basketball practice

Exams were coming up. And you already know what that means. Time to stress the hell out.

It was a hot Thursday afternoon and I was in my last hour. The day went by very slowly and at this point It felt like I was never going to get out of this claustrophobic classroom.

My math teacher, Ms.Hendrix was droning on and I took my notes but it was hard to not to lay my head on my desk and just take a little nap. Mostly everyone in the class looked dead but I was still focused on the math problems that were written on the board. I had goals to reach and this was the only way it was going to happen.

"Alright that's about it for class today, have a good day and see you all tomorrow." As soon as the words came from her mouth everyone shot out of there seats and the bell rung. I got up too, eager to beg Kyle for Chick-fil-a when he came to pick me up.

Before I got stopped.

"Wait, Ms.Kuzma. I would like for you to stay back. I need to talk to you about something."

I internally groan. What could this possibly be about? I thought I had a perfect A in this class.

"Is there something wrong, Ms.Hendrix?" I looked a litte worried and she could probably tell. I couldn't afford to get any bad grades in any of my classes I had things to do, places to go.

"No not at all. You're actually doing exceptionally well in my class, and I've talked to your other teachers and they told me you could very well potentially be valedictorian next year."

The words that came out of her mouth made me very happy. I was really on that grind and the hard work is actually paying off.

"Oh that's great! So what did you want to talk about?" I ask curiously. If I was doing great in class, what did she want?

"Okay well, seeing as exams are coming, I need your help. I have a student who needs some extra help to prepare for the exams. Their parents really wanted me to get them a tutor. You're the only candidate. You're at the top in your grade. If you accept this offer the principle will give you extra credit in all your classes."

How could I say no? Although I was stressed out about the exams myself, the extra credit would balance my grade out if I were to fail my tests. That wasn't going to happen but it was better safe than sorry. That would also look so good on my college applications.

After thinking for a quick second, I made my decision.

"I am willing to accept your offer." I was ready to take on whatever to get to where I wanted. This would really benefit me in the long run.

"Well that's great to hear, you start today." Ms. Hendrix says getting her papers together getting ready to leave.

"Wait huh? Who am I tutoring? You never told me." I don't get it. Who is struggling in our grade? I had no clue. Was it Ashley? She seemed pretty out of the loop.

"His name is LaMelo Ball. You probably know him." She shrugs and with that she walks out of the classroom without a second to waste.

I couldn't really believe Melo was the one who needed tutoring. Out of all people, it had be LaMelo.

For the past couple of weeks I've been keeping my distance from Melo because I wanted to focus on my school work and finish the year off strong.

Whenever Kyle would want to go over to the Estate, I would give him an excuse like I had cramps or something like that. He would usually freak out and drive home so fast. It was really hilarious.

Melo made me feel weird. Whenever I saw his face, my heart got a burst of warmth inside. The way he laughed was a whole different story. It felt as if I was having a heart attack or something. This was exactly why I had to keep my distance.

Anyways.

Now that I'm his tutor, let's just see how this goes.

After I shut my locker, I called Kyle to re assure him that he didn't have to pick me up today. I was just gonna ask Melo to give me a ride, seeing as I had to tutor him anyway.

I wonder how he was gonna take the news about him needing a tutor.

I powered on my phone to contact a certain someone.

Shawty😚❣️: Ay, you in practice? I gotta tell you something.

Melo🏀: Oh damn you actually texting me?

Shawty😚❣️: Oh please, it's only been two weeks.

Melo🏀: More like 2 years 😩

Shawty 😚❣️: Come on answer the question dawg. 😡

Melo🏀: yeah i'm in practice. come watch me 🤞🏼💯

With that I power my phone off and I make my way to the gym. This better not be long because I'm hungry.

By the entrance to the gym, Eli was sitting on the floor on his phone.

"Ooh, I caught you slippin." I startle him. I was laughing so hard because he looked so scared.

"Please don't tell coach man. I was just texting somebody real quick." I stand over him to see who he was texting.

It was Lena.

