Ball Is Life

Chapter 4.1

XxChrisxX

I sat in my car waiting for the girls basketball practice to end. My seat was declined and I was starting to get irritated. It's like I needed to talk to India it's the day coach Williams extends the practice.

Picking up my phone I dialed Michael's number. When I heard his voice I also heard Crystals.

"What is she doing there? Thought she was at practice?" I asked into the phone.

"She sprained her ankle." Michael sighed.

"Damn, forreal?"

"Yeah, coach talking about she can't play the next two games."

"The next two?" I asked. "Damn. How India holding up?"

"You already know she's gonna go hard no matter what."

"When does practice end? I've been sitting out here for like thirty minutes."

"Uh, practice ended an hour ago. India stayed tho."

"Damn." I said getting out the car. "I'll hit you up later."

"Aight." Michael said ending our call.

I made my way to the back of the school where the girls locker room was and damn near broke down the damn door. As I made my way further into the locker room I could hear a ball dribbling against the hardwood floor. I made my way to the entrance of the gym and watched as India crossed the ball in and out of her legs.

She looked so passionate. I know she loved doing what she does best; play ball.

"India Westbrooks makes her way down the court. She crosses player number 23, she goes for the jump shot!" India paused. "And she makes it at the three pointer! The crowd goes wild! Another Victory for the Lions-."

"Seems like you know what you're doing." I smiled at India's backside. She turned and looked at me as she rested the ball between her hip and arm.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I'm here to talk to you."

"Well, I'm busy. And if you couldn't tell by the way I been swerving you for the last week, I don't want to hear it."

"Well, I'm gonna make you hear me." I said walking to her and grabbing the ball from her. "And you're gonna listen. I'm tired of chasing you. You're not a damn bus."

"Well, you should know; never chase a bus. When one leaves another one comes around."

"That quote should work for women too."

India gave me a blank look as I chuckled. She clearly didn't think that shit was funny.

"Look, I'm here to make a-."

"I don't want to hear it Chris."

I smiled as I looked down at her, "You're very stubborn."

"So, I've been too." She shrugged.

"Lets make a deal." I smiled caressing the ball in my hands.

"And what's that?"

"First one to ten."

"For what?"

"If I win, you have to listen to every word I say. Plus, you have to tell me your story."

She crossed her arms, I glad she didn't catch the shade I was throwing in. Hint what Crystal told me last week. "And if you don't win?"

"I'll leave you alone for good. I will never talk to you again. Plus, I have papers to get transferred back to West-end; just waiting to be signed." When she smiled I hurt a bit. "But if I win, I won't go."

India stared at me biting her lower lip. She snatched the ball from me and smiled. "Deal."

**

I smiled as I leaned against the bleachers in the gym. I was hot and sweaty and was playing in my jeans. My balls were sweaty and I need a fucking shower.

"I won, now sit." I said sitting down next to India.

"Do we have to do this here?" She asked.

I looked around the gym and nodded, "This is more quieter. I can tell you without any interruptions. You can also tell me your story with no interruptions."

"Fine." She said sitting down next to me. "Go."

"Aight." I said taking off my SnapBack and getting comfy. "When we were in Atlanta for Champs I had beef with Dime the first day. Coaches liked me better. Team mates felt I was better to lead the team. Dime didn't like that shit. So, when you ran into the locker room and I was all up on you like that I just had to show him you were with me-."

"So, you-."

"Don't interrupt. Rude." I said looking at her. "Then when you dipped I went and finished my shower. When I came back out nigga was talking about how he could steal you from me and how he could Mac and shit like that, dawg, shit got under my skin. So I said something. Shut his shit down. Walked out that bitch like a motherfucker boss."

"And what happened after that?"

"He chased my ass down talking about let's make a bet." I chuckled. "I turned his ass down for at least ten minutes but he wouldn't let up. I said fine."

"Just like that? You gave up that easy?!"

"It wasn't that easy, do you know how bad I wanted to cut my fucking throat out?"

"No, but go on; tell me what he said."

"He was all like, if we win Champs there is gonna be a party at my house. I get to mess around with your girl. I said fuck it, cause I know you wouldn't do no fucked up shit like that. He said bet. Win or lose I can come and I can bring you. Show off my winnings but most of all show off my girl. I took that shit. Deep down in side I knew you wouldn't do that but on the outside I was freaking out like a lil bitch."

"You should have trusted me enough-."

"I know. And I messed up on that part. My fault."

India sighed and nodded, "Alright. I forgive you-."

"Yes-."

"But, I'm not gonna be able to trust you; at least for a while."

"Okay, fair." I smiled and nodded. "But now I wanna hear about you. What's hurting you so much inside? Why can't you trust me?"

"Do you have to ask?"

"Other then that. Smart ass."

XxIndiaxX

I stared Chris in his face as he kept asking me about my 'story'. What story is he talking about? It's some shade behind that story shit, but I don't know what it is just yet.

"Chris, explain to me by story; what are you getting at?"

Chris looked at everything but me and I was starting to think he had some idea...

"Chris!" I said raising my voice a bit. When he looked at me I could see the truth in his eyes. I shot up from my seat and damn near tripped over the last bleacher when I was trying to rush off of them.

"India, wait, let me explain." Chris said behind me. "Please."

I hurried and wiped the tears from my face before turning around to face Chris. The more I wiped the tears it seemed as I'd they fell harder.

"Are you trying to mock me?" I asked him. "Is what happened to me a joke to you? Did your basketball friends tell you about it-"

"India, calm down." He said shaking head. "It's not like that. Crystal told me if I wanted to understand you more I have to hear your story. She told me she wouldn't tell me and it would be best if you told me." Chris scratched the back of his neck. "It's nothing like that. I promise."

I bit down on my lower lip and looked up at the ceiling as I sniffed away my tears.

"I was a freshman..."