This Is No Ordinary Love

1. Genesis - Summertime 2000

RENEE’S POV

I can’t believe this shit, I’m 15 years old and I’m about to take classes on a college campus and play basketball with actual NCAA college players. This shit is crazy. My thoughts are interrupted by my 2 way pager going off. I look at it and see a page from my homie CJ that reads:

Hey gurl.

It’s not gonna be the same without your crazy azz this summer, but make sure you take mad flicks of all the cutieeezzz!!!! See ya when ya get back.

CJ :)

I reply:

Don’t worry it’s only six weeks and I will be back before you know it. Man up!!

-Nae

This girl is a mess, I think to myself as I walk towards the campus. I feel so privileged to have this opportunity. Because I was doing so well in High School, I was offered the option to graduate early, but I declined, because I want to graduate with all of my friends, yea I know, it sounds kinda dumb, but we been together since Head Start and my real ride or dies will be with me from the cradle to the grave. Asides from academics I'm also a highly recruited basketball player. I got offered full rides from some of the top basketball schools in the nation, but I really don’t think basketball is going to be my career so I elected to go to Columbia University, it’s an Ivy league school in NY, this way I would get to play basketball while getting a good education and I wouldn’t be too far away from my family. Since I had already accepted their offer they allowed me to take some courses and work out with the team for the next two summers, before I graduate. This meant I would be living on a College campus for 6 weeks, which also meant FREEDOM!!! Don’t get me wrong, I LOOOVE my parents, they are actually cool as hell, but I just want to know what it feels like to be on my own for a little bit. As I approached the Admissions building I started to get a little nervous, I had to get it together “Man up Renee, this is grown woman shit” I said to myself as I took a deep breath and walked in. I immediately see my High School guidance counselor Mr. Warren.

R: Hi Mr. Warren I say smiling, happy to see a familiar face.

MW: Hello Ms. Lewis, I am so happy you made it. You know this is a great opportunity for you. Not only will you get the chance to take a couple of courses and earn credits towards your degree, but you will also get a chance to work out and practice with the basketball team. I know you have 2 more years of high school left, but this experience will make the transition from High School to College go a lot smoother. So how do you feel?

R: I’m good, very excited to get in the classroom and the gym, but I’m also very nervous.

MW: Well that’s expected, but trust me you have nothing to worry about. We would not have offered you this opportunity if we didn’t feel that you could handle it.

With that said Mr. Warren takes me to meet my “buddy” for the next six weeks. I walk into the building and read the name of it “Harmony Hall” I let out a slight chuckle it doesn’t get any cornier than that I think to myself. We walk down a hall and stop at door number 5 “One of my favorite numbers”. Mr. Warren knocks on the door and a fairly cute black girl answers the door with a smile on her face.

MW: Hello Laila, this is Renee and she’s going to be buddying with you for the next six weeks.

L: Hi Renee, it’s nice to finally meet you. She says while holding out her hand.

R: Same here I say while shaking her hand

MW: Now Laila take good care of her please, she is one of Westbury High Schools most prized processions.