*A/N: before yall even go there, yeah those ones that are about to get offended by a certain phrase up in here, it's part of the character's toxic masculinity, okay?

That sounds so bad but don't get too offended. Okay, bye.

****

"Aight, y'all! Time to get buck with the motherfuckers! These pale ass, Christian school, no dick having chumps can't win if we stay focused! We only need a point to beat they ass. I'm counting on and watching all y'all. We got everybody outside today so don't make me look bad out there. You get out there and fuck up or I'm coming to fuck all y'all up. You got me?"

Ryker's pep talks were not so motivational but we took what we could get. For some reason, he thinks that threats and yelling works on us.

"What happened to just trying our best? Damn, Ryke," Cameron commented as we stayed in a group huddle.

"Fuck doing your best. Doing your best ain't enough because you measure what your best is and it could be weak as fuck, knowing you. Set your standards high, my guy. Beat they ass or I'm beating yours." As always, Ryker's competitive edge pushed us to stay on our A game.

Breaking out of the huddle, we got up to the net and took our places. We were towards the end of a volleyball match that caught more attention than expected. People circled up around our match just to watch and root for the out-of-state guys that were just down for a good time.

Isaiah didn't make the vibe feel any better when he jumped around like a crazed gorilla every time he scored; roaring as if he were a wild lion to the crowd, thinking they would be as excited as he was. Well, there's black boy joy for ya.

Speaking of Isaiah, he's the first to serve the ball since we changed positions after scoring the last time. He screamed before spiking the ball to the other side and it was passed back that quick. The ball is going back and forth as we all get a hit of the ball. I'm focused on the ball and my eyes follow where it's going while thinking about what Ryker said.

Do better than your best because you could be underestimating yourself with your definition of what your best is.

It's becoming a good game as we all keep hitting the ball. Cameron hits the ball up in the air and I smack it to the other side but somehow, they get to the ground and shoot that shit back on our side.

"Somebody spike that motherfucker to the ground on their side! Damn! Come on, y'all!" Ryker shouted in anger from the back as he punched the ball to the other side.

My focus stayed on the ball. I was ready to hit the ball to the ground until I heard a "You got this, Tripp! You go, Trippy!"

That light spirited sound caught me off guard and I turned to see who it was. It came from none other than Kyra's lips. Her precious thin lips curled into a smile as she waved at me. Long box braids in a ponytail, very slim, skin so dark and smooth, and a smile that could light up an entire arena.

Her almond shaped eyes were glued to mine as the ball slammed into the side of my head and knocked me out in the process. My body hit the ground and my eyes closed while in pain. That was a hard fucking hit.

I was going to get up soon but the pain needed to go away first. All I could hear was different voices rushing over to me.

"YES! We won! That was a good-"

"HELL NAH! Ain't no good game! Y'all knocked out one of our players, bro! Y'all ain't win shit!"

"Bro, at this point, let 'em take the victory. We got a friend down and out right now. Damn, what y'all do to him? That was a hard hit."

"We didn't mean to hit him that hard."

"Yeah, and I'm gay as fuck. Lie again! Sound like y'all on some 'I ain't racist. I got black friends' motherfuckers."

"Isaiah, lay off them, man. Sorry about that. He's just as competitive as our other friend. It's all good. We played a good game."

"Oh that's probably my fault! I was rooting for him and caught him off guard. Sorry, guys."

"Well, well, well. If it ain't the love of his life that took him out of the damn game! Bro, you let a bitch take your focus on this game?! We could've won the damn game! What I tell you about these hoes, boy?! Now we done lost the game because of his Love Jones ass!"

"Excuse you?! Ryker, don't fuck with me. It's just a damn game and call me a bitch one more time. I'll show you who the bitch is."

"Okay, the game is over. I really think we need to call an ambulance. We need to see if he's breathing."

"No shit, cheater."

And my eyes slowly opened back to a worried Kyra squatting by me. When she saw my eyes open, a gentle smile came across her face. That sun decorated her glowing skin and it illuminated like the first sight of gold.

Still the prettiest girl out of all the girls of our graduating class. No, she was a full-grown elegant woman now. I couldn't keep my eyes off her. I knew why and I didn't want to look away.

"Looks like somebody's awake now. Took that hit pretty hard there, my friend."

Her hand brushed over the pain sitting on the right side of my head and I winced but she was soft to the touch, making the pain slowly subside. It was like nobody else was there but her and me. She was all I could focus on.

