I sent a text to Amp and Pacino about the homecoming game on Saturday. They looked at my brothers as their own and I knew they’d want to support also. In the beginning, I had reservations about Pacino and Amp getting close to my brothers but once I saw that they had good intentions and were just looking out for them while I handled business, I backed off.
“What grade did you get on your chemistry test?” Atlas had a knack for formulating formulas. I saw the potential in him as a young boy. Anything he wanted I gave because I knew Atlas was going to chase after what he wanted.
His eyes danced with glee as he smiled. “I got the highest grade in class and best in show. I can’t wait to have my own greenhouse one day.” I already had plans in the making for his dream greenhouse. All he had to do was graduate high school and survive two years of college. “Right out in Belle Glades is where I want it. The soil there, although people refer to it as Muck City, it’s the reason why the city has the richest soil in the state.”
Though tired, I sat up with Atlas until he fell asleep from talking. I took pride in these moments with my brothers the most. There wasn’t a soul living in South Florida that wasn’t aware of how important these boys were to me, and how I’d slaughter a whole state if something happened to them. As long as they were good then so was I.
Chapter 2
Krishna
My world had tilted. My dreams changed. My taste buds acquired a new taste. My eyes had a new twinkle. In the middle of my stomach, a new batch of caterpillars were ready to hatch and become butterflies. And my heart, that bloody red thing had been singing a new tune that only could be heard through my ears.
Often, I wanted to share with anyone who asked me why I smiled so much.
This new change in me had completely made me over that I reached out to Beck and her parents and offered a sincere apology with much more emotion behind it than that sour puss one I gave the day I hit her in the face over some fries. I truly was sorry for breaking her nose, but her ass had to learn a valuable lesson. Anyhow, I apologized, and I wanted to have others radiating with rays of joy as I’ve been skipping around with.
“So, does this mean that you aren’t coming?” I prayed all day hoping that mother would answer her phone with good news. News that would make my last Varsity Volleyball game of the season more memorable.
“I’m sorry, Krishna. Your father and I want to come but it’s too risky. The Staples Center isn’t a small arena and we don’t want to risk anything.”
In other words, they didn’t want to risk anyone finding out that they were my parents. I got it, I really did, but moments like this I really wish they’d put the King Pin and Queen Pin capes down and pick up the crowns of my parents.
“Right. Ok, cool. Um, Uncle Lamont said he’s going to send the video to you sometime next week. I gotta go. We’re about to go out on the court.” My team had already been on the court for at least thirty minutes, but I made up a lie and told my coach that I needed to change my tampon.
“I’m sorry, baby girl. Ball out for us, okay?”
“Yeah. Bye, Mom.”
“I love you, Krishna.”
“Love you too.”
My mood had completely turned a full three-sixty. I had high hopes of seeing my parents, mainly my mom. The last time she was here I was a complete bitch to her but then she made it up to me in a way I never knew was possible. She brought my dream to fruition. She brought me Amell.
Since I could grasp a full sentence as a child my parents have drilled in my head why they wouldn’t and couldn’t come to any of my events. I learned then to not take it personal and to enjoy Uncle Lamont being my cheerleader. They came to all my graduations, even if that meant sitting all the way in the back in the shadows in the dark where no one could see them.
Wanting my mom to come to this game had nothing at all to do with this being our state tournament. I really cared two pennies about that. I just wanted to see my new crush in the flesh.
I had it bad. Like scribble his name all over my binder and composition notebook bad. I wrote his name all over my things. Beck asked me who he was, and I politely told her that it was my dream angel and to mind her business if she knew what was good for her.
“Go, Krishna!”
Walking back over to my team I looked over my shoulder to the voices calling my name and spotted my uncle and Beck with large homemade signs with name and jersey number. Sitting two rows below them near the court sat Gavin Scott and his friends.
“That is one fine boy.”
As much as he was fine he wasn’t Amell royalty fine. Gavin looked good in our school’s royal purple and gold football jersey, dark denim jeans, and matching white shell-toe Adidas. His hair had been taped up to perfection and his smile had a hundred watts blasting my way.
I heard from the grapevine, Beck, that he and Ebony broke up. Good for them because I had my eyes set on something much more mature and chocolatey for my young palate.
Our game against Santa Barbara Wildcats came with much exertion and a bunch of trips and falls. We were playing our hardest. The hardest we played all season. We were on fire and the cheers from the crowd only boosted our adrenaline. My motivation to play unstoppable came from knowing that there was a video of this game being sent to Florida for my parents to watch. Making that a slim one percent chance that Amell would be watching.
What if he walked in the house ready to guard my mom wherever she needed to go and there I was on the television screen.
Wishful thinking out the ass but a girl could dream.
“I’m proud of you, niece. That was a really good game. Congratulations,” Uncle Lamont leaned down and kissed my sweaty cheek.
“Thank you. Oh, and thank you for coming. I really appreciate it. You too, Beck.”
“Girl, I would’ve totally been here regardless.” Her voice sounded so Kermit the frog and cloggy with that white bandage over her nose.
“I’m about to head to the hospital. You girls be safe celebrating tonight. Krishna, page me when you get home.” He kissed my cheek one last time and left us.
“Are you going to the afterparty at the beach?” Beck’s eyebrows wiggled as she bounced on the tip of her toes.
“Um, I don’t know, Beck.” Honestly, I had no plans other than to start my hundredth search on Myspace for Amell. Everybody in this day and age had a page and I just knew that he did too. I just needed to be more precise with my search.
“You should come. I’d like to spend some time with you.” A cool breeze from the words leaving his mouth brushed across the sweaty back of my neck making me cover with instant chills.
What in the world just happened?
“Hey…Hey, Gavin.” Can’t believe he had me stuttering.
Stepping around me to peer down at me, Gavin licked his lips, those beautiful light brown eyes making my stomach flip flop. “Never knew you were a beast on the court. I loved watching you.”
He loved watching me? Me? Me as in Krishna Gazelle Edwards?
Cheeks heating and all red, I lowered my head to hide my so evident blushing. “Thank you.”
“What do I have to do to convince you to come to the bonfire tonight? I pinky swear to make you my famous smores and not get sand on the marshmallows.”