HOOPS AND HEARTS

Chapter 25

                   Astrid

"Im so jealous of you! Fuck you are so damn lucky." Andreena sits on my bed, downing a pack of Oreos, while juggling my hair. She insisted on braiding it, so thats why my head is currently between her knees and my legs are curled up to my chest. Spilling my guts about last night. I reach up and grab the cookies from her lap. 

"Let's not forget what happened in the morning though." I say, looking at myself in the mirror across from me on the floor. 

"All is forgotten when he borderline says he loves you! Damn it, I should have taken creative writing too," She says, pulling my hair tighter in her grip. I reach up and tap on her wrist to get her to release the tension on my scalp. "Anyway, where is your pops? Whenever I come he's like never here"

"I could ask the same thing." I sigh. Im still trying to piece together the things I've figured out so far, and it didn't help that me and Leo got so distracted that day. Stealing us the opportunity of finding out where he went with her. By the time we went back in the gym, dad was already back. I've tried putting my ears up to doors, but its hard when the house is so vacant of his presence.

"I'm thinking of dying my hair red. What do you think?" She ask, tying the end of the braids. I stand up and admire her work. She said french was her specialty. Mom always used to braid dutch.

Oh yea. Mom. I should call her. I guess.

 I would rather put off talking to my parents, so instead I decide to indulge myself in my friends. Well friend. And boyfriend.

"Thanks so much, this looks amazing!" I turn to face her, and take her medium length black hair in my palms. "And 100 percent!" I grab her hand, and my sneakers from the floor. 

"Woah, where are we going?" She ask frantically, snatching her purse from where it lays on the bed. 

"Getting dye." 

"Now?! Wait! I'm not sure I'll even look good with it. I mean I didn't even check with my man!"

"Fuck your man, you would look so good. This is about you"

"Yea, Yea! You're right!" She says, nodding her head. Following me down the stairs. I quicken my pace till we are racing to the car door.

           ____________

Normally I would have driven to the CVS, but the last thing I want is overpriced prices I still can't convert. Also a load of bullshit from Luis about not calling him. So our local grocery store has to deal. Andreena and I spend half an hour picking up box dyes, and either putting it in our maybe pile or placing it back in its spot. 

"Why the hell are there a million options. It's all red!" I exclaim, gesturing to all the shades.

"Look, this one has undertones of pink, and this one brown! We have to choose wisely" She says, holding up to boxes of the same shade. She shoves them both in my hand  and starts backing up. "Ok you choose one. I have to shit." She starts to speed up, her figure disappearing in the beauty aisle. "Don't get kidnapped or something!" She calls out. I chuckle, and stare down the two options in my hand. Red 56, and...red 56. 

"You should go with red 56. Might be your best bet." A voice says behind me. A familiar arm snakes around my waist, while the other takes one of the boxes out of my hand. Pulling it up to his face to examine. 

"To be clear I only condone snooping around your coach's whereabouts. Not his daughters." I say, turning my head to face Leo behind me. He holds up a tube of toothpaste, and wiggles it in my face. 

"We all have necessities princess, not all of them include becoming a walking 'red light' so what's with the sudden school spirit?" He says, referencing our school's mascot. 

"Ohh, I'm not sure. As the newest manager of the bears, I thought I should show some pride." I shrug as he laughs, placing his other hand around my waist. "It's actually for Andreena. She's in the bathroom." 

"There is no bathroom in this store..." He says, a confused look plastered on his face. "Aww, hey it's okay, I heard hallucinations are side effects of 'sudden wish to change your hair color'." He says laughing. I giggle and elbow him in the arm. 

"Shit, where is she then?" I dial her, and press my phone up to my ear, just as she cruises up to us. 

"Fuck that. What store deprives it's customers of basic human necessity!?" She cries. She takes in the picture of Leo looming over me, and points to him. "Well! If it isn't screw-boy." She says, putting a hand on her hip. I whisper shout for her to cut it out, slicing my hand across my throat. He laughs loud and turns to me. 

"So that's what you've labeled me amongst your folk." He says laughing again. I roll my eyes, and push his shoulder. 

"Maybe previously, but only because you gave me a reason to." I squint my eyes in a mock accusing way. 

"Is that so, princess? I forgot her majesty probably learned nicknames differently back in the homeland." He says, a smirk on his face. I slip out of his arms, biting back a smile. I raise to my tiptoes, but fail to get square in front of his face. He bends his knees slightly to meet me at my height, which only irritates me more. 

"Oh you are so dead." I say, wagging my finger in his face. Smirking the whole time. He grins, and captures my finger. Taking my hand and placing it on the back of his neck. 

"Does that mean i'm getting beheaded?"

"Yup. Guess you'll just have to say your goodbyes now."

"Well, let's make my last moments worth it." He slips his lips against mine. He still taste like the first time. I can hear Andreena hacking next to me, and in response, Leo takes the box of dye from my hand, and covers our lips with it. He pulls away, and leans into my ear. "I want to see you later."

"Can't, I'll be playing hairdresser." I say, taking the dye back from his palm. He doesn't move from his position next to my ear. 

"Still up for detective then?"

I know what this means. This means answers. This means steps closer to knowing what my father has been up to. Yards closer. 

"I'll call you when I'm done." I say. He nods. 

"That looks good on you by the way." He says, motioning to my identical braids. He tucks a stray hand behind my ear and kisses the empty spot of my neck next to my ear, and smiles. Walking away. Andreena beams and starts shrieking. Jumping up and down. I laugh along with her. 

"He is down so fucking bad!" She laughs again, mimicking his actions, grabbing my hands, and making kissy faces. I laugh along with her to the rhythm of the music playing overhead.

"Ok! We gotta focus! Red 56?"

"Hell yea!"

"Hell fucking yea!!"