C H A P T E R
N I N E

Getting out of Nolan's car as he dropped them off at the collesium for morning basketball practice, Ava and Eva grabbed their gym bags and backpacks quickly since they were already running fifteen minutes late and knew their coach was about to make them run laps around the gym.

"Bye! Love you." They both shouted to him as they ran up the stairs towards the doors.

Pushing through the double doors, Ava quickly tossed her hair in a bun sighing. "I can't believe we overslept on the first day of practice, as team captain this is not a good look Eva." She expressed as they ran down the hall together.

"Don'tchu think I know that, its not my fault we lost power this morning and are alarms didn't go off."

Rolling her eyes, both Ava and Eva ran inside the entry way of the gym expecting to see their team practicing drills, but frowned when they only saw like five girls sitting around on their phones.

Walking further into the gym, Ava tossed her bag towards the sideline. "Where is everybody?" She called out causing them all to look up.

"Coach texted us pushing practice to 6:30 instead of 5:30, stated she wanted to have a team meeting." One of the girls named Stephany answered causing both Ava and Eva to let out deep breaths feeling themselves relax.

Taking a seat on the floor, Ava pulled out her phone just now seeing the group text message their coach had sent out. "I wish I would've saw this sooner, we both were rushing since we overslept."

Laughing, Stephany sat forward resting her knees on her thighs. "Hell she could've easily texted us yesterday, y'all know how my daddy is when I have to wake his grumpy ass up in the morning. She could've saved me from getting yelled at this morning."

Glancing over at her, Eva laid her head on Stephany's shoulder. "Things still aren't better between you two?" She questioned.

Shaking her head no, she looked down. "Things probably never will at this point. I mean I love my daddy and everyone who knows me knows that, but I can't take this verbal abuse anymore. He's just so unhappy with where his life is now and takes his anger out on me, so here lately I been thinking about moving to Louisiana to be with my mama and sister."

Grabbing her hand Eva gave it a squeeze making her look at her. "Do whatever is best for your mental health, although as your bestfriend I would be heartbroken, however at the end of the day I want you happy and you don't deserve what your dad is putting you through."

Smiling Stephany leaned over to give her a hug. "Whatever decision I choose to make you'll be the first one to know."

Locking their pinky's together Eva smiled back. "I better be."

The rest of their time they spent waiting for their coach to arrive, the girls all sat around the gym talking and laughing amongst themselves watching as one by one each their teammates arrive dressed and ready for practice.

Once 6:30 came the girls were all confused since their coach was still not here, which was very unlike her. Usually she would be here at least thirty minutes early to set up the gym for drills before practice.

Hopping up off the floor Ava began tucking her shirt inside her shorts and started motioning for the girls to get up as well. "We can go ahead and start stretching and do our warm-ups, followed by the 3 on 2 drill until coach arrives."

"Coach ain't here so why we gotta practice?" One girl by the name of Jada questioned.

"Because we all know if coach were to walk in and see us lounging around she would be pissed, and just because she's not here we know the routine so get up and start stretching." Ava replied just as the gym doors opened revealing some of the boys basketball team players.

They usually practiced in the back gym, but for some reason they always felt the need to walk through the main gym to either speak or stare at the girls.

Paying them no mind Ava continued on with what she was doing not phased by their existence. Noticing a few of the girls getting distracted, Ava rolled her eyes. "Today ladies," She clapped.

Hearing a few of the girls smack their teeth Ava watched as they slowly walked out onto the court still laughing and talking. "Unless y'all want to look like a bunch of scrubs during tournements and this season I'ma need some of y'all to put a little pep in your steps so we can get started." She called out as she got in her spot.

As they began stretching Ava lead them through the whole thing doing her part as team captain, once they finished doing their stretches she jogged over to the scoreboard box to set the clock for ten minutes for their ten minute run around the perimeter of the gym.

Hitting start each girl took off running along with Ava, as the timer continued to run down the girls tiredly sprinted around the gym giving it their all, however there was still no sign of their coach yet.

"I am somebody." Ava yelled out starting their daily affirmation quote their coach had them do everyday during their morning run to keep them motivated. "I may be poor." She continued.

"But I am somebody." They yelled back in response.

"I may be young."

"But I am somebody."

