Beyond the Lesson (TXS)

Homecoming Game

I put my headphones as I watch everyone warm up for the game from the bench. I feel someone tap my shoulder and I look behind me to see Maira. "Hey." I say with a smile.

"Hey. Are you ok?" She asks and I nod. "Are you sure you've been staring at the court since you got in?"

I sigh. "Just trying to get in the game. I'm good I promise."

"You'd tell me if something was wrong though right?" She asks concerned and I nod. "Promise?" She puts up her pink and I chuckle and pinky promise. She smiles and nods going back up with Lucas who waves wildly at me. I smile at my friends and turn back around to the court.

"Hey sexy." I look up at Sierra.

I roll my eyes. "What Sierra?" She sits down next to me. "Pretty sure your coach will be pissed you're not out there cheering us on." I say sarcastically and she sighs.

"I just wanted to talk to you about something." I shrug not caring for her to continue. "Well homecoming is coming up," oh god.

"Don't waste your time Sierra. I'm not going to go to homecoming with you."

"Why not? We'd literally make the best couple."

I lean close to her with my brows furrowed. "We're not a couple Sierra. That's the point of a break up after the other cheats. Go ask someone else. You're popular, I'm sure there's so many people dying to go out with you."

"But I don't want those other people. I want you Talia." I shrug not caring. "Just think about it." I nod with my lips pursed.

"Sure." She nods and goes back to the court. I shake my head and look across the gym and my heart fills back up at the sight of Ms. Romano sitting down with the other teachers. She's laughing and it's like I only hear hers. I've heard it plenty this week as I've stayed in her class for my free period just because I love her company. We talk about her last schools and my life back in Georgia. It was just friendly. It wasn't meant to spark feelings. I continue to stare at her and then she stops talking and her eyes come to me. Is she looking at me too? Is she loooking at me the same way I'm looking at her? Like she's the only woman that has the power to break me. Whistle! I blink away and see my team huddling up. I take my headphones off and get in the huddle.

"Alright team. This is what all the late night practices and sweat and tears were for! This is homecoming so show them how we're coming the rest of the year! Kingston get in here!" Coach yells and everyone claps as I get in the circle of the huddle.

"Alright guys you heard coach! This sets the pace for the rest of the year and we already know we're going out there to kick ass so what are we going to do?!"

"KICK SOME ASS!!" They yell and we clap it up.

"Alright Pirates on three. 1,2,3."

"PIRATES!" We yell and we get on the court. I turn my head as I wait for the jump ball. I see Ms. Romano watching me and my breath hitches. "Kingston!" I hear the ref call and I look. "You ready?" I shake it off and nod. He blows the whistle and tosses the ball and I grab it and the game officially starts.

I pass the ball to Kai when I get guarded and she makes the three from the corner. The crowd goes wild and I see Ms. Romano cheering watching intently. Someone's a fan of basketball. The opposing team shoots for the bucket but misses and I grab the rebound. "On me!" I yell and Kai sets a screen for me to shoot the three and right when I shoot it I'm knocked to the floor and the whistle goes off. I look up and see Sasha. She's a class A bitch. We always have beef on the court. "Thought yo ass got suspended!" I yell after Kai and Morgan help me up.