Rebound Issues k.a.

Chapter 7

Kevin runs out with The Fault in Our Stars CD, Devin with my three darts, and Daniel with my rock jar.

"We out, Momma Roa!" Kevin yells as I chase them outside. We went down a few blocks until they stopped at the basketball court. "Now that you're outside, let's play some basketball." Kevin says and they put all my stuff on a nearby bench.

"How about....no." I pick up all my things and start to walk away.

"Where you going, Nagely?" He asks.

"Home."

"Do you even know the way back?" I stop walking because I actually don't. It's been so long since I've really walked around outside, and we ran out pretty far.

"Fine." I sit on the bench. "I'm staying but I'm not playing basketball." They all shrug and start playing with one they found on the blacktop. Daniel blocked Devin's shot and the ball bounced into the street and I just watched it go by.

"Really?" Daniel asks as he runs for it.

• • • • • 20 minutes later

"I'ma sit this one out." Kevin calls out then sits next to me. "Hey."

"Hi." I plainly greet him.

"So....." He tries to spark a conversation but I just look out in the distance. "Sorry about, uh, your jar." He picks it up. While Daniel was running he shook it so much and now it's just rock dust in a jar. No layers, no patterns, no nothing. "I'm just gonna be personal Kev right now, alright? Why are you always so depressed and distant?" He scoots a little closer to me.

"What do you mean?" I glance at him.

"Your mom told me how you broke up with him and stuff but I don't think you should be this sad."

"And why not?" I defensively fold my hands.

"Because he was an idiot for letting you go and you deserve so much better. You can easily get another guy even better than him." He tries to cheer me up.

"You know how many times my mom has told me that?"

"Oh." He tries to think of something else to say. "Maybe you hear it so much because it's true." He scoots even closer. "I really like you, you're cool. I just wish you'd be more open with me so we can be friends." He has a hopeful smile and leans over to me. I can't help but smile at him. "You know, that's the first time I've seen you sincerely and not sarcastically smile." We laugh. "Let's talk, tell me something." He turns to me.

"I don't know what to say." I shrug and look down.

"Come on, anything. You have to have something to say."

"That show you guys were watching was actually kinda funny." I still avoid eye contact, staring ahead of me.

"That was just Top Ten Funniest. We just watch that when were bored. But what we really gotta watch with you is Orange Is The New Black. That show is hella funny." I nod. "Tell me something else."

"Umm, I actually really like your hair."

"Why thank you." He says in a funny accent. "Continue." Kevin seems very intrigued.

"I remember you now. From when we were younger."

"Why didn't you tell me this before? Tell me a story." He sits up.

"Let me think. Ok, we were ten, it was the last day of summer and we went out for ice cream. I don't remember what we got but-"

"We shared a banana split."

"Well, you already remember this then."

"No that's the only part I remember, keep going." He zips his lips and I laugh. I turn a little bit to face him more.

"Ok so we shared a banana split and you kept eating on my side even though I drew a clear line with chocolate syrup." We both laugh. "When we finally finished your mom was driving me home and you came in my house and our moms wanted to have a talk with us..."

"Continue the story."

"We talked about how we won't see each other as much because I was moving. That was the last time I saw you."

"Damn, even your memories are depressing. But I'm here to fix that, don't worry." He takes my hand. "You're in good hands." He lets go and holds his hand up in a fist. "Allstate." He says in a deep voice and we laugh again.

"I love hearing your laugh. It makes me feel like I'm funny." He scoots over a little more until our legs are touching side by side.

~~~~~~~~~~

We talked for about half an hour until Daniel and Devin were done playing basketball then we walked home. I even talked with Devin and Daniel a little on the walk back. When we walk back in my mom calls me so I go to the living room.

"Yes?"

"Nagely!" Kevin's mom runs to me and gives me a hug. It's been so long, you've grown so much." I hug her back.

"Hi, Momma Deb." I awkwardly smile.

"She remembers my name! You remember my name!" She hugs me again.

"Ma, let me get in on the hugging. Hey, Nagely!" Shari hugs me. "It's so good to see you again. Girl, you look good, slaying." She snaps her fingers and I laugh. "We need to hang out like asap. Tomorrow we're going shopping."

"But I was gonna hang out with her tomorrow." Kevin puts an arm around my shoulder.

"Well too bad." She pushes Kevin's arm off then her phones rings. "It was so nice reuniting but I really have to go, management's calling." She rolls her eyes. "But I'll pick you up around two." Then she leaves.

"I would love to talk but Kevin keeps mouthing for me to leave you alone so you can go with him. I'll be down here with your mom." She kisses me on the cheek. I go upstairs and into my room and the boys follow.

"Nagely, can I shower in here?" Devin asks and I hesitate but nod.

"Let me go shower too." Daniel starts to get up.

"Not if I get there first." Kevin and he start racing to get to the other bathroom first. They rushed out the room, and this time, I don't lock my door.