CHAPTER SEVEN-MILAN
"Hi, desk mate."
A smiley Sasha says as she seats next to me.
"Oh, Mil you need to get rid of this attitude of yours." Sasha says as she puts her hand to her mouth and yawns.
"I'm so exhausted; I'll get someone cope my notes." Her hands on her book; closing it and carefully sliding it into her bag.
"Wake me up when madam's done copying the notes." She says her hand on my shoulder.
Sasha leans against me and falls asleep. It just makes me feel some type of way, why'd she pick Troy over me when it's clear that she still needs me.
THURSDAY
After all the classes I decide to go for practice at the city ground. Troy is the only dude from my class who plays basketball on our team; the rest are from different states but residing here. We start practicing and I just lose the ball completely; I'm still just thinking about my life and what Sasha did because Troy's presence keeps reminding me. He's clearly not better than me.
"Milan, what's wrong with you; you seem to be lost somewhere." Coach Maurice says bringing me back to reality.
"I'm alright coach."
"I'll believe that for now. Just so you know; you're the star player and wherever your mind should be should always be on the court; it should always be on the game."
I look at the other teammates and they're just staring at me.
"Sure coach."
"Yeah right, always remember that you're the future of the NBA. Everyone, take positions."
Coach Maurice holds the whistle tied around his neck and puts it to his mouth and blows the whistle. Coach Maurice was the first person to ever believe me. He has always been the one to encourage me even when I was at my lowest. He is the best coach one can ever ask for. Just wish my dad took a thing or two from him than just criticizing me all the time.
It's Friday and I have no game; I go home as soon as classes end and as usual, my parents and Daryn are not home. I haven't yet texted Real because I don't wanna seem like a sim or something. I just seat on the balcony and smoke my lungs out as I look at the city lights.
In my black ripped jeans and white shirt, I wear my black and purple basketball team jersey. It is purple with some black and gold stripes and written Valencia in white at the back and grab my car keys.
Bored, I decide to go for a long drive. John Legend is having a concert tonight and I'm still undecided of whether to go or not; but I've never really been a fan since I got the tickets because Sasha had been so obsessed about attending one of John Legend's concerts, so I wanted to take her there. Since she's with Troy now, I don't see the point anymore.
Driving past the gas station, I decide to get to the ATM to get some cash, so I pull over to get to the store. Staring at my watch for the time, I bump into someone and looking forward, the girl almost falls.
"Sorry." I say.
"Watch your way, dude." She says as she kneels to the ground to pick her stuff.
"Real?" I say as I look at her.
"Lan? Oh, my goodness, lemme pick my stuff first."
She says as she puts her focus back on the ground, she pushes some of the hair on her face t her ear. She just looks amazing in her blush pink summer jumpsuit with purple flowers. I kneel to the ground to help her out.
"Thanks." Real says smiling at me as I hand her the lip gross.
"It's ok. It was my fault. Come on." I say and we begin walking side to side.
"I actually thought I'd never see you again." Real says looking at me.
"Me either."
"Well, at least you had a chance. You even have my number. You should've texted. I was for waiting for your text."
"Well, you seemed reluctant to give me anyways."
"Well, that didn't mean I wouldn't wait for your text."
"My bad."
I thought we'd at least be friends. I guess I was wrong." Real says in a low voice with which signifies disappointment.
"Me, friend?"
"Yes, but if you have a proble-"
"No, that's not what I meant." I cut her before she could continue.
I just don't believe someone would wish to be friends with me, I mean why would someone like her wanna be friends with me. she's so fine and happy all the times and just feels so surreal.
"Why didn't you call me?" she asks again.
"I was still thinking about it. Wanna stop somewhere and grab something to eat?" I suggest.
"Would've said no, but I ain't got no choice." She says and we go to the nearby restaurant.
"Looking all dressed up today. Were you going somewhere, and did I ruin it?"
"Right, I had this date with an online date and he bailed on me the last moment. So I just wanted to find someone to buy me diner." She says as she as she winks at me.
"Damn."
"That's this week's budget. I'm saving up."
"Psycho."
"What, I lost my job."
Before I can ask any questions, the waitress shows up with glasses of water and the menu.
"What will you have?" the lady asks, her hands at the back. I look at Real to press her order.
"I'll have lasagna." Real says.
"And?" I ask.
"Orange juice." She says.
"I'll have some steak, grilled on low heat and some red wine."
The lady writes something in her notebook, gets the menus and leaves.
"Lasagna and juice, that's it?"
"Yeah, I'm okay with that." Real says and I just keep staring at her.
"What?" she asks.
"You're just….different." I tell her.
