Zenovia Cartwright: A Short Story

I laced up my shoes before practice and place my slides into my locker. The sooner I get to the court the better. I couldn’t deal with anymore of people’s stuff. As I place my sweats and shirt in my locker Jahlil comes around me and shoves Kennan shoulder.

“Congrats Kennon! You the real MVP.”

I am glad that for once nobody was on my case, but I was wondering what exactly they was talking about. Kennon wasn’t like the other boys. He worked a lot and when he wasn’t working he was on the court. He was the basketball man, but not a social guru. Nobody really paid much attention to him. He also wasn’t really into girls as much as everybody else. He has had the same crush since seventh grade. Zenovia Cartwright. Just thinking of the name made my mouth weak.

“It’s you Jacion. I know all about you and Zenny. She is late broh. Real late. She took a test and she is pre-“

“Don’t say it Jahlil. We still don’t know if it’s mine. She could have messed around.”

“You’re the dad Jacion, she aint fooled around regardless of what you think broh. She care about you.”

“Iont. I DON’T!” I was yelling now without noticing.” She aint nothing to me cuz. On me I aint tryna catch feelings. Filters up G! Filters up. She aint nothing to me.” I punched the dash and slammed my body back into the seat.

“Jay? She yuh baby momz cuz. You kinda got to care.” He stared at me.

My stomach tightened and I tried to hold back the vomit.

“What am I supposed to tell Aljah? That oh I got drunk and screwed Zenn. They are like sisters bruh. You can’t let me go out like this cuz.”

“Don’t worry you won’t.” He said turning onto his street.

“What makes you so sure lil?” I asked relaxing my body.

“She told me she was getting rid of it.”

I lay in my bed and stared at my ceiling. The words sliced through my soul. “Get rid of it.”

I can’t believe she was thinking about getting rid of it.

I pulled out my phone and opened up