Chapter 19

Lux looked around her new room and smiled at the empty space that was now hers. It didn’t smell of basement dust, neither was it four walls of bricks. Instead it was a spacious size with crisp white walls, and large windows that actually let in light. She took it in once more, and right as she exhaled her brother Lucious walked in.

“How you like it?” He asked, sticking his hand in his pockets and looking around.

“I love it” Lux smiled turning around, “So, we’re really moving here?”

“Yup” Lucious nodded, “We can go get our stuff right after this, I just had to meet the landlord for the keys”

“Should I get a job or something like that? To help out?” Lux asked.

“Nah” Lucious snickered, shaking his head, “All I need you to do is stay doing good in school. You’re doing great sis, so I need you to stay focused”

“Thank you bro” Lux beamed, “I’m really starting to like school, can you believe that”

“Yeah I can actually, you’ve always been smart. You just thought you were too fuckin cute to be reading after a while”

Lux chuckled as she flagged her brother, “You sound like Sasha, she says I can finish reading a chapter faster if I don’t stop to apply my lip gloss so many times”

“She fucked you up with that one” Lucious laughed, “Where she at anyway? You ain’t wanna show her the apartment?”

Lux twisted her mouth, and shook her head because she knew Sasha had been hitting her up all day but she was ignoring her.

A part of her knew her girlfriend wasn’t the shady type, however the fact that she was being secretive was really bothering her. She didn’t feel like she was overreacting due to the fact that in past relationships she could remember ex’s pulling the same trust card, just to be doing exactly what was accused. And again, while Sasha seemed to be different, people changed once they began to receive attention they’ve never had before.

“Nah” Lux shook her head as she headed out of the room.

Lucious raised his brow as he followed behind his sister.

“Uh-oh, what’s goin on?” He asked, throwing his arm around her shoulders.

“Nothing, she was just sleeping. She’ll probably be over tomorrow”

“Wow, you really going to lie to me in my face” Lucious laughed as he hopped up on the kitchen counter.

He pulled a packet of wraps out of his pocket and ripped them open with his teeth, and Lux rolled her eyes.

“Fine, we got into an argument. It’s not my fault though”

“Okay, so what happened?” He asked, beginning to roll as he listened to her story.

“She’s been texting some girl, and I asked her to let me see the messages and she said no. Why would she say no”

“Maybe because you should trust her” he shrugged.

“Eww, are you serious” Lux scoffed.

Lu chuckled as he lit the L, and nodded to confirm what he said.

“Its Sasha~”

Lux laughed, “You say it like you know her”

“I know her enough, and I don’t see her doing you like that. I think you should apologize”

“Me?” Lux pointed to herself dramatically.

“Think about it this way, these lil niggas around here be tryna get at you. Does Sasha trip out”

“Yeah but I’m not texting them, ding dong. Are you even listening”

“Here, take this” Lu chuckled handing her the L.

As Lux began to take a much needed puff, Don came strolling through the doors with two black trash bags clung to his side.

“This nigga is readddy” Lu joked and Lux choked on the smoke in laughter.

“Hell yeah I’m ready, a nigga been sleepin on the couch for too long” Don said dropping his bags on the floor.

“I feel you on that one, welcome home my brotha”

The two of them exchanged dap, and Don gave Lux a casual head nod although he really wanted to size her up as well. As far as he knew, Lu didn’t know anything about him wanting his sister, or their previous summer fling as the two made sure to be extra careful he didn’t find out. Now that the three were living together, he knew it would be a serious testing of his temptation. And although it was clear Lux had moved on, Don knew that wouldn’t last long. Especially if it had anything to do with him.

“So anyway like I was saying” Lucious continued, “Apologize”

“Apologize to who?” Don asked.

Lux huffed, but knowing her brother had a point she picked up her phone to text her girlfriend but saw that Sasha actually texted her first.

She pressed on the message seeing that there was more, and was immediately won over by the long apology that was long overdue.

“I’m guessing you’re happy now” Lu raised his brow as Lux skipped off to her room.

“Yup” she shouted back before closing her door.

Her phone began to ring, and she answered immediately.

“Hey”

“Hey….did you get my message?” Sasha asked.

