Chapel Hill, NC

played as Knowledge passed the ball to his teammate.

"Tighten up on that pass." His coach yelled out.

Knowledge soon got the ball again, and went in for his lay up.

"That's how you do it, Ali."

Practice was soon over, but Knowledge stayed with the coach.

"That arm, you need to tuck it." He told Knowledge.

Knowledge nodded, he really just loved basketball and wanted to learn everything there was to know.

Hence his name.

"Yo ass distracted?" The coach asked him.

Knowledge sat on the bench and thought for a moment, then nodded.

"You don't let that draft get in the way of what you got going on."

Knowledge smacked his lips.

"It's not even that, it's what they saying. Comparing me to all these people and saying what I am, they don't even know me for real."

"It's not gon get easier if you get drafted, they gon have something to say everyday. Even about yo socks, so if this is what you really want you gotta find a way to block it out and just play."

Knowledge nodded and stood up.

"Ight coach, I gotta get in the showers. Then I gotta shoot."

"Of course Mr.Supermodel." The coach chuckled.

Knowledge had been selected as a Nike ambassador, so when he wasn't doing basketball, he was doing something for Nike. Whether it be photo shoots, seminars, commercials, business trips.

They kept him busy.

"Sooooo.." Jaz smiled as she sat in front of Amber, who was counting money.

"Sooooo?" Amber looked up from the money counter.

"My friend in New York invited me up there for draft weekend."

Amber looked at her in confusion.

"What's that?"

"Girl just know all the rich niggas gon be in the clubs, especially the one she at. So I asked if you could come along and she said definitely. There's a flight leaving-"

"Holonnnn Jaz I can't just leave my baby." Amber shook her head.

"Ace or Sky can keep her."

"Ace? And Sky has her own stuff going on."

"Okay maybe not Ace, but Sky only has two summer classes. It's only for a weekend Amb."

Amber thought about the money and sighed.

"Let me talk to Sky.. and I'll get back to you."

Jaz smiled "Okay imma just buy the tickets, you know she gon say yes."

Amber nodded, she was beyond thankful for Sky who was always there for her and Mecca.

When she found out that Amber was pregnant, instead of going to her first choice college in Texas, she stayed in Georgia to be close to them.

"Alright girl, I'll see you." Amber said as she stood up with her money in the security bag.

"You done?"

"Mhm, I'm good for the night. I miss my baby."

She had made 2,500 in one hour.

One thing she discovered was she had a talent in dancing, and that talent brought a lot of money that added up quickly.

📍

OnceAmber got Mecca, she headed home to hit the shower.

When she got out, she saw Mecca awake and watching the TV.

"Hi baby," she smiled, picking her up.

Amber never imagined herself with kids, and especially not at that age. But Mecca was different, she truly needed her. It slowed her down and made her think about things other than herself.

"I can't believe your oneee, getting so big on mommy." She smiled at the 16 month old.

"You look just like yo damn daddy."

Amber found it crazy how she was a carbon copy of Knowledge, down to his nose.

The only difference was her medium brown skin, compared to his lighter brown skin.

And her eyes.

No one could deny that she had Amber's eyes.

Mecca just smiled before she let out a yawn.

"Yea, it's time for you to go back to sleep."

Amber slid on a silk night dress, then laid down with the child on her chest.

y'all Mecca is just the cutest name to me.

okay bye.