Jasmine commented from driver's seat as she surveyed the parking lot of the school.

Noelani peered at the lot from the backseat, trying to spot an empty parking space.

"I think I see one over there. Drive up a little." Sydney coached.

Jasmine pulled into a parking space in the second row and then parked the car.

Sydney pulled off her jean jacket and tossed it into the passenger seat.

"Uh, you're not gonna get cold?" Jasmine chuckled as the three girls walked side by side.

Sydney adjusted the extra basketball jersey that had Jordan Pope's number sewn onto the front and back, "No. I gotta make sure these bitches know who he belongs to."

Noelani giggles a little before tightening the low bun she had her hair in and widening her eyes, "Oh, shit."

The bleachers on each side of the wide basketball court were full with students, parents and family members of players on the team.

There was gray and lime green balloons tied onto the home side bleachers.

The audience was already boisterous, yelling out support for their favorite player even though the court was still empty.

"People here really love basketball, huh?" Noelani asked as she looked around the crowded gym area.

"People here really love Jalen Green." Jasmine corrected as the three made their way up the midnight colored bleachers.

As Noelani looked around at the people who were already sitting, she could spot the various posters with Jalen's name and face on them.

Noelani pulled her black swim team varsity jacket from her old high school closer around her torso as the trio sat near the middle of the bleachers.

"I'm so excited to see my baby win tonight," Sydney said with a grin.

"Who are they playing against?" Noelani said.

"Some team from San Antonio I think." Jasmine shrugged.

The score board clicked on with a boisterous buzz and the crowd started to cheer as both teams walked out onto the hardwood floor.

"Yeah, Mari! Yeah, Cole!" Noelani called out, cupping her hands around her glossed lips.

The two boys turned to face her voice, grinned and waved at her.

Standing next to Coleman was Jalen who also turned to face the bleachers on the home side at the sound of her voice.

He flashed a smile and nodded at Noelani before turning back around to observe the other team.

"Oh, he's choosing, honey." Sydney glanced at Jalen's back then at Noelani.

Noelani shook her head, "Yikes. No thanks."

"Didn't he invite you here?" Jasmine pulled a stick of gum out of her purse and pushed it into her mouth.

"I mean kinda... I was already coming because of Nimari and Coleman." Noelani shifted a little then glanced at the four on the back of Jalen's uniform.

"Oh, there's Jordan." Sydney squeaked in an excited tone.

The referee blew his whistle as an opposing player and Jordan Pope met in the middle of the court for the opening tip off.

Jordan jumped up vertically and his fingertips nudged the ball over to Nimari.

Nimari quickly drove the ball down the left side of the court for a three pointer, causing everyone on the home side to cheer.

"Yeah, Mari!" Noelani called out to her friend.

The game quickly picked up as Prolific Prep performed a full court press on the other team.

Jalen's clearly in charge, Noelani thought to herself as she watched the game.

Jalen was an excellent basketball player, fouling them in every possible way, passing the ball when he was double teamed and making the shot every time he was able to get the ball.

After Jalen had dunked the ball in with a windmill, he pointed, smiled and winked boldly in Noelani's direction.

Correction, right at Noelani, making sure she knew that it was meant just for her.

Some of the girls turned to observe Noelani for a moment then turned back to the game on the court.

"Oh look, it's ya man again." Jasmine teased.

"Not my man." Noelani replies in a singsong tone.

"Nobody told him that." Sydney cuts in.

"He dropped forty tonight just for you." Jasmine smiled.

"He doesn't like me, guys," Noelani insisted, "He just wants to have sex with me."

Sydney let out an exasperated sigh.

"So? Even if that is true, you can get a nut and a wine and dine out of it." Jasmine replied.

An african american woman sitting on the bleacher in front of them with an elementary aged boy, turned to give Jasmine a look.

Noelani, Sydney and Jasmine gave the woman a look just as nasty then turned back to their conversation.

"Anyway, chile," Sydney flipped her straightened dark brown hair, "Jas isn't wrong. He's cute, you're pretty and both of you kinda have the same personality. Plus, give him a year or two and he's a shoo-in for the league."

"Mmm." Noelani hummed, "I don't care about that stuff. Money and fame have never been the way to get through to me," She turned back to the game.

Jalen called out various code names for their plays as he dribbled the ball down the court then lobbed it to Coleman.

The crowd, the trio included, stood up on their feet as Coleman dunked the game winning shot in then held onto the rim, swinging a little then dropped onto his feet.

Prolific Prep won the game, 117 to 98.

Some of the crowd flooded the team as they huddled to celebrate.

"Come on," Sydney stood and stormed down the bleachers without waiting for Noelani and Jasmine.

Jordan held his arms out for Sydney and she eagerly embraced him.

"That's cute." Noelani commented with a smile.

"Y'all were so good out there!" Noelani smiled as Coleman and Nimari came out of the locker room to stand with her and Jasmine.

"Thanks. They were nineteen points away from beating our ass." Nimari breathed, clearly still exhausted from the game.

"It was fun to watch though." Jasmine responded.

"Thank you," Jack said as he approached them, putting his arms around the two girls.

Noelani quickly shrugged his arm off, "Jack, you're sweaty."

Jasmine wrinkled her nose, taking Jack's arm off of her shoulders.

Noelani looked over to Sydney.

She was taking a picture of Jordan and Jalen with a fan.

Just as Noelani was about to look away, Jalen caught her gaze and smirked at her.

"Oop." Jasmine snickered.

Noelani rolled her eyes.

"What's up?" Nimari asked.

"Your teammate..." Noelani trailed off at the look on Coleman's face.

He kept opening his mouth like he wanted to say something then closing his mouth like he had thought better of it.

"You good Cole?" Noelani raised an eyebrow.

"Uh," Coleman glanced at Nimari who glanced over at Jalen, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."

"Oh... Okay." Noelani replies in a suspicious tone before glancing at Jasmine who shrugged.

Coleman and Nimari had started to whisper amongst themselves, worried looks etched onto their skulls.

What the fuck is wrong with those two?

Jalen strolled over and put his arm around Noelani, "Did you see point to you?"

"Why does everyone feel the need to put their sweat on me?" Noelani groaned before pushing his arm off.

"Aw, don't be like that, Lani." Jalen smiled then nudged her, "You coming with me after?"

"Nah, I rode with Ja-."

Jasmine coughed, "Actually, I have to pick up my brother from his friend's house. Sydney is driving home with Jordan's mom."

Noelani shot Jasmine an annoyed look, who smiled back as she walked away, then turned to face Jalen who had a cocky smile on his face.

"Fine," Noelani sighed then looked to Nimari and Coleman, "Y'all coming too right?"

"Of course," Nimari voiced.

"Let's go then." Noelani nodded towards the door.

Coleman threw his arm around her, "I'm not sweaty."

"Okay," Noelani laughed as he lead her out of the gym.

I don't know enough about basketball so if you do please comment some plays/terms so I somewhat know what I'm talking about 💀

vote and comment, porfa!