“Yup….” Lux nodded as if she could see her.

Neither knowing what next to say the line got quiet, only for them to blurt out at the same time,
“Sorry”

“Now you’re sorry?” Sasha chuckled, “What for?”

“For accusing you of being sneaky and asking to see your phone even though I should trust you” Lux reluctantly admitted.

“That’s all I asked for. I trust you” Sasha told her.

“And I trust you” Lux assured her, “I just got mad in the moment”

“Yeah, you wouldn’t be you if you didn’t do that” Sasha only half joked.

“Oh shut up” Lux playfully rolled her eyes.

Sasha snickered, and Lux could hear her lick her lips and she knew she looked good while doing so, “So we cool now or…..”

“Yeah, we’re cool” Lux smirked, “Sooo guess where I’m at?” She asked as she began to pace in the spacious room.

“Mhhhh your new place?”

“Yup, I actually have a room babe. Not a basement, and it has windows”

“Windows?” Sasha said dramatically shocked.

“Don’t tease me, you know this is big” Lux giggled.

“I know boo, I’m happy for you. So, when are you moving everything in?”

“Lu said later today, and then tomorrow you can come”

“Okay, cool”

“Hey you ready to go?” Lucious asked poking his head into the room.

Lux nodded and decided to wrap the convo up.
“We’re leaving now…see you tomorrow?”

“See you tomorrow”

The two ended the call leaving Lux to follow behind her brother to the car. Words couldn’t explain how excited she was to finally be leaving her Grandmother’s, and Lu felt good on account that he was able to put a smile on his little sister’s face by finally coming through.

Now that he was making more money on the streets he would be able to provide for her more, and he made a promise to himself to make sure things were steady and comfortable for her.

Step one was making their home feel like an actual home, as both their mom and Grandmother’s house was never anything to brag about.

After grabbing their clothes from GG’s, the two made it around to a few furniture stores to shop for the house. Lux enjoyed every second of the time with her brother, and was excited for the journey to come of them living together.

While she wasn’t happy about Don being there too, she figured as long as he kept his space, everything would be good.

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

“See. You got to be Smooth

The panthers are ready

The panthers are smooth

The panthers will take that ball and roll right over you!”

“One more time girls!” Shamira shouted as she watched the cheer team do the first half of their routine. She watched closely at all the girls to make sure they were in sync, and was never hesitant to call out anyone who was even a second behind.

“High V! High!” She spat, stopping in front of Amber who tried her best to not roll her eyes.

Instead she corrected her posture, and Shamira moved on to Lux who was in perfect form.

“Feet” Shamira said lining Lux’s feet up with the tap of hers although there was no need.

Shamira smirked as she sauntered away to find her own spot, and called for the squad to do it once more.

“Louder this time ladies!” She shouted, “See, you got to be smoothhhh”

“The panthers are ready, the panthers are smooth, the panthers will take that ball and roll right over you!” The gym filled with girls shouted in unison.

“Ayyyy, the panthers are smooth, ya’ll know what to do” Josh joked as him and Zay pretended to do the steps. As always him and his large group of friends were not too far away, and Shamira wasn’t surprised to see them crash the practice although neither basketball team had practice for once.

Lux spotted Sasha right away, and was hoping the two got a chance to talk since they hadn’t seen each other all day.

“Ya’ll are idiots” Amber rolled her eyes with a laugh.

“We not doing it right?” Zay asked still pretending to do the moves.

“If your goal is to look like a jackass then yea”

Shamira snickered, “Okay girls, take a ten and then we’ll practice a few stunts in groups”

The cheerleaders began to fall out of line in relief, and Lux headed over to greet her friends and girlfriend.

“Ayyy, Lux. You ready to blow this popsicle stand?” Zay asked.

“Sorry, can’t. Another forty five minutes” Lux pouted slightly, as she would rather be leaving with them.

Finally approaching Sasha the two gave each other a smile, and although Lux wanted a kiss she knew they weren’t big on pda. It wasn’t news to anyone that the two were a couple, or at least rumored to be and while Zay knew the truth he stayed solid and didn’t tell their business.

And while at first Sasha was slightly embarrassed, she now was totally comfortable in her assumed sexuality.

