background.

A roar pulled into the lot and my head snapped over on instinct. The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ slid into a spot like a flex, and the driver's door lifted. Christian Kordell Anderson climbed out slow, tall, and unbothered. Today he wore a camel chore jacket over a white tee, brown pants that fit too well, and sturdy boots — tan with a thick sole. Gold at his wrist and throat caught the light. He shut the Lambo and slung a black duffel like a runway bag, walking toward the entrance like he was being filmed.