The Game

𝟏𝟖

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑬𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏 - 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒔 𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈

The bell hadn't rung yet, but the hallway outside my locker already sounded like a drumline — sneakers squeaking, metal doors slamming, somebody telling a story with arms that took up too much space. I was still standing with August on my left and Chris on my right when I heard my name cut through the noise like it had a VIP pass.

"Aliya!"

We all turned at the same time. Ja'Colby was jogging down the hall, grin wide, curls bouncing. He wrapped me in a hug without breaking stride and pressed a quick kiss to my temple, his arm slipping around my shoulders like it had a reserved spot there. I leaned into it automatically. When I glanced up, Chris was already watching. His expression went neutral so fast it made me frown back, tiny furrow between my brows he didn't bother to smooth out for me.

Ja'Colby bumped fists with August next. "Wassup, bro."

"Chillin'," August said, dapping him and pulling him into a one-armed bro hug. "You ready?"

"You know it," Colby said, and stuck his fist out toward Chris. "Captain."

Chris met it, knuckles quick. "We locked in."

The freshmen who'd been lingering in the current of the hall clocked all of that and gave us a little room like we were a caution sign. Chris lifted his chin toward the guys a few lockers down — Malachi, Armani, two more varsity boys — and raised his voice.

"Y'all excited for tonight?" he called.

"YES!" came back in a messy chorus, then again louder just because being loud felt like winning in its own way. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

"You hear them?" Ja'Colby laughed. "We haven't had an away game in forever. That gym in Brentwood got the worst rims, though. Dead as a funeral."

"We'll make our own bounce," Chris said. Then he angled toward me. "You riding with us? You get to go to the game with the team?"

"Yes," I said, reaching into my locker for a mini deodorant and the small pouch where I kept my charger. "Coach said I'm cleared."

Something slipped out from the shelf — a spiral notebook that had been living on the edge too long — and skidded across the tile. I bent to catch it before somebody stepped on it.

"Damn, Aug," Ja'Colby snickered, not even pretending to be subtle. "Don't even try to hide it."

August dragged a palm down his face, but he was smiling. "That's her fault. She's the one walking around with all that booty in her pants. You can't blame me for looking."

Chris didn't say a word; he just smirked and shook his head like he'd predicted that exact joke before sunrise.

The smug quiet snapped a second later when a too-bright voice spiked behind us.

"Chris!"

All three of us — me, August, and Colby — groaned at the same time. Chris laughed once, like he couldn't help himself.

Kayoni came clicking down the hall with two of her friends in tow, ponytail too tight, lip gloss too loud for eight a.m. "Why didn't you greet me?" she demanded as soon as she was within arm's reach. "I literally said 'good morning' to you first."

"I'm not as happy as you are this morning," Chris said, easy. Not apologetic. Not cruel. Just... factual.

Her mouth dropped open. "You can't talk to me like that, Chris. Fix your fucking attitude."