With the way she was smiling at me, I wanted to kiss her but that private feeling went away once a screeching Ryker walked back over.

"That punk ass fool up yet?! I got something for his ass!"

"Chill out, Ryker! He's still hurting and your yelling is going to give him a bigger headache. I swear, you always do the most."

"For once in your life, Tripp, man the fuck up. Stop acting like you've never seen a girl before and get out of your damn head! This ain't no fairytale love story shit. You're in real life. Plus, it's just Kyra. What about her is distracting?"

She wasn't just Kyra. She was so much more than what she used to be and you could see it in her face alone. It's been years since we've seen each other and she caught me by surprise alright. Nothing like that dance team party girl I once knew her as.

She kept me on my toes back then as she was the most well-known member on the team. Everyone wanted a piece of her and loved being around her. She was a star and attracted so much good energy.

She stepped her way through my heart once she came into the library, asking for a specific book she needed for her history class. We were young teens back then and I was that guy that stayed out of the way. The library was my sanctuary along with a few others so I constantly helped out there.

After we became friends, we hung out more than expected and she introduced me to these guys I call friends today. Ryker used to pick on me with another popular football player but, with every insult, he liked the company I brought. I could take an insult and laugh at myself.

Anyway, back to Kyra. She'd have competitions where none of her other friends would come to support her. Her family worked most of the time so they couldn't make them. Momma would drop me off at Kyra's competitions just to show some support for her.

Well, one time, she was so excited that our high school dance team won overall that she kissed me for a long time. After that kiss, we discussed our feelings the day after and decided to give us a try. Our relationship was everything it could be and then some until her schedule grew more hectic.

After about nine months, we fell out because she was booked and busy. I couldn't keep up with everything and everybody wanted to spend time with her. She'd go to all the parties and hang out with her other friends and forgot all about little old me. We didn't break up on bad terms but this hopeless romantic was definitely heartbroken.

We lost touch after about junior year and went our separate ways. However, now that we're comfortable in our own lifestyles and grown, maybe we could pick up where we left off.

The thought inspired me to sit up on my own and Kyra was still there to help me up. Her smile grew bigger as she studied the growing bump on the side of my head.

"Hey, Kyra. Listen, I was thinking since it's been a while since we've seen each other, maybe we could-"

"There you are, boo! I thought you were still at the bar, catching up with your friends and you're all the way over here. Look who it is! It's Lil Dick Love Jones! What's up, man?! You done got all big and shit! Looking like a real man!"

Terrell was that other typical football playing high school bully you see in these books nowadays. That football captain that believed he was the shit so he could stomp on any and everybody he wanted.

Somehow, he got to Kyra's heart before I did.

"You were taking too long talking to the bartender. I got bored so I came over here and bumped into Tripp and some other old friends."

'Old friends'. That's exactly what we are.

"Really? Well, look at that! Aye, I remember when Ryker and I used to pick on you. You done got buff and shit now. Aye, no hard feelings, my guy. We were just teens with big ass heads, you know? Speaking of Ryker, where his ass at?"

Yeah, no hard feelings towards him but there were definitely some lingering feelings for his girl still left. Pulling off that smooth fake smile, I shook his hand and greeted him like a good friend would.

Watching him wrap his arm around Kyra and kiss her on the side of her head while she smiled killed me. I gotta watch another guy kiss on the girl that was once mine. That shit hurt.

As he walked away to catch up with Ryker and the rest of the game, Kyra tapped on my arm and asked "What did you want to ask me, Tripp? We can all hang out at the crab shack at the pier. I know you like crab."

My feelings went back and forth with her after that. As much as I wanted to ask her on an actual date, I couldn't. Terrell wouldn't like that shit and I ain't a homewrecker.

"Nah, it's all good. I gotta go straighten up some shit at my place but it's been really good seeing ya again, Kyra. I'll see you around, alright?"

****

Hey everybody!

Tell me what you think about this chapter.

Sounds like Tripp ain't really ready to move on with someone else, huh? What do you think?

I heard somebody liked Ryker. To be honest, I'm surprised! Ryker's supposed to be the bad boy with a small heart. Isaiah's a miniature version of him but a punk whenever somebody puts him on the spot. Cameron's pretty chill but doesn't know if he really wants to be different or like Isaiah and Ryker. Then there's Tripp. The hopeless romantic that doesn't care to be like his friends. So there's the break down!

Do you think things could change between Kyra and Tripp?

Thanks for reading y'all! Until next time! Love ya!