Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
SUMMER
***
"Hola." Kieth greeted getting inside the car. It was Friday, the last day before winter break. No doubt the break was only for like six days where two days were Saturday and Sunday, so really only four days. But it was still very exciting.
"You look cheery." Bentley started the engine after Kieth wore his belt.
"Thank you." Kieth actually felt good, a night away from his father was nice for his health. He prepared dinner and breakfast, cleaned the church for morning assembly, cleaned the bathroom with others. He was of course not alone, but for the first time, he did it without his father's orders or his fist following his duties. It was good to be normal for a week. Though he had to go back after a week so he can't get used to anything the church was giving him.
"Where do you want Shila to pick you up from?" Bentley asked.
"Wherever it is convenient for her," Kieth said.
"I will talk with the coach to let me drive there."
Kieth shook his head. "Oh no no, you should spend your time with your team it's good for teambuilding. Don't let me hold you back."
Bentley sighed. "She will pick you up from your building after school. Go to her house, no don't argue with me." He shook his head. "I don't want you walking around the town in this fucking snow."
"I like it when you worry about me," Kieth said when Bentley stopped the car in front of his gates. For a second Kieth held himself back but it was really hard so he took off his belt, leaned forward kiss Bentley's cheek, and dashed out.
Bentley couldn't drive for minutes as he sat frozen in his seat.
***
The crowd cheered as the team walked in the middle. Kieth, Shila, and Shila's friends cheered louder than anyone in the bleachers. Kieth waved enthusiastically when Bentley searched in the bleachers and found his eyes.
Kieth winked making Bentley roll his eyes, Bentley even went as far as to flip Kieth off which earned an angry whistle from his coach. The referee confiscated the whistle soon after.
"Why do you look so nervous, kid?" Summer asked pushing her black-rimmed glasses up her nose.
Kieth set down beside her as everyone around the bleachers settled down. "It's my first time seeing Bentley... I mean our team play. I am just so excited."
"They always win. We just come to build up the hype." Summer munched on the hotdog she had sneaked in.
"I thought you came here for Asher." Shila teased from the other side of Kieth.
"You came here for Garad." Summer shot back, her ears pinking at Shila's comment.
Shila deadpanned. "I would hope so, he is my boyfriend."
***
"That throw was amazing, and the one you dribble and passed and you motioned your finger to pass, then pass the other and took it again and scored. And that one where you just shot it directly in the hoop." Kieth rambled as their school supporters gathered around the team, but Kieth was first who ran in the middle and had gotten Bentley's attention with his high speed.
"You enjoyed it that much, huh?" Bentley was hearing everything as he was put down from his team's shoulder. He could hear everything Kieth was saying even if it was roaring cheer in the court.
"Trust me when I say I am blown away. It's even more incredible from watching your practice." Kieth was jumping, his hands on Bentley's arms as Bentley stood before him.
"God I don't think he understands a thing about basketball," Shila said from beside them in Garad's arms as the taller boy kissed her cheeks from behind. "He was only cheering when you scored or shouting at the referee for giving you foul."
"It was adorable." Summer laughed with the girls.
"Kid where is my congratulations?" Garad released Shila stepping towards Kieth.
"Garad congrats." Kieth presented Garad with his fist.
"So insulting." And Kieth was up in the air in one scoop of Garad's tall and bulky arms.
Kieth squealed as Garad swung him for few seconds then set him down on his feet.
"Careful." Bentley steadied the boy with his hands as Kieth wobbled a little on his feet.
"When is your next game?" Kieth asked turning around in Bentley's arms feeling dizzy.
"We have only one left for the states. But you can't come." Bentley adjusted Kieth's scarf that had gotten loose.
"Why not." Kieth pouted.
"It's the state level. You won't be allowed to travel without your guardian."
"I can always sneak," Kieth whispered.
"Not happening." Bentley pushed the bennie down over Kieth's eyes following his teammates to the locker room.
***
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
