Alien Romance: Interview with an Alien (Football Paranormal Invasion Abduction Alpha Sci-fi Romance) (Fantasy First New Adult Contact Science Fiction Mystery Sports Alien Short Stories) (44 page)

*****

              Class was kind of hard to get into. Not only in my head was I dealing with the whole NBA draft thing, but I was also trying to reach out to Simone, but so far got no response. My professor was trying to teach me economics but I couldn’t even pay attention.

“Mr. Wood?” my professor called out to me. She crossed her arms and handed me a worksheet. “Since you have time to daydream, you can have time to do this and hand it to me tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry Ms. Maxen,” I apologized. Just then she dismissed the class.

              Luckily it was my last class. I headed to the gym for practice. I was just not into anything. I wanted to be left alone, but I didn’t have that option. I had to get up, shake it off, and get my head back into basketball. After all, basketball was what was going to save me and my whole family. The weight of all my obligations started to push against my shoulder blades. I shook my head trying to free myself of that feeling but it wasn’t easy. I can’t believe I didn’t get drafted, or at least looked at.

              “Yo!” Aaron came up behind me. “Where you at? I’ve been calling you for the longest and you just walk past me.”

“My fault,” I sighed. “My head is just all over the place.”

“Why?” He look confused at first but then he rolled his eyes. “Please don’t tell me it’s still over what happened? I know I was pissed off, but I had to let it go. I’m not mad anymore.”

“Come on, I know that I’m not the only one upset. You help me train him too and I know you wanted to get drafted or at least get a meeting. So how fucked up is it that we help that dude out and he’s the one that gets called up. That should have been us. If it was you, I wouldn’t even be feeling this way because I know how well you play, but him? He should have never gotten that. Shit, had I known, I would have never gave him the chance.”

“I know it’s fucked up, but you have to remember that we helped him so that he could help us later in the game. And as messed up as it is, we should be proud that we got him that far.” He tried to make me feel better, but I couldn’t get into it. “This is a waste of time. I’m looking at your face and I can see that you don’t care at all. We’re just going to have to find a way to put this in the past and leave it there.”

“I know.”

“We have to put our head back into the game and that’s it.”

“I don’t know…”

“If you can’t, then sit on the bench. I don’t need you out there with your head not in the game.”

              Aaron was right. I had to put this behind me. As much as I hate it, it was done. There is no sense in me going over it again and again. I just have to find a way to let it go.

              “You’re right.” I nodded. “Let’s get back into the game.”

“Yes please, because I think if you and me put everything into it, we can get a championship. If we get to the finals, we both know what that means.”

“Scouts.”

“For sure, there will be a scout. Now we were lucky that one came to the game the other night, we were really lucky for that, but that’s not how it usually happens. We have to buckle down, and get into these games, and win them.”

“We? We meaning the whole team right. Remember, it’s not just us,” I reminded him.

“Oh, I know it’s not just us, but look at what we did with Dwayne. We turned him into a great fucking athlete, or at least we made him look good. If we take this mindset to the whole team, do you know what we can do?” He had that smile on his face. Oh shit, that means trouble.

“I’m scared. That smile on your face…” I laughed. “That can only mean that there’s trouble up ahead.”

“No, not really,” he chuckled. “I think that means we can turn this whole team around. We can be that team.”

“90s Bulls?” I made my hand into a fist, waiting for him to bump it.

“90s
Chicago
Bulls.” He confirmed by bumping his fist into mine.

              Practice was a little rocky at first. My head wasn’t into it, but after Aaron shot me a hard look, I forced myself to get back into it. I was running up and the down the court better, passing smoother, and even shooting better.

“My two boys!” The Coach blew his whistle. “You guys are finally playing the way I want you to,” he beamed coming up to Aaron and me. “I guess it’s better late than never. I don’t know what happened that got you into the game, but quite frankly I don’t care. Everyone gather around.” The rest of the players came to us.

“As you can see, Dwayne is missing. I’m proud to say that he’s meeting with very important people and for now, he’s no longer with us.” Everyone just looked at each other. I was hoping that he wouldn’t bring it up, but I just swallowed my pride once again.

Coach continued, “I’m proud of him but I can’t let that distract us from what is going on. In two days, we meet up with our longtime rivals. I don’t have to tell you how important this game is. It’s not the playoffs or the finals, but it’s a big game for us. They have beaten this university for the past two years. We are going to make damn sure that this year we end that streak. Is that clear?”

“Yes sir!” We all chanted.

“Now get out of here, you guys stink,” he joked and walked away.

              After hitting the showers, I got dressed and made my way out of the gym.

“You don’t call. You don’t text. You try to eat me out and yet you don’t keep in contact.” Simone’s sweet and playful voice brought a smile immediately to my face.

“Hey you.”

“Hey, stranger.”

“Stranger? I tried to reach out to you and you didn’t hit me back up.”

“What are you talking about? My phone didn’t ring once or beep once. I got nothing from you all day.”

“Well, I reached out to you.” I dug into my pocket and pulled out my smart phone. I pulled up my call record and showed her all the times I dialed her number. “See?”

“But that doesn’t make sense,” she took out her phone. “Because I haven’t-” She suddenly stopped short. “Oh, my Wi-Fi is off.” She started giggling.

