Off the court

Rising moment

I wake up again. It's Friday, finally. But that means practice. I only have biology today, and then no more, thank the Lord. I actually try today—I put on a hoodie with some jeans and put my hair into a high bun. I listen to "Sailor Song" by Gigi Perez. Every time I listen to it, I cry because it reminds me of home. I tear up, but that's pretty much it because I'm doing my makeup. I put on my Dunks, grab my bookbag, and leave.

I see Paige. I didn't really know if we were cool because of yesterday. I put on my headphones and listen to the song again. I zone out until I feel someone tap me. It's Paige. She says, "Hey, Mya."

I reply, "Hey, Paige, how are you?" As we walk out of the elevator, she looks like she doesn't know what to say.

She answers, "I don't really know. I couldn't tell you right now."

I say, "It's okay, you don't have to know right now."

She says, "Thank you for understanding." We high-five, and I walk away. I don't know why we didn't hug, but whatever.

I walk into class and see Jana and Jackson. I sit next to Jana and say, "Hey, Jana."

She responds, "Hey, Mya. You doing okay?"

I say, "Yeah, just taking things one step at a time."

She says, "Good mindset. I hope you guys figure it out."

I say, "Thank you." And then we start class. We do the test, and it's kind of hard. I studied, but I guess not enough. My hands start getting sweaty, and I can't think properly. I kept thinking about everything, and I couldn't focus on the test. I took deep breaths and finished.

One hour later Class is over. I'm nervous about how I did, but it's done, so whatever. I walk in the hallway, heading back to my dorm, and I see Paige.

She says, "Hey, Mya!"

I say, "Hey, Paige."

She looks at my wrist and then at me. "Are you okay?"

I say, "For the most part, why?"

She says, "Because, Mya, when you're worried or stressed about something, you fidget with your bracelet."

I tell her the truth. "I'm just stressed about the test."

She looks concerned. "Mya, I'm sure you did fine. Don't stress."

I feel a little relieved. "I guess."

She says, "Let's take a walk around campus and talk about yesterday."

I say, "Yeah, good idea."

I'm kind of nervous to talk about yesterday, but me and Azzi talked, and she said it's for the best. We start walking, and Mya says, "Paige, we need to communicate more."

I say, "Yeah, I agree. And think before we speak."

She says, "Okay, so we set boundaries? Are we on the same page?"

I say, "Yeah, we're on the same page."

We hug. I see Mya put on her headphones, and she starts crying. I ask, "What's wrong?"

As we walk into the elevator, she says, "Nothing, it's just this song means a lot to me."

We walk out, and I ask, "What song?"

She says, "Sailor Song by Gigi Perez."

We walk to my dorm and sit down on the couch. I ask, "So, you're Christian?"

She says, "Yes, I'm Christian. Why?"

I reply, "I just wanted to know."

She asks, "Are you?"