Commentator 1: AND THERE IT IS. THE FINAL BUZZER.
Commentator 2: STARLING HIGH ARE YOUR OFFICIAL 2**8 WESTERN DIVISION CHAMPIONS. THEY ALSO SECURED THEIR TICKET TO THE KING'S YOUTH CUP FINALS ON WEDNESDAY. AND NOW ARE OFFICIALLY QUALIFIED FOR THE LEAGUE MASTERS
Commentator 1: THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY TO AN HISTORICAL TREBLE.
The roar of the crowd was already deafening, their noises were causing headaches from every corner. Confetti was raining down from the rafters, glittering under the arena lights like gold dust.
I sat on the bench, my hands resting on my knees, wearing my warm-up track jacket over my jersey. My ribs were still heavily taped underneath, i guess we could call it a souvenir from Jarquin. Coach John hadn't given a single second of playing time to me, Jensen, Jace, Matt, or James, leaving us on ice to make sure we didn't disintegrate before the King's Youth Cup Finals next weekend. Sitting there watching the bench seal the championship had been pure torture, but right now?, I couldn't feel a single drop of pain or frustration, or nothing. I was just happy, with this unique sense of achievement hovering all around me. I don't know how to explain it
Jensen leaned over from his seat next to me, bumping his shoulder against mine with a massive grin.
Jensen: sheesh. We're Division winners, show some emotions on that stoic face of yours.
Me: Shut up.
Jensen: Always on the defence. Get your ass up, we need to go celebrate with the rest of the team.
Me: yeah yeah.
Matt: (throwing two jerseys at us) here, this is our official winners jersey
Me: uhhh.
Jensen: oh yeah. That.
Me: what's that?.
Jensen: maybe unveil the jersey first
Me: Like I wasn't about to
It was still our home jersey, but now Instead of our names and jersey number, "WESTERN DIVISION CHAMPIONS 18" was printed on the back.
Me: I've always wanted to wear something like this
Jensen: why'd you think I brought the idea up?
Me: you did?.
Jensen: nahhh. But you shoulda seen your face when I said I did
Me: Gosh. I fucking hate you sometimes
Jensen: (laughing) yeah, I know you do. Dress up.
I'm telling y'all, if I ever get the chance to choose between Jensen and a hotdog, I swear I'm choosing the hotdog. And I hate hotdog. My lamenting was interrupted by the deafening voice of the PA announcer, i know for a fact that this man have a career as a hypeman in one secret nightclub, I just can't prove it .
PA Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen. Before Starling High lifts the Western Division Trophy, please direct your attention to center court for the official presentation of the 2**8 Western Division Individual Awards
I'm sorry, but I'm kinda lost. Since when were they individual awards for a season?.
PA Announcer: First up... Leading Starling High through a brutal 16-team division, this mastermind commanded an unstoppable campaign, finishing with a stellar 13–2 record!. Under his tactical genius, Starling High shattered league records by exploding for a staggering 78.5 points per game on offense, while locking down the opposition to a league-best 44.2 points allowed per game!. The highest-scoring offense and the most suffocating defense in Western Division history!. Give it up for your Coach of the Season... COACH JOHN!
I mean, it was expected. Other coach had zero plans going into matches, not coach. With his weird game plans and names that always worked somehow.
Coach walked up with that usual calm, composed smirk, accepting his plaque as we cheered like maniacs. So deserving.
PA Announcer: Next up... honoring the relentless anchor who locked down the perimeter and turned the paint into an absolute fortress. Averaging a terrifying 4.2 blocks and 8.8 defensive rebounds per game while holding opposing centers to under 30% shooting, give it up for the player dubbed as The Wall... MATT DAVIES
Matt puffed his chest out, marching up in his championship jersey to collect his award while milo yelled something completely unhinged from behind us. We've gone two for two but I do have a question though, there's bound to be some award that wouldn't be for a Starling player, then who would receive it?.
Jensen: there's an Announcer in each winning school doing this same thing.
Me: uhhh
Jensen: your question right now?.
Me: I never said anything out loud
Jensen: yeah, but I know you enough to know what you're thinking
Me: Broo. I'm not buying that. You're on some voodoo shit.
Jensen: shhhhh. The Announcer is about to continue.
PA Announcer: Moving on... Dunk of the Season goes to Mene Newton from D.M.C. Clutch Player of the Season goes to Nonso Kalu from Madeday. And now, taking home the Scoring Champion of the Season. This man made it rain from every corner of the court, draining a ridiculous 4.6 three-pointers per game on 48% shooting, while averaging a cold-blooded 28.4 points per game across the division. Put your hands together for Starling's very own Rainmaker..... JACE STRONGMAN
While Jace is going to receive his award looking all glorious, let's take a moment to talk about the difference in madeday and D.M.C player announcement compared to ours. Wtf. He announced their awards like he was forced or something.