Real's the strangest girl ever, I mean does she have any idea of how expensive she looks? I've been to places with girls and she's just different. Sasha would never pick something like that, she was fond of spending if she never wanted to have it.
"Why you still single?"
"What?"
"I take it that you not dating, are you?"
"Nah."
"Why you still single?"
"Nobody loves me enough." She says.
The waitress brings our meals. I've never witnessed a character like her though. I just have a lot of questions. She seems kind of interesting.
"Why you here, aren't you supposed to be with your friends or sum?"
"Nah, I don't have friends."
"Or is that right?" she asks wide eyed.
I just nod, a lot of folks don't believe me, I mean I'm not bad looking, good body and tall and have talent. I'm a champion.
"Do you?" I ask.
"Nah, but I can talk to whoever I want whenever."
"I feel you."
I wish I had such type of luck. I just like that she's free minded. We continue having our food in silence. The wine tastes amazing and the steak is exactly the way I wanted it to be and it's fully cooked with good seasoning.
"So, who's your favorite artist?"
"John Legend. By the way, he has a concert today and I couldn't get a ticket." She sadly says.
I reach out for my pocket and take out the tickets and pass then across the table to her. she picks them up and looks wide eyed. She looks back up at me.
"A-Are these real?" she asks looking over at me.
"You bet." I tell her.
She smiles then her smile suddenly fades and she raises an eyebrow.
"How come you got two tickets?" she curiously asks.
"Well, I got it for my ex, since we're not together anymore, I thought of giving it to you."
"Her loss." Real shrugs.
"The concert starts in thirty minutes; we should definitely attend!" she says excitedly.
I pay the bill and we leave for my car and drive off for the stadium. We quickly check in and go to the VVIP section, Sasha always wanted to meet him live. There aren't a lot of people at the VVIP section anyways. Legend starts preforming and everyone is happy and excited and people are singing along. He performs for quite a while.
"Are y'all enjoying?!" Legend asks and people shout on top of their voices in agreement.
"Okay I need one fan-" the crowd starts screaming again and raises their hands.
"Real, you don't even know what it is." I hold her hand.
"Whatever it is, I'm in for it." she says.
"One fan alright, to come up stage and sing my song 'Beautiful with me."
The noise becomes even crazier. Real holds my hand and pulls me to the centre since we're already in front.
"Real, you sure about this?" I hold her hand.
"Yea, I mean; it's easy Pizzey." She then focuses on raising her hand again.
"Millions of people will see you; I don't want you blowing up." I warn her.
"Don't worry, and why do you care Lan?"
"You're right, I shouldn't care." I say letting her hand go.
Legend finally points at Real and it just makes me nervous.
"He's picked me! He's picked me Lan!" she strongly holds my hand as she jumps excitedly.
"I'm not caring."
"Here, make sure you put everything on camera." She says handing me her phone as she runs to the stage.
The lady on the stage searches Real and she finally gets to the stage and gives Legend a big hug. Then he hands her a mic.
"You ready?" He asks.
"Never been readier. Real giggles.
"DJ, music."
The beat starts and as soon as the beat starts the entire stadium becomes silent. Legend sign for Real to start. I flinch and close my scared to look.
Suddenly, the whole room gets filled with a sweet voice and I open my eye a bit to see; Real is singing and Legend has his hand to his mouth with excitement. Her voice gives me chills causing me to have goosebumps. I've never heard anyone sing like that without an autotune. The crowd starts screaming in excitement and cheering.
Legend joins her and their duet sounds awesome. About three minutes later, she asks me to take a picture of her and John. Real comes off stage and everyone is cheering and congratulating her. Guess she knew what she was talking about after all. I feel kind of stupid for not trusting her though.
"How was I?" She asks.
"You were amazing. Didn't know you could sing too."
"I'm Real, I can do anything." She says giggling.
She asks me if I've put everything on camera and I tell her I did using mine coz her phone was locked, though I could just put it on camera, but I didn't think of that. Real is super excited, meanwhile, a lot of people are constantly staring and it's making both me and her uncomfortable.
"Hey, wanna get out of here?"
"Sure." She says taking my hand.
We go outside to my car and I take her to a club I usually go to on Fridays. We both seat at the bar.
"Are you eighteen yet, I don't wanna get in trouble."
"Yeah." She says.
The bar tender arrives.
"What will it be?"
"Tequila." I say looking at Real for her to make her order.
"Off the rocks." She says.
"OOOH."
The bar tender brings the drinks and Real drinks it all in one gulp.
"Can I ask for another one?"
"You can have as much as you want, on my bill." I tell her.
She smiles at me and asks for another one and the same happens and she asks for another.
"Easy there."
"I'm thirsty."
"It's not water."
Real shrugs, meanwhile, I'm still on my first and it's not even half way done.