“Hey, where were you earlier? You didn’t come to class” Lux asked as Sasha put her arms around her shoulders as always.

“Zay picked me up, and we wound up smoking before class and time got away” Sasha shrugged as if it was no big deal.

“Mhhh skipping school to get high, should I give you the disappointed speech now or later?” Lux half joked.

“Later, right now I want a kiss” Sasha said poking her lips out.

“Right here?” Lux asked caught off guard.

“Yea why not”

Lux shrugged, and allowed Sasha to lay one on her in the packed gym. She didn’t know it, but that was Sasha’s way of confirming to anyone who wanted to know that her and Lux were together. Her message seemed to be relayed quickly, as from across the gym Jaz rolled her eyes  in pure jealousy.

“So, you coming over later right?” Lux asked, the two now holding hands as they faced each other.

“Yup, I already told my mom so Ima hang with the guys and then be right over” Sasha assured her.

“Okay guys, break over!” Shamira shouted as she clapped to round up the girls, “Zay, that means out”

“Let’s go ya’ll, Shamira here is afraid we’ll steal all their moves” Zay joked as he ushered his friends to follow along.

“Alright babe, see you later”

Sasha planted one more kiss on Lux before catching up with her friends, and she made her way back in position. Sasha smirked as she looked back to see Lux diligently listening to Shamira, the captain and it was funny to her because months ago Lux didn’t want anything to do with cheerleading and couldn’t wait to quit after their deal.

However surprisingly she actually wound up liking it, and when Sasha told her it was safe for her to quit she actually passed on the idea. Turning back around she headed out the gym, leaving Lux to finish the last bit of practice.

  “So, group A is Amanda, Shayla, Reece and Monica. Group B, is Lux, Valencia, Jaz and Amber”

Lux rolled her eyes as Shamira continued to go down the list, and it was just her luck that she would be grouped with Jaz. She was in her right mind to tell Shamira to move her to another group however she didn’t want to seem bothered, so she sucked it up and headed over to the small group that was already forming.

“Okay, so Lux you’re the flyer” Amber told her and Lux nodded as she was already aware.

“Valencia is just as small, she can be the flyer too” Jaz pointed out, as she didn’t exactly like the idea of holding Lux up.

“Yeah but I’m not, and I ain’t tryna be” Valencia shook her head, “I’m afraid of heights”

Jaz rolled her eyes, and Lux just wanted to get the whole thing over with.

“I’ll spot her, you grab the left and Valencia grab the right” Amber instructed, getting into position.

Lux lifted her leg into Valencia’s palm first, and next into Jaz’s as they attempted to lift her completely up. Lux tried her best to catch her balance, and was satisfied as the three actually did a good job.

“Alrighttt, look at these four” Shamira smirked admiring the group, “Now let me see second position”

Lux twisted her mouth, and smiled out of relief when she was able to switch positions. It wasn’t as quick as it was supposed to be, but on account they had only been practicing stunts for a little bit Shamira accepted it.

“Alright, now we’re gonna do 8 counts. We’re gonna do first, second, forth and then cradle 1” 

Everyone nodded, and listened as Shamira did the 8 count and watched all of the groups attempt to do it correctly. Again Lux’s group was on point, and even she was surprised because she was sure Jaz would try to accidentally drop her.

“That was fun” Valencia smiled as Lux began to fix her clothes after finally being put down.

“Yeah says the one who wasn’t up there” Lux playfully slit her eyes and they shared a laugh.

“You got that girl, I’d get up there and be stuck in first position”

“Sis, the faster you get it done the faster its over. Now when we get out in the field that’s a different story”

The two laughed once more and began to make their way to the locker rooms to change.

“Which way do you walk after school?” Valencia asked as Lux pulled her uniform shirt over her head.

“I use to catch the 24, now I have to catch the K” she replied with a slight twist of the mouth since she wasn’t used to the bus line that took her to her new neighborhood.

“Really? Me too” Valencia told her, “We can walk together”

“Yeah that’s cool”

The two finished getting dressed and headed out, and Lux began to check her messages as the two walked. She scrunched her brows as she witnessed Sasha’s message, and immediately called her.

