Chapter 2

“Sasha SwedenBurg”

Hearing her name being called from the front, Sasha lifted her head up from the graffiti filled desk to see the teacher passing out worksheets. She twisted her mouth, and reluctantly scooted her feet to the front to retrieve it.

She hated the stares she always received, as both boys and girls invaded her space with their eyes, making her feel even more insecure than she already did. She was relieved once she made it back to her seat, and could comfortably hide in the back.

“So, before we start we’re going to do a little ice breaker” the teacher announced, causing everyone to groan out loud, “I know, I know. It’s torture. However in this class, everyone participates. That’s what stands between you, and a passing grade”

Just great. Sasha mused to herself.

“So, I’ll start. My name is Mr. Reyes, my favorite color is Mauve, and this summer I went to the lake. And what I want to get out of this class, is to make sure you all understand African American Literature more. Any questions?”

“I have one” a light skin boy asked on the left side of the class, his long arm raised.

“Go head” Mr. Reyes pointed his pen towards him.

“What the fuck is Mauve?”

The class erupted into laughter, and even Sasha snickered under her breath.

“Nigga it’s like purple” his friend behind him answered, kissing his teeth.

“Well then why the nigga ain’t say purple” he shrugged.

Mr. Reyes laughed to himself, next taking a sip of his coffee, “It’s a more subtle purple, with hues of pink. But it’s Isaiah right?”

The boy smirked and shook his head, “Just Zay”

“Okay, you go next. Start the class off”

The boy handsomely rolled his eyes, and ran his fingers over the peach fuzz on his chin.

“I’m Zay, my favorite color is Red and this summer I was baggin biddies, you know how that is right Mr. Reyes?”

The class laughed again, and Sasha made sure to note him as the class clown. Every class was sure to have one, and she identified this one in her first period in the first ten minutes. She watched as he exchanged dap with the friends around him, even how all of the girls couldn’t help but to secretly fawn over him, their eyes hooded in a dreamy way as they could only hope that he would look their direction. Sasha on the other hand just wanted him to shut up so they could move on, her anxiety getting the best of her the longer she waited for her turn.

“Okay, next” Mr. Reyes instructed, also done with the boy’s shenanigans.

The student behind him went, and Sasha counted down each person until it was finally her turn. She could feel the pressure, as now the whole class was staring her down, their bodies turned just to get a view of whose turn it was. She nervously smiled, and as always she pushed her curly hair out of her face.
She cleared her throat, and before she could speak the door opened, causing everyone to shift their attention.

“Sorry, sorry. I’m late” the girl apologized, handing over her roster to the teacher.

Mr. Reyes checked it out, and gestured for her to take the empty seat next to Sasha.

“You’re just in time, we’re doing ice breakers. Your name, favorite color, what you did this summer and what you want to get out of this class”

The girl placed her bag onto the floor, and Sasha couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she was. Everyone else must’ve noticed as well, as now the attention was all on her.

“Ummm, my name is Lux. My favorite color is pink, and this summer I went to Florida. Oh, and I want to get an A” she shrugged as if to say obviously.

“Shit, my favorite color pink too” Zay commented and the class did a slight laugh.

Mr. Reyes gave him a knowing look and he stopped while he was ahead. Just that quick it was Sasha’s turn again, and she collected all of the spit she could from her dry, nervous mouth.

“I’m Sasha, my favorite color is…blue” she randomly chose, due to the fact she actually didn’t have a favorite, “This summer, I moved from D.C. And I hope to learn a lot”

“Very well, Sasha. And welcome to Philadelphia, I hope you like it”

The teacher gave her a wink, and continued on with the rest of the class. Sasha let out a deep breath, relieved that she had lived through the short moment. She sat silently in the back for the rest of the class, and finally the bell rung, dismissing everyone to their next period. She grabbed her bag, and poured out of the classroom with the rest of the students.

“So, D.C huh?” Lux asked, following behind her, “How is it there?”

Sasha looked around to make sure the girl was talking to her, and then nodded when realizing she was the only one she could be talking to.