PA Announcer: Now for the play that had the entire league talking... Play of the Season goes to Keima Ibeh for that iconic 3-man dribble against Starfield in the 1st leg. Pump faking a player, nutmegging another, while sending the third around the world. All these leading to a three point. Keima Ibeh everyone.
Jensen shoved me forward.
Jensen: Its finally your turn, wonderkid.
Me: I still hate that name
Now, of course I might be exaggerating or maybe i was delusional. But damn, the chants and screams and cheers from the crowd was divine. It felt like I'd finally achieved something significant in my life. I slowly limped up to center court, shaking the presenter's hand and accepting the sleek glass award. But the announcer wasn't yet done with me.
PA Announcer: And keep standing, young man. Also taking home Most Improved Player of the Season, Assist Leader of the Season, AND the official Rookie of the Season... Give it your all for Starling's wonderkid... KEIMA IBEEEEEE
The arena erupted almost immediately. Jensen started chanting "WONDERKID! WONDERKID!" And it didn't take time for the whole school to join in, while Jace laughed, clapping furiously. I stood there holding four separate individual awards in my arms, looking like I had robbed a jewelry store. I don't think I deserve this much. I mean, one would have been enough, but four?, i feel grateful. I haven't felt this emotional in a while. And I'm thankful to my brothers, I really am.
PA Announcer: Now.... for the Western Division Team of the Season!. Starting at shooting guard, Starling's Jace Strongman.
The crowd resumed their clapping, this time more intense than the last.
PA Announcer : Playing point guard, another player from Starling High. Keimaa Ibeeee.
You know the drill. More claps all around.
PA Announcer: The point forward.... Jensen Westttttt.
Uhhhg. The usual. I'm getting tired of writing claps, just imagine they clapped all through. Infant, fuck it . The remaining players were someone called Nonso playing small forward from Starfield. And Matt at center. There, team of the Season.
But then, Four out of five starters. Complete and total Starling domination, without any of us even lacing up our sneakers today. The rest of the league need to work harder. At this point our division might become like PSG in the league 1.
PA Announcer: Finally... the most prestigious individual honor of the year. The 2**8 Western Division MVP of the Season... JENSENNNN WESTTTT.
Fucking hell, I knew it would be him. He's definitely the best player on our team and the league as a whole. He's indeed the Light of Starling. Bleghh, that sounded cringe. I have zero hyping potential, shame on me.
Moving on, we were handed our trophy. That right there is the fruit of one of our labour, I hope we reap all three.
Skipping things a bit, the time now is 9:36pm. Jensen is throwing us a party and believe this or not, but coach is here with miss Edwards. I'm surprised he didn't shut us down. What's more surprising though is Jensen inviting the second and third year girls. I don't know how he does it, but he does.
Jensen: can we talk?
Me: uhhh. Aren't we?
Jensen: I mean outside. Privately.
Me: should I be worried?
Jensen: I don't know what gets you worried.
Me: True. Lead the way
I'm taking bets. Jensen trying to say something touchy, odd sits at 1.02. Jensen trying his best to hook me up 1.47. Jensen just acting weird 1.57. Place your bets everyone.
He took me to the school garden, the one I kissed cassandra. Why this exact lovey dovey place?, I don't know. But we're about to find out. Wait, maybe he's finally about to come out of the closet.
Me: okay, that's enough weird from you. What's wrong?.
I don't know how to phrase this so I'll just say it straight. This is the first time I'm seeing tears pour out of Jensen's eyes. I don't know why, but he was in tears.
Jensen: (wiping his eyes) Thank you kei
Me: (obviously confused) I don't think I did anything that deserve your appreciation.
Jensen: (chuckles) of course you don't. Can I be vulnerable to you?.
Me: you always are
Jensen: yeah. I guess. So what's once more?.
Me: Trust me when I say you're creeping me out right now. So please start speaking
Jensen: Thing is, I've never experienced what it meant to be loved as a brother from another brother since forever, that is, until you.
Me: uhhhh. I remember you saying you had a brother right?.
Jensen: Having a brother and been loved by one are two different things.
Me: I don't think I follow
Jensen: (sighs) You know how wealthy my dad is right??
Me: Nope. But I'm guessing he is really wealthy
Jensen: (sighs) He is. And he has no successor. At least he hasn't named any. This means that inheriting his everything is opened to everyone. My brother picked up on that at a young age and somehow felt like everyone was a competition. Tephnine, me, he hates us. My own brother, just because of a heritage I couldn't give two shots about. It's crazy to say, but you've been more of a brother to me than my own blood so when I say thank you, I mean it. Thank you for being a brother to me.
Me: (puffs) wow. That's a lot. So I'll say this. Thank you, thank you for seeing me as more than a friend.
Jensen: (sniffing) yeah. Anytime.
Me: well, now i feel like shit so I'll share something with you too. You see those awards i won today?. None would have been possible without you.
Jensen: Duhh, I know. I carried the fuck outta you.
