“Rise and shine. It's time for school,” I whispered. Her eyes were closed but she definitely wasn’t asleep She couldn’t have been.
“You’re early today.”
She sat up and watched me walk to the balcony.
“Am I?” I questioned.
Lisa wrinkled her eyebrows in displeasure as she stood up from her bed.
“Why do you love answering questions with questions?” she asked.
I was about to respond again with a question, but I felt it would be foolish of me if I did.
“I don’t,” I argued instead.
“Yeah, you do,” she protested.
“Okay. If you say so,” I resigned.
“Gosh, you give up so easy,” she said shaking her head.
She joined me on the balcony, and we stared at one of the most beautiful sights I’d ever come across. It was as though the surroundings were drawn by an artist. The mansions and amazing landscape seemed unreal to me. Her street must have been filled with rich people.
“Today’s the big day,” said Lisa.
“And why is that?” I asked.
She turned and looked into my eyes.
“The basketball game,” she said.
“Oh, that. I completely forgot.”
“So, are you nervous?” Lisa asked.
I was always honest with her; the fact she couldn't read my mind didn't mean I should lie to her.
“Yes, a little, you know it’s my first match, but thanks to my abilities, I believe I'll be fine.”
“Yeah, you’ll be perfect,” she encouraged.
“Thanks, Lee.”
“You’re welcome,” she replied, putting on a Rachel Green smile. “Does Stacey know about us?”
I wasn’t sure of what she meant by us. Did she mean the agreement I’d made, or our relationship as friends? I had no choice but to play along.
“No, she doesn’t and I don’t plan on telling her. She already knows too much.”
“Yeah, and Calvin does as well; thanks to you.”
I chortled. “You’re welcome.”
Lisa was fun to be with; she had effortlessly beaten Sharon’s record that had in turn beaten Stacey’s. Just in a week, I’d started feeling a connection between Lisa and me other than the supernatural connection.
“Are you ready to go?” I asked.
Lisa nodded, moving toward her closet.
“Lisa,” I called. She turned to look at me, noticing how I pronounced her full name. “I hope I’m not making you uncomfortable?”
She shook her head. “Don’t be silly. Why would you think so? Was it something I said?”
“No. I’m just asking. I don’t want to seem like a pest.”
Lisa chuckled. “You’re not. I enjoy your company.”
“Okay.” I grinned as I bent my head to glance at my wristwatch. “I’ll let you get dressed while I
go play basketball with your brother.”
I'd heard the sound of a bouncing ball and knew it would be Calvin. It was a nice excuse to enter through the door I’d secretly eyed since I started lady-sitting – what Calvin called my promise.
I strolled downstairs and out of the building, and finally opened the wooden door. The feeling I got as I strolled inside was similar to entering a social club center, but better. The court had lines for both tennis and basketball, which was obviously used for both, due to the net that divided both sides and the two basket rims that hung at both ends. Next to it was an irregular shaped pool, and beside the pool were a Jacuzzi and a barbeque stand, and at the rear was a lush green garden that had a swing. I could see why Lisa was reluctant to leave the house: it was wholly built.
“Would you like some company?” I asked as I joined Calvin at one end of the court.
“Sure,” he replied. “Lisa said you’re very good. I’m still a learner, so take it easy.”
I was amazed Lisa had talked to her brother about me, and I thought,
maybe she does like me
. However, the thought didn't linger in my mind; there could be other reasons why my name popped up.
“Everyone’s a learner.”
I passed him the money ball I’d picked up from the floor.
“Yeah right,” he said.
We began playing a game of one-on-one. I had to reduce my speed in order to play an enjoyable game with him. He had the potential, but was a bit slow. Lisa walked in after a few more minutes, and the game came to an end. She looked so beautiful.
“Let’s go, Steph,” she called.
“See you later, Calvin.” I threw the ball to him.
The cold breeze skimmed through her jet black hair as she drove, indirectly sending chills down my spine. The grin on her face signified she was in a cheerful mood. I cherished times like that.
Arriving at college, she parked the car beside Julie’s ostentatious black Mercedes. On happy days like this, she would jump out of her convertible without opening the door, which I must say looked sexy.
“Isn’t that your car?” Lisa pointed to the white Audi parked some feet from her car.
“Yeah; Stacey drove it.”
“You’ve given a lot up for me, you know.”
I was unsure if that question was rhetorical, so I replied, “You deserve it. Besides, your car is way better.”
“Aw!” Her cheeks flushed red in embarrassment.
I’d earlier wondered why my cousin wasn’t given a car by her rich parents, until I found out she’d refused to own one because she was hoping she wouldn’t need it while living with me.
“What time’s the game?” Lisa asked as we walked together.
