Against all odds

Back to Reality

KIARA'S POV

I woke up early as usual, but this time, it wasn't for work. It was to help Jalen pack for basketball camp.

After finishing my morning routine, I put on a blue cropped hoodie with matching pants. I stood in front of Jalen's room and knocked twice. After hearing, "Come in," I pushed the door open, and there he was, packing his clothes into a suitcase.

"Good morning, Ki."

"Morning. How was your night?" I asked, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Good. I'm happy about this camp, but I'm really gonna miss you."

"I'll miss you too. Always call and text me about your day."

"Oh, trust me, I will."

I helped him pack his bags while we talked about basketball.

I couldn't have asked for a better brother. Jalen was the sweetest and most annoying person I'd ever met, but I loved him regardless.

We had breakfast, and then it was time to go. James and I helped Jalen load his luggage into the truck, and believe me when I say this boy packed a whole clothing store just for camp.

We got into the back seat while James took the wheel.

"I'm gonna show them how it's really done on that court."

"I know you will, my very own basketball superstar," I cheered, ruffling his dreads.

He shot me a dirty look.

"Don't do that. I don't want to look like a bum." He began fixing his hair.

"You and I both know that you love it when I do that."

"I don't," he said, trying to hide his smile.

"But seriously, though, I really do want to go pro."

"Oh, you will. Trust me when I say you have the talent."

"Yeah, I guess."

His tone lacked confidence, and I knew I had to bring it back.

"Remember when you took your school basketball team to the state finals, and y'all won?"

I remembered that our school had never made it to the state finals. Hell, we couldn't even beat another school in our region, but my brother changed that the same year he joined the basketball team.

"Yeah, I remember. Mom and Dad were so proud of me. Dad even got me the PS5 I'd been asking for, and it wasn't even Christmas." He laughed.

"What did the coach tell you?"

"That I'm very talented and that if basketball is really my dream, he can see me going pro."

I gave him a high five.

"See? Even the coach believes in you. So why can't you believe in yourself?"

"I do. It's just that I have doubts sometimes."

"Don't ever doubt yourself. You have God on your side. And you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you."

Jalen nodded and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Those words really mean a lot to me. I appreciate you, Ki."

I looked out the window and let my mind drift.

Jalen was literally my other half. I thought my stepbrother and I wouldn't get along because of how other step-siblings act.

I'm happy our relationship didn't turn out like that. People often thought we shared the same father and mother because of how close we were. They weren't entirely wrong, though, because I saw Kelvin as my father, since my sperm donor decided to be a deadbeat.

The car stopped, and we all got out. James took out all of Jalen's luggage. I felt tears roll down my cheeks. I'd missed him so much, and the little time we'd spent together made me realize just how much I'd missed having him around.

"C'mon, Ki. Imma text and call you. You won't even notice my absence."

"Of course I will. You're always playing loud music in the mornings," I said with a giggle.

I gave him one last hug and watched as he picked up his luggage, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and walked toward the entrance.

It was funny how someone could walk into your life unexpectedly and make it feel so full. Now he was leaving, and the silence already felt unbearable.

Other kids followed, too. Some parents were also crying.

At least I wasn't the only emotional person.

I got back into the car and began crying again. James didn't ask any questions. He just drove in silence.

When we got home, the first thing my eyes landed on was his shoes beside the couch. He knew I always kept my shoes on the rack.

The house was awfully quiet, and I knew it was because Jalen was gone. In the few days he'd spent with me, I'd gotten used to his antics.

Since today was surprisingly a rest day for me, I decided to clean the house and do my laundry. I didn't have time to clean every day, so I might as well make good use of today.

While I was doing the laundry, the front door opened, and Bella walked in as if she owned the apartment.

Remind me to take my keys back from her.

She was holding a bag of Chick-fil-A, though, so I couldn't be mad.

"Hey, b***h!" she yelled as if I had hearing problems.

"Girl, don't be yelling in my house. Damn."

"Don't get an attitude with me. I didn't force Jalen to go to camp."

"I know."

We both sat down, and I quickly grabbed a taco and my smoothie.

"Ki, he's not a little kid anymore. I know you miss him, and these few days with him made you really attached, but let the little man be."

"You know he doesn't like you calling him a 'little man.'"

We both laughed because it was true. Jalen had had a crush on Bella forever, but she saw him as a younger brother and nothing more. She called him "little man" just to piss him off, and it worked every single time.

"So enjoy today because we have a busy week ahead."

I rubbed my forehead just thinking about it.

"The agency has assigned a lot of tasks for you," she continued.

"Please, don't remind me."

"Whatever, girl. Oh, and I got me a new man," she said, making me roll my eyes.

Bella never committed. Forget what she said—she was a wild cat.

"Girl, it's nothing new."

"It is new because I think I'm in love," she said dreamily.

I choked on my smoothie.

She handed me a cup of water, which I quickly drank.

"Yeah... this is definitely new."

"I'm serious this time around."

Guess how many times I'd heard that line from Bella.

My phone buzzed with a notification, letting me know I'd received a message.

I picked up my phone and checked it.

My smile widened, making Bella look at me like I'd lost my mind.