My Neighborhood Love Story

Chapter 8: Feeling of Remorse

Khalil's P-O-V

"Hey Khalil!" I heard someone say as I walked into the school.

It was Karina. She had on her cheer uniform and her hair was in pigtails. She hugged me.

"Hey!" I replied.

I turned around to introduce Jawan to her, but he was gone.

"Come on!" she exclaimed, pulling me over to a group of cheerleaders. "Girls! Here he is!"

The faces of all of them lit up and one stepped forward and said, "So you're mister romantic?"

I felt embarrassed that she told that to everyone. I didn't feel comfortable. Just then, the girls's boyfriends came. Some on the basketball team, like me, while others were on the football team, swim team, and other sports.

"Wassup man!" My friend Jerome said slapping me a hi-five. "We came to save your butt."

"Thanks, I didn't know what could've happened if you didn't." I whispered to him.

"So you get with Karina yet?" He asked raising his eyebrow.

Before I could answer I heard someone say, "Dude why are you even with her still?"

I knew exactly who that was said to and why. I turned my head to Serene and Kwame. Kwame had stood up to defend her. I wish that was me, but... She probably wouldn't let me. I mean, she won't even talk to me. And I sort of caused all of it too, after all.

I watched the confrontation.

"Yo, don't disrespect my girlfriend like that!" Kwame yelled.

"Does she give it to you that good? Would you mind sharing her?" Another guy said.

"I'm sure she doesn't mind it. Isn't that right?" Another kid said reaching his hand out to touch her face, but she backed away.

By that point, I had my fists balled up.

"Aye, don't fight the feeling. You know you-"

Pow!

I loosened my fists. Kwame punched him. Serene stood up and smirked, holding onto Kwame's hand.

"Anyone else got something to say?" He threatened.

The other two guys looked at each other and ran away. She kissed Kwame and walked off with him.

"Ew, I don't know why he cares about her so much," I heard Karina say.

I looked at her with menacing eyes.

"What do you mean by that? She's a great person," I defended.

"Excuse me?" She said shocked.

"Oh, wait. Didn't you guys have a thing back in middle school?" One of the cheerleaders asked.

"Wait! Khalil, is that true?" Karina questioned.

"We were just friends," I answered.

"More like friends with benefits," I heard a girl murmur.

"Khalil?"

I couldn't deal with the interrogating so I stormed off.

"Khalil wait!" I heard from behind me with the rustling of pom-poms and pattering of feet.

I walked faster and went into the gym to shoot a few baskets. That calmed me down a lot.

I grabbed a ball and flung it, missing but releasing my anger.

I kept at it until I heard someone say, "Khalil, what are you doing?"

I turned around to see the coach.

"I-I'm so sorry coach. I'm just going to go," I said grabbing my things.

As I was walking past him to the door, he stopped me.

"You got something on your mind, Khalil? Want to talk about it?"

I hesitated then shook my head, "No sir."

"Well, just know that when you're ready to talk about it... I'm right here."

I didn't say anything. I just left and went to class. I was late and Mrs. Gordan was nagging, but I didn't care to listen. I sat down and just let a bunch of what ifs dance around in my head. They danced throughout the whole class, taking over my mind.