Call me Ade

6. SK Sports

''Sooo, you down?'' Zoe asked enthusiastically, ''I don't know Zoe, it's Monday, we have school tomorrow..'' We were walking off of schoolgrounds, my first day in Southkeep High was finally over and it had been absolute hell. If I hadn't run into Zoe this morning I would probably have fled and never come back. It was just too different, too much to adapt to, too much out of my comfort zone.

Too little like Newcrest..

''So what? We won't stay long, if that's what got you trippin' '' she consolingly put her hand with her long, purple colored, acrylic nails on my shoulder, ''Come on girl, I know your day has been kinda shitty, but it'll help you get to know people,'' she sent me a warm smile, ''Really, we're not that bad, you just gotta loosen' up a little, let go of all that stiffness.'' She laughed, shaking her grip on my shoulder.

''Heyy, I'm not stiff.'' I protested, brushing her hand off of my shoulder, she laughed again, ''Really? Then why have you been clenching your fists like that all day, that's not good for your blood flow.''

I looked down and saw that she was right. My nails had been digging into my palms ever since first period with Mrs. Hernández, I didn't want to risk the trembling coming back, so this had been my temporary solution. For now, I just buried my hands in the pockets of my jacket, hopefully Zoe wouldn't comment on them any further if she couldn't see them.

I really should be getting meds though, this was becoming more frequent than usual..

I sent her a faint smile, ''Don't mind my blood flow, I'm perfectly capable,'' I said, thinking about her request, ''So, this place? You're telling me everyone our age is going? Is it always like that, even on school nights?'' Zoe heard the opportunity in my voice and she certainly didn't waste any time seizing it, ''Giirl, if you're a junior or senior and don't go to Encore then you're most definitely a loser. Come ooon, you know you want to. There's music, a dance floor, even games at the tables if you don't feel like dancin'.. You know, people usually head over to Tails after, its close and cheap, and their fries are seriously out of this world.''

She made it sound like fun, maybe I should go, even though going out on school nights were never really my thing.

''You know what, okay. I'll go, but I won't stay long, and I am NOT going to Tails afterwards. My aunt works at that diner and I am not interested in casually bumping into her.''

Zoe's eyes lit up, ''Yes! That's great Ade, it'll be good for you trust me, and don't worry, you don't gotta tag along to Tails after if you don't feel like it.''

I smiled and noticed that Zoe had a gym bag with her, besides her bag for school, ''Hey what's that for?'' I asked curiously pointing to her gym bag, ''Oh this? I teach some kids hip-hop at the sports center. They got a small ballroom with mirrors and a stereo, apart from all the gym- and boxing areas. It's not the finest place, but I make a little cash while teaching some pretty awesome kids you know.''
She stared straight ahead with a soulful look in her eyes, her love and passion for that job practically oozing out of her.

I couldn't help but feel a little jealous, I had never cared so much about anything, probably because I had never had to put in the work. Everything had always kind of been handed to me, ever since I could remember - not taking the past 3 months into consideration of course.

''Wow that's really great Zoe, if only I had a job like that.. Or just a job where I earned anything.'' I said, mumbling the last part, remembering I was in serious need of some furniture.. 

Zoe snapped out of her thoughts and snorted at my comment, ''Don't joke with something like that Ade, it's not funny. You don't need no job, look at you. Some of us out here actually has it rough you know; we don't have the choice.''