Summer Schooled

6: Omari

The first week of summer school went by slow as hell, so I was relieved when the weekend finally came. Iverson had been telling me about a party this Saturday that everybody was gonna be at. I would definitely be there, no questions asked. I needed to unwind after the first week of hell and just be surrounded by cool people.

Friday night we chilled at Iverson's house, then went around the corner to play street ball Saturday afternoon. I wasn't in the mood for a pickup game because niggas always got in their feelings and there was almost always a fight. Instead, me and Iverson just shot around with our shirts off.

"This party gonna be lit," Iverson grinned and dribbled the ball between his legs, "I can't wait!"

"Who do you think is gonna be there?" I waited by the rim while Iverson shot and got his rebound.

"Everybody," Iverson shot again and missed.

"Who's 'everybody'?"

"The regular squad. The same people we partied with earlier this week and more."

"Oh aight," I held the ball between both hands. What I really wanted to know was whether Ayla would be at the party. I know she was the last thing I should be thinking about, but I know how big this party is gonna be and people from all over are coming. There was a chance she might be there, but I figured it was slim to none. I just wanted so see her outside of a school setting for once and see what she was like when she let loose.

Iverson and I were still on the court when three girls came past and tore me away from my thoughts. They all stopped when they saw the two of us. Iverson raised his eyebrows at me with that stupid look on his face again.

"Hey y'all," He waved at the girls and they waved back.

"Hi," one of the girls giggled.

"Y'all like basketball?" Iverson tried to be fancy and dribble between his legs and shoot a fadeaway, but he missed and the girls laughed.

"You look dumb," I said quietly to him.

"I'm funny. You know girls like funny guys." Iverson replied.

"Who's your friend?" Another one of the girls spoke up and I turned around.

I opened my moth to speak but Iverson jumped in before I did.

"This is my man Omari aka O Dog. You might've heard about him on the streets." Iverson put his arm around my shoulder and patted my chest with his other hand.

"Hi O Dog," the girl who asked about me smiled and winked. She was kinda cute, but I wasn't trying to mess with any girls at the moment.

"Wassup." I said dryly and got from under Iverson. I took the ball from him and started dribbling.

"What the hell are you doing?"Iverson turned toward me and looked annoyed.

"I'm not interested in them. You can holla if you want but I'm chillin." I kept dribbling the ball.

"Fine. More for me." Iverson scowled at me and then turned back to the girls.
"Y'all know there's a party tonight?"

"Oh yeah. We'll be there." One girl answered.

"Aight cool. See you there." Iverson waved to the girls.

"See you. Bye O Dog." I didn't see which girl said it but they all giggled and walked away.

Iverson faced the girls until they were out of sight then turned to me and looked annoyed again.

"What the fuck man?" Iverson looked me dead in my face.