Love & Basketball [Book 1]

Chapter 12

Jacob Latimore POV

Another day in school and this time I have music for first period. Now this is more like it; I'm in a class that I adore. The pros and cons of this class is that the pros is I love it and the cons is Bahja. She's in this class too and apparently so is Cymphonique. That whole bad girl vibe that she got to get though.

Just her attitude is enough for me to want to be interested in her even more. My friends are straight up wrong 'cause I ain't finna break her heart. I know I have a bad reputation but that don't matter. And, I know that Sarah and I are together but we not exclusive though. Am I greedy? I don't think so, I'm just showing love.

That ain't too bad to do...

Now that I know that Miss Cymphonique is related to August Alsina. This is a piece of cake. Me and August are pretty close and he's like an older brother to me. In a way, he is an older brother to me. Since we're both R&B artists.

The usual she sits in the back of the classroom but rests her leg on another desk. Everybody else is interacting with each other and she's just by herself. I don't wanna creep up on her and agitate her. So, I need a good approach before I make any sudden moves. My luck I could get a hello back from her.

I toss my backpack on a random desk and stroll to the back where she is. Coughing just to get her attention when she's not responsive. My friends notices my fail attempts and laughs a little. So, I grab the deal that she's resting her feet on. She looks up at me and rolls her eyes before scoffing as loud as she can.

I sit down in the chair and face her when she rolls her eyes. "Don't you got somethin' betta to do," she says in a sassy tone. This is such a turn on.

I smile a little bit before I speak. "I do," I say.

"Which is what exactly?" Cymphonique said, leaning forward.

"Looking at your beautiful face." I said and I notice that she blushes.

"Ion what kind of games that you think you playin' but back off. I'm not inna mood boy." Cymphonique said.

"Ow! You are so sassy. I love it." I said to her.

"Y'know what you not gonna like..." she says.

"What?!" I ask.

"Me... Snappin' ya neck then guttin' you like a fish." She smiles.

The teacher claps her hands to get our attention when everybody takes their seats. Shockingly Bahja would come and sit as close as possible to me. She's such a stalker I promise you a restraining order is coming. Just by her coming by sends weird vibes to me from each side. Looking at Cymphonique and Bahja, these two have a stare down.

Cymphonique takes one side of her earphones out while Bahja tries to grab my hands. "Stop!" She moves her hands away.

Cymphonique POV

I walk down the hallway when I see papers posted in the walls. One of 'em catches my attention and of course it's basketball. They're havin' tryouts and I most definitely signin' now. This school just got interestin'. I'm gonna like it here.

I grab my ink pen and start signin' myself up when these rainbow girls come. I ignore 'em and smile when I finish signin' up for tryouts. Of course they make slight comments but I keep movin'. Jesus is by my side today so ima take the high road. Some people just won't act their age - ever.

Lulu and Zendaya sees me and approaches me. They say hello to me and I'm not gonna be rude so I talk back. We all start talkin' when they ask me to join lunch wit' 'em. I didn't decline tho' I just nod my head. My second day of school is pretty okay so far.

***

"I see you'd decided to participate in our school." Lulu said.

"What did you sign up for?" Zendaya asks.

I drink my milkshake before I answer, "Basketball."

"Ooh." they both say in unison.

"What's wrong wit' that?" I question 'em.

"Nothing," they say in unison again.

"Can you two stop that!" I said. It's gettin' annoyin' now.

Jacob comes walkin' pass us and looks right at me wit' a smile. Ion what's wrong wit' him but I ain't interested. He finna go find another girl to stalk and leave me alone. I turn back 'round to see Zendaya and Lulu lookin' at me like they concern or somethin' like that. I shrug while I eat on my fries.

"Is there something we should know?" Lulu asks.

"Nothin' that concerns you." I said.

"Is there a thing with you and Jacob?" Zendaya asks me.

"No! What's wit' that guy anyway?" I ask 'em and they frown.

"Jacob. Jacob. Jacob. Jacob. He's a heartthrob that's for sure." Zendaya said, scoffing.

"He ain't catch mines so next." I said back and she chuckles.

"That's how it all starts." Lulu said.
"Every girl he sees starts off the same way as you before they fall for him."

"And, not to make it seem like a movie, cliche scene, but it's the truth. If I were you I'd stay as far away as possible." Zendaya says.

"He's a heartbreaker." Lulu chimes in.
"Why do you think Bahja is so clingy to him?"

"Because she's desperate." I laugh at what I said.

"Laugh all you want but it's true. She was as tough as a nail as you until she fell in love with him. They broke up and now look. She's not letting go." Zendaya said.

"That's her problem fo' not lettin' go." I said, shruggin'.

"Which is true, but just watch out. I'm just looking out for you Cymphonique." Lulu said.

"Beware of Latimore or you'll end up in the same dilemma as the rest of those girls'." Zendaya said.