“It’s cool, pretty much the same as here” she shrugged.

“Oh okay, I thought ~”

“Ay, Lux right?”

The two girls glanced up, watching as Zay made his way over.

“Yeah, can I help you?” She raised her brow.

“Me and my niggas gon be in the gym after school for the tryouts, you should come watch. Maybe we can do something after” he smirked.

“Ehhh, no thanks” she flagged him off, next turning to Sasha, “So, what’s your next class?”

“Wait, you said tryouts? What time are they?” Sasha asked Zay who still hadn’t moved.

He scoffed, “Why? You play?”

“Yeah” she nodded, “Well, I want to”

“Well the girls tryouts are at a different time than the guys, but you should still roll through. They start at 3”

Sasha nodded, and Zay gave them both a wave before hurrying off to his next class.

“You’re trying out for the team? That’s cool” Lux smiled, still following after Sasha.

“You think so? Most girls don’t like ball”

“Well my brother plays it. Mind if I join you?”

“Uhh yeah I guess. Meet me by the gym at 3”

Lux nodded, and the two went their separate ways. Sasha didn’t know what was up with the pretty student, who looked like she would fit in with more of the popular crowd than she would with just plain ol’ Sasha. However she didn’t reject her company, since she didn’t exactly have people fighting to be her friend.
And while she didn’t like to make friends since she always wound up moving anyway, she figured having someone to talk to wouldn’t be so bad. Heading to her next class, she stuck her headphones in her ears, preparing to get through the next few hours. At the moment all she could think about was tryouts, and she had to get on the team. Despite, what her parents said.

“Hey, you made it” Lux smiled, waving as Sasha walked over to the front of the gym. She was no longer dressed down in her uniform, instead a pair of ball shorts and a muscle t-shirt that she made sure to bring.

“Yeah, you sure you can stay?” Sasha asked, not wanting to get the girl in trouble, although she seemed to want to be no where but there and had technically invited herself.

“Yup, come on. They already started”

Sasha nodded, and followed behind Lux as they made their way into the large gym and couldn’t help but feel excited as she watched the boys basketball tryouts come to a start. Lux gestured for her to follow her up the bleachers, and the two sat up high, looking over the gym.

“So, what made you get into basketball?” Lux asked, however Sasha was too into the game to hear her.

Lux smirked, and watched the pretty girl from her side eye, deciding to let her focus. However she couldn’t help but to admire her dark voluminous hair, that sat just a little beneath her shoulders. Like everyone else, that morning she wore the school uniform, a grey shirt with the tiger logo on the left side, and a pair of black pants; and while it looked plain on everyone else, Sasha’s boyish swag made the simple outfit look good; Her small body was tilted over with her arms hanging over her knees, and her eyes dodged back in forth with every player that had the ball. Deciding to just sit back, Lux pulled out a bag of snacks from her book bag, hot cheetos being her first choice.

Sasha glanced back at the noise, and Lux raised the bag, “Want some?”

Sasha smirked, and Lux swore she could feel a jolt run down her chest.

“Sure” she said putting both her hands out.

The rainfall of chips landed in her palms, only for her to throw them back seconds later and dust off the residue.

“You didn’t answer my question you know” Lux said in an attempt to start back up her convo.

Sasha leaned back into the bleacher, “What question?”

“What made you get into basketball?”

“I always liked it since a kid, something about being on the court” she shrugged, “You have anything that you like?”

“Not really” Lux shook her head, reaching into a pack of sour patches.

“Nothing? Not even…fashion or whatever girls like”

Lux doubled over in laughter, “You say it like you’re not a girl”

“I never felt like a girl” Sasha admitted.

And it was true. Sasha could never remember a time she truly felt like a stereotypical ‘girl’ and while it never really bothered her, her family never failed to point it out. Especially her mother, who constantly complained about the way she walked, talked, or wore her clothes. Basically everything.