"I may be on the street."

"But I am somebody."

"I may be small."

"But I am somebody."

"I may make a mistake."

"But I am somebody."

"My clothes are different, my face is different, my hair is different."

"But I am somebody."

"I am black, brown, white, I speak a different language."

"But I must be respected, protected, never rejected. I am a child, I am somebody." They all yelled out in unison.

Once their ten-minute run was over Ava motioned for them to rest and to take a waterbreak, while she grabbed the racks of balls and began to set up the cones for dribbiling drills.

Checking the time on her phone she frowned when she saw it was pushing seven in the morning and their coach had not arrived. Jogging over to her gym bag she pulled out her phone to call her, but the phone just rang before it was sent to voicemail.

Shooting her a quick text, Ava tossed her phone before running back onto the court. "Alright ladies, I need three lines on this end and two lines on the other end."

In the midst of them running the drill the back double doors opened revealing their coach followed by a woman, a big smile was plastered on their coaches face as she watched them practice.

Blowing her whistle the girls immediately stopped and snapped their necks in her direction as she motioned for them to come over to her.

Using the collar of their shirts to wipe sweat off their faces, some girls tiredly rested on eachother as they awaited for whatever news their coach was about to share, to explain why she was late.

"I apologize for being so late, everyone knows I am all for being on time and since I didn't uphold my expectations that I expect from you all, I will run ten laps around the gym when I return." She started instantly confusing the girls with her last statement.

"Return!? You leaving us or something?" Ava asked breaking the silence.

Letting out a sigh their coach shared a look with the unknown woman who stood beside her. "You girls know I don't ever keep secrets from y'all and you girls are like my babies. However, at this moment in my life I have recently discovered that I will be having a child of my own and after years of trying with my husband this pregnancy has been ruled very high risk so I have to take some time off to keep myself and the baby safe." She explained sadly as she watched the expressions on their faces change at the news.

"I know this is not what any of us expected so suddenly, and I am heartbroken at the thought of leaving you guys as well. But I promise I will be at every game and for all my seniors I will not miss your graduation." After that left her mouth the girls all smiled and went in for a group hug.

The girls all knew how much having a child meant to ber and they were all really happy for her and her husband, just the thought of her being gone is what made majority of them sad. Despite her being a good coach, she became a friend and like family to them all and with her being younger it seemed as if she just understood them as teenagers with wondering, curious minds.

Pulling away from the hug she felt herself start to become emotional, "Before we get all in our feelings I want you girls to meet the woman who taught me everything I know, Mrs. Coach Robinson."

Turning their attention to the older woman the girls all admired her physic knowin' that back in the day she probably was a beast on the court. Her height along with her slim figure and the way she carried herself and stood beside their coach just gave off a certain aurora.

Each of the girls waved as she did the same with a toothless smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you ladies."

"Coach Robinson here will be taking my place as head coach until my return next season," She went onto explain. "So practice will be cut short today, we can use the time we have left for you all to get familiar with Coach and discuss future plans for this upcoming season."

Once practice was over and the girls had showered and got dressed for school, Ava and Eva walked the halls together towards the direction of the cafeteria for breakfast along with the rest of the team. "Is it just me or did Coach Robinson look mad familiar? And the whole time in practice she kept looking at us." Eva quietly whispered to Ava who only shrugged in response.

"I didn't notice." She mumbled dryly throwing Eva off with her dry response.

"You good girl? You been kinda off all morning since Coach announced she was leaving, we all gon' miss her but we can't let it affect us like this. You know she wouldn't want that." Throwing her arm over her shoulder, Ava half-smiled.

"I know and it's not that, I'm good it's jus—" Ava's sentence was cut short when her eyes landed on a certain someone she did not ever expect to see again. Her breath got caught in her throat and she almost felt herself about to pass out.

When the person noticed her staring they both locked eyes for a brief moment and although Ava wanted to look away she couldn't, it was as if time had froze and they were the only two in the hallway. A sly smirk soon appeared on their face as they sent a quick wink her way, before they disappeared behind the doors of the cafeteria.

Jumping when Eva touched her on the shoulder, Eva began to grow concerned. "Sis, you sure you're alright? You're starting to sweat and looking like something has you really spooked?" Motioning for the girls to continue on towards the cafeteria Eva stayed back.

