Page 28 of My Brother's Keeper
My head flew back. “No, you better watch how you talk to me,” I snapped back.
Her head swung, and she went to say something, but the band kicked in full throttle, cutting her off. She nodded as she headed to the front of the line. The crowd was loud, screaming wildly. Blue Reign and the band had always been the highlight of the games, way before I even got to the school.
I remember coming to the games with my father in the past to see them dance. Now here I was on the team and probably the next little girl’s inspiration. You had to show confidence even when you didn’t want to, because we were a team, a unit, the school's fucking mascot; we were the unknowing recruits for the next line-up of girls.
Once the whistle went off, it was our time. I blew out a breath as we made our way out. The step out was a fierce strut with the swing of one arm.
Strut, arm swing.
It had to be thousands of people in the stands tonight.
Strut, then arm swing.
My eyes scanned the crowd as we made our way up into the bleachers.
Strut, then arm swing.
Once we were positioned, our arms went up one final time, coming down slowly, as we sat on the bench; our legs sprang up, then came down, one crossing over the other. The game started,and my eyes scanned the bleachers. There were so many people that it seemed impossible to spot Jalen or Flex if I wanted to.
As some of the people were coming up to find seats, the next set of people I spotted I wasn’t expecting to see. When I heard my name being called, the nerves that had disappeared returned. “Lyse!” Alice screamed, waving her arms.
My parents and the trio had shown up.
You look pretty.Brennon signed.
My father just stared, and my mother slowly nodded. My stomach sank as I turned to focus back on the game. It was one thing to know they didn’t want me to participate in this part of TSU, but another for them to be here and watch me in action. The thought of what they were thinking began to weigh heavily on me, and the only thing I wanted to do was run.
PEANUT
It took a lot for me to come to this game. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see Alyse because I did, but my mind was focused on Mison. I thought, after seeing my father, it would be easy to talk to Mison to try to get him some help, but the shit only made me mad because I knew his answer would be no.
I had been contemplating all week about ways I could help him. I knew Zay wasn’t fucking with it and tried distancing himself from the entire situation, but this was his brother, too, and we were a fucking team. So, coming up to TSU was perfect, that way I could kill two birds with one stone. See Alyse and talk to Zay.
The thing that pissed me off about Xavier was his giving up so easily, yet trying to control the thing he was giving up. I knew if I told him I was going to talk to Chev, he would be pissed and try to talk me out of it, but if he wouldn’t help me, who would? Yeah, we were brothers, but brothers with trauma and no real connection. To them, I had no voice; they heard me but weren’t hearing me. Moments like that are when I envied people like Alyse or my Zoo brothers, because they could express how they felt, and people would listen. I was the butt of all jokes.
When I pulled up to the school, the parking lot was jammed packed. There was barely any parking. After finding parking, I hopped off my bike and followed the crowd. I watched as the students wore their blue-and-white TSU attire. From painted faces to pom-poms, handmade signs, handmade clothes, scarves, socks, towels, and blankets. They were game-day ready, showing good Blue Hawk spirit. At the same time, the other school showed its school spirit in its gold and black.
I shot Dio a text because he said he would be at the game, so why not link up? I made my way through the thick crowd when I spotted one of the niggas from NTR. The feeling that some bad shit was about to happen was the first thing on my radar. The goal was to keep shit cool. When I entered the game, I couldn’t believe how many people were here. I gripped the brim of my hat, lowering it over my eyes as I made my way through the thick crowd. I felt my phone vibrate. When I checked it, Dio told me to look up because he spotted me. When I glanced up, I didn’t see him right off until I heard him shout, “Zoo!”
When I spotted him, Samara, Beans, and Zay sitting together, I found my way to them. By the time I got into the bleachers to sit down, the band had started up. I glanced over to see Alyse sitting there looking nervous as hell but good as shit. Baby had transformed entirely, and it made a nigga’s heart skip a beat. I felt a tap on my arm. I turned to see Beans staring at me.
Which one is it?He asked.
I dropped my head and laughed.How do you know it’s one of the dancers?
Nigga I know. Now tell me.
Only if you tell me if you and that co-host of yours are a thing?
He nodded slowly.We are friends, and if we were something, I wouldn’t tell any of you niggas.
Of course you wouldn’t.
Xavier jumped in.It’s Alyse Maverick.
Beans’ eyes widened.Oh, you're dealing with a Maverick. All I’m going to say is remain yourself, don’t switch up.
Dio dipped his head our way, “Nah, none of that shit. What did Chev say, speak nigga!” he laughed. “I’m fucking with you, stutter man.”
