𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇.

thirty-six.

𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐧. 𝐣𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬
𝙰𝙿𝚁𝙸𝙻 || 𝙱𝙰𝚃𝙾𝙽 𝚁𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙴, 𝙻𝙰.
-

    "You got my email right?" I leaned against the wall outside of the school bathroom, talking to my future coach at University of Kentucky.

"Yeah, I got it. I made sure they settled all of the scholarship shit, and they have your updated psychical on file too." Coach Ron spoke causing me to let out a desperately needed sigh.

There had been some confusion going on at the university about my scholarship, transcript, and my psychical so that I was able to practice when the pre season started. It was stressing me out and I just wanted to make sure that everything was settled.

"I told you I was gone take care of it, kid. But I appreciate how hard you were working and reaching out to make sure."

"No problem," I nodded my head with my phone up to my ear, watching the crowd of people walk through the hallway trying to get to class.

Amidst the large crowd of students, I still managed to lock eyes with Kacie. She wore her long braids in a neat top bun, with a headband right above her neatly laid edges. She wore a tight-fitted yet casual two piece set paired with pink crocs and slouch socks. The outfit was laid back, yet she wore it so well.

We locked eyes but she looked away quickly and kept walking with Lani right beside her, looking at me with her face all scrunched up.

"Remember, move in day is June fourth. Training starts the next day in the main gym. I'll send you a reminder text as the time gets closer." Coach Ron spoke up again, I had completely forgotten that he was on the phone.

"Gotchu, thanks Coach."

"No problem." I hung up the phone.

I tucked my phone into my back pocket and started my walk to chemistry class. I knew that I was already going to be late but I didn't really care since it was for a nonnegotiable reason. I also didn't mind being late to chemistry at all. Since having Kacie as a tutor, the subject was now so easy to the point where it was boring.

I walked in the classroom and took my usual seat in the back next to Lani who was still wearing the same mug that she had on her face from earlier in the hallway.

"Fuck you look so mad for?" I furrowed my eyebrows slightly in confusion, situating my items on my desk.

"Don't play dumb, Neno. I know the shit you pulled with Kacie and she's very upset with you about it and I am too." She crossed her arms then shrugged.

I scratched my head and blew out a long winded whistle before just shaking my head, "It's not that deep."

"You were gone all day then when she asked where you were you wouldn't answer her and you were rude about it. That is extremely suspicious behavior and you know it," She twirled her pen around in my face.

In my opinion, Kacie was being dramatic about the situation and so were all the other women in my life. I had been receiving mean mugs from my mother, Essy, and Delani. They were acting as if I had put my hands on her or something horrible.

"How it's suspicious?" I leaned back.

"You're not dumb, Neno. You know exactly how it's suspicious."