Angel In Paradise
Our First Kiss
It’s the day before tryouts Bree and I are eating lunch together. We have tried to keep our love a secret. I’m The Hope of Small Town Friendly to bring home a state basketball title. A basketball savant from the Projects. She is the All-American country club girl destined for stardom. A dancing prodigy in her own right. We live in a place and time where the color of your skin determines who you are to love.
Everyone knows we have been friends since elementary. We try to convince ourselves it’s not that strange that we would eat lunch at the same time. We are both in the top 20% of our freshman class so we share the same classes. With our last names J & K, respectively. We always sit close. The hardest thing for me is keeping my hands to myself.
“Are you nervous about tryouts?” I asked.
“Sort of, but my cousin, who cheered last year, has shown me all the routines and cheers. I just need to execute the moves and remember the chants. I will have an excellent chance to make the team.”
“What about you? You are going against bigger stronger guys than in Middle School.”
“I have done every drill a thousand times. I’ve played streetball against all the players on the team. There’s only one guy I couldn’t stop. I think if I play to my capabilities I will make the team.”
