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[unexpectedl0ve-ff]

Belong to the city

Lorie 🥀

Ugh, I groaned as I carried in the last of the boxes into my apartment. A week later and all the furniture and other stuff I packed from home are finally arriving. Words cannot describe the excitement I have about my bed finally arriving, I can’t wait to pop that damn air mattress. Pulling out a framed picture from one of the boxes, I admired the picture of my family from my high school graduation. 

Flashback

“Lorenzo Reign Henderson, for the love of god-- can you PLEASE take a normal picture without throwing up one of those damn hand signs,” my mom stressed to my older brother. 

“Aight ma, imma need you to chill on that. It’s a peace sign,” Renzo retorted back. 

“Boy, can you please just listen to your mama before she takes off them chanclas and throws them at yo’ head,” my dad exclaimed while chuckling. 

*camera flashes*

“Aight, y’all look at my babysis out here doin’ big girl things with her high school diploma!” my brother cheesed while recording me on his snapchat before turning it on himself, “y’all fools better not be replaying this snap and checking her out because I’ll check yo’ asses”

“You’re a whooooole mess, zozo! Ain’t nobody checking for your lil hoodlum friends, okay” I yelled back at him trying to snatch his phone. 

“Nah, but forreal sis, you’re my whole heart and I’m so proud of you for being the first in our family to finish high school and go off to college. Y’know I gotchu for whatever right, Lo?” He said while huggin me. 

“I know, Zo. If no one else got me, you got me” 

“Nah, even if the whole word got you, I still got you” 

I wiped my tears from my cheeks as I reminisced of the last memories I had with my brother, my rock, my backbone. Just a couple of weeks after that picture was taken he was killed in a drive by shooting. I had to move into college without him, get through my first heartbreak without him, buy my first car without him, and now learn how to navigate through life without him. This world was a cold place, but he knew what it was. He was in too deep to get out of the life he was living, but nobody deserved to die the way he did. 

Everything I do now is for him. Those late nights in high school cramming for the SATs or writing papers, he was right there by my side. Always coaching me, teaching me and motivating me. He thought he wouldn’t amount to much, so he needed me to be everything he wasn’t. I can still hear his voice in the back of my head every time I’m ready to throw in the towel and give up 

“Aye, what I tell you about that giving up shit? This is the time weak niggas fold and I’ll be damned if I let you throw in the towel, yknow mom and pops ain’t raise no bitch. Someway, somehow, we gonn’ get through it, believe that” 

This is all for him. For the other Lorenzo’s in our community who think the street life is their last option, who think they won’t amount to much-- to pave a way for them to make it out alive and well. 

I wiped off my tears and placed the frame on my kitchen counter. I couldn’t bear to unpack anymore, so I grabbed my keys and headed to the gym to clear my head. 

Drake blared through the speakers as I shot around the gym. Working out has always been my escape from my thoughts, a way to release my pent-up stress and emotions. It wasn’t until I started volunteering at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club in my city that I started playing around with a basketball. It’s crazy the amount of talented kids we have there. I knew I had to keep up with them in order to motivate them to continue playing. 

The sound of the door opening and a set of footsteps knocked me out of my thoughts. As I looked up, I realized it was one of the guys from the last time I came here with Chris. Ugh, there goes those damn tattoos again, I thought to myself as he walked towards me. 

“Hey, sorry to interrupt you I didn’t think anyone would be here at this time”

“Don’t worry about it, I was just finishing up anyways” 

“No shooting partner today? Did you cross him up a few too many times that he quit on you” he says as he chuckled. 

I laugh at his comment and feel my cheeks turning red, “nah, he’s out somewhere tonight but I just needed to clear my head.” 

“One of those days, huh?”

“Yeah, I guess you can say that”

“I’m Kyle, and if I do recall you didn’t give your name last time,” he said as he scratched the back of his head. I instantly thought of Chris telling me how I needed to drop my “east coast attitude.”

I chuckled and answered, “sorry about that, my friend says I still have an ‘east coast attitude,’ but my name is Lorie.”

