was another blow to Jalen's heart.

He had been Jalen's idol, the one who had inspired his work ethic.

Now he was another person who was gone and never returning.

Jalen stood next to Nimari and Saba on the football field of their high school.

There was a tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant, passing out white LED candles and purple and yellow balloons.

A senior girl that Jalen faintly recognized was in the middle of the circle shape that the people assembled formed, waiting for the chatter to die down a bit.

Jalen paused at the sight of Noelani standing on the field next to Jasmine and Sydney with her own white candle and a purple balloon in her hands.

The breeze picked up, lifting her loose sandy brown curls and making her locks flow with the air.

Once the chatter had, the girl let out a deep sigh, "I never thought I would have to do this. Kobe and Gianna Bryant, as you may know, passed away last Sunday due to a helicopter crash. Kobe was all of our heroes, you didn't have to play a sport to look up to him. His work ethic and his ambition is... Was an inspiration to us all. Life is short, y'all. Protect each other. Value each other. Help each other. Hold on to each other. Love each other."

As the last set of words were spoken, Jalen couldn't help but to look to Noelani.

Perhaps sensing that his eyes were on her, she looked up and stared back for a moment then blinked a couple of times then looked away.

"For Kobe and Gianna." The girl said, releasing the yellow balloon in her hands.

The others quickly repeated her words, followed suit and soon a mass of purple and yellow balloons was released into the dark, starry sky.

Jalen focused his gaze on the sky, letting his eyes trail the outline of the constellation, Orion.

His lips quirked up at the corners as he remembered Noelani teaching him about the stars that night in San Francisco.

"Jalen." At the sound of his name, Jalen turned on his heel to see Noelani standing behind him.

"Lani." Jalen said in surprise.

"It's Noelani to you." She replied coolly, "I just wanted to see how you were doing. I know he was your hero so..." She trailed off.

"I'm dealing. Loss of life is always hard." Jalen said.

"Yeah. Gianna was so young. Anyway, uh," Noelani reached into the tote bag on her right shoulder, pulling out a plastic bag with clothes in it.

Jalen browsed the bag, feeling his heart sink at what was at the top.

Crumpled and rolled up was Jalen's spare basketball uniform top and the two hoodies that Noelani had borrowed from him.

"Oh." Jalen said simply.

Noelani looked at the grass beneath her converse, "Needed a clean break."

"So we're never gonna talk?" Jalen asked.

"What is there to talk about Jalen?" Noelani looked up at him, "You lied to me our entire relationship. You told me that you loved me several times and it was all a lie for money."

"How many times can I say that I didn't lie about that?"

"It doesn't matter now. I don't trust you and I can't be with someone or be friends with someone that I don't trust."

Then she walked back to Jasmine and Sydney without glancing back.

Jalen stormed into the locker roomwith his team following close behind him.

They had just lost by thirty points and Jalen knew that it was solely his fault.

His head just wasn't in it.

He flung open his locker and threw his travel sized deodorant against the wall, watching it break jaggedly in half.

"What the hell is going on?" Coach Joey yelled at the team.

Jackson and Saba's eyes lingered on Jalen for a second then back to their coach.

"There's been nine turn overs! It's like you guys wanted to lose! I don't understand!" Coach Joey clutched his head in frustration.

"We're still a little foggy from break." Nimari said.

"Yeah, that's not good enough. Jalen and Nimari, you are the leaders of this team. When one of you doesn't have your shit together then no one on this team does," Coach Joey turned directly to Jalen, "I don't know what your problem has been this game but let me know when you fix it."

Jalen grit his teeth in annoyance at being called out but hesitantly nodded.

"That team isn't better than us. Y'all should be ashamed. Pack up, let's go." Coach Joey spoke.

Jalen turned to his locker and began to pull out a pair of track pants and a hoodie to wear over his basketball uniform.

"Aye," Jordan called out to him, "You good?"

"Yeah, Jordan. I'm good. My girlfriend literally ran away at the sight of me but I'm good. She gave me back everything I've ever left at her house but yeah, I'm good." Jalen said, closing his locker once he was done.

"She'll come around. Eventually." Jordan patted Jalen's back.

"I don't have time for eventually." Jalen strolled out of the locker room without another word.

He ignored the crowd and headed straight to his car.

Once he was settled comfortably in the driver's seat, Jalen took a deep breath before putting his car in drive.

Jalen turned out of the school parking lot and then down the highway, passing the exit that would've led to his house.

Jalen got on exit 89 and drove to the neighborhood where Noelani lived.

He had to see her, even knowing that she wanted nothing to do with him.

Jalen parked across the street from her house.

He could faintly see the bright light of her bedroom through her closed bay window that led to her balcony.

Jalen could make out the shape of one of her dogs walking around in her bedroom.

Noelani making it a point to speak to him about one of his icons felt like a sign.

Screw the fact that she gave him back his things.

No one falls out of love that quickly.

Jalen just had to try harder.

He grabbed his phone from the cup holder to call Jasmine, who picked up on the first ring.

"Hey, are you with Sydney?" Jalen asked.

"Yeah. Why?" She replied.

"Because I have an idea and I'm gonna need y'all's help."

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