Page 4 of Full Court Press

He sucked his teeth. “Sabrina Murphy. I told you I was gon’ get that.”

Sabrina Murphy. Ah hell!

From the name alone, I already knew this was about to be a disaster.

“Damn. You lucky, nigga,” one of the other jocks jested. They all laughed, continuing their banter while heading back toward the exit.

Khalil and I locked eyes one last time before they disappeared down the hall.

I huffed, grabbed my bag, and stood to go to my damn room. I had class in two hours and wanted to get in a nap, but obviously, I wasn’t going to be able to do that since my trifling roommate wanted to hunch on my bed.

I opened the door to my dorm, not caring if her nasty self was dressed or not, and entered the room. It smelled like straight sex in there while I walked over to open up the windows.

Sabrina was pulling my sheets and blankets from the mattress while humming as if she didn’t just disrespect my space.

“It’s incredibly rude of you to do that in a room that you share with someone. Not to mention on their bed when you have your own,” I seethed. Sabrina looked over at me and laughed like something was funny.

“Well, if it isn’t Piper Sawyer.”

“In the flesh. But I hope you heard me. That shit wasn’t cool, Sabrina.”

“Girl, I’ve been fucking all over this room, so anywhere you sit, just know it may have my essence on it.” She winked, dropped my sheets and blankets in the corner, then went into the bathroom, closing the door in my face.

I swear, if I were a fighter, I would have dragged her ass across this room, beating her ass on every surface she fucked on.

I can’t do this.

I snatched my bag from the desktop I set it on and stormed back out of the room. I was going to my resident assistant to see if I could switch dorms. There was no way I was rooming with a chick that gave her cookies up for free. School had just started, and already, I was ready to get the fuck out of there.

The weather was a cool sixty-eight degrees.

It was perfect weather to cool down my shitty mood. I sat outside in the garden, on the phone with my mother. After going to my classes for the day, I went to my RA, and she disappointed me.

Unfortunately, I had to room with the disrespectful porn star because the dorms were full. I swear, it seemed as if life was taking me through unnecessary stress that I didn’t need. The only good thing that had come out of my life was that my mother was going to live.

After my father walked out on us as soon as I turned eighteen, both my grandmothers on both sides died back-to-back a year later. I didn’t want to go off to college, but my mom encouraged me to go and get a fresh start. She was able to pay for two semesters with my nana Jolene’s insurance money, but when I went home last Christmas, she had gotten diagnosed with breast cancer. It took a year of chemo for her to finally be cancer-free. It was the only reason I decided to finish out my last year without having to worry about her.

But even still, I’d rather be in Michigan, going to a regular college, than be all the way in Texas with people I couldn’t stand.

“You only have a year left, Piper. Just stick it out until then,” my mother, Justina, said as I sat, sulking.

“And watch live porno every night? No thanks.”

Mama chuckled. “Listen, if it’s that bad, then you’re going to have to be a snitch, baby.”

“I am not a snitch, Ma.” I giggled.

“Hey, it’s either that, or you’re going to have to put your foot down. I know you don’t like confrontation, but sometimes, in order for people to respect you, you’re going to have to set boundaries. I’m sure she will take heed once you let her know that you’re uncomfortable.”

“I honestly don’t think she’d care. But anyway, how’s everything back home?”

“Piper, you literally just left yesterday.” She chuckled. “Everything is still the same.”

I sighed. “I just miss home, and I miss you. But I promised you I’d finish.”

“That’s all I want for you, baby. You made it this far. Don’t give up when the finish line is just a few feet away. I want you to be the journalist you’ve always wanted to be. Interview celebs and be larger than life. Oh, and give me some grandbabies before I leave this Earth.”

“Uhhh, I don’t know about that.” We both laughed.