Love and Basketball

Chapter 1

This can't be happening. Not now anyways.

Basketball season is just around the corner and I have a team to look after. Why did my dad have to take that stupid job in Pennsylvania? He was doing just fine dealing real estate where we are. I don't have the heart to leave my team and my friends behind. Not again. Not after my mom died and my dad and I moved from California to live in North Carolina with my step-monster.. I mean step-mother. Wouldn't want to insult the monsters by comparing them to Cleo. Seriously, if you ever met her, you'd run for the hills too. Whatever makes my dad happy I guess. I just hope they know I'm not leaving without a fight.

"You can't do this to me." I sigh "Not again at least."

I mean how is a 17 year old girl who only wears sneakers, jeans, and t-shirts going to find brand new friends going into her senior year at a new school. If you think it's going to be easy, try again.

"Angela, I'm your father. I'm doing this for your benefit. I'll be making more money at my new job and life will be so much better in Pennsylvania. I hear your new school has a great basketball program too! I talked to the coach about a week ago and he said they're even looking for a new captain. See, things can't be that bad."

Leaving all my friends behind, switching schools, and playing basketball with a bunch of girls who probably handle their liquor better than they handle a ball isn't bad? Sure, let's go with that.

"So you're gonna bribe the coach so I can be captain just like Cleo bribed her way into our lives. I see how it is. You think I can't do this on my own."

"Angela Marie Reed. First of all, Cleo did not bribe her way into our lives. She was just a client of mine and we seen each other often for business."

Business. Right. That's why he came home late every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with the smell of perfume on him.

"We started falling in love, Angela. Love isn't something you can just control. It's crazy, unpredictable, and worth every second of Time you put into it. Getting over your mother was tough, but Cleo has helped me get through it. And second of all, I would never bribe your coach. I know you can do anything you set your mind to. You always have been able to and that won't change just because of a little bit of difference."

Little differences hurt the most sometimes..

"I don't see how you can love someone like her. My real mom was so loving and caring. She would have given the world for us. All she wanted was whatever made us happy."

"So does Cleo."

Obviously my dad can't see past the dollar store makeup hiding her horns and her glowing red devil face.

"Cleo would give us up in a heartbeat if it benefitted her. She's absolutely horrible. How can't you see that? She's the one who pushed you to get your stupid new job in Pennsylvania. She seen that we were happy here for a change and she had to ruin it like she ruins everything else in my life. I mean that's why she made us move to North Carolina with her after Mom died. We were so happy in California. That's where you grew up and where I was starting my life. The only thing she hasn't ruined yet is basketball and I won't let her do that to me. You can't even deny that she's the reason all of this is happening, can you?

He went dead silent. Then he said the words that I had feared he would say.

"We're leaving first thing in the morning, Angela. Period."