Me: you dumb idiot. Thats not what I meant
Jensen: (laughing heavily)
Me: point is, you're my drive. You're the reason I woke up every morning and trained my ass out. At first it started off as a one sided rivalry, but it slowly turned into something more meaningful. Before I knew it i just wanted to keep playing by your side. So I guess one could say you're the spark to my fire. Without Jensen West, they wouldn't have been a wonderkid. So Thank you.
Jensen: (smiling) you have a way with words. You know that aiit?.
Me: yeah yeah. So.... is this the part we kiss?.
Jensen: what?.... Fuck no
Me: ohhh... just thought the moment was ripe.
Jensen: (laughing) Fuck you. I'm headed back for the party.
Me: (laughing) Right behind you brother
I don't hate being vulnerable, I just select who I am to. So yeah, I'm okay if it's with Jensen. Now the party, wasn't really exactly as we left it. Thing is, male invitations were limited to just team players and close friends. I don't know why I'm seeing faces i couldn't give two fucks about. I'm guessing they got the news of the party and wanted to have a taste of our life. Yeah I know, i just said OUR life. Weird.
Back to the party, it was getting loud, really loud. Jace was no where to be found, same with Jensen, not even Barry or Kayode or even Justin. Incase you don't remember who the last three are, they are my roommates. Haven't had much screentine lately. I'll work on that.
Anyway, back again to the party. I'm an introvert (yeah, so hard to believe aiit) so I had no reason to be in such a lousy place where I'm not tight with anyone. Back to my bed it is. Well.... let's pause that thought cause there's my queen by the keg. Why the hell is she here?. Walking to exactly an inch of her
Me: babe?.
Tephnine: (gasping) Jesus!, kei. Don't do that.
Me: (chuckling) Sorry. Why're you here?. I remember you saying you were outta school and wouldn't make it to the party.
Tephnine: (sighing) yeah. I did say that. But I wanted to see you.
Me: (smiling) Hmmm. Someone missed me?
I'm telling y'all, she has these eyes that get you lost. You just drown in 'em. Didn't even know when I held her waist with both hands and she reciprocated by resting her hands on my shoulders while smiling and maintaining the eyes contact.
Me: since you won't answer, I'll go first. I missed you, every day. Every second. Every minute. The only thought I had was winning and coming back to my everything. I'm happy I achieved both.
Tephnine: (smiling) I'm your everything?
Me: everything I'll ever have and everything I'll ever need.
Tephnine: come here.
I wasn't exaggerating, I missed her so much, I missed her lips. Maybe that's why I didn't stop kissing her for over a minute.
Me: I love you babe.
Tephnine: I love you too.
Me: so... wanna spend some private time with me?.
Tephnine: (smiling) I thought you'd never ask.
Ughhh. Literally about 11 minutes later
Me: you know when I talked about us having a private time, i wasn't talking about us reading
Tephnine: (flipping a book) Awwn. What other private time went through your head?.
Me: The kind where I kiss and cuddle you?.
Tephnine: That's so sweet really, but you need to know that we all aren't geniuses. How did you phrase it?, finding the simple line in the middle of chaos?. Not all of us can do that. So you have two options, help me study or just lay there looking all pretty and watch me struggle. Your choice.
Hell nah, I choose none. I haven't seen you in almost a week and you're telling me our first private moment would be spent learning what?. Fucking physics. Fuck no.
Me: How about a third option?.
Tephnine: There wasn't any
Me: I know. That's why I'm making one right now
Tephnine: (sighing) Okay. What's it?.
Pushing the textbook with my left hand, I used the right to calmly feel her cheek and then her lips.
Me: Exam starts on monday. So I'll be with you for the entirety of tomorrow to help with your studies on the condition you spend time with me now.
Tephnine: (sarcastically) Hmmm. That's a tempting offer
Me: I know. I'm only offering the deal once and then it's gone.
Tephnine: (laughing) really?
Me: Yeah. So, going..... going... go-
Tephnine: Fine. Not like I haven't been waiting for you to bring the idea.
Me: (gasping) ughhh. You sneaky devil.
Tephnine: Your sneaky devil
Me: Yeah. Mine and mine alone.
Answering the calls of her lips I resumed from where I stopped at the party. I could tell she's also been wanting this cause she was more aggressive than she normally is. I didn't mind though, we've missed the other that much.
Didn't take long for her to help me off my jersey while feeling every inch of my bare skin. I replied In accordance. She was wearing a hoodie, the one I wore on my first day of school. And might I add, just the hoodie, nothing else underneath. So much for studying.
I lay her gently on the bed positioning above her to have a complete view of the angel that belonged to me. Again, I missed her. Didn't just realise I did to this extent. Using my right hand as a pillar to support my weight I used the left to feel her face again, removing her blonde silky hair from disrupting the visual.
Me: You're beautiful
Tephnine: (covering her face) what's with you today?. You're making me feel things
Me: (smiling) I'm hoping they are good things cause that's all I feel when I'm with you.