Breaking The Game [Book #1]

Chapter 42

Narrator

After falling asleep for a few hours in Alix's bed, Allie had woken up in small shock. She woke up just two hours before sunrise. She had quickly and silently made her way out of Alix's room, kissing Alix's head before she left. She made it home to see North passed out on her desk surrounded by papers.

She managed to wake up North and take her to bed with her. Allie didn't get much sleep after that. She's been awake ever since.

On this drowsy cold Monday morning, Allie is stepping into the community center. Her outfit spells out drained and emotionally unstable. Her brown baggy cargo jeans mismatch with her blue sweatshirt. Her black hair is in a ponytail. She plays with the black plugs in her ears as she drags her feet through the halls.

Her face is flushed and pale. She barely had anything to eat this morning. Her eyes look sunken in and almost bloodshot.

Allie knows that she really shouldn't be here, but she never just quits a volunteering job. Even though she doesn't go as often as she used too, now she kind of has too. It's her only way of seeing Alix even if she does run into Mrs. Carter. Plus, Mrs. Carter can't make Allie quit.

Not only does she have to come more now, she has to worry about the Championship game that isn't too far away. In less than a month Alix may possibly be leaving everything behind.

Allie pushes through the large double doors and makes herself visible to everyone in the gym. The basketball team isn't here today. The volleyball net is set up in its usual spot. The girls are on the floor stretching. Alix is wearing her team shirt and her tight black sports briefs. Her hair is up in a bun. She adjusts her elbow and knee pads.

She got a good amount of rest with Allie by her side for a few hours. When she woke up in the morning she was saddened to see that Allie was no longer there.

Coach Clover stands with his clipboard in his hand watching everyone. He doesn't really notice Allie either. He's wearing navy blue gym shorts and a plain white shirt. His whistle hangs from his neck and he doesn't have a hat on for once.

Alix hasn't noticed that Allie walked in, but her mother has.

Mrs. Carter is sitting further up in the bleachers looking down at the scene she views as tragic. Her pink and white tracksuit is comfortable against her skin. Her legs are crossed and an annoyed look swamps her face. Her hair hangs down her shoulders.

Mrs. Carter watches Allie casually sit down in her usual spot. She isn't happy about seeing Allie here. She thought she got rid of her for good. Allie doesn't even know Alix's mom is sitting a few seats behind her. She's lost in her own world trying not to pass out from lack of sleep.

Allie's heart warms up watching Alix. A sleepy smile spreads from one cheek to another as Alix stretches intensely. Those few hours of sleep were magical, but not enough. It's never enough. She misses her little cub.

Mrs. Carter develops a bittersweet taste in her mouth. She wants to find out why Allie is here. She uncrosses her legs and slowly stands up switching gazes between Allie and Alix. Bella Carter knows almost everything there is to know about Allie now. She's aware that Allie is fully blown lesbian. She knows about how close her daughter and Allie seem to be.

Alix stops stretching long enough to notice that Allie is sitting in her usual spot, completely staring into space. For a split second her heart skips a few beats out of happiness, but then she remembers that her mother is just a few feet away from her. Her heart then drops into her stomach as she watches her mom prey on Allie like a predator.

Mrs. Carter steps down the bleachers. Allie yawns, completely out of it as her eyes water. She doesn't notice Alix and doesn't feel the heavy presence behind her. Alix can't bring herself to look away. All the other girls continue to stretch peacefully and quietly.