Becoming Mrs. Bryant

𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐖𝐎

March 27, 2023

Rico

"Rico Semedo to Coach Latrell's office," a female voice announced on the intercom as I was leaving the bathroom in one of the student halls. "I repeat, Rico Semedo to Coach Latrell's office."

"Huh" I said aloud, wondering. I had left Coach a note stating that I quit due to not wanting to fall behind with grades. Perhaps this call was gonna be to ask me for any equipment that I still have.

"Hey Coach," I peaked my head into Mr Latrell's "lair" as he liked to call it. He looked up from the paper he had been reading, which I soon realized was the letter I wrote to him, just printed.

"Shut the door and grab a seat Rico" he requested.

I nodded, closed the door, and did what was asked. I took a deep breath and rested my palms on my knees as I waited for coach Latrell to say something.

"I'm no rocket scientist," he finally began, "but in my sixteen years of coaching this sport, I have never, ever, had a player quit just because."

I cocked an eyebrow, "I didn't quit just because" I answered, "I referred to my grades. You didn't see?" Latrell folded his arms, making it very obvious that he wasn't buying what I was selling.

"Rico, I looked at your grades this morning. You are a solid, straight A student" Latrell informed me. "I looked at your high school transcript as well, given that you played football all 4 years at Brookston high. You were a straight A student there too."

I didn't say anything. I couldn't think of an excuse beyond this point. After getting busted the first time, you can't really risk getting busted again. Your second lie has to be realistic as fuck. As I sat there thinking, Latrell picked up my letter off his desk and ripped it up-bringing me back to reality.

"So, you wanna tell me what's really going on?" he asked me, "or should I tell you what's going on?"

"W-what do you mean?"

"Due to the fact that it's a changing area, there aren't any cameras in the locker room" Latrell informed me, "but I've overheard some stuff, and have checked the cameras that are installed in the hall leading to the locker room. I've seen certain people consistently giving you a hard time."

"Oh" I said shaking my head, "it's cool, really, that's just how we play around."

"Playing around doesn't result in somebody quitting the team out of fear" Latrell replied. "Rico I was your age before. I was the victim, the bystander, and the bully before. I've been it all, and I know clear as day what each role looks like at this level."

Before either me or coach Latrell could make any further comment, his wrist watch began beeping.

"I don't have much time," coach continued as he looked down at his watch, "so I'll cut it short: either you rejoin the team, or I'll inform the principal of what's really going on here." I made a face.

"Won't that just hurt Nick and Jason?" I asked, and coach folded his arms, "not quite."

"Given all that's happened with Lewis, it'll make things look real bad on his part too. You're telling me that this kid managed to escape a rape charge, murder suspicions, and then his two best friends are caught bullying people?" Mr Latrell continued, "then Lewis must not be such the saint that he portrayed himself to be to the media after all. I mean, good doesn't surround itself with bad, right?"

"I'm not getting it," I sighed. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that if you push me into having to take matters into my own hands, it won't just hurt Jason and Nick. It'll hurt Lewis, and then it'll hurt you. Because they will undoubtedly come after you."