There's Fire

Tomorrow

Darian's POV:

            I was playing basketball by myself at the park Bobby and I played at. I hadn't been back in a while. The snow had melted just enough on the court, where I was able to play. I was alone here and didn't mind that. Dontae went back home, Nae was still somewhat out of commission and I didn't want her to feel obligated to come sit with me, and my parents were working. I saw a car pull into the parking lot, but I didn't pay it much mind. Nobody usually came here, but I hadn't been here in months, so anyone could have also found it in that time. I continued to play when someone cleared their throat. "Hey." I looked over and saw it was Bobby's brother.
    "Hi MGK." I stopped and just held the ball.
    "You play even in the snow?" He motioned to my ball.
    "It's what I love to do. It's my junior year. I have to be at my best to keep scholarships." I shrugged. "Christina said you got my sister out of the house thanks."
    "Yeah, we both needed it." He looked down and I saw his face turn red.
    "How old are you kid?" He looked at me.
    "I turned 17 back in October. A lot happened so um we all kind of forgot." I chuckled.
    "Oh, I'm sorry."
    "It's okay. It wasn't much to celebrate anyway. Bobby was um going to come with me to this basketball tournament for all-American students. I pulled out last minute, but they understood."
    "He still would have wanted you to go." He leaned on a pole.
    "It wouldn't have felt right." I shook my head and started shooting hoops again. "You play?"

   "I dabble, but soccer is my best friend plays basketball. I play with him from time to time. Where's your brother?"

   "Back home in Cali." I kept shooting.

   "When's your next tournament?" He asked.

   "Next week up in Fanning."

   "Who is going with you?"

   "Just my coach and I."

   "Oh okay, I'm going to leave you to practicing, but if you ever want someone to hoop with just hit me up okay?" I stopped shooting and looked at him confused. "Here let me give you my number." He held his hand out for my phone. I gave it to him. He put it in there and I tucked it back into my pocket. He started walking away, but I jogged over to him. "Why?" I asked.

   "You need to be more specific." He stopped.

   "Why did you stop to talk to me and offering to hoop?" I clarified.

   "You seem like a good kid and you said you were going to play in college. I love a good college basketball game. If you make it pro I can say I was part of your come up. It's strictly just for me to though. It's 100% personal gain." He smirked.

   "Oh I see. You got time to get this work MGK?" I laughed.

   "I'm a soccer player. I don't think your ankles could handle me." I laughed and shook my head at him. He played with me for hours that day. When my tournament rolled around he pulled up and stayed the whole time. It turned out to be a really cool dude.

            I walked into my dorm on the phone with my mom. She wanted me to come home for the weekend to help dad clean out the garage. I agreed and hung up. I walked in my room after letting my roommate know I was back. "Hey MGK." I tossed my bag on my bed and walked out to the living room. I backed up and looked back in my room. He was sitting at my desk laughing. My roommate walked by me and smiled. "You just let people in now?"
    "He brought us food." He laughed and went back to his room. I noticed the food and shrugged. I sat down and started to eat. "My sister okay?" I sat down.
    "Yeah why?" He looked confused.
    "You never just pop up. You call first." I shrugged.
    "Oh yeah she's great. She should be in class right now. I wanted to talk to about something Darian." I tilted my head because he never called me my name; always a nickname. "You know I love you sister with every fiber of my being. I'd do anything for her." He rubbed his hands on his pants nervous. I had never seen him like this, so it had to be big. "She pregnant isn't she? Wow good job." I said with a mouth full.
    "What? No. Did she tell you something?"
    "No, you looked stressed just now like my dad was going to pop out from the closest like gotcha!" I laughed hysterically.
    "That's not funny he might. The first few weeks in our house she'd just pop in. That was so stressful."
    "If you get her pregnant you need to elope immediately. He won't kill you if you're married first." I teased.