"Oh my god you and Lena talk? I'm gone get her ass for not telling me." I couldn't believe Eli liked Lena and vice versa . No one even bothered to tell me. We haven't even been hanging out together as a group for that long and now this?

Wow.

"Shh you ain't gotta tell the whole world. We keepin it on the low." I just laughed. He was so extra.

"You can't even talk though, yo lil boyfriend Melo been talking about you non stop all day and night. I wouldn't be surprised if he was jacking off to yo instagram pic.." I didn't let him finish.

"Ew stop, Eli. You such a fool." I roll my eyes. He gets up from his spot and follows me into the gymnasium.

The boys were taking shots from the free throw line and I saw Melo. He looked at me and then looked at Eli behind me and shook his head and rolled his eyes.

What was his problem?

He made his shot and ran down the court, doing more drills.

"Scott! Get your ass over here!" The coach yelled from the other side of the court. I turn around to see a scared looking Eli. He finna die baby.

I sit on the bleachers for the first thirty minutes on my phone, then I start to get fidgety. I was hungry, tired, and cold. The air conditioning was blasting on me.

I didn't think I could take this any longer.

I got up from my seat and I walk over to the Coach.

"Coach, when is practice over? I'm tired. And that kid over there is my ride home." I point to Melo who's dribbling the ball.

"Technically practice was over 10 minutes ago. But if you can make a 3 right now I'll let them go." That wasn't gonna be a problem. I bet coach really thought he was doing something.

He must've forgotten that my brother was a professional basketball player. I would always go and practice with Kyle ever since I waslittle. Basketball wasn't my thing, but it sure was fun as hell.

"Okay, bet." I say.

"Someone get this girl a ball!" The coach yells.

"I got two for her right here!" One of the boys says pointing down at his shorts. The others laugh except for Melo.

I ignore his remark and I set down my backpack.

Melo throws me a ball and I dribbled it normally and then between my legs. I got some oohs. I go a little bit behind the three point line and I measure my distance.

It was no sweat really.

I dribbled the ball once more and then I shoot my shot..

Nothing but net.

"Damnnn!" I heard one boy say.

"Get you a girl who can do both!" Another says while recording. I can't even play that good and they really hyping me up.

Melo walks over to me,"That was clean, Maya!" I dust off my shoulders.

"You already know the deal." He just laughs.

I really do like that laugh.

"Alright boys, thanks to this young lady, practice is over. Now get the hell outta my gym." Coach says and all the boys run to the locker room.

____

"Spazz out, they gon' make a nigga crash out," Melo recites as he drives down the road.

It was really funny, he was really getting into it.

After Melo got out of Practice, we were both hungry. He wanted Del taco, but I really wanted Chick-fil-a

After the little argument, we were on our way to Chick-fil-a.

"Do you wanna sit inside?" Melo asks.

"Hell naw." I hated being around other people sometimes.

We ordered our food and parked in an empty parking lot  next to the fast food restaurant.

I moaned in delight as I stuck a waffle fry in my mouth.

"Don't do that." Melo says, staring at me intently.

"Wait what I do?" I was just eating and now he coming for me.

"You know what you did." I seriously didn't.

"Anyways," I dropped the subject and I pushed my seat back so I could have more room, "I have something to tell you."

"You wanna have my kids?" He said it so quickly.

"Whoa dude no. It's nothing like that."

He looked defeated and I almost laughed. I can't believe he actually thought that I was gonna say that.

"Well, Ms.Hendrix thought it would be a good idea for me to help you study for the exams."

There was a quiet pause.

"So, you finna be my tutor?"

"Yeah, I guess. You have to pass your exams in order to go onto the next grade. I'm gonna help you. But only if you want the help."

"Damn I'm doing bad in school? That's tough." He actually looked a little disappointed. He wasn't necessarily doing bad he just needed a little help, regardless, I hate to see him like this.

I was gonna help him.

"Start the car let's go to yours. I'm finna teach you sum."

"I like the sound of that, Shawty." He smirks and he revs his engine.

This fool.

If Melo thought he was gonna get away with not learning he had another thing coming.

He wasn't ready.

Just a lil filler yall.. Bear with me lol.

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