𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐮𝐬𝐭

Don't Cross Me

Marcus tapped at the door twice before twisting the knob. He peeked his head through the crack of the door and spotted his son Cross playing his video game. He was sitting in his gaming chair right in front of his sixty inch flat screen TV. He had shed his practice gear and was now dressed down in black Nike basketball shorts, a plain white tee, and white Nike ankle socks. He was so into his game that he hadn't noticed Marcus standing there.

" What's up little man?" Marcus said, finally making his presence known.

" What's up dad?" Cross casually replied, keeping his focus on the television screen. He bit down into his bottom lip as he zoomed through traffic with the music blasting. Marcus glanced at the screen to see what was keeping his son's attention. He chuckled once before shaking his head. Grand Theft Auto. Marcus stepped in and closed the door behind him. He cleared his throat and continued. " Your mother said you got sent home from practice today. You wanna tell me what happened?"

" Travis kept messing with me. I was sick of him doing it so I punched him in the face." Cross shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal.

Marcus thought Cross had been sent home because someone had been picking at him again. When all along it was his son who had done damage this time. He looked on in bewilderment. His son had finally stood up for himself. Marcus felt like he shouldn't be disciplined for something like that. He was low-key proud of Cross's progress. This was considered good news in his eyes. He didn't understand why Nia was so upset about it. Travis had been nothing but trouble from the start. He was always instigating some shit. Not just with Cross but other players as well. Marcus felt like he got just what he deserved. Travis was now a living example of the term fuck around and find out.

Marcus cracked a slight grin but quickly removed it. He didn't want Cross thinking that fighting was the solution to all of his problems because At some point in his life he would have to learn how to handle issues more logically. He stepped deeper into the room and sat down on the bed. Cross paused his video game and looked at his dad curiously. He prayed that he wasn't in trouble because after all, he was only doing what he had been told time and time again. To be honest Cross was glad he had finally stood up for himself. He had never felt so liberated.

Travis seemed so big and bad around his friends. He and all of his flunkies would tease Cross every chance they got. Sometimes things went beyond words.Travis would wait until there were no adults around and do slick shit. Things like sticking out his feet to try and trip Cross whenever he would walk by. One time Cross wasn't paying attention and ended up taking a hard fall, causing everyone around to erupt in laughter. He could have been seriously injured but they didn't seem to care. So, when he tried the same thing again Cross stepped over his foot, then turned and hit him in the face. Since Travis is a bit bigger than him Cross used his helmet as a weapon. There was blood everywhere.

"Are you here to make me apologize like mom tried to?"

" Well, that Depends. Are you sorry?" Marcus asked, though he felt like he already knew the answer. Cross didn't appear to have an ounce of remorse in his body. He was acting unfazed and playing video games as if nothing had ever happened.

" Nope. I could do it again" He answered stoically.

Marcus didn't see a need to make him apologize if he didn't really mean it. It would defeat the purpose if it wasn't sincere. However Cross's sudden cold demeanor alarmed him because he seemed so emotionally distant. A far cry from how he used to be before all of this had taken place. He hated how his son had to resort to this type of behavior because people misunderstood his kindness for weakness. It wasn't until now that he realized Nia had been right all along. This conversation was long overdue.