“What do you mean we can hang tomorrow?” She whined.

“We’re playin ball babe, I promise I’ll come tomorrow. Unless you come to the park and hang here”

“No no its fine” Lux flagged the air, “I guess call me when you get in”

“Will do. Thanks, I promise tomorrow”

“Yeah yeah” Lux smirked before the call hung up.

“Let me guess, stood you up” Valencia asked as Lux threw her phone in my bag.

“Did she” Lux chuckled, “It’s fine, guess it’s netflix alone”

“Well I mean I don’t have to be home for another two hours if you wanna hang” Valencia shrugged.

Lux thought about it, and figured why not since otherwise she had no plans. And while she didn’t know Valencia that well she thought maybe it was time for her to make friends other than Sasha and the guys.

“Okay, sure” she smiled.

The two continued their conversation on the way to the bus stop, laughing and talking about school on the way. Lux was definitely disappointed that she wouldn’t be spending time with Sasha, and she hated that she was becoming clingy so she knew this would be good for her as well.

                            
       “Man, get that shit the fuck outta here!” Zay boasted as he smacked the ball out of Josh’s hand and it went flying across the court.

“Ahhh dickhead, and one” B exclaimed, shooting the ball effortlessly through the hoop.

“Uh-oh, uh-oh, don’t let Sash get the ball” Zay said as Sasha grabbed it and began to dribble it skillfully, next scoring another for their team.

“Time out, time out”

Everyone threw their hands up, and Josh sucked his teeth.

“What, I need a water break!?”

“Now just need a water break” Sasha rolled her eyes with her hands on her hips.

“Exactly, this nigga just tired of getting his ankles broke” B flagged the air and they all laughed.

The group continued to go back and forth, and as they did so a few girls from school crowded into the park and took a seat on the bleachers. The game picked up again and Josh’s team failed to keep up with Zay and Sasha as they dominated the court, causing them to call yet another time out.

“Man, I’m out” Zay laughed walking away from the game, “We won, plain and simple”

“One more game!” Josh insisted however everyone was already walking away from the court.

“Nah, plus it’s getting late. Anybody need a ride speak now” Zay announced.

“I do”

Turning towards the bleachers, Zay smirked at the girl known as Ciera as she raised her hand to take up his offer.

“Where you headed?” He asked wit an intrigued brow.

“Wherever your headed” she flirted and all of her friends began to titter behind her.

“Cool with me, anybody else?” Zay asked looking around, hoping no one would want to tag along besides Sasha who he already had plans on dropping off.

“Nah we good bro” B assured him as they all exchanged dap.

“Can my friend come too? We catch the bus together and I don’t want to leave her” Ciera asked pointing towards Jaz who was amongst the other girls.

Zay  shrugged, and Sasha rolled her eyes as she was sure this was the last thing that Lux would want. However she needed a ride or else walk the thirty minute walk home, and after that game there was no way her legs would be happy about that. Grabbing her book bag from the ground, she caught up with Zay and the girls as they headed towards the car.

“So, ya’ll smoke?” Zay asked just about to hop into his car.

“Maybe, why you treatin?” Ciera shrugged.

“Maybe” he answered back.

He gestured with his eyes for Sasha to hop in the back, and she twisted her mouth. She yelled no with her eyes, and he rolled his because he needed her to play wing man.

“You two okay?” the girl laughed.

“Yeah, we’re cool. Sasha here was just opening the door for you” Zay said with one last eye gesture.

Sasha was next to roll hers, and reluctantly hopped in the back with Jaz who wasn’t blind to the whole scene. She scoffed to herself, because it was clear to her that Sasha was acting brand new but she had no idea why. And after her little display of affection for Lux in the gym she honestly didn’t want to be anywhere near her either.

Zay and Ciera continued to talk the rest of the route, whilst Jaz and Sasha sat awkwardly in the back. 

Sasha tried her best to look occupied in her phone and to be honest she felt silly that she wouldn’t allow herself to talk to Jaz. The two were friends and she liked her…as a friend. Lux had multiple guy friends, and even though Sasha was labeled as ‘gay’ didn’t mean she couldn’t have friends of the same gender. Apart of her didn’t even understand the whole relationship thing still, and even though she had feelings for Lux there was a lot she didn’t quite get.