“Oh, east coast huh? Please din’t tell me you’re a fan of all the east coast sports team” 

“Title town, baby-- Patriots, Celtics, Red Sox, and Bruins!” I smile proudly as I think back to my home town. 

Kyle

Baby, the way that just easily rolled off her tongue got me feeling some type of way. Should I smile because she said that or frown because homegirl really liked all my rivals in sports. 

Shaking my head of my thoughts, I chuckled. “Naaaaah, you see Imma have to put an end to that right here because you’re in LA and that’s like fighting words. Might have to revoke your stay here and call security” 

“Oh, is that right? Maybe when you guys actually make it into the playoffs then I’ll consider liking the teams here” she smirks as she hits me with her comeback.

“Ouch. That one really hurt, but if I do recall didn’t the Celtics just blow their chances and lost  horribly to the Bucks?”

“Alright, this conversation is done! I will not take this slander on my city!” She yells as she turns away to grab her stuff. 

I run after her chuckling, “how about this, you stay around and shoot with me and I will consider not telling everyone in this whole facility that they got a New England sports fan here”

“Hmm, that’s gonna be touch considering I usually wear my sports gear to work out here” 

“Ahhh, what about we play a game of HORSE and if I win you have to rock some LA sports gear and if you win I’ll rock some New England sports gear. 

“Hmm, bet” 

Lorie 🥀

���Hmm, I think a nice Celtic green would definitely bring out your eyes” I say to Kyle as I laughed in his face. After an hour-long game of HORSE, I finally got him from the half court line. I knew that shot was going to be my saving grace and I had to save it for the perfect moment when he was tired out. 

“Ma, that’s not fair at all! Y’know how bad I’d get chewed out for wearing another team’s gear? You’re bugggggin,” Kyle says as he’s pleading with me to get out of the bet now that he lost. 

“Hey! A deal is a deal, sir. You made the bet not me, you gotta live with the consequences now,” I said as I started to grab my stuff. 

“There has to be something, anything, I can do instead! I’ll buy you food or give you tickets to a game, ANYTHING!” 

“ahaha, I love hearing you beg. But, nah take a picture wearing some Celtics gear and post it on your IG! You can take it down after 24 hours” I said as a bargaining choice. 

“Fine. On one condition though” 

“Hey! I’m not the one that lost the bet, no bargaining from you!” I chuckled to him as we sat on the bleachers. 

“Let me get your number and I won’t delete the picture off my IG” 

“Hm, you see... that’s tempting. But once you post that picture for 24 hours there will be millions of screenshots, so whether you delete it or not, it’s still gonna be up there somewhere” 

“okay, touché. You right, but what if I just want your number”

“Hm, post the picture and we’ll see” I said as I get up and wink at him. 

“Bet, so I’ll see you again?”

“Better find some Celtics gear and take a good picture and we’ll see,” I yell to him as I head out of the basketball court. 

[unexpectedl0ve-ff]

Work out for me

Kyle 

“Exactly what part of ‘no practice or conditioning’ did you NOT understand?!” Lonzo complained in my ear as we walked into the UCLA gym. 

“Trust me, man. You’ll be glad we came when yo’ ass don’t get traded,” I replied back. It literally took a box of donuts and a couple hundred of texts to get this guy to come out and train with me today. 

Since our training facility is under construction for the time being, they allowed us to use the facilities at UCLA due to the inconvenience. As we walk towards the gym we hear J.Cole’s “Work Out” blasting and two people shooting around. A short, dark haired girl was crossing up this scrawny, black guy and I honestly felt sorry for him. As she scored another basket, the guy threw the ball back towards her but completely missed, throwing it in the opposite direction of her. 

“Really? Don’t be a sore loser now!” the pretty girl yells at him as she chases after the ball. 

“Hey! I agreed to work out with you, nowhere in that included playing a whole damn playoff game! Got me out here like I’m fuckin’ Stephen Curry or some shit,” the guy replied back. As she finally grabs the ball, she walks towards the half court line and points down at it. The guy looks at her confused about her next move. No way this girl will make this shot, shit I can barely make that shot, I thought to myself. 

