Ball Is Life

Chapter 2: No Love

'Baby, I know you need me, like I need you

But I'm not the one you wanna love' -August Alsina

            The song 'No Flex Zone' by Rae Sremmurd played loudly on the speakers throughout the rec center. There were kids from J.R. High everywhere since the day was so unusually warm for this time of year. I played free for all street ball with my crew in the gymnasium of the Rec. "Don't let your guard down, don't do it. I'm goin' to steal the ball." Dhamir trash talked me. I chuckled. "Boy, ball is life, my life. It's what I eat, sleep and breath. You really think your little ass going to take the --" While I mouthed off Tyaire snatched the ball from between the both of us. "The only balls y'all going to be eating is mines boy!" He said gripping his package. Damn! How did I let this amateur snatch my ball? I was a pro at trash talking and balling at the same time. I felt a sudden overwhelming point of disappointment take over me. "Y'all mouth off too much." He said grinning hard. "Oh just pass the damn ball." I motioned waiting so I could check it. "Why are we here, I told you I don't want to be near his ass!" Someone yelled. Just like that, our game was over. I knew Tyaire wouldn't be focused on the game now and Dhamir wasn't much fun because he was great at blocking but sucked at shooting. "Why? Couldn't have given me a few more minutes..." I mumbled angrily as Naomi led Illyana in the gym. Tyaire clenched the ball tightly looking down. "You good bruh?" Dhamir asked. He nodded silently and passed the ball to me. Here we go. He walked quickly and dominantly up to Illyana. "No damn it, I'm gone." Illz turned to leave but Tyaire grabbed her arm and pulled her up to the bleachers. "Just five more minutes Naomi... You couldn't have given me five more minutes?" I asked. Naomi flipped her hair "Shut up boy. They needed to talk, we've been friends too long for them to be fighting like that." She said. I nodded and looked at the two wondering what they were saying. I couldn't make out the words but Illyana was definitely heated. I could tell by the way she shoved her finger in his face while she talked. This time wasn't like any other time though, usually they would have made up and kissed but Tyaire was yelling back at her. I had only seen Tyaire mad twice so it was extremely unusual to see him yelling back at her. "Maybe I should go over there..." Naomi said. "Nah, only if it goes too far. We have to stay out of their business." Dhamir told her. I wrapped my arm around Nae's shoulder as we watched the argument that seemed to be going on forever.

After what felt like an eternity, Tyaire walked back with his arm around Illyana's waist. I looked up from my phone in mid-text and Naomi looked up from playing in Dhamir's head. "Y'all good now?" I asked. "Yeah we good, her ass thought she could talk to Malik from our History class but nah I ended that." Dhamir looked over to them. "Ended it? Like y'all dating now?" Naomi popped Dhamir on the head and mouthed a warning to him. Illyana pushed his arm off of her and began getting angry again. "Ha! Don't make me laugh Mir. As if his selfish ass was capable of loving someone other than himself. No we're not in a relationship, no I'm not going to stop talking to Malik and no I don't care about what he has to say." She said and sat on a bleacher. "Thanks Dhamir." Tyaire said sarcastically. "Just doing my job." He replied and I let out a loud chortle. "Speaking of me doing my job, Baby is that baddie Nikki still coming through?" I reached over and punched him in his shoulder. "Stupid!" I followed the eyes to Naomi who looked like she could see my soul. "Nikki, you invited Nikki?" She snapped. I nodded. "You invited that BITCH to come over here? You know me and Illy don't like her why would you do that?" I bit my lip nervously. "Baby you must want me to beat her ass is that what it is?" Illyana intruded. The two of them threw slices at me so hard that my throat grew dry and my palms got sweaty. Maybe this was a bad idea, I knew they didn't like her. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket as I slowly pulled it out and entered the password to unlock it. Illyana snatched my phone from my hand and looked at it. "She said she's outside." She mumbled to Naomi. Before I knew it the both of them had their hair in ponytails and were removing all loose clothing and jewelry.