Sex was easy as far as she could tell, but when it came to feelings and being considerate for the other persons there was a bit of a struggle. Still, she wanted to get it right for Lux and told herself she try to understand her points more.

“Hey Sash, walk me in the store real quick” Zay glanced in the back seat after pulling into the Sunoco.

Sasha looked up from her phone, and seeing yet another eye gesture she hopped out.

“You know I don’t speak blinky fucking blink blink” Sasha shook her head as they entered the store.

“Clearly you do, damn man” Zay sucked his teeth with a laugh, “I need you to do me a favor though”

“Like what?” Sasha asked slicing her eyes.

“Like…coming back to my crib and occupying Jaz while I get familiar with Ciera”

“Oh, so you don’t care if I get killed is what you’re saying” Sasha scoffed.

“You said ya’ll just friends right? Nigga be friendly”
Sasha raised her brows stressfully, “Yeah that’s the problem, she’s too friendly”

Zay laughed, and just continued to go on as he placed the snacks on the counter and requested the packs of game leafs.

“Please bro, when have I ever asked you for a favor?” Zay asked.

“Seriously? I tutor you three times a week”
“Besides that”

“Fine, fine. But you owe me ten” Sasha rolled her eyes.

“You’re turning into Lux, you know that” Zay said slapping the money in her hands.

“I’ll take it” Sasha shrugged admiring the bill before putting it into her pocket.

“Get you some snacks with that, cause you damn sure ain’t eating mine”

Sasha rolled her eyes, but knew she would have the munchies soon after smoking. While Zay headed back out to the car she grabbed a few of her own and in no time they were all headed to Zay’s.

She didn’t know what to expect from this little chill session, but hoped it wouldn’t get her back in a dog house she just left.

    
                  🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

Just as Zay asked, Sasha tried her best to play wingman all the while regretting even deciding to go through with it. She set aside her angst, partaking in her new favorite hobby instead she let the poisonous smoke drift her away from her reality as usual.

Things weren’t so bad at home, in fact with her father gone most days things weren’t bad at all. She still hadn’t figured out what happened the day after the party, but she noted the change in environment there on out. Quan hadn’t spoken to his mother in days and while at first Sasha thought it was just for the time being so far he hadn’t uttered a word since the entire incident. Not even to her. She figured eventually he would come around, and whatever it was bothering him couldn’t of been that bad.

“Damn chief, puff puff pass” Zay snapped Sasha out of her daze.

“Oh, my fault” Sasha said finally handing over the L.

“So as I was saying, my pops work at this sales
company so he’s never really here. If that answers your question as to why I’m always throwing parties”

Zay said finally responding to Ciera’s question.

“And you never get caught? Lucky you” Jaz smirked, “How about you Sasha? Having another party any time soon?”

“No, one was enough” Sasha shook her head.

“Well that’s too bad, it was fun” she shrugged.

Silent came over the small group as Sasha didn’t have a response, and as the L began to dimish Zay knew it was about that time to separate.

“Let me show you the rest of the house, you two
cool right here?” He asked standing up from his chair and gesturing Ciera to follow him.

“Yeah we’re good” Jaz nodded before Sasha could answer.

Sasha wasn’t sure how she would reject the idea anyway without seeming like an ass, so she just checked the time on her watch and hoped Zay would be wrapping this up soon.

“So hows basketball?” Jaz asked.

“It’s cool I guess”

“Cool….what about classes?”

Sasha shrugged, “Same”

“Did Mr. Rogers leave his glasses on top of his head and then accuse someone of stealing them?” She laughed and a smirk found itself on Sasha’s face.

“Nah” Sasha snickered.

“Okay come on, what’s with the one word answers?”

Jaz twisted her mouth, “Are you mad at me or something?”

“No” Sasha shook her head.

“Another one word…seriously?”

Jaz rolled her eyes and as she went to just get up and walk away, Sasha reached for her hand.

“Wait, just…sit back down” she said letting out a breath.

