IILICIT AFFAIRS ━━ Lamelo Ball

3.5

I was never much of a rule-breaker. I followed rules. I never really questioned them. I just did as I was told. Even though Ayesha is my equal, I felt as if going out with Lamelo that December night broke an unspoken rule between me and her. Either way, Lamelo and I broke many rules doing what we were doing, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

The night he first took me out, which was under the guise of an "apology tour" was not what I consider the start of the affair. I think of it as the catalyst. It was merely the fuel to the flame.

I had quite a few friends before it all came out. Some of them were guys, and I hung out with some of them alone. And what I can tell you is that it was strictly platonic. I think if it were anyone else but Lamelo, it would have been different. But that's a strong if. It was Lamelo, and I'm telling you this story.

Lamelo told me to be ready by 6. And I was ready by six. Then 6:15 rolled around, and at 6:30, I was certain he wasn't going to come. My sister always told me that if it's past thirty, it isn't worthy. So, seated in my vanity, I was about to get unready. I scolded myself for thinking he would have changed. As I pulled out a makeup wipe, my phone dings. I remember feeling this instantaneous joy when I read his. And it wasn't just any "I'm running late" text too. It felt sincere. It was something along the lines of "So sorry Bre. Practise ran late because Plumlee couldn't make his free throws. Promise I'm on the way and I'll make it up to you."

Of course, I blushed. Of course I thought, "Wow, maybe he has changed." Lamelo back then would have not said a word and be surprised when you weren't dressed up. He wouldn't have spent a second writing a text. And of course, I felt something tingle in my heart.

He followed through with that promise. He arrived thirty minutes later and suddenly, over thirty isn't worthy was out the window. He showed up with yellow gardenias, my favorite, by the way, and with that smile, in the back of my mind I knew I was about to fall. I was once again to fall for a man who had no intention of catching me. God, I'm fucking stupid.

The moment I got into that car, I felt all my morals go out the window from then on. Lamelo turned the music up, rolled the windows down, and sped down the boulevard as if God was our only witness. I felt free. I felt wild. I felt like 16 and in love with him once again.

"Where are we off to?" I asked over the roaring wind It seemed as if he had no direction, turning and changing lanes like he was crazy.

"It's a secret," he smirked to himself, glancing over at me.

"If this is you trying to kill me... thank you. I have a deadline in a couple of days," I joke.

"Would never kill a beautiful girl like you. Pops raised me to be a gentleman," Lamelo grinned.

I rolled my eyes, but the smile creeping up on my face was near impossible to hide. "Don't you got a girl?" I reminded.

Lamelo stayed silent, and soon I felt the air thicken. "I mean, I'm just speaking objectively. You are a beautiful girl, Anne Breanna. That don't take away from Skylar being pretty as well," he said, but it lacked the usual confidence Lamelo had. Instead, this was said on his feet, like he was on trial for treason.

I chose to ignore that, hoping that this night would my final night with him and being entangled in his business. I ask him once again, "Where are we going?"

"I told you, it's a secret."

"It's a lame secret. C'mon. Just tell me Lamelo."

"Fine, okay. I'm taking you to my favourite bánh mì place. You can't tell anyone about this spot because it's lowkey and no one goes there, not because the food is bad though. It's just chill there. They don't know me as a basketball player, though. They know me as the freakishly tall lightskin that eats there like every week."

"You know how much I love bánh mì."

"Course I do. That's why we're going there as my formal apology."

We got to the place ten minutes later. The place was small, only about four booths and four tables of four. The restaurant was occupied by older Vietnamese people, minding their business and eating their food. We were seated by a girl who looked no older than 22, and by the way her eyes sparked, I was certain she was familiar with him or figured something out. She gave us the booth seat tucked by the window and gave us our water.

"The usual for you?" She asked Lamelo. It was more of a formality, considering that she was already writing down his order. Lamelo nodded.

The girl then turned to me, asking, "And for you?"

"I'll just have the same thing he's having, but could I also get a side of spring rolls?"

"For sure. Anything else for you two?"

"No, that's everything," Lamelo confirmed. The girl gave us a soft smile before walking away to the kitchen.

Stirring the straw in my finger, I asked, "Damn, how often do you go here?"

"Like I told you. Every week basically. No less than once, their food is fire." He leaned back into as he said his response.

"Not to rush you into anything... I'm just curious. How does this apology thing work?" I asked, lifting my brow as I sipped the ice water in front of Lamelo.

"Like this, bánh mì and a heartfelt apology at the end of the course."

"Why not now?"

"If that's what you wish for..." I give him a look of confirmation. I was eager to hear those words, even though I got over everything by myself years ago. I guess it was just different hearing the apology from Lamelo himself. The pause became so deafening that for a second, I thought I dream it all up.

"It feels insincere to, uh, read off the paper I wrote, so this is all from me, okay? I'm sorry, Bre. I truly am sorry for being such an asshole to you, especially since you loved me so much and I loved you too. I was immature and stupid, and looking at you now I kick myself for treating you like that. You deserved so much more than what I gave you, and I love seeing you flourish. I love seeing go out there and conquer the sports journalism scene. You're the sun, okay? And no words will ever describe how sorry I am. I want you to know that I regret treating you like that because you're... you're just you. I hope you can find in your heart, Anne Breanna, to forgive me, but I get it if you don't, even though I'm treating you to the best bánh mì of your life."

Lamelo wasn't very poetic, but he didn't have to be. Even if he didn't try, Lamelo just had this draw. If he was fire, I was a moth. Every person has their weakness, and Lamelo was mine. A smart girl would leave it at that, but I'm not a smart girl. I'm a girl in love.

"How long did it take you to memorize?" I snickered, unable to think of any other response that didn't end in me crying.

"Honestly? Like a week," Lamelo joked, smiling. "Ay, for real though. That's genuine."

"Well, I accept your apology." I said. Lamelo smiled harder and brighter than any other smile I've seen.

Over bánh mì and water, we reconnected.  We talked about life, laughed about college, all while in that restaurant. We were there until our server had to kick us out.

Before I knew it was midnight and Lamelo and I were driving on the freeway, blasting our sophomore year playlist. Maybe I should have left it there, or even just at the bánh mì place. Of course, I say this with regret, knowing what happened, knowing how it ended. I went home that night not knowing what was to unfold before me. I should've stayed home that night.

LOVE LETTERS FROM SHAY
it's been a whileeee. juicier chapters to come!!