HOOPS AND HEARTS

Chapter 8

Astrid

Andreena takes a bite of a carrot, observing me staring at my lunch tray. She smirks.

"Don't worry, I would be horrified too." She takes another bite of her carrot and immediately spits it out. Disgust grazing her features. "Free education, terrible food. It's a give and take." She shrugs.

"Uhu..." I nod and stare down at the carrots coated in what reflects dust, scraps of stale bread, and one piece of undercooked chicken. She laughs and opens her phone. "I wouldn't keep enduring this bullshit, but I would rather spend my money on other things than overpriced food out everyday." She remarks. I shove my plate away.

"Any other source of energy here?" I ask. She types away at her phone, raising her finger to point at distant vending machines, her attention unwavering at the screen. I instinctively reach for my backpack to find the spaces near me empty. I sigh in frustration. "That sly bitch." I squint my eyes, thinking of the numerous things he could have done with my things. Hell by now, it's probably sitting in a puddle of mud.

"Still can't believe you lost your backpack to Leo Williams." She says, placing her phone down on the table and unscrewing the cap to her water bottle. "I thought you would have lost your virginity instead" She shrugs. I stare at her in shock, sputtering for words.

"First off, that guy is a total prick, and second off, what makes you think I'm a virgin?" I say coldly, shuddering at even the thought of Leo.

"Those." She points to my baggy jeans, resting loose on my mid drift.

"I just don't dress like a slut" I laugh, picking at the bits of bread on my plate.

"Don't take so much offense to the idea of him, I mean the guys a total hottie. Like every girl is feigning to be his basketball. That's the only shit he seems to care about. The mans a total mystery." She says, taking another swig of her water.

"Well mystery solved, he's a wanker." I say. Placing a piece of bread in my mouth. The taste repulses me, as I let it fall out of my mouth and onto my tray. "Got any extra cash?" I ask her. She giggles at her phone, slowly nodding and reaching for a pocket in her bag. "What are you looking at?" I make an effort to lean over her phone, before she turns her screen, Leo's instagram stretching across, wide into view. She drops the phone into my hand, leaving me to scroll through his countless post and highlights.

"That boy looks delish" She sighs, looking at the phone. Scattered across his feed are what seems like an endless amount of gym pictures shirtless. Him lifting weights, and completing workouts. A giggle bubbles out of my throat till I'm bent over the table laughing, tears pooling in my eyes. I wipe my tears and squeeze out my remaining laughter. Andreena stares at me wide eyed.

"It's not as good in person, trust me." I lie. Her jaw drops.

"And you've seen him shirtless, when??" She inches out of her seat, desperate for answers. I hand her phone back.

"His car." I reply nonchalant.

"How is he??" She urges with a smile. My eyes widen and I wave my hands in front of me in defense.

"Woah!! Nothing like that! As if i'd even think if doing it with that prick." I explain.

"So the part where clothes were removed is not going to be spoken on???" She exclaims.

"Only him. I told him he smelt like shit so he took off his shirt." I reply with a shrug.

"He wants you so bad." She says, with a glimmer in her eye. I roll mine. "But seriously, if you don't want him, I wouldn't mind you putting a good word in for me." She tucks her hair behind her ear, mocking a seductive look.

"What about your boyfriend?"

"Oh yea, I have to be loyal." She squints her eyes for a second, thinking. "Which is why I'm determined to be your wingwoman!"

"Good luck with that, I wouldn't even think about considering him in a million years."

"Seriously? I'd be asking 'what are we?' after that interaction."

"Easy answer." She waits, with a quizzical look on her face. "Enemies." She hands me a 5 dollar bill.

"Suit yourself."

I stride over to one of the vending machines and observe my options. I'm about to insert my change, when I hear a voice.

"Hey, Ellsworth." I turn to my right to see a tall blonde boy, sporting a green sweater and black loose jeans. I recognize the way his hair falls into his eyes naturally, from my first time at the basketball gym. It surprises me when he holds out his hand for me to shake. "I'm Tom." He smiles at me warmly. Finally someone decent from the team. I take his hand and give it a shake.

"Astrid. I applaud you for your ability to remember your coach's last name" I smile back, and turn my attention to the snacks in front of me. I press the number for peanut butter crackers. "Damn. It's quite expensive here." I remark, as the bag falls into the pit of the machine. He chuckles, and in one swift move, he retrieves the bag and holds it between his pointer and middle finger, out for me.

"Enjoy." I take it from him with a smile, to see a piece of paper hanging out behind it. "Oh and, call me if you want it free next time." He winks and drifts away, his scuffed up sneakers striding away in confidence. I unfold the paper to find his number scribbled across. Smiling, my cheeks are tinted pink.

________

As I walk into the gym, I stop by dad's office. Hoping to break some unwanted tension. When I walk in, I see him glance up from a black caseless phone. He quickly throws it in a drawer, and grabs his clipboard, standing up in a hurry. My eyebrows knot in confusion, as I open my mouth to announce my presence. He nods addressing me and glides out of the door. I turn his way, lifting my hand to wave to his back. My eyes drift back to his desk. What are you hiding? I slowly make my way over to the mess of papers on his desk. Pens toppling over and paperwork scattered. I wait till I hear him whistle and bring the boys together. I lift them up and peer around. Finding nothing, I find the drawer. I try it once, and it doesn't open. I try two more times, and try snooping for a key. As I'm opening other drawers, I hear shoes shuffle into the room. I stand upright, placing a smile on my face. I meet the eyes of a brunette boy, proceeding into the room at a slow pace.

"Um, hi. Don't worry, I won't interrupt your investigation." He nods, giving me a strange look, and opens a first aid kit, retrieving sports tape. I let out a breath as he makes his way out of the office. I collapse in the chair and bite my lip in concern.

You're hiding something dad.

And I will find out what it is.

authors note:

Heyy!!! I was so excited to write all day but unfortunately I had school and the wifi was soooo bad but i'm back trusttt js a reminder u can chat it up with Leoo honestly i imagine him being so fine it gives me a lil rush when writing him hehehre

https://character.ai/chat/oZnEgUkPFnryCJz7JAGULGshcQ3DSQh3DgEHuGahxFk

please leave suggestions for things you would like to see more and stuff and your predictions for what Astrid's dad is up tooo