Stay in Your Lane | Lonzo Ball

Chapter 20

Izzy

I kept my normal morning routine of working out to keep my mind off of being anxious to meet up with Zo tonight. As much as I wanted to ignore his message or tell him hell no, something inside told me to agree to hear him out.

As I went through the day, I thought of a couple of things. First, it had taken a lot of energy to be mad at Zo. Mapping my day out so I wouldn't run into him before we left for break, putting him on the block list and thinking of mean shit to say to him if I chose to speak had become draining. Especially over something not that serious like our argument had been.

Second, the second half of the season was coming up and I don't want this negativity and tension going on between us. Both of our minds needed to be focused on our ultimate goal. I couldn't have my mind divided between hooping and being a bitch to Zo; even if he deserved it.

My family and I spent the day enjoying the holiday spirit that filled our home. Tonight we were having family over. Tradition here at the Harper household where our immediate family came over to eat finger foods, watch movies, play board games and open presents. Each person being allowed to open one of their gifts in front of the family. I loved this time of year and I couldn't wait to see them.

I headed out to Butterfield five minutes until 7. Since my family would be over by the time I got back, I dressed in what I planned on chilling in once I returned back home. Nike tights, oversized UCLA shirt and sneakers leaving my hair down to air dry. For some reason I felt a little nervous. I turned up my music, singing along and easing myself.

I pulled up a couple minutes after seven. His car was already there. I smiled at his punctuality. To me it meant that this conversation... meeting up with me means something to him.

I took a deep breath and checked my face out in the mirror before getting out the car. It was just us out here, which is the main reason why I chose this park over the others in the area. Lonzo was popular, so if someone caught a glimpse of him it was going to be a swarm of people. We needed a one on one.

He was shooting basketball in a pair of BBB joggers and shirt with a pair of Jordan's on. His back was to me, so he didn't notice me approaching him until I made my presence known.

"Worst jump shot in America."

He caught the ball that bounced off the rim and slowly turned around. For a few seconds it was silent, but neither one of us broke eye contact once it connected. His lips curved into a soft smile. Although there was a part of me that was happy to see him, I held my facial expressions to a minimum keeping it very nonchalant.

"Hey," he smiled, green eyes gleaming in the sunlight.

I reached for the ball that was now resting between his hip and arm, "Let me get a shot."

He passed it to me as I walked down to the corner of the three point line. I took a few dribbles and sank the shot. Hitting nothing but the net.

I could hear him chuckling to himself as he rebounded the ball and walked towards me, "And you thought I was the cocky one," he said.

"I'm confident, not cocky," I corrected him, "there's a difference."

He smiled yet again. I couldn't deny that it wasn't cute but I didn't show it. I was a self proclaimed master at the poker face.

"Um...I'm glad that you decided to meet up with me," he nervously scratched the back of his head, "To be honest, I didn't think we'd be talking any time soon."

"Agreed. I guess running into you at the park was the catalyst for that changing."

"Yeah. I had been thinking about you a lot since we last talked at school but seeing you in person had a different feeling."