[THE WAYARKE SERIES, BOOK #1]
"Take it easy."
"It's never easy with you."
"Good."
୨୧
Ever since Austin Chanler was young, the NBA has been his dream. The one thing he's wanted for himself. Now a 19 year old sophomore, eligible for an academy one ste...
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AUSTIN
I'm so overwhelmed. The crowds are much bigger than at SURVIR games. I feel a sense of comfort though, knowing I'm not completely alone. My sister is here, at the game. She goes to university here and it's perfect. I only went to Survir for basketball and Lizzie was always the one to visit me, so I've never visited her here— in Wayarke.
When the game starts, I feel nervous, but I shut it off as quick as I can. All of these people are going to criticize the new starring players, which includes me. These are my new people. They're gonna judge me to see if I'm worthy. As much as I don't want to admit it, that scares me.
Before I know it, my name rings out through the speakers. #5, Austin Chanler.
In the moment, it's a lot more breathtaking. The cheers, gasps and looks I get. It's official. I'm in the Wayarke Academy. To steer attention away, I quickly drift out of the frame of the camera.
When the game finally begins, I chase away any doubts. This is my first game in this town and I can't screw up.
The game flows nicely and I get a lot of assists. 2nd quarter is coming to an end at 20 seconds on the clock. The ball is passed to me. 18 seconds. I pass it to #7. 12 seconds. I move across the court. 8 seconds. The ball is passed to me again. 4 seconds. I shoot. 2 seconds. I make it in.. buzzer beater.
The crowd cheers and I feel a sense of accomplishment. It seems like I've already become the liking of this town's people. When I turn towards the lines of rows in search of my little sister, I see none other than Evelyn Whitmore.
How the hell is she here? She came to this little town just to watch me play? Just like that, my sense of accomplishment has faded and my new goal is to get this crazy girl to learn about boundaries.
When I stand by the sidelines, she comes over to me and bats her eyelashes. Ew.
"You played so good. You know, you may not like me right now, but you will. you're good at basketball and I'm good at..." She attempts to seductively bite her lip.
She looks constipated.
I'm so tired of her. "Look, Evelyn, I really need to focus on my own shit." No pun intended. "Please, just leave me alone." I order and immediately leave the court. I need some air.
I'm fed up and this is my last straw with her. If she doesn't respect it, I'm done being nice about it.
I don't even check behind me to see if Evelyn followed me, but in over my head, when I feel a woman's figure "accidentally" hit my body from behind, I snap.
"LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!" I yell, my back still turned away from her.
I breathe deep through my nose, done with her bullshit.
When I turn around, it's not Evelyn. It's this absolutely breathtaking woman. So it was an accident.
Her hair is coiled with curls and they run freely over her shoulders. Her skin looks smooth and it's a light shade of brown, the smell of cocoa butter radiating off it. Her lips are full and her eyes are big, revealing an innocent demeanor. But right now, she looks anything but innocent.
Her eyes narrow and her tongue rolls along the inside of her mouth. I'm about to apologize when;
"Who the fuck do you think you are?" She starts. "Does it make you feel better about yourself?" She pouts her lips. "Boost your ego?"
As soon as I try to get an apology out, she continues.
"Sorry to break it to you, but your ego is still as small as it has been." she emphasizes, her lips flickering with mischief.
"That applies to a lot of things." She swiftly looks down and then bounces her gaze back up to meet mine, her eyes full of mock.
Before I can even counter her snobby response, she turns on her heels and walks away. I watch her curls fly a little with the wind and how cold the air got. She must've transferred her anger to me, because I'm pissed.
Not because I was rude to an innocent, beautiful girl, or because I didn't have the chance to apologize.
No. I'm pissed that she thinks she can get away with the last word. She didn't even let me get a word in. Those snarky comments still run through my veins. I clench my fists and force myself forward, walking back to the game. I need to let it go.
While walking back, I run into my half-sister, Lizzie.
"I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU!" She calls out, smiling.
I give a short smile back, all of my energy out the drain when I encountered that girl.
"What's wrong?" Lizzie searches my eyes. "You're doing great. Don't be nervous. Just know, you have the best sister out there cheering you on!"
She smiles again and I can't help, but smile more brightly back.
"Thank you." is all I can muster myself to say.
I lean in for a hug, but she stops me midway by punching me in the arm. My arm throbs.
"What the hell was that for?" I say, rubbing the bruised skin.
"Just some extra luck." She scrunches her nose, pretending to be mad, waves goodbye and marches back to her row.
Even after time went by with Lizzie, I can't stop thinking about that girl. She infuriates me. Not in an Evelyn Whitmore way though. In a "I want to find out what else makes her mad" way.