Lux on the other hand was the girliest girl that Sasha had ever met. She wore her hair in a high bun, her curly hair evident in the bangs that hung down the sides of her ears, that adorned large silver hoop earrings. Her skin was flawless, and Sasha could bet she never had a bad skin day in her life. Her makeup was applied lightly, with long eyelash extensions that were wispy style, and Sasha noticed how she reapplied her lipgloss approximately every fifteen minutes.

“Really? But you’re so pretty” Lux tilted her head, and Sasha laughed.

“Nah” she shook her head.

“You’re kidding me right?”

Before Sasha could respond, a ball went flying their way, abandoning the court.

Sasha caught it, the ball only inches away from Lux’s face causing her eyes to grow wide. She threw it back down, and watched as the boys began to disperse from the floor shortly after.

“You saved my life” Lux said dramatically.

“You owe me then” Sasha chuckled, and Lux began to think of a few ways to pay her back.

“Alright, those of you here to try out for the girls basketball team, line up” the coached announced from the court.

Sasha arose from the bleachers, next kissing the small golden rosary that was tucked into her t-shirt. Lux smirked, and admired her laid back walk as her legs climbed down the bleachers. She continued to eat her snacks, and watched as the coach brought the girls into the circle. For the remainder of the hour, the group of girls completed a few drills, dribbling, passing, suicides, all to test them of their abilities on the team, and it was no surprise to Sasha as she passed every test with flying colors. Lux was impressed and just by the look on Sasha’s face she could tell it was something that she really loved to do. Even the guys couldn’t help but to watch, especially when the coach split the girls into two teams and Sasha dominated the court, her moves precise and quick, nevertheless effortless as she moved through the group scoring point after point.

“Damn, we need to get her on the guys team” a guy walking pass the bleachers commented.

Lux looked down, and rolled her eyes as Zay and his friends made their way over to her.

“An eye roll, really?” Zay said pretending to be offended, “And to think, I was coming to invite you to grab a slice”

There was a pizza store not too far from the school, and it was usual for some of the students to hang
around at the booths and chill before going home.

“No thanks” she shook her head, “I’m watching Sasha play”

“Shit, who ain’t. Lil mama something serious” he laughed, turning to the court to watch as well, “She can come too. C’mon, its the first day, me and my niggas are a good time”

Lux gave the group of four boys a once over, Zay clearly being the lead as he was always leading the gang wherever they went. Everything about them yelled athletes, and while Lux definitely wasn’t interested she figured it was no harm in making friends with the most popular boys in Fels. It was her first year at the school, and she told herself she would make friends if it killed her. Real friends though, not like the ones at her old school.

“Fine, but you have to get whatever kind we like” she bargained, a sneaky smile across her face.

Zay shrugged, and took a seat on the bleachers, “Fine. But no weird shit”

“Aht!” She said raising her finger, “No buts”

Zay playfully slit his eyes at her, next turning his attention back to the tryouts.

They were finally coming to an end, and the coach called Sasha over for a small one on one. They all watched as she nodded her head as he talked, next returning to the top of the bleachers.

“What up” Zay greeted her, “We all about to head to get some pizza, you coming?”

“I can’t” she shook her head, knowing she already tried it by staying an hour late after school, “I gotta get home”

“Aw come on Sasha, it’ll be fun”

Lux didn’t necessarily want to hang out with the guys either, but on the other hand she wouldn’t mind hanging with Sasha for a little bit longer.

“Yeah, come on Sasha” Reef, one of the guys mocked Lux causing her to flip him off.

Sasha snickered, and decided what harm could be done.

“Alright, sure” she gave in, “I’ll meet ya’ll out front, I gotta get out of this”

They all nodded, and began to remove themselves from the bleachers. Sasha rushed over to the locker rooms, next changing back into her uniform after wiping the small droplets that had gathered in a few areas. She let her hair down from the bun that she wore during tryouts, and when she was satisfied with how she looked she headed towards the front of the school. She was anxious about the results, however she wouldn’t know if she made the team until the following morning when they would be posted. After that, she would be given a physical and a signature from her parents, and that was the hard part. Coach Lee had already given her kudos on the tryouts alone, so there was no doubt that she would be making the team.

