Pride, Ego, Audacity

6. Honour

Kalen

"Hey Kalen, swap seats with me. I want to sit with Lotte." Brooklyn said from where she sat next to her brother as we pulled up to Charlotte's house. I hopped out of the car to change seats just as Devin and Charlotte walked out of the house.

"Hey Kalen." Charlotte greeted before walking over to hug Brooklyn, leaving me and Devin to stare at each other awkwardly. 

"Never thought I'd be seeing you three times in one day." I stated by way of greeting. He just shrugged before walking past me to get into the car. Seriously? He was still mad at me from lunch? Scoffing at his pettiness, I aggressively pulled open the car door before also getting in.

I was silent for most of the car ride, only saying a few words when the girls included me in their confusing conversations which lasted the whole ride. Devin didn't say a single thing the whole time.

"We're here." Brooklyn's brother announced as he pulled up to the arena. "Hurry up. Out out out. I'm going to be late for work." He urged as the four of us scrambled out of the car.

Brooklyn and Charlotte walked ahead of Devin and I as we walked into the arena, their arms linked and heads close together as they continued their conversation from the car.

"Are you seriously mad  at the fact that I wanted to pay for my own lunch?" I asked Devin as we walked side by side.

"I'm not."

"Then why are you ignoring me?"

"I'm not."

"Then why are you being so pissy?"

"I'm not."

I was so close to throwing a ball at his head, but unfortunately I wasn't in the presence of any balls.

"Whatever." I scoffed, picking up my pace to catch up with Brooklyn and Charlotte. However, Devin grabbed onto my arm and pulled me back beside him.

"You said we're not friends." He accused. I recalled what I had said to him during our previous conversation.

"That's why you're mad?" I asked in disbelief. He didn't respond. "Why the fuck would you be mad about that?"

Devin still didn't respond. "Okay, fine, I lied. We are friends." I grinned, hoping he would stop acting grumpy.

"We don't have to be friends if you don't want to be, Simmons."

"No, I do." I assured. "Come on, stop being mad." I pleaded, pouting at him for extra effect.

"Stop pouting at me." I continued pouting. "Fine, I'm happy. See? Jumping for joy. Now stop pouting." Devin insisted, plastering an exaggerated smile on his face.

"Hey, you two, stop flirting and come sit." Charlotte called from where she and Brooklyn sat, laughing at Charlotte's joke. I rolled my eyes and walked over to sit next to Brooklyn. Devin sat down next to me.

Throughout the game, I came to realise that Devin actually knew quite a bit about basketball. He would comment on fouls sometimes even before the referees blew their whistle and scoff at the uncalled travels committed by players. In the end, the Nets won the game and I could hear Brooklyn boasting to Charlotte the whole way out of the arena.

"I'll take Brooklyn home and you take Charlotte?" I asked Devin. He nodded. I watched as Brooklyn and Charlotte hugged each other before reluctantly separating.

"You ready to go?" I asked Brooklyn as we waved goodbye to Devin and Charlotte.

"Wait, I actually need to talk to you about something." Brooklyn hesitated.