Lucky Me

Elijah (1)

After we finished training with the coach, it was time to go home. I went to the locker-room and went to my locker. It clicked open. The others were talking to Coach Higgins because of the schedule they have to keep, and what foods they have to eat to stay fit; Meaning no junk food on the weekends. Shit.

Jose came in and sat down on one of the benches, letting out a breath of hot air. "Damn, Sometimes I think about whether or not I really want to be a basketball player," He said. "I felt like one of my knees are gonna bust out and I won't be able to walk again,"

I chuckled at his comment and continued to change into some other clothes, some sweatpants and a T-Shirt wouldn't hurt anybody, Not like I care. When I looked up he was staring strait at me, his chest up and his arms crossed.

"How can you be so calm at times like this? I mean have you seen our schedule for this whole school year? Just bullshit." He sucked his teeth, digging through his pocket until he pulled out the paper with the schedule on it.

I grabbed the paper and looked at it, Shaking my head. "Would you say that to your mama? You made time for your ass because she wanted you to be successful? How about her schedule? Would you say that it was bullshit?"

He didn't answer, He thought for a moment. He looked like he was about to say something but he didn't let it go out, He just went to change. I watched him, Making sure he's not gonna break down and cry in front of the others. When I decided it was time to leave, I secretly took out a picture out of my back pocket and sat down on the floor. My sister was in my lap and she was eating ice cream, About a year ago when school was over. She had finally got the Dora The Explorer action figure that she wanted when her birthday past, when my mom could actually afford it.

"Eli look what I got! Mommy got it for me!" I remember her waving it in my face and making her dance; I chucked and lifted her up into the air.

"That's great, Maxine. She's pretty just like you, You know that?" I messed up her hair and she went on her way back to the car.

I felt a couple tears go down my face and quickly dry up on my bruised

cheeks that were clearly hidden because of my mom's good make up skills. James and the others walked in laughing, Jared holding some other girls sweater.

"Is that sweater Zaria's?" I asked, pointing at it.

He nodded, "She went to go change, I guess we're all about to go home"