“Girl, if you don’t go put that damn ball away and call it a day!” the guy yells and points towards the ball rack. She laughs and shoots the ball from the half court line, before even waiting to see if it goes in, she walks towards us and grabs her stuff from the bleachers. 

Swoosh, the sound makes her smile and I can’t help help but smirk at her confidence. 

“Aye, I’m THE Lonzo Ball. Nice to meet you, ma” Lonzo introduces himself to the mystery girl. 

She looks up and smiles at us as she continues to grab her stuff. That damn smile again. 

“Yo, Lonzo from the Ball family, right?” the guy says as he is walking behind the girl. 

“Yeah, that’s me in the flesh” Lonzo replies. 

“My name is Chris, I’m a huge fan, man. Your show is my shit! I tune in everything Sunday at 6PM!” Chris replies back to Zo as he daps him up. 

“Alright super fan, let’s leave these guys alone and head out” the mystery girl says as she starts walking towards the door. 

“Wait, I didn’t get your name, ma” Zo says tryna mack to to this girl as if he doesn’t have a whole ass family at home. 

“Because I didn’t give it,” she says chuckling as she leaves the gym. I shake my head and laugh at Zo’s shocked expression. 

“Yo, did you see that shit?!” Zo exclaims. 

“What, your sorry excuse of game? Boy, we all saw that” I saw as I laugh at him. That girl was gorgeous, plus she knew how to ball-- seemed too good to be true. But, girls are the last thing that’s on my mind right now. 

“Man, whatever. Pass me the ball” 

Lorie 🥀

“Girlllll, yo’ ass didn’t have to be so rude back there! He’s like LA royalty out here” Chris said as he nudged me. I met Chris at the UCLA summer mixer, yes, the same one I laughed about and said I wasn’t going to, and we hit it off right off the bat. He reminded me of my college roommate, Carla, from back home with his sass and ratchetness, a whole ass mess! 

“Boy bye! I am not about to bow down on my knees for some guy just because he’s royalty,” I said as I nudged him back. 

“Drop that east coast attitude, that’s why yo’ ass didn’t make no friends at the mixer,” he said back as we got into his car. 

“I don’t know why you’re talking all that RA-RA as if you’re not my friend right now, hanging out with me” I say as I’m laughing at the mug he gives me. 

“Yeah yeah yeah, the other guy over there was hella cute. Might have to come back to the gym with you and see if he wants a little taste of some chocolate” Chris says as he pulls out of the parking lot. He was actually really cute, those tattoos all over his arms made me want to climb him like a damn tree, I thought as I smirked to myself. I ain’t gonn’ tell Chris that though because knowing him, he’d turn this car around and actually make me do it” 

 “Boys are the last thing on my mind right now, I’m just ready for this program to start and get in my bag” I said as I looked out the window. 

“Mhm girl, I’ll take both of them then! Thank you very much” Chris said as he stuck out his tongue at me. See what I mean, this man’s a whole ass mess. 

[unexpectedl0ve-ff]

To live & die in LA

Lorie 🥀

The California sun shined against my already burning cheeks, deepening the crimson color that had graced my face the moment I stepped out of the airport doors. I was tired, hungry, and most of all frightened. I’m usually such an independent person, but never had I ever thought to move across the country alone before. Lawrence, Massachusetts was all I knew, it was my home for 22 years and here I am now about to take on the biggest journey of my life. 

As I waited for my Uber, I decided to scroll through twitter. My timeline was flooded with emotional tweets about another death happening back home... this time a 16-year-old boy fell victim to the gang life. It’s crazy how worse it’s gotten over the years and I hate how I’m not there to stand up against it. It’s shit like this that makes being here and furthering my education so important to me. The community really needs someone there to advocate for their youth and I know that I truly will make a difference coming out of this. 

