Kaori Jade Mitchell
"5.. 6.. 7.. 8.. 1.. 2.." Our coach stops counting as I fall on the ground from stunting.
"Are you okay?" My base asks helping me up.
I haven't had any sleep since my parents were arguing ALL NIGHT last night. So I'm very cranky rn.
"Yep.... Fine." I say rolling my eyes getting up.
On top of me being cranky coach swapped my bases with 2 new girls. They're not bad they're just.... new. So Darnell and Zach aren't basing me anymore. Which I'm really sad.
"Okay, guys. Let's just break it down and end practice." Coach says.
I walk off the mat and get my stuff.
"Hey, Kj. I just wanting to check up on you. Are you doing okay?" My coach asks me.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Just going through something rough right now." I say honestly.
"Well I hope you get through it kiddo. Got too much talent to be slacking." She says smiling.
"Thanks coach." I give her a fake smile.
•••
I come home to my parents arguing.
They've been like this for the past few days now. I don't know what's happening, but it's chaotic.
They stop arguing and look at me.
"How was your day sweetie?" My mom asked.
"It could be better." I say as I jump on the couch.
"Bad anxiety at practice?" Mom says laughing.
I nod my head.
"You're just like your dad. Has anxiety about everything." She says facing my dad.
"Mom!" I groan knowing they are about to argue again.
"Don't start with me, Leslie!" My dad says.
"I just did!" She yelled back.
I groan and go upstairs to my brothers room.
I see he's playing 2k eyes not coming off of the screen.
"And 1!" He yells.
I roll my eyes.
"C'mon 2k!" He yells again.
"Alija!"
He looks up and notices my sad face.
"Wassup?" He says pausing the game.
This is one thing I like about my brother. We can talk about anything to each other. It's just that connection we have when we know something's wrong.
"You know mom and dad have been arguing consistently." I tell him.
"Yeah, I know." He says.
"What do we do about it?" I ask sitting on his bed.
"Stay in a child's place. That's what we do." He says.
"But maybe we can help."
"Or maybe we could make it worst, so just let them do what they got to do. Mom and Dad always stay strong." He says putting his arm around me.
I lay my head on his shoulder.
"So what do I do? It's distracting me from practice and everything. I can't concentrate with them arguing."
"Find a way out." He says stroking my hair.
"A way... out?" I ask confused.
"Find a way out like me. I'm going to a football training session with UCLA." He says.
"That's great!" I say sitting up.
"Yeah, and they're too caught up with each other to know." He says looking down.
My smile instantly turns to a frown.
"I'm sorry."
"It's nothing to apologize for." He says looking at me.
"Thanks Aj! You're really the best big brother ever." I say hugging him.
He sighs
"I know kid." He says as he hugs back.
We pull away from the hug and get off the bed.
"And Kj?"'
"Yeah?" I ask.
"Do me a favor and not date the Melo kid." He says.
My eyes widen.
"Gotta blast!" I say running out of his room.
I hear my brother laugh.