Shaking her head she walked into the bathroom just as Eva followed, feeling the need to call Nolan or somebody if she didn't get to talking soon.

"Ava, you're lowkey scaring me. What's wrong forreal?"

Letting out a deep sigh, she shook her head. "I'm just not feeling well, starting to feel a little lightheaded might call Nolan to come scoop me and take me home since he doesn't have a first period." She went onto explain.

Eva nodded, "Okay, I'll call him for you."

While Eva called Nolan and began explaining what was going on, Ava was mentally having a battle within' herself with what was all about to come with them being here and she was not ready for it.

"Can you get me off of pause please sir?" Armoni questioned annoyingly getting sick of talking to a black screen. "I want you to see my make-up for tonight."

Taking her off pause Nolan laughed, "My bad I was texting Kris, she was updating me on the upcoming matches that they having next week." He explained causing her to nod in response. "But you look good as always, I didn't expect anything less from you."

"Shut up, you stay gassin'."

Adjusting the hoodie on his head he laughed, "What I'm supposed to do lie and call you ugly or some shit? You kno' damn well ya crybaby ass would be crying if I did." He pointed out getting comfortable against his pillow.

"So you really gon' sit here and act like you don't be overly gassin'?"

Looking around confused, he shrugged. "What I be so-called overly gassin' about?"

"You stay lying everyday sayin' I got a fat ass when we both know I was not blessed in that department." She replied followed by a laugh as she stood up. "Like what ass do you see back here?"

Armoni knew when it came to her body she was built like ten a year old boy, she was real slim and tall standing almost five foot nine inches. However, she sometimes did guess that in somebody elses eyes for her size she did have a nice figure, but at times she knew Nolan was gassin'.

She can't count one day where he didn't feel or grab on her butt as if she had cake out the ass, she loved the attention of course and it did make her feel good but she wasn't sure what ass he saw that he swears up and down she has.

Nolan shrugged as he stared back at her. "That shit be pokin' in them jeans, ion know whatchu talking bout. You gon' let me feel on sumthin' tonight at this lame ass movie theater?"

Playfully rolling her eyes, she moved the camera a little so he could see her face better. "If you think its gon' be so lame, why did you volunteer to come with me and Malaysia?"

"Why else would I Moni? I'm tryna mack on some hoes." He joked just as his one of the twins walked into his room. "Whatchu want? Ugly muthafucka's ain't allowed pass this door."

"Boy shut up, why you up in here then?" She questioned folding her arms across her chest.

"Ava, get the fuck out man before I come over there and slap yo' big head ass. I ain't gon' say it again." He threatened, laughing to herself Armoni shook her head at the both of them.

"Aye you sho' do talk a lot of big shit for a nigga who got his ass handed to him by female, how that work?" Taking off running out his room when he attempted to get out of his bed, Nolan sat back down now pissed.

Looking back at the camera to see Armoni staring back at him with an amused expression, he rolled his eyes. "That shit ain't funny forreal Moni, she caught me on a bad day."

"Yeah sure she did, but anyways when you coming to pick me up? Malaysia texted me and said she should be here any minute and I'm ready to go." She whined.

"Just waiting on Tyler noodle neck ass to get here then we're headed over there."

"Noodle neck? I know yo bean head ain't talking." Snapping his neck in the direction of his doorway, he laughed when he saw Tyler standing there.

Looking back at Armoni, he laughed. "We finna leave now."

"Okay bet well—"

"Aye excuse me Moni, you know where your pops keeps the extra towels? Santana using your dads shower and I forgot to ask." Looking up from her phone to see Malcolm standing in her doorway shirtless just wearing a pair of basketball shorts, she quickly hopped up not phased by his appearance.

"He keeps them in the hall closet on the right, its full of bathing and drying towels." She pointed.

Thanking her, he walked off as she shut her bedroom door going back to her phone to see Nolan now mugging. "Why are you making that face?"

"Why it seem like that nigga always over there?" He questioned.

Rolling her eyes, she sighed. "Why every time he comes around or is mentioned you catch this stank ass attitude? You know why he's over here, he's here for Santana."

Nolan scoffed. "Sure he is."

