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- Zac
P. S. : Calling you “angry chick” is getting old. You got a name?
I fold his letter in two and take it out of the book before detaching a sheet of paper from my notebook to reply. The library has been closed to the public for ten minutes now. Ten minutes, and I’m still here “working” overtime just so I can write a letter to a complete stranger.
We had such a busy night, typical for a Friday, I didn’t get a chance to write back until now. That’s it, I must’ve gone bonkers, because as I craft out the perfect reply, I catch myself having fun. Real, genuine fun. This Zac character is giving me a run for my money, that’s for sure.
Once I’m done, I slip the letter back between two pages and wind up in aisle six to stash the book back where I found it. Hopefully, Mr. Tate checks it out again next week. My phone buzzes with a text from Dia just as I’m locking up.
Dia:We’re hanging out at Finn’s tonight after the game. Just the gang. Interested?
I text back with one hand, patting my pocket in search for my keys as I tread to my car. I’m usually halfway to Ashley’s school by now. Mom’s going to stick my head on a pike and hang it above the fireplace if my sister gets home late.
Aveena:D, you know you don’t have to invite me everywhere, right? You can totally go party and see your boyfriend without me tagging along.
It’s bad enough that she insisted we go to tonight’s basketball game together. The last thing I want is for her to feel obligated to lug me around because we’re best friends. Dia’s life is different now, and I understand that, but I’d gladly skip the pity invites.
She texts back instantly.
Dia:First, he is not my boyfriend. Second, Finn wanted me to invite you. (Although I would’ve done it anyway)
Dia:And Theo asked if you were coming.
Dia:With your sister, but still.
Dia:Looks like you’re growing on them, Vee ;)
I can’t stop a big, fat grin from stretching across my face. I did feel the dynamic shift between the guys and me this week.
Dia:Sooo? Are you coming? And if you’re thinking of saying no, there’s a new way to spell it now.
Aveena:What’s that?
Dia:Y-E-S.
A chuckle escapes me.
Aveena:I’ll be there.
Dia:VICTORY! Want to get ready together before the game?
Aveena:Sure. Be at your place as soon as I drop off Ashley.
* * *
We won.
Now, I’m not going to lie and pretend I had the time of my life in that gym, but saying I didn’t enjoy sweaty, muscled Xavier, Finn, and Theo running around in black and white jerseys would be a travesty.
I’d never gone to a game or seen Xavier in action before. I knew he was good. He didn’t land team captain of the Stallions for nothing, but I didn’t know he was this good.
No, I didn’t know he was the best.
The real kicker? He doesn’t even seem like he tries that hard. The boy plays as though it’s in his blood. He nailed what Dia called a “slam dunk” without batting an eye. You’d think he was already playing back in the womb or something.
Finn is a close second. Not far behind is Theo, although it’s plain as day that he doesn’t take basketball as seriously as his friends do.
I’m not sure what it is about Xavier that makes him a hair faster and more agile than his teammates. Maybe it’s the fact that he has a good inch on Finn, making him a whopping six foot three, but then again, Theo is the exact same height as Xavier and he didn’t take the winning shot like Xav did tonight.
