After talking me into it, I was finally convinced. Luke takes out his key card to his house. For the millionth time, I confirm with Luke again.

"Are you sure, she will understand?" I ask a little worried.

"She's the only person I trust that can actually do something and keep it a secret." He opens the door for me. 

"Luke!" His sister Stacy runs toward Luke, gives him a hug.

"Stacy, where's mom?" Luke hugs her back.

"In the living room," she gestures towards the room.

"Thanks! I'll play with you later," He grabs my hand, makes his way to the room.

"Honey, Abby and I need to ta-" He cuts off as he enters the room. I look over his shoulder and see the reason why he stopped.

Cross from honey, Mrs. White is sitting drinking tea. "Think must be your son," Mrs. White plasters a wide smile. Her eyes then land on Luke holding my hand.

"Why yes, Peyton. Luke meets Mrs. White," Honey gestures towards Mrs. White.

"We've actually met before," He looks at Honey, then back at Mrs.White. "Haven't we Mrs.White? Or will Peyton do?" Luke let's go of my hand, stretched his hand out to Mrs. White.   

"Let's leave it at Mrs. White," Mrs. White gives him a smug smile but does not take his hand. "I see you've befriended, Abby?" Mrs. White directs Luke. 

"She's a lovely girl, I must say," Honey interjects. "Anyone would love to befriend her." Honey takes a sip of her tea. "I'm sure, you would know. With Abby being the daughter of Sarah. People will want to keep to themselves, isn't that so, Mrs. White?" Honey analyzes Mrs. White's expression. 

Mrs. White gives her a smug smile, "I believe it's gotten late." She gets up, "Let's go, Abby."

I look at Luke, then at Honey. "I'll see you later. 

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Nervously, I sit on the couch. Tiring to suppress my fidgeting, I wrap my hands together, to avoid Mrs. White from suspecting me. Mrs. White watches me from the corner of her eye, I breathe in slowly. I glance around the room not knowing what to look at. 

Sitting on the opposite side of me, browsing a magazine, Jess is waiting for Mrs. White to leave to say her goodbyes. 

"Well, I'm off Jess." Mrs. White gives Jess a hug. "Have a nice day at school," Mrs. White calls out as Jess leaves for school. 

As soon as Jess is gone, she moves on to me, "You are not allowed to ever go near Mrs. Wilson's house. I warn you, if you ever go near her or her son, I'll make you regret it. Is that clear?"

I nod.

I give it a few minutes, watch her as she drives away. As soon as she's gone I hurry to my room, packing my sports gear. 

Before stepping out the door, I peek outside through the kitchen window making sure that Mrs. White is gone. I swing the door open, but only to be greeted with a hard smack on the face. 

I step away, rubbing my nose, "Luke? What are you doing here?"

He smirks, "I had to make sure you didn't miss your game."

I let out a surprised huff, "O.K, Come on, Let's go." We start walking but go different ways. "Luke, school is that way?" I clarify. 

"Yeah, but my car is this way." He gestures towards a black mustang, parked on the other side of the street. 

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The smell of leather. That's all the whole car smells as if it were recently polished. 

"So, like all this time you had a car?" I ask a bit annoyed. 

"I don't walk to school," He smirks and gives me a glance. 

"Right," I say in a deep voice. 

"What? You don't like Mustangs?" He furrows his eyebrows, while still wearing a smirk. 

I scoff, "I personally, prefer to walk."

"Really? It's a 10-minute walk to school?" He points out. 

"It's healthy for some people," I argue. 

We arrive at school, Luke parks near the gym. As I get out of the car, Luke walks over to my side and opens the back of the car, grabbing my gym bag. I look around to see how has arrived, I see Lura pull up with her car, along with a few of the basketball girls. 

"Are you ready?" Luke, interrupting my thoughts, hands me my bag.

I shrug, "It is what it is. "

"Hey, Abby wait." Luke reaches inside his pocket. I look over at Lura and the other girls. If I were like Luke I would be able to walk over. "Here," He grabs my wrist, slides on a wrist band. 

"What is this?" I ask confused. I glance over where Lura is at.

"A sweatband."

"Yeah, I know what it is. Why are you giving it to me?" I ask

"You told me your favorite color was yellow, and you don't have one. So, my mom and I picked it out. Good Luck." He rubs the back of his neck. 

I don't know what to say so I just nod. 

When I arrive at the girl's lockers, everyone is almost dressed. I unpack my things, unlock my locker and start changing. 

This is going to be one heck of a game. 

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We're behind by two points. Kyra steals the ball, passes to Jackie. She takes a shot but misses. Everyone goes back to position. This time the other team approaches our team's defense. Lura steals the ball back, passing it to Kyra. As the defense stays behind, Kyra takes the ball forward passing it to Jackie. Jackie's form seems off. 

The whistle blows signaling halftime. 

The teams gather on their respective sides. "Everyone gather around. Give everyone water. First off, you got to focus, Perry! McGarden great defense. We are behind by two, in any minute we can either catch up or stay behind." The whistle blow, signaling the start of halftime. "Everyone on 3."

"Clinton High!" The team cheers. 

10 minutes left in the game, we are still behind by 4. Kyra passes the ball to Jackie, she takes a shot and misses again. I nervously fidget on my seat. I have yet to play. 

I see the coaches exchange words. They signal the referee for an exchange and look at me after it's approved, "Johnson, your up."

Before walking into the court I scan the audience. I catch Luke with his sister. He gives me a nod. 

Jackie walks out disturbed. 

I take my place and the game continues. Kyra gets the ball, pushes forward. I find an opening and signal her for a pass. I shoot. It goes in. Cheering from every direction.

We fall back, once the other team has the ball. Lura comes up in defense and steals the ball. She sees an opening to her left, passes it to Penny. Penny looks at me, I receive her pass without a second thought. I run toward the basket but before I shoot, I am pushed down. 

"Hey, that way clearly a foul, you idiot!" Kyra argues with the other team. 

We are given a free throw for the foul. Everyone takes their place. I stand in the center, as the referee hands me the ball.

I dibble the ball, take a breath, and shoot. 

It goes in. 

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"Johnson, a word," the coach calls me over. "You played really well today. If you keep it up you'll join the scouting trip."

I nod.

I make my way to the lockers to change. I change my shoes. 

" Ever stop being a freak?" a cold voice says. I ignore it. "You know Abby, it's funny how everyone here hasn't missed a game, yet you're still on the team. Why is that Abby? You don't only miss school, but then you miss practice. It must be lucky to be you"

Luck, uh. My life is far from luckily. I let out a sigh, and slam my locker close. I turn to the voice, surprised to find Jackie, "Look if you have a problem go take it, coach." I gather my things, place them in my bag. 

"You think, we, " Jackie gestures to the basketball girls, "haven't." I glance at Lura, who is minding her business in her locker.

"If you have, then it's not my problem anymore," I push past her, but she grabs me.

"It's not like you-." 

I try to shake off her grip, "Let go Jackie." With all the tubing and pulling, something falls out of my bag. 

Everyone turns to see what's going on. 

Jackie scoffs and picks up my inhaler. "Wow, how are you even on the team?" 

Kyra finishes tying her shoe, stands up but doesn't look over, "Jackie, just drop it. It's not worth it."

"No, I'm not going to drop. Someone has to say it."

"Jackie," Lura approaches her. She takes the inhaler away and shoves it to me. Without looking back she exits the lockers.