They Don't Know (BOOK TWO)

Chapter 69

"So are we gonna be able to call ourselves champs tonight?" Corey asks, standing outside the gym with his friends. The lobby is full of students from MPH and other schools, along with alot of staff and parents. Today is the big game. The game that determines whether or not the Bulldogs get a trophy for this season.

"Hell yeah," Ty says like its a stupid question. "We about to end our last season with a bang." He may seem confident on the outside but on the inside he's nervous as hell. His anxiety has been creeping higher and higher everyday this week and now its finally Friday. He's been so nervous he could barely eat lunch but Talia forced a sandwich down his throat so he has energy during the game. He has everything riding on this and if he fails, he doesn't know what he'll do.

"We walking out with a win tonight, no L's." Shaun states and Jackson nods in agreement.

"Y'all better," Malcolm says. Even though he's pissed that he's missing out on their last game of the season, he's still rooting for his team. He's even wearing his jersey and coach is allowing him to sit on the bench during the game.

"It's weird that you're playing my school." Miranda comments, looking around at the packed lobby. Students from her school are wearing black shirts to honor their school colors. They contrast against the blue shirts that the MPH students are wearing.

Ty looks at her quizzically, "Wait who are you even rooting for Colombia?"

"The bulldogs, dummy." She slings an arm around Malcolm's shoulders like the answer should be obvious. Ty nods in approval before turning his attention to Talia.

Sevyn steps closer to Jackson and takes the dog chain around his neck between her fingers, rubbing the cool pendant. "Nervous?"

"Yeah, I usually get butterflies before a game but this is like bulls running through my stomach." He admits.

She chuckles, "You'll be fine. As long as I'm here things should go smoothly."

"What are you, my good luck charm?" He snorts playfully.

"Maybe," she giggles. The gym doors open and one of their team mates sticks his head out. "Jackson, Ty and Shaun, Coach said lets go."

"Alright, we're coming." Shaun waves him off and he shuts the door again. "Can y'all hurry this macking session up before Coach comes out here yelling?"

Jackson nods and looks at Sevyn. He pulls her closer by the strings of his hoodie that she insisted on wearing, the one with his name and jersey number on the back. "Wish me luck?"

"Good luck big head," She teases and he gives her a look before yanking her forward and crashing his lips against hers. She laughs agains the sloppy kiss before gently pulling back. She looks over to see Talia pulling back from a kiss with Ty while Shaun makes gagging noises.

"Athlete's girlfriends are the worst." He says.

"Nah we're just loyal." Talia retorts, sticking her tongue out at him. He's about to argue but Monica cuts in.

"Can y'all do this later? Get your butts in there and get our school a trophy before I put on a jersey and do it myself." She commands. The boys laugh and hurry through the gym doors to warm up.

"The day I see you dribble a basketball is the day pigs fly." Corey laughs.

Monica chuckles, "Don't doubt me."

"L-Let's go take our seats before it gets too c-crowded." Manny says just as the security guards open the doors for the audience. The group pushes their way through the crowd to the bleachers and takes their seats right in the middle while Malcolm sits on his teams bench.