"Nolan, I'm really not tryna do this with you today. You really have no reason to be tripping the way you do when it comes to Malcolm and I. We are not checking for each other and if you actually took the time to get to know him, you would see he's actually really cool."

When he didn't reply, she sighed. "What if I tripped everytime Kris was mentioned? You and her are around each other way more than Malcolm and I, and y'all be texting each other but do you see me tripping? No, because I trust you and I'm not worried about the next female."

"That's because you know she'd whoop your ass if you tried to step to her." He joked.

Fake laughing, Armoni flicked him off. "Yeah just like she did with you huh?"

Waving her off, he rolled his eyes. "Whatever man, but aight I hear you and I'ma chill.. but he gotta chill with the way he be looking at you and shit though."

"How does he be looking at me Nolan?"

"Like you last the snack cake on a plate in a room full of fat niggas, just ready to dive in and squabble with anybody to get a bite."

Bursting out laughing, Armoni shook her head. "Bye, the last snack cake really?"

"Yes really, but you my snack cake though."

"You are so corny." She smiled lowkey liking that shit.

"Corny just like ya mama feet, prolly finna beat my meat for bout an hour or two before I meet with you and we do the do." He jokingly rapped as he stood up off his bed.

"Just shutup dude, but anyways I think I hear Malaysia downstairs flirting with my daddy so just call me when you get here."

"Alright, I love you."

"I love you more and stop being jealous its not cute on you." Blowing a kiss she hung up and tossed her phone on her bed as she left out of her room following the sound of what seemed like multiple voices talking which sorta confused her as to who was all here.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs Armoni smiled when she saw her Uncle Marcus here, but she froze in her spot when she saw that her cousin Serenity was back in town.

She hasn't seen her in years with her being transferred to an all girls school their freshman year and she didn't realize how much she missed her until now.

Locking eyes with her they both couldn't contain their yells as they ran towards each other for a hug. "What are you doing here girl!? It feels like I haven't seen you in forever."

Watching as the two embraced each other Ahmad and Marcus decided to let them have their moment and headed over towards the living room.

Pulling away they held each other hands. "It honestly felt like forever, but I am so glad to be back. I missed you guys so much, and its so much I need to be caught up on like what has been happening around here?"

"Let's talk upstairs in my room."

Leading the way to her room just as Santana was making his way downstairs, Serenity instantly locked her attention on Santana in shock on how fine he has gotten over the years. "Santana?"

Looking up from his phone Santana could regconize that voice from anywhere and when he locked eyes with Serenity he only half-smiled before just bumping right passed her not saying anything else or feeling the urge to say anything else.

Glancing back at him she sighed before looking back at Armoni who held a sympathetic look on her face, "I guess he's still not over what happened." Serenity mumbled.

Opening the door to her room, Armoni shrugged. "I mean honestly who would be though? After everything happened he was really hurt and it took him a while to get over it, but I'm sure seeing you just triggered some emotions. When he's ready to talk he'll come to you."

"Yeah, you're right! But anyways update me, what's been going on around here?"

"Girl the same ole shit, Malaysia and Tyler still on and off and fronting like they don't like each other." She laughed, "Uh I made captain of the drillteam, and I don't know if you heard but my dad cancer is in remission."

"Yeah I did, we were just talking about that downstairs. He looks so much healthier from when I last saw him."

Armoni smiled, "I know, he's doing a lot better too. I'm just happy to be able to finally breathe again, it was so stressful not knowing what was gonna happen next when it came to his health."

"I can only imagine how that must have felt watching someone you love suffer like that, but praise God for making a way and turning things aound for him. I'd prolly lose my mind if something were to happen to my favorite uncle."

"Man who you telling, fuck losing my mind I'm hopping my ass inside the damn casket right along with him." Armoni laughed as Serenity did the same. "—But anyways girl how was it going to an all girls school?"

Serenity rolled her eyes, "It was cool, but of course different I personally feel too many girls in one place is just not a good idea. Way too many hormones and emotions raging around, I've never seen more fights in my damn life and it wasn't even over niggas or nothing bitches was just waking up and choosing violence." She laughed.

Shaking her head, Armoni took a seat at her vanity. "Damn, well do you at least feel as if being there helped change you at all?"

