My Neighborhood Love Story

Chapter 24: Lessons Learned

Khalil's P-O-V

"Khalil, talk to me, please?" I heard Karina beg as I walked over to the cool table.

I feel like the table doesn't even deserve the respect it gets. It's just a regular table in the center of the cafeteria where snobby people sit. I swear it just becomes less and less cool to sit there every day that goes by.

"What is there to talk about, Karina? I said that we were over."

She grabbed my arm and jumped in front of me, "Listen, I am sick of these games. I said I was sorry. What more do you want?"

"I don't want anything from you, Karina. We are over, alright?"

"That's not fair!"

"What's not fair?"

"You! The whole reason you dumped me! I did nothing wrong!"

"You constantly teased my best friend."

"Um... Who are you talking about?"

"Serene."

"Since when was she your best friend? Last time I checked, she ignored you all of the time."

"She was always my best friend. Since we were kids."

"I don't think you sleep with your best friends."

I completely forgot about the whole rumor thing still being around. And in order to keep my reputation, I had to let the rumor continue to linger. But if I wanted to keep Serene as a friend, I would have to come clean once and for all.

"Look, you don't understand."

"I don't care. I'm willing to look past the fact that you pulled a Ray J, okay? I just want you back."

"Why do you want me back do badly, anyway?"

"Because... I haven't dated someone like you before."

"Meaning?"

"Someone who actually invests their time in me. I'm so used to having guys leave me out to do their own thing, especially you jocks, that I sort of generalized you into doing the same thing. If it bothers you that I talk about Serene then I promise I'll try to stop, okay? Just give me a second chance."

I thought about it and she seemed so sincere. Plus, if I know anything about Karina, she doesn't give up. So maybe it won't be a terrible idea to take her back.

"Okay... Fine. Karina, will you be my girlfriend... again?"

She squealed then hugged me tightly, "Yes! I'd be honored to be yours."

I smiled still feeling a little uneasy, but knowing that things will eventually go back to normal. We walked to the lunch table hand-in-hand like we used to and Serene was there with Kwame, talking.

"I just don't see what he sees in her," one of the cheerleaders whispered to Karina.

She looked at me and I gave her a look that let her know that she couldn't talk mess about Serene anymore.

"Just leave them be. As long as they're happy together. I mean, they aren't bothering us, right?" She replied with a smile that I knew was forced.

"I'm disturbed. Why don't we just boot them out of the table, anyway?"

"Come on. Don't you think that's a little harsh?"

"You're right. Let's just kick the little skank out."

"Aw, Steph. Just leave her alone."

"You're acting strange. I thought you hated her guts."

"Let's be honest, I don't think she's the best person in the world. But who am I to judge her on what she does. I mean, it's just my opinion and even when I state it out loud she doesn't seem to care. So why waste my breath, right?"

"You have changed. Khalill, what did you do to Karina? She's being nice to your first hit," her friend said with a confused look on her face.

She said it out loud so the whole table was listening by now.

"What's so bad about that?"

"Do you not know what this girl does, better yet, who she does? She can't keep her legs closed for anyone."

"Just stop it right there. Serene is a great girl and there is no reason she should be treated like she's not a human being with feelings!"

"Khalil, just stop, please?" I heard Serene say.

"What? Why? I'm defending you."

"I didn't ask for it. I don't care about what they say anymore."

I gave her a look of disbelief. How could she possibly say that? Just the other day she broke down about how her life was a mess and she hated me because everyone treats her wrongly because of what I did.

"Uh, Kwame?"

"Yes, my love?"

"Can we leave? I really don't feel like being here."

"Of course we can. Anything for you."

They got up and left the table.

"I told you, baby. Some people ask to be talked about. She doesn't care."

I looked down feeling a gut-wrenching wave of disappointment and anger. I know that Serene hates what she goes through every day. But why won't she just let me help her? I needed to be alone. I left the cafeteria then headed for the gymnasium. I shot as much baskets as possible before the bell rang for classes to resume.

I made fifty-two shots in sixty-seven attempts. And it made me realize that I can't win at everything in life. But if I take the right approach, I can be in a more comfortable position and achieve whatever I put my mind to. And my mind was on Serene. Time to find my approach and prepare to come correct. Because I know that in order for everything to be the way it was, I have to do more than beg for her friendship. I had to show her I was worthy of remaining her friend, as well.