“Hey! Are you Lorie?”, an older-man driving an SUV yelled which instantly pulled me out of my thoughts. I nodded and gathered up my luggage as he quickly ran out and helped me put them in the trunk. 

“Damn, what’s in here, some bricks of gold?!”, he asked when piling in my four suitcases. I chuckled and shook my head no and replied, “it’s pretty much my whole life.” 

As we pulled up to my new condo, I took in the scenery. For an off-campus condo, this is actually pretty nice I thought. But then again, living in Lawrence and comparing it to that, makes everything look nice. Mike— my Uber driver, helped me bring out my luggage and set them on the sidewalk. I thanked him for his kindness and tipped him for his help. I looked up at the 25-story building and started lugging my bags inside the air-conditioned lobby. 

A young, brunette with light caramel-colored skin sat at the front desk with her head down, unfazed by my presence. I cleared my throat and introduced myself, “Hi, I’m Lorie Henderson, I’m here for the summer research assistantship & I was told I can pick up my apartment keys at the front desk?”

She smiled and nodded her head, “No way, I’m doing the summer research for the psychology department, too! My name is Melissa, but yeah girl, I just need to see a form of ID and fill out this form.” 

As I handed her my license and fill out the forms, she comes back with a set of keys for me. She smiles as she hands me the keys and says she can’t wait to see me at the UCLA summer mixer Friday night. I chuckled in my head at the thought of going to a social event, but I smile at her anyway and thank her. 

It only took me two trips, but I was really out of breath and sweating already. I definitely need to sign up for a gym membership ASAP, I thought to myself. I glanced around my new place and it was breathtaking. I still couldn’t believe that lil ol’ me from ain’t shit Lawrence was living out in LA pursuing my dreams of becoming a clinical psychologist— for free at that! I feel so fortunate and blessed to have my parent’s support on pursuing my career. Although they didn’t have the financial means to do so, their endless love and sacrifices made up for it all. 

This is it, the beginning of my six-year journey of getting my final degree to go back and repay my parents for everything they’ve done for me & to change my community in hopes that more kids will come out of it alive and successful. 

Kyle

“Swoosh,” as the ball made it into the hoop and was caught by my teammate Lonzo. “Where was that energy all season?!” he yelled as he threw the ball back to me. 

I chuckled, shaking my head and yelling back “I don’t know man, the same place you were I guess— missing!” I’m pretty bummed we didn’t make it into the playoffs, but I guess you win some, you lose some. I’m pretty sure we would’ve made it and went all the way this season if we had a healthy roster, but it just adds more motivation and hustle for next season. 

“KUZ! You heard, bro?” Lonzo yelled, knocking me out of my thoughts. 

“Nah, sorry man. What’s up?”

“They finna close and fix up the facility for three weeks which means no practice drills and core training for three weeks, aye it’s lit!” Lonzo yelled, as he started doing a little dance to celebrate. 

“Not like your injured ass was doing shit anyways!” Lebron teased, earning a mug from Lonzo and making the whole team crack up. 

Damn, three weeks of no basketball or weights? Even though it sounded like heaven, I knew that going that long without it would definitely throw me off my game. Plus, with potential trade rumors going around, I knew this was the time to grind harder than ever. 

[unexpectedl0ve-ff]

P r o l o g u e

Lorie 🥀

“Lo, you’re gonna be late for you flight!” My dad yelled, as I took my last look around my room. This is it... 22 years in this little room I called my sanctuary. The laughs, the tears, and the many firsts that happened in here, I can’t believe I’m really leaving. I take in the grey walls and the bare floors as I say my final goodbyes. I know it’s for the best and the sooner I go, the sooner I’ll return. 

Kyle

Sitting at the edge of my bed, I can’t believe my second year has come to an end. It was another crazy year and I don’t regret anything. I still can’t believe me, a young guy from Flint, is really out here balling for the Lakers. As I reminisced about how far I’ve come, my eyes instantly landed on my bedside table and I couldn’t help but smile at the picture of my family and I. It’s so hard to be away from them while I’m out here all alone, but I know it’s for the better and everything I do is for them in the long run.