Distrust//Kyle Kuzma

F I V E

Alivia's POV

"So, tell me about the most talented female basketball player to ever walk the halls of UCLA." Kuz said as we walked through the Grove.

"That's not what they call me." I giggled as we passed multiple high-end stores.

"That's what I call you." He spoke making me look up at him.

"You think I'm talented?" I asked admiring his perfect features.

"I do. You know I'm no stranger to you Alivia. I've seen the videos of you play. You are talented and have a future in basketball." He said smiling.

"Thank you. You're making me feel bad that I've never heard of you." I giggled feeling bad.

"I am a very under the radar player. You know in college, they didn't realize I was a good player until my second year." He shrugged as we kept walking.

"Sometimes you have to prove that you belong. I feel like I've done that my whole life." I spoke thinking about my past.

"Can I ask something?" He asked making me wonder what he wanted to know. Be careful what you say Alivia you don't know what type of person he is.

"Why do you have daddy issues?" He asked looking at me dead in the eye.

"I prefer to call them trust issues. Who told you that I have trust issues?" I asked with a questioning face.

"Zo, he warned me that it will be hard to get you to trust me." He placing a hand on my shoulder.

"He's got that right. It took me months to believe he was there for me." I said looking at the tattooed arm that held me so gently.

"Why though?" He asked looking at me like he really cared.

"Sometimes simple wounds create multiple scars. That's not important though. Tell me about yourself." I said trying to change the subject.

"I'm not going to pressure you into telling me your entire backstory, but don't change the subject." He said giving me a soft smile.

"It's just some stuff with my past, maybe one day I'll tell you the whole story." I smiled knowing he'd listen to my story if I was brave enough to tell it.

"Tell me something about you." I smiled and looked up at him.

"Well, I grew up in Flint Michigan. I went to Utah for college, and now I'm here an LA Laker with a beautiful Bruin standing in front of me." He smirked knowing he made me blush. It has been so long since someone has called me beautiful.

"It's been so long since someone has called me beautiful." I smiled at the comment.

"Well, you have me now." He smiled back at me.

"Thank you. Why did you start playing basketball?" I asked wanting to know more.

"You know in Flint, you either know how to shoot a gun or shoot a ball. I wanted more than just that lifestyle. Why did you start playing?" He said as we started to walk back to the car.

"Only escape, I find that ball therapeutic. I was probably 5 when I first figured out how to play. As time when on I got better and now here I am." I said as we walked.

"I guess we both found basketball as an escape." He chuckled.

"I guess so." I smiled.

"How did you meet Camila?" He asked as we walked past a big group of guys.

"You can call her Mili, but we grew up in the foster system together. We met when we were 13." I said as I heard someone whistle behind us.

"Hey, sexy." A deep voice called out making me freeze.

"Don't pay attention to him just keep walking." Kyle whispered in my ear before laying his long arm over my shoulder.

We kept walking as the guy kept calling. Kyle kissed my temple obviously giving the guy a dirty look. We walked back to Kyle's Porsche in silence. He unlocked the foreign car and opened my door for me.

"I'm sorry if what I did earlier made you uncomfortable." He said leaning on the door of the car.

"Don't be sorry. I'm glad I had you with me. I'm usually alone when I get hit on and it makes me super uncomfortable." I spoke sweetly.

"I'm glad I was with you." He smiled before closing my door for me.

I smiled to myself as he walked around the car. He got in and started to drive back to my house. We made small talk as we drove back. When we pulled up to my house Kuz was in shock.

"Dang." He said staring at my large house.

"Gotta love Nike." I sighed as we got out.

We got out and Kuz walked me up to my door.

"You're going to Zo's party right?" He asked as I unlocked my door.

"Yeah, why?" I turned and looked at him to see a small blush on his cheeks.

"Do you think you want to be my date? You know we'd look good walking in together." He asked obviously.

"Sure, text me the details. I had a great night." I smiled and pulled him for a hug.

"Me too. I'll text you." He smiled.

"Bye Kuz." I smiled and opened my door.

"Bye Liv." He said before I walked into my vast home.

Kyle's POV

I sighed as I walked back to my Porsche. I got in and sat there thinking about Alivia. She does have some major problems but I want to be the person she can trust. I started my car and drove back to my house. As I drove I called the one person I knew could give me good advice.

"Hey, baby." My mom's voice rang through the speakers of my car.

"Hey momma, I need some advice on a girl." I sighed as the lights of LA passed by my car.

"Whatcha need?" Her sweet voice asked.

"Ok, so I met this girl a couple of days ago. Her name is Alivia and she's a basketball player. She's best friends with Zo, we met through him. She is so sweet and has such a big heart. There is one problem though, she has major trust issues. It's so bad only one person knows her whole backstory. What do I do to get her to open up to me?" I told her all about Alivia.

"Well son, she seems like a character. If this is someone you want to persue you're going to have to be patient. If she was beaten, neglected, or bullied as a child she may be very independent and commitment or trust may scare the shit out of her. Be careful with her. Treat her as if she is a porcelain doll and if you drop her she will shatter. Don't constantly tell her that she can trust you. Let her know every now and then, but show her that she can trust you. Be there for her when she needs you the most. Show her that you care. Also, she may be a little hesitant to say I love you, so don't be upset if you tell her and she doesn't say it back. Just be yourself baby and she'll see that you are a great guy." She said as I took note of every word.

"Thanks, mom. You're the best advice giver." I smiled thinking of my family back in Flint.

"You're welcome, baby. Just give her time. She sounds like an amazing young woman. I love you, buddy. Good job tonight." I could see her warming smile as she spoke.

"Thanks, momma. Love you and miss you." I smiled as I pulled up to my apartment complex.

"Bye baby." She spoke sweetly.

"Bye, momma," I said as I hung up.

I sat in silence and thought about Alivia. She probably has such an amazing personality hidden under those walls of Distrust. I have to wait for her to get comfortable with me. I have to break down those walls slowly, but I can do it.