You Don't Know..What you Don't Know

Chapter Fourteen: Fall

For the next few weeks, I avoid both Randy and Torri.

I'm still trying to sort out whatever happened between us, and I need a boy-free brain.

Basketball and school become my entire world again. Slipping back into that routine is easy.

I know I'm regressing.

But sometimes you run back to the things that make sense when everything else doesn't.

I spend every extra minute in the gym. Before school. After school. Weekends. Every sprint, every free throw, every suicide drill pushes the noise out of my head.

By the time I crawl into bed, I'm too exhausted to think. I crash, wake up, and do it all over again.

Randy makes avoiding him easy.

He avoids me too.

Gary and Jake still meet me every morning and walk me to class. Without them, I'd probably spend every passing period alone. They've never once let me feel abandoned.

Torri texts me a few times.

I never answer.

He needs to focus on his life in the city, and I need to figure out mine. Right now, I have no idea what I want.

I need to focus on Tia.

Brandi and Jamie officially hate me now. Jamie fills the hallways with whispered insults every time I pass. So far it's all bark and no bite.

Our friendship is over.

I want it to be.

We've been friends since second grade, but not everyone grows up at the same pace. Some people stay exactly where they've always been.

I've grown.

"You ready for the game Friday?" Gary asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I shoot him my best death glare.

"No social events. I'm having a hot date with Mr. Netflix."

Jake groans dramatically.

"Come on, Tia. We'll sit somewhere else. You don't even have to talk to anyone."

I look at both of them like they've completely lost their minds.

"Guys, I don't think I'm exactly wanted there."

"Oh, come on," Jake begs. "We want you there."

"Well, Princess... looks like you've got yourself a new fan club."

The voice freezes me.

I slowly turn around.

My heart drops straight through the floor.

Randy.

Walking down the hallway hand in hand with the girl from the Block.

She's practically glowing as she looks at me.

Guess he didn't wait.

Did I really think he would?

This is Randy.

The ache in my chest is so sharp I almost forget how to breathe. Somewhere deep down, I'd convinced myself he'd fight for me. That he'd make one more attempt.

Instead...

He found someone else.

The girl smiles wider when she notices the look on my face.

Oh, screw that.

Athena immediately climbs onto her throne inside my head.

Absolutely not.