They Don't Know (BOOK TWO)

Chapter 64

The next morning at school, Corey tracks down Jackson in gym class. He jogs over to where he's practicing his shot at one of the hoops. "Yo, play me." Corey says.

Jackson turns around while dribbling the ball. "You know this is way different than soccer, right?"

Corey smiles, "I know a little bit about basketball. All my friends are on the team."

Alright, we'll see whatchu got." Jackson says, checking the ball. Corey grins and passes it back as they start the game.

As they play against each other, Corey starts up a conversation. "So last night..." He says as Jackson blocks him.

"What about it?" Jackson asks.

Corey fakes left then dribbles right. "Are you and Sevyn alright?"

"Yeah," Jackson smacks the ball away from the hoop as he shoots. "Why?"

"She seemed a little jumpy last night."

"Cuz she hit you in the eye with the zipper?" Jackson laughs.

Corey smirks at the memory of being hit in the eye with a small metal object, the pain hit him like a sharp needle and his eye was an ugly red afterwards. "That's part of it, but she was acting kind of stand-offish after you left."

Jackson continues dribbling the ball absentmindedly. He knows that Sevyn was only acting that way because she didnt want them to have the jealousy talk again, and Jackson did a good job of playing it cool. He loves Sevyn and he doesn't want anyone else to take her from him. So he's trying his best to ignore the tiny part of his brain that feels tinges of jealousy now and then.

Jackson stops dribbling the ball and they take the moment to catch their breaths. Corey wipes the sweat from his forehead and watches as Jackson tosses the ball from hand to hand. He looks up at Corey with conflicted eyes. "I love Sevyn. She means a lot to me and she's the first girl that I've ever felt this way about. I don't want to let her go and I damn sure can't lose her."

"If you think I'm impeding on your relationship tell me now." Corey says but Jackson shakes his head.

"Nah, you're her big brother and she needs you. I'd never want to come between y'all either. But I just want to make it clear who she's with."

Corey laughs, "Thats all you bruh. I'm just taking up residence in her house. You've got residence in her heart."

"That makes me feel a little better." Jackson admits then tosses him the ball.

"Good, maybe this means I won't get hit in the eye with a zipper anymore." Corey hopes.

"We'll see," Jackson tells him. "What we need to do is get you a girlfriend. Rachel messed up your game."

Corey lets out a laugh. "My game is on point, but after her and Aubrey I'm having trust issues."

"I understand, they both did you pretty dirty." Jackson agrees. "But you can't keep your walls up forever."

"I'm not, I'm just being smart about things. Girls play games just like guys do, it's gonna take a few trials and errors to find the right one."

"Cute story princess, now lets finish the game." Jackson commands. Corey smirks before stealing the ball from him and making a lay up. The ball drops through the hoop and lands with a rubbery bang, igniting an intense game between the two boys.

After school while Malcolm is in the gym watching the tv practice while finishing his History homework, someone sneaks up behind him and wraps an arm around his neck, pressing him against their chest. "Give me all your money." A feminine voice that couldn't even be threatening if it tried whispers.

Smiling, he puts down his history book and grabs the arm around his neck and pulls forcefully. The person stumbles across the bleacher row and plops down beside him. "You could have killed me!" She exclaims. "I could have fallen down the rest of the bleachers and got a concussion."

"At least it would tell you not to sneak up on people." Malcolm shrugs as Miranda gives him a dirty look. He takes in how pretty she looks in a forest green bomber jacket with a studded black hoodie. Her eyes glow as she gazes at him dreamily. Sometimes he wonders how he was lucky enough to land her. "How'd you even know I was here?"

"Sevyn," She says. "We should go get something to eat. I haven't seen you all week."

"Is that your way of saying you miss me?" Malcolm questions.

"Don't gas yourself." Miranda moves a strand of hair from her face daintily. Her gaze shifts to where the boys are doing drills, they all look so intense and focused. It's the only time she's ever seen Shaun and Ty actually look serious. "I bet I could beat you in a game of one on one."

Malcolm bursts out laughing as he looks at her like she has three heads. "You couldn't beat me even if both my legs were in cast."

"Yes I could. I know a thing or two about ball." She says matter of factly. "My dad taught me alot."

"You're lucky the doctor said no strenuous activity until my leg heals. I'd show you a thing or two about ball." Malcolm snorts.

"Boy bye." She says holding up a hand in his face. "Watch when you get off those crutches, I have so much in store for you." There's a glint behind her eyes as she smirks at him deviously.

"Funny you say that, I was thinking the same thing about you." Malcolm looks her up and down slowly, taking in all her beauty and licking his lips. She noticeably blushes and looks away from him, a strand of hair falling infront her face again. Malcolm finds it cute when her shy side comes out around him. Usually she's so outspoken and bold, but sometimes she gets really quiet and timid. It's cute that he has the affect on her.

Miranda looks up at him again, just to find him still staring. She pushes his shoulder, "Stop staring at me, it's not polite."

Malcolm only scoots closer to her and grabs her hand so she can't move back. He forces her to hold his gaze before gently kissing her. She places a soft palm against his cheek and leans into the kiss. He's careful with her, gently stroking the top of her hand with his thumb and letting the taste of her lips melt on his tongue. Miranda slips her arm around his shoulder to bring them even closer and she smiles against his lips, unable to contain her joy.

The loud rubber bang of a basketball hitting the bleachers makes them break their focus on eachother and come back down to earth. "EW!" Ty shouts from where he's standing in the middle of the gym floor. Malcolm rolls his eyes.

"Get some Malcolm!" Shaun shouts along and all eyes turn to Malcolm and Miranda. She giggles nervously and creates some breathing room between their faces. Coach blows the whistle to get everyone's attention and Malcolm laughs, shaking his head at his brother. "I really can't stand him sometimes." He says.

"Same with Manny, he never shuts up." Miranda laughs as she crosses one leg over the other.

"I've been meaning to ask you about him." Malcolm comments. "How come your English is better than his. You don't stutter at all."

"I moved here with my dad two years before Manny did. My parents wanted me to come to America for better opportunities and they wanted my opinion on how I liked living here before selling our house back in Barcelona."

"You were without your mom and brother for two whole years?" Malcolm asks amazed. Sevyn and Ty may annoy him but he can't picture living without them for two whole years.

Miranda nods her head yes, "It was weird not having them around for a while but soon I was so amazed at living in a new country that time just flew by." She smiles, "I miss Barcelona alot."

"Would you ever go back?"

"Maybe, in like a couple years or something." She says dreamily then beams at him. "Maybe you can come with me."

Malcolm matches her smile and squeezes her hand. "I'll be there."

**COMMENT N VOTE