Laying back on Armoni's bed, she sighed. "If you call scissoring your roommate every other night a change, then yes." She replied followed by a laugh.

"Serenity." Armoni laughed. "Are you serious? So what? Does that make you a lesbian or bi-sexual now?"

Sitting up on her elbows, she bit her lip to think. "Nah, I really don't find girls attractive like that. It only happened out of curiosty at first, then just became something we did to release that itch for sex we both had." She stated followed by a laugh. "My parents thought sending me to an all girls school would do me some good, but all I learned was how to be way more sneakier, got turnt out and got some bomb head occasionally. I was living my best life in that bitch."

Laughing Armoni shook her head, "You are so crazy."

She shrugged, "It's the truth, but I'm still lowkey mad at the way my parents handled everything with that whole situation."

"Could you really blame them though girl? With everything that had happened, girl my daddy would have killed me."

Serenity just sighed because it was so much more to the story and all that had happened, but she wasn't going to speak on it especially since she couldn't change the past or change what people already thought of her.

"Yeah I guess, but on another note where you going tonight looking all cute?"

Blushing, Armoni adjusted her lashes. "We have a double date tonight at the movies with Malaysia and Tyler."

Sitting up Serenity frowned, "Double date? And who is we?"

Just as the doorbell rung repeatedly Armoni laughed to herself knowing that had to be nobody but Nolan annoying ass. "Come see for yourself."

Hopping out of the bed while Armoni grabbed her purse and keys, they both left out of the room together and down the stairs. "Do I know him?" Serenity questioned lowly causing Armoni to just laugh and shrug.

Once they reached downstairs Armoni smiled when she saw Malaysia and Tyler both talking to Crystal and Marcus, but as soon as Nolan come into view she started to get nervous for some reason.

She wasn't sure as to what it was when it came to him, but she always got so anxious and shy around him despite them being bestfriends for as long as they have since kids.

As he approached her he wrapped his arms tightly around her being sure to keep it PG with Ahmad only standing a few feet away from them. They shared a quick kiss before Armoni then turned to Serenity who was staring at the both of them in shock.

"You and Nolan are together!? When did this even happen?" She asked not seeing this coming.

Laughing, Armoni shrugged. "I mean we've always had a crush on each other, but we were just in denial about our feelings—" Glancing up at him she smiled. "—Then I don't know something sparked this summer between us and one thing lead to another."

"Yeah, this been my baby she just ain't know that though." Kissing the side of her face, Armoni pushed him away blushing hard as ever. "But what's up Ren? It's been a minute." He greeted.

"Indeed it has been, but dang I can't lie y'all real cute together though." She complimented.

"Don't we know it, she makes me look better though."Kissing her cheek real quick he excused himself to use the bathroom, just as Malaysia made her way over to them.

"When are we leaving? I'm ready to go, fucking around with these niggas we gon' miss the damn movie." She mumbled.

Laughing, Serenity shook her head. "Well dang, hey Malaysia, you don't see me standing here?"

Giving her a look over, Malaysia shrugged. "I see you, not like its much to look at anyways."

Hitting her arm, Armoni frowned. "What tha hell Laysia?"

"What? She knows damn well as to why I ain't speaking to her." She scoffed before walking off when she saw Tyler making his way back downstairs.

Looking back at Serenity, Armoni gave a toothless sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry about that Ren,"

Waving her off she shrugged. "It's cool, I don't know why I expected folks to just be magically over what happened, but I'm probably finna just head out."

Armoni could tell her mood had shifted, and she felt bad. "Well look I was actually going to go get my nails done tomorrow, did you want to come with? My treat? We could finish catching up and stuff."

Smiling, Serenity nodded. "I would love to go and you don't have to treat me, I got it."

"Okay, well I'll pick you up around noon?"

"Sounds good to me."

Sharing a quick hug, Armoni held onto her hand. "I'm really happy that you're back after all that has happened. I was really worried about you and I know I never said anything before, but I just wanted to say that I always believed you even when no one else did." She whispered before letting go and walking off leaving Serenity standing there in shock, but eventually that expression turned into a smile and gave her a little hope that things were going to be okay and she wasn't alone in her truth anymore.

-

Thanks for the love & support as always!
-Denise🌷