“Why? It’s clear that you don’t want to be around me. Even earlier you didn’t want to sit next to me in the car” Jaz scoffed, “So if you don’t want to be friends then fine”

“But I do want to be your friend”

“Okay then what is it?”

“I just need you to know that I have a girlfriend”
Sasha said as non awkward as she could.

“You mean Lux? The one you slobbered down in the gym yeah how could I have not noticed” Jaz replied sarcastically, “Is that it? You’re acting weird because of her?”

“I didn’t slobber her down and well it’s not like you haven’t flirted before” Sasha shrugged.

“Oh so I flirt with you? And what do you call kissy emoji’s? Being friendly?” Jaz half laughed half scoffed.

Sasha rolled her eyes and didn’t even know why she brought it up in the first place. She just didn’t want to be giving off the wrong message, even though it was clear that damage was done.

“Look~”

“I’m not going to tell your little girlfriend, okay” Jaz smirked, “Next subject please”

“But that’s the thing, there is nothing to tell her. Right?”

“Right” Jaz nodded.

“Okay, cool” Sasha said a bit relieved.

Jaz just shook her head, and getting up completely from her chair she decided to roam Zay’s downstairs instead.

“Where you goin?” Sasha asked.

“To look around…you coming or you want to wallow in this awkwardness?”

Sasha raised from the seat and figured maybe Jaz was right. While the two waited for their friend’s to be done hanging out, they took it upon themselves to look at all of Zay’s baby pictures on the tv mantel and china cabinet and even snooping in a few of the other cabinets as well.

“Look at this one, this must be his dad” Jaz giggled as she came across a man who looked like an older Zay, “Okay pops”

“Yeah must be…oh heres another one”

Sasha reached for the other photo of the man in a work setting, and scrunched her brows at the man standing next to him in the picture.

“This is my dad?” Sasha said with a brow raised.

“Oh my god, Zay’s dad is your dad?” Jaz’s eyes widened and Sasha laughed.

“No stupid, my dad is in the picture next to him” she pointed to Joseph.

She never really knew what her dad did for a living, but seeing the office in the background gave her a slight peek into his life when he wasn’t terrorizing them at home.

“Oh…and I’m not stupid, you’re stupid” Jaz retorted.
“Yeah if today is Opposite Day”

“In that case you’re smart and pretty”

“Wow, you got jokes” Sasha chuckled, “Well then you’re down right beautiful. Drop dead gorgeous even”

The two began to double over in laughter, and Jaz playfully mugged Sasha.

“I really really don’t like you”

“Aht, it’s still opposite day. You mean you like me” Sasha corrected her.

“I know what I meant” Jaz smirked.

Sasha chuckled, but knew the game that her friend was playing.

“Any who, I wonder what’s taking them so long” She said checking her time.

“Really? Are you really wondering?”

“Well now that you say it like that…” Sasha tittered.
“We can play grabsies” Jaz shrugged, “If you’re bored”

“What’s that?”

Jaz smirked deviously, and before Sasha knew it she reached for her phone and bolted away. Sasha raced after her, and Jaz was doubling over in laughter as she attempted to keep Sasha’s phone in her possession.

“Mhhh, let’s see what’s in your internet history” Jaz teased, knowing that was a person’s most sacred thing on their phone.

“Alright, enough. Give me my phone” Sasha stood out of breath as they were now on opposite sides of the dining room table.

“Tsk tsk tsk, you have to catch me”

Sasha furrowed her brows, and although she didn’t feel like playing she also didn’t want Jaz to really go snooping in her phone. She started up her chase once more, finally catching Jaz as the two fell into the couch.

“Okay, okay” Jaz heaved in and out, “you can have it”

Only a few centimeters apart, they could practically feel eachothers breath as they panted heavily in efforts to catch it. For a second the two just stared at each other, and Jaz was smart enough to take the opportunity presented to her. She tilted up and let their lips connect, and although Sasha knew she should back away she didn’t.

“Ya’ll ready?” Zay asked finally coming down the steps with Ciera behind him, “Oh shit”

The two backed away quickly, and Sasha had immediately realized what she had done.

“Damn bro, I said be friendly” Zay joked.

Sasha’s stomach turned over, and at that moment – she really hated herself. And she was sure Lux would hate her too.