CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The professor dropped my paper on my desk.
I didn’t want to look at the grade because I wasn’t sure what to expect.
I hated having the same professor as last semester.
Since deciding to actually try, I knew there would be many differences between what I gave and what Jalen did for me.
I let out a sharp breath and flipped it over.
When I saw the B-, I felt a little relief, but it was the note on the side that fucked me up.
The wording is very different from what you sent me last semester in Ethics. This is good, but you can do better.
At first, the hardest part was studying enough to pass the test because, essentially, I had to take them.
Now, there was more pressure because I was actually doing the work.
I didn’t even complain about the B-; instead, I took it for what it was and knew it was time to really focus.
We were approaching spring break, and a lot had changed.
From Percy no longer being my roommate and barely seeing Dio, to Phoebe and me spending more time together.
I wanted to walk away from her that night.
I did, but after what she told me, I questioned whether to leave.
It also made me realize I hadn’t fully healed from my own struggles.
I hadn’t processed my mother’s death or Mison’s alcoholism and accident.
Instead, I clung desperately to basketball, hoping that when we had the money, it would resolve everything, even though I knew that was far from the truth.
A nigga made some bad decisions along the way, and now my only thoughts were of how I could make it up to those I’d taken advantage of.
I knew the response time wouldn’t be instant, but when Jalen told me he applied for the fall semester, the eagerness to know if he had gotten in weighed heavily on me.
Once class ended, I rushed to leave so I could speak with Dean August. Her taking on the role of dean was beneficial.
The campus had somewhat settled, and her concern for our success was evident not only in official communications but also in the times I saw her talking with students.
Mr. Mercier, however, didn’t put in the same effort.
He sat behind his desk, seemingly watching as students dropped out and the athletics department struggled.
He didn’t take any action to ensure women’s safety on campus.
There had been reports of incidents, but he did nothing.
Considering what I knew about him outside of school and his behavior here, Chev’s desire to end his ass made sense.
I hobbled my way to her office only to run into Anika. The smirk on her face said she had something smart to say.
“Xavier!” she called out. I pretended to ignore her as I continued on my way. When she came up alongside me, I stopped.
“Anika, the nigga ain’t interested. Leave it alone! He doesn’t fuck with hoes, and we all know you’re one, so back the fuck off!” I snapped.
She was in the way of me trying to fix what I fucked up. I knew what I said was harsh, but I had to hear the hard truth, and she needed to as well.
Her neck popped as she pointed at me. “First off, I’m not a hoe.
The bitch you call yourself liking? That’s the hoe!
Before you act like nobody sees you and her weird ass together, we do.
Y’all niggas walk around campus like your shit don’t stink.
Well, we smell it, nigga!” she snapped and started walking off.
“Yeah, and he still doesn’t want you!” I shouted.
Hearing her call Phoebe a hoe bothered me.
This was part of her past, and I had to be willing to accept it, so when I heard the chatter, I had to try to put it in the back of my mind; otherwise, it would affect what she and I were trying to build.
I was truly hoping the chemistry we had outweighed everything else.
Anika was playing with fire. Although Samara and Dio weren’t together, it didn’t mean that Samara wasn’t on go time.
I continued to make my way toward the dean’s office when I spotted my coach jogging toward me.
“Shit!” I mumbled.
It seemed like the closer I got to the dean’s office, the more distractions were thrown at me. The Devil knew how to shuck and jive when a nigga was looking for a savior.
My coach waved his hand as he approached me. “Xavier, you look like you're on a mission. I just want to confirm your spring break will be free. Remember, this isn’t an option.”
I side-eyed him. “I know. Hendricks is the man’s name. You don’t have to keep reminding me.”
“Yeah, well, let me remind you we have a home game, and you’re required to be there.”
I nodded. As soon as I glanced up, I saw Dean August leaving the building. Shit! I was frustrated. I grilled my coach before walking off.
All I wanted to do was make shit right.