It was an honor to escort her to the class. People stared at us while we walked; some envious, some happy, others pitiful, most jealous. We got the same reaction every time we walked together.
Lisa and I stood beside the class door; it was time to leave her – an action I dreaded.
“Be safe,” I said.
“I will,” she answered.
“Remember, if anything happens you should call me with our hotline.” By now, we had practiced our telepathic skills; it wasn’t so difficult to connect to each other anymore.
I stood in front of her lecture room and waited for the lecture to begin, and afterward I left for mine, satisfied she was safe. Sharon sat beside me during my first lecture. A small part of me missed hanging out with her. Unlike with Lisa, our friendship had grown to the extent she’d seen the four corners of my bedroom – no strings attached, though.
“I heard you’re playing today?” her soft velvet voice said.
“I heard so, too,” I replied.
She laughed. “So are you nervous?”
“Nah, I don’t get nervous,” I lied to her. Although we were very close, I could open up to only one girl: Lisa.
“Hmm, really?” she said. “You know you didn’t invite me to the game.”
I couldn’t justify my action because there was no reasonable excuse. At the same time, I felt no guilt whatsoever because I hadn’t invited Lisa, the number one person I wanted to come.
“I’m so sorry, would you like to come?” I asked, grinning.
She gave a pitiful expression. “Oh, I’m sorry. I have a charity thing to do with a family friend; maybe next time.”
“That’s cool, have fun,” I said, turning to focus on the lecture.
After some minutes, my phone vibrated in my pants' pocket. I reached for the phone to see who was calling. Luckily, it wasn't a call; rather a text message from Derrick.
Bus stop: In front of the sports hall.
Time: 4:00 pm
Dress code: Your tracksuit and jersey underneath.
The game was an away match so we had to travel to the adversary’s city. I had never left Sloutenville, and so I was excited to see a different part of America; nevertheless, leaving Lisa didn’t seem like a good idea.
Soon the lecture was over, and the look Julie gave me throughout was concerning, leaving me no choice but to approach her.
“Hey, how are you doing?”
She smiled. “Fantastic.”
“Great," I said. "I really enjoyed the other night.”
We had gone bowling for the first time and she'd requested we watch a film at the cinema. I’d objected the idea of watching a romantic movie due to the last encounter I had with Lisa. I couldn’t let Julie get emotionally turned on, so we decided to watch a comedic movie. However, Julie still pulled one or two seductive moves; I emerged victorious at the end.
“Yeah, it was nice. I heard you’re playing tonight?”
How did everyone find out about my first match? Was it because the girls who inquired were my friends? I hoped so. Popularity wasn’t a lineament I fancied.
“Yes I am, but the game is not in town; it’s an away match,” I said, trying my best to discourage her from coming.
“I heard that too,” she said.
My plan to discourage her flunked, but then what was the worst that could happen? Julie was a harmless, beautiful blonde; she would never do anything to hurt me – or at least I thought so at the time. I still wasn’t sure if she would want to come; her mind was full with naughty thoughts of me. I decided to let time be the red marker.
“See you later.” I turned to exit the class.
“Good luck,” she said as I was midway to the door.
“Thank you,” I replied.
It was time to go. I called Lisa on the phone, planning on inviting her to come watch me play for the school’s team, but something weird occurred
“Hey Lee,” I said.
“Hey,” she replied.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“I’m in the ladies’ room,” she said. Her tone sounded weird. Is the ladies’ room a strange place to be? I wondered.
“All right, I’ll call you later,” I said.
“No, it’s okay. I’m just powdering my nose.”
I had a funny feeling about her answer but neglected any special senses. I just had to trust her.
“Would you be able to come see me play?” I asked.
“Aw, I'd love to, but my entire family is going to a relative's place.”
I frowned. “Okay, do have fun.”
“With my relatives?” she asked.
I glanced at my watch and said, “I've to get going. Take care.”
“You too, bye,” she said, and ended the call
Also, Stacey had informed me earlier that she had an appointment with a lecturer and wouldn’t be able to come see me play. Lisa was my last hope and she blew it. Now there was no one to see me play my first match.
I met Derrick with the other teammates, a bunch of girls who were called cheerleaders and the coaches. They were standing near a big yellow coach – our ride for the journey. We were all in our yellow tracksuits. I felt awkward wearing such a color, but then I respected it because it was a twin of Lisa’s favorite color. The coach and assistant coach wore black suits with yellow and red striped lovely ties. The coach was averagely tall, in his mid-forties and had black hair. His assistant was a tall dark man in his late twenties. The coach rarely spoke during practices; his assistant virtually did all the work. He was really austere compared to his boss. He was what the military called an execution officer.