I Never Really Expected Any of This

Chapter Three

Chapter Three:
I settle on hummus and pita bread, something I can eat on the go; I want to familiarize myself with the city I'll be living in for the next four years.

I wonder around, not focussed on any particular destination. I'm hardly aware of the buildings that are casting shadows on me. Realizing that this whole stroll was pointless, I take a seat on the curb, and finish my hummus.

As I scoop the last bit of hummus onto the pita bread, a door opens behind me.

"Man! That was a hype practice bro."

"For real dawg! Who knew Wall could dunk like that."

"Aww shiiit. Where'd you come from?!" My hummus -or what was left of it- has been knocked out of my hand by someone who obviously didn't see me. Quickly, I realize that the person I've taken by surprise is Patrick Patterson. The star forward of the Kentucky basketball team.

"I-I was just- I was walking- and I had to sit- and- I- I'll be going." I stutter, getting up to my feet.

"Hold on." Patterson says, holding up his hand. "I ain't gonna hurt you, just wanted to know who you was, that's all."

Still shaking all over, I manage to say: "Emily, that's my name. I'm a freshman." Wow did I really say that?

"A'ight, Emily, you like basketball?" Patterson inquires, looking down at me las if I am a scrawny chihuahua living on the streets.

"Ye-Yes. I like basketball a lot." I stutter, wanting to just collapse onto the sidewalk right then and there.

"You like NBA too, or just college?" Dang, will he ever let me go?

"I like both." I try and give short responses, but he keeps firing questions. I get used too it though, and I'm able to have a few conversations with him. Talking about sports frees me from this straightjacket of stress that I've been wearing since I've arrived.

"Ya know, we betta continue this back at the lodge. It's gettin' kinna dark an I don't want you gettin' mugged out here." Patterson concludes, making me feel even more assured of my safety as a freshman in the city.

"Actually, I should probably get back to my dorm." I say, even though I really want to get a glimpse of the inside of the Wildcat Lodge, where all of the basketball players stay.

"C'mon. It'll only be a lil while." He offers, with an almost invisible smirk on the corners of his lips. "I gotta surprise for ya when we get there."

I'm anxious to know what exactly he has in store for me when i get there. But at the same time I'm scared, I don't know this guy, what if he hurts me? My curiosity got the best of me, and I give in to the offer. We walk down the street, and make our way into the lodge.

"Wait right here." Patterson instructs. "I gotta go do somethin real quick."

As I wait for him to come back, I familiarize myself with the place; taking in every corner.

"A'ight. Now Emily, I gotta ask ya som' before I tell ya the surprise." He tells me, with a sly smile on his face.

"Okay, what is it?" I ask growing a little impatient.

"A'ight, so our manager's been tellin us to be on the lookout for someone that can escort the team we facin to their locker room an help em out with stuff. Said that whoever it is needa know som' 'bout basketball an the school. We been lookin an can't find no one. First game's in three days, Saturday. You think you can do the job?" I'm trying to take it all in, trying to understand what he'd just offered.

"Umm, can I have a few moments." I ask, wanting some time to think the offer through.

"Yeah, I give you five minutes." He says, looking down at me once again.

I mull this over, and then finally come to a conclusion. I want this job. I really do.

"I'll take you up on the offer." I declare with confidence.

"A'ight. Be here Saturday, we play Oklahoma." That seemed to end it, we part our separate ways; I push the door open and begin to walk back to my dorm. I'm surprised that I actually remember the way back.