Thuggin' Love

1

Riley's P.O.V

Dribbling the ball, I looked around at who to pass the ball to.

"Yo Reezy! "

"Pass it to me!"

"Hey Reezy I'm open!"

A few teammates shouted as I dribbled my way closer to the hoop hoping that blonde bitch won't steal it from me again.

Just shoot.

Win the game.

Running toward the hoop, I totally smashed it with a layup and dunked off the hoop.

Score!

I cheered while dropping off the hoop.

Wait...

Why ain't no one cheerin with me?

Walking up to Ceaser, I asked, " Yo why ain't nobody cheering with me? I just won us the game!"

Ceaser retorted, " Nigga you stupid? You gave them the win! You shot in the wrong hoop! "

We lost?

I asked, " What?!"

I gulped realized everyone was staring at me.

Fuck.

...

Flopping on the bed, I held in my frustrated tears.

I usually never cry cause thats gay, but this was different.

I never lose.

I let everyone down.

And embarrassed everyone includin myself.

"You wanna talk bout it?"

Huey asked turning from the computer he probably be writin a novel or somethin.

I said, " I dunno, I just can't believe this..."

Rolling on my back, Huey said, " I mean- you did shoot in the wrong hoop. How'd you not notice?"

Sitting up I said, " I thought you was on my side!"

Huey crossed his arms said, "I'm always on your side. I'm just sayin what happened, why you gettin mad at me?"

I said, " I obviously don't wanna talk bout it! "

Huey sighed replied, " You lost the game. Its just a mistake, everyone makes mistakes. So chillax, get your head straight, and quit beatin yo self up on it!"

I stared at him for a minute.

What the hell?

He's never like this.

He said, " And don't start wtih that " you don't know what your talkin bout huey" or that " quit the bullshit you gay ass punk and leave me alone" like Riley seriously. I've been there, that kickball game, I felt like it was the end of the world, and look at me now. Still, just chill and practice hard like you always do."

I said, " May I help you sir? You be lookin be lookin a bit unfamiliar today..."

He rolled his eyes said, " Still. Just practice focus on basketball and school and you'll stay outta trouble that way."

Leaving the room, I flopped on the bed.

Huey is right.

Well, he always is.

I just never listen.

Replaying his words in my head, I stood up deciding to go on a walk for a minute.

What if he's wrong though?

He could be...

Oh well.

I'll figure this out myself.

...

Dribbling the ball again, I took another shot hoping it wasn't the wrong hoop this time.

"Hey Riley, I don't remember seeing you here,"

Jasmine walked toward me wearing a pink sweatshirt, white shorts, and pink air forces.

I asked, " Yo parents let you outside like that?"

She asked, " What? What's wrong with my outfit?"

I said, " Its just- nevermind, what you doin here Jaz?"

She replied, " I was walking and spotted you over here, I heard about the game..."

Shooting the ball I flatly replied, " Oh, what'd you hear?"

She said, " Well-"

I said, " Nevermind, I don't wanna know..."

She sighed sat down criss crossed replied, " Well, just practice and you'll do better next time,"

Sitting on the ball, I said, " I dunno Jaz, this game literally- I just can't believe I did that- shot in the wrong hoop! Last time I did that was when I was like- 8..."

She said, " Oh yeah, but that was long time ago! Like seven years ago, I'm sure things will get better!"

I shrugged said, " Whatever..."

She said, " Oh stop being so stubborn. I've known you nearly all my life and every time something bad happens whether you be runnin in the streets with Thugnificent or Ed and Remy, you always make it out fine in the end! What does this do to make it different?"

I sighed listening to her words.

She's right to.

No wonder Jasmine and Huey are made for eachother...

Mr Perfect and Miss Perfect, honestly thats literally them...

Yet when nobody listens to them, they're still right...

When nobody's around, they hangout together...

Have been for years...

Makes me wonder why Huey hasn't asked her out already...

Well.

He is super oblivious and dense and stuff...

And-

"Riley?"

I asked, " What? "

Jasmine tilted her head asked, " You gonna respond?"

I said, " Look, it's been a long day, I know your right- Huey said something similar to that too... You two are- nevermind..."

Jasmine's cheeks turned slightly pink when I mentioned Huey, she asked, " What about Huey and I?"

I said, " Nothing, nothing... I just think- you two are practically perfect for each other! "

She rolled her eyes said, " Okay then... I do hope things get better. "

I nodded pulled out a blunt, and there I sat on the basketball court, smoking weed for the remainder of the evening.

...