When she arrived outside, she spotted the group of boys as they slapped boxed by the parking lot, while Lux sat on the side line shaking her head.

“Alright, I’m ready” Sasha smiled, throwing her book bag over her shoulder.

“Good, cause any longer and I would’ve embarrassed bull” Zay laughed, picking his bag up off of the ground.

“So, what are ya’ll names?” Sasha asked, only knowing of Zay.

“I’m Zay, as you know. This is Sharif aka Reef, Josh, and Brandon, but we call em B”

“So everyone has a nickname but Josh basically” Lux said glancing over her shoulder.

“Yeah, you see how they do me” Josh joked, “You can give me a nick name if you want” he smirked.

“None of that, I already called dibs” Zay announced, causing Lux’s eyebrows to crease.

“Excuse you?” She retorted.

“I meant dibs on giving him a nick name, yeah bro I ain’t tell you I was thinking of one. How you feel about J-Money?” Zay asked, quickly trying to clean up his words.

The gang laughed, including Sasha and Josh shook his head.

“No thanks nigga, I’ll stick with Josh”

“Mhh hmm” Lux said turning back around.

Zay gave her a devious smirk from behind, however didn’t respond as they all made their way to the parlor. Like the guys predicted, a few students lingered around the pizza shop, and the large group occupied the last empty booth in the back. After ordering the pizzas, Zay returned to the table, making sure to reclaim his seat next to Lux.

“So ya’ll ready for this school year? This the last year before niggas gotta go to college” Josh said, sounding slightly disappointed.

“Yeah, ready for this year to be over” B added, and the rest agreed.

“Ya’ll got instagram?” Zay asked, looking between the two girls.

Lux nodded, however Sasha shook her head no.

“No, damn what you do with your time?” Reef replied, definitely stunned because he didn’t know a teenager who didn’t have instagram.

“I practice ball, read, watch tv” Sasha responded, naming all the possible activities that didn’t include social media.

“Still, even with that I need instagram. You should make one” Zay told her.

She shrugged as if to say she would think about it, but she would never admit the reason she wasn’t on social media was because of her parents. Hell, it was a miracle that she even had a phone. Her mother rebuked everything, including any use of social media in her home and Sasha had to follow by it. And sure she could sneak it, but it just wasn’t worth the trouble because her parents found out everything.

She could admit she yearned to be like other teenagers, and counted down the 179 days left until she could become one. For the next few hours the gang sat in the booth, eating pizza and telling stories from their summer. And as much as she didn’t want to hang with the group of athletes at first, Lux had to admit they kept her laughing with their jokes and smart mouths and by time any of them looked up it was dark out. Sasha felt the same, and for once she wasn’t constantly worrying about getting into trouble. That was until her phone began to ring off the hook, and she knew she had stayed out too long.

“Oh shit, I gotta go” she panicked, grabbing her bag off the floor.

Lux looked out of the window, only to react the same way at the navy sky.

“Me too”

“Yeah it is getting kind of late out, we see ya’ll tomorrow” Zay said, standing up to let them out of the booth. And as bad as he wanted to ask for Lux’s number, he decided to play it cool for the time being. She had just become relaxed around him, and he didn’t want to mess that up.

The girls waved bye, and turned into thin air within the next few seconds.

“See you in first period?” Lux smiled, standing on the corner before the two separated.

Sasha nodded, “Yup, see you in first period”

She was so oblivious to dating or even any type of feelings, she hadn’t even noticed that Lux was lingering to keep the conversation going. She was too busy trying to get home so she didn’t have to hear her parents mouth.

The two turned their backs to walk away, only for Lux to quickly turn back around.

“Wait, let me see your phone” she demanded more so than asked.

Sasha raised her brow, but pulled the phone out of her back pocket. Lux entered her number, next sending herself a message so she could have Sasha’s.

“There” she said satisfied, “See you tomorrow”

With that she rushed off, and just in time she caught the 24 bus as it began to ride past.

Sasha smirked down at the phone, and began her walk home. She had made her first group of friends, and she began to think maybe this year wouldn’t be so bad at all.