Habibah Carter - Presence of Rainbows

Presence

of

Rainbows

Carver High Series

Book 2

Chapter One

Brute

I wiped the sweat off my face and took a seat on the bench. Coach wasnt letting up today. This is what happens when the team doesnt act like a team. Brian and Lincoln got in a stupid scuffle over a girl. A girl! All the drama these guys have over girls keeps me single. I have plans for my future and they dont include girls for at least a few more years.

Warren! Coach bellowed. Most people call me Brute but to Coach Ive been Warren my entire life. I looked up slowly. Tired? He asked with a sinister grin. You can thank these idiots for all the excess work tonight. But lets get a move on. He clapped his hands together a few times. A sign I knew meant I needed to hustle. No special treatment for any of us. I rolled my eyes and stood. Brian looked sheepish and I wished I could settle the nonsense for them. Who cares if Lincoln went out with Lizzie? Brian kissed Jordans girlfriend while Jordan was grieving his fathers death although they were still dating at the time. Now hes pissed that Lincoln is dating a girl he broke up with a year ago!

I rejoined the team on the court. Jordan passed me the ball and I passed it, albeit hard, to Brian. He didnt catch it correctly and ended up taking a hit to the gut. Jordan snickered. We both followed him down the court. Defense did a crappy job of blocking him and he hit a three-point shot with little effort. For all his faults, hes a damn good player.

A half hour later, Coach finally sent us to the locker room after a ten-minute spiel on getting along and being a team. I understood his frustration; the season opener is this week! Its our senior year of high school; we need to put all the pettiness aside and play like a cohesive unit.

When we left the gym, a few of the guys continued fussing over the idiocy of Lincoln and Brian. I avoided the nonsense; went straight to my locker, snatched my things and rushed away.

Hey Warren! How was practice? I heard a sweet voice as I left the locker room. Vanessa walked over, ready to hug me. Shes out here at least two nights a week after tutoring students in the library for hours. Typically, shes chatting with a friend and we exchange a simple hello/goodbye but tonight shes alone.

No hugs! I grunted. Need shower. She frowned but stepped back. I met Vanessa during the first week of school when Jordan needed me to keep his ex-girlfriend, Amber, away from her. Most girls are scared of me but Vanessa and I bonded instantaneously. She saw the real me. I like her. Shes good for Jordan.

Well, thank you for the warning. The smile she gave me held a hint of laughter. She held up a fist for me to bump. See you tomorrow. I waved and walked away.

I took long strides toward my next destination; home.

After a quick shower, I headed to the diner where Mom worked the dinner shift. Hey, hun. Mom greeted me as soon as I walked in. Have a seat in the back and Ill get you dinner. Mom headed to the kitchen and I took the back booth closest to the restrooms. Mike, the chef (if you can call a diner cook that) and co-owner preferred not to put his patrons that close to the restroom, so it was always empty.

I pulled my backpack open and slipped out my math homework. Mom returned with a chocolate milkshake. How was practice?

Horrible, I huffed. Lincoln and Brian are fighting.

Ah, extra drills, huh? She gave me a knowing smile. Ill tell Mike you need extra protein. One of the washers called in sick if you get your homework done and want to help so we can leave sooner. I groaned. Someone was always calling in sick! Mom patted my shoulder and walked away. She knew I would help. I always do. But first, homework.

Need anything to drink? I heard someone speak beside me. I had just finished my shake and tossed my balled-up napkin onto my empty plate. Ill clear your dishes in a sec, but shakes make me thirsty, so I thought Id ask you.

I turned my head toward the sound. No one ever comes to wait on me. They all know Mom will get what I need and then Ill help in the kitchen and head home with my mother. The voice belonged to a waitress Ive never seen before. She stood before me in the ugly pale-yellow shirt they all wore but on her it looked like something you could wear on the street. It hugged her curves perfectly. Her rainbow-colored hair was pulled back high in a ponytail. Her big brown eyes stared at me.

She chomped on gum.

I stared at her. I dont speak much but suddenly I couldnt speak at all.

Okay, she dragged the word out when I didnt answer. Well, chomp, your waitress never came back to check on you, so I thought Id be nice. Chomp. She tilted her head to one side and stared down at me.

Sorry, shes my mom. I offered. Most of them knew this.

Not a good enough reason to ignore you. She said. Need anything?

Nope. I slipped my homework back into my bag and zipped it up. I stood, towering over the waitress although she wasnt under 57. Moms height. Her eyes followed my movements, growing slightly as I reached my full height. I grew a good three inches over the last few months and the way my body aches I dont think Im done. My father is 65 and last we checked Im just two inches shorter.

I pulled my bag from the booth and slipped it over my shoulder. I reached down for my plate and glass, ready to head into the kitchen.

I can get that. She reached out for them. I lifted them higher, out of her reach.

Nope. I said, stepping around her.

You cant go back there. She said as I headed toward the doors separating the kitchen from the front of the diner.

Can. I told her.

Uh, no. Its for employees only. I dont care who your Mum is. Mum? Who says that? Are we suddenly in England? She doesnt have a foreign accent.

Can. I repeated with a wink.

I see you are going to be a pain in my ass! She followed me into the kitchen. I chuckled. Thatd be fun. Look, you big ogre, you dont run things around here.

I heard laughter from behind us. I turned to see who it was.

I see you met my niece. Mike said through his laughter. He wiped his hands on a towel and leaned against a counter. Shes a handful.

Shut up, Uncle Mike. This big mountain of a man cant just come barreling into the back like he works here or something.

Can. I repeated, yet again.

Is that the extent of your vocabulary? She asked, pushing me. I didnt move. She tried again with a little more force. You must be good at football. They stand you in the middle and run everyone into the brick wall? She was still trying to push my body toward the door.

Nope and nope. I said. Done yet? I asked when she finally stood up straight.

You cant come back here. You dont work here. I dont care if your mum is a waitress. She put her hands on her hips and looked up at me. Her scowl was cute; I smiled. Out! She pointed toward the door.