Voyage to Atlantis

Chapter 3

North Park wasnt as busy as it usually was, but whenever an ongoing basketball tournament between blocks was in play, it seemed to be nonstop games. It was nearing the last round of that particular one where the only prize was bragging rights for the rest of the summer.

One guy in particular was frowning as his nose flared, trying to keep his eyes on the game but also eyeing Nikki, who was yelling obscenities to him from her place on the sideline.

"Nikki, he's going to push you in the face if you dont stop!"

"I wish...I wish he would!" Nikki fumed, pacing back and forth in front of the bleachers. Lacey put her elbows back on the one behind her and stretched out over three of them, crossing her legs at her ankles and looking down at her Jordans.

Nikki stopped for a second before pulling her Blow Pop out of her mouth. Lacey twirled hers around with her tongue.

"He's so childish, Lace," Nikki whined. "He knows he's pissing me off."

Lacey listened to Nikki go on about a guy she had been seeing the past eight months. Miles was in their grade but hardly came to class. Lacey thought he was too much of a clown but Nikki was usually attracted to that. They were usually hot on one day and cold the next. Lacey knew the day after she came home from camp that Nikki had been occupying herself with Miles and only a month and half later, a few weeks before their senior year was to start, they were back arguing.

"I don't want to be up here anymore."

They were at the park watching a basketball game that Miles was playing in. Lacey looked at Nikki and frowned. She was acting way more emotional than usual.

"Whats up, Nik?"

Nikki bit her lip as her foot tapped against the black top and she folded her arms under her chest. Her large, gold hoop earrings pushed against her neck as she shook her head.

"I'd rather tell you later," she said. Lacey nodded but kept her eyes on her best friend. Miles walked past and tapped Nikki on her butt while dribbling the ball backwards. Nikki huffed but didnt even turn around.

"You ready to go?" Lacey asked. Nikki held her hand out for Lacey to grab onto. Lacey took it and pulled up off the bleachers. Miles yelled at them, asking where they were going but Nikki just looped her arm with Lacey"s and kept walking. Neither of them spoke until they got to the bus stop.

The park was only about ten blocks from Nikkis house but since Lacey knew she'd end up walking home the bus was easier to take at the moment. She checked her pockets for her pass before slightly nudging Nikki in her arm. Nikki looked up at her before looking back down at her hands.

"How you and Aiden?"

"We're cool," Lacey said, shrugging her shoulder. "He got a new ride so hes supposed to come see me tomorrow."

"Thats sweet."

"Sweet?"

"What, it is?"

"Nikki, you never think anything Aiden does is sweet," Lacey said, matter-of-factly. Nikki grinned before laughing.

"He's an alright dude," she admitted. "As long as you happy."

"What the heck is going on with you?"

Nikki didn't respond because the bus pulled up. After showing their passes, they sat in the front on the side bench next to each other. Nikki picked at her fingernails.

"I'm pregnant and Miles is acting like he doesn't care."

Nikki had said it so quickly that it took Lacey a few minutes to actually process what she said. She frowned.