              Simone’s energy was so happy and great. She always brought me up. I didn’t want to change the vibe by mentioning what happened before, but I wanted her to know how sorry I was. I wanted her to know that I wasn’t trying to take advantage of her at all.

“Don’t kill me, but I just want to talk to you about what happened the other night.”

“Can we not?” Her face was cringing a little bit. I knew that she was a little bit uncomfortable.

“No, just real quick. When you didn’t take my calls, I thought that you were ignoring me, but now that I see it was an error with your phone, I get it. I just wanted to tell you that I didn’t plan for it to go that far. I didn’t plan for it to go down like that. I don’t want you to think that was the whole reason to why I bought you out to the motel. I really do go out there to be alone.”

“You can save the rest of your speech. I never thought that you did that on purpose. I think we both just got carried away with what was happening. I should have never went with you.”

“Then why did you?”

“I didn’t want the night to end. I was having a really great time with you.”

“Me too.”

“And since the last time we hung out, it was something for you, I’d like for us to do something I like.”

              I just looked at her. She was so electric. I just felt so drawn to her. Of course, she was beautiful. Even as she wore simple tights and a long t-shirt, she was still stunning to me. But besides her looks, she was just a warm soul.

“So, what are we going to do?”

“We’re going to make some dresses.”

“Wait, what?”

              Simone brought me to this fabric store. I felt like an odd man out, but Simone was so cool. Even though I didn’t know what she was talking about, she would bring me to every piece of fabric and explain it to me.

“Now you see this fabric is gold and soft. I really like it and I think it could make a great skirt.”

“You seem to know a lot about this.”

“Well, I do blog about fashion.”

“Yeah, but the way you go about it, it’s almost as if you should be making clothes too.”

“It’s funny that you say that because that is a dream of mine. I’d love to have my own fashion line. I like to make my own clothes from time to time.”

“You make your own clothes?”

“Yeah. Remember that jumpsuit, I wore that one time?” I thought back and nodded my head.

“I remember it alright,” I winked. “You made that?”

“Yes, I did. So from time to time I like to make my own clothes. I come here and buy some fabrics to go with some sketches.”

“You sketch too?” I asked and she nodded her head.

              Simone was really a breath of fresh air. I'm so used to the girls just wanting to be all about me. They weren’t their own person. It was like they were my trophy girl. You could tell that if I made it to the NBA, all they wanted to do was live the lifestyle and spend my money. With Simone, I don’t think I have to worry about that. She had goals and dreams. She was always working, always moving, just always doing something. She never stood still and that just made me like her more.

              “So when I said earlier about us and dresses…”

“Yes, I was a little concerned about that.”

“I bought some fabric a month earlier and I’ll be trying on the dress later today.”

“And why are we here?”

“Because I need more fabric because I want to make other dresses.”

“So you just make a whole bunch of dresses for yourself?”

“Yup. I have dresses for all occasions. I have evening gowns, party dresses, cocktail dresses...”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” We both laughed. “But I do find it crazy that you have all these dresses and nowhere to wear them. I’ll have to change that.”

“What does that mean?”

“I want to take you out on a date to a place where you can show off one of your dresses.”

              The smile on her face grew so wide. She immediately got into my arms and hugged me. I was taken back but she really surprised me when she tongued kissed me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and I brought mine around her waist. She smelled so good and felt even better. I was trying not to get carried away but it was hard not to. I wanted her so much but I had to respect her wishes on waiting. She wasn’t making it easy though doing things like this.             

              “Really?” she asked me. “You’re not just saying that?”

“No, I want to take you out on a real date. Not to some pizza place either.”

“Hey, I happen to really like pizza,” she playfully hit my arm. “So where to?”

“It’s going to be a surprise.”

“I like that,” she gave me a quick peck. “So when is this date?”

“How about tonight?”

“Tonight? You don’t think that is so soon?”

“It’s only four in the afternoon.”

“Do you know how long it takes me to get ready?”

“But you’re naturally beautiful so it shouldn’t take so long.”

“You’re about to sweet talk these panties off,” she teased. “So how about this? You head back to the dorms and do what you have to do.”

“And what about you?”

“I’m going to go to my seamstress and get into my dress.”

“I thought I was coming with you?”

“No, let us both have surprises for each other tonight.”

*****

              I checked my phone. It was 7:00 p.m. It was almost time for our date. We were going to meet in front of the science building at 7:45. I had a few surprises for her in store. I booked a reservation at a great restaurant. I looked it up online and saw these great reviews. The prices were a bit high, but I’ve always saved money and had funds on hand. I’ve also made money with Aaron. Every now and again, he’d have us host an event. It was an easy $2000 or so, so I went along with it. Although I had a full scholarship which included room and board, it didn’t really put money in my pockets and sometimes I needed spending money. Dates like these reminded me why I did need money.             

              Finally, it was time. I waited for her in front of the science building. I was anticipating for her to come late as women usually did, but a minute after I got there, she came up. My mouth dropped when I saw her. She now had long, black, wavy hair with some light brown highlights. Her dress was long and fit her body well. It was either green or blue, I couldn’t tell, but I don’t care. All I know is that she looked great.

              “Wow,” I told her while looking her up and down. “Just wow.”

“Do you like this mermaid dress?” she asked in a playful voice.

“Is that what it is?” I took her hand and spun her around. “I won’t lie to you, but I don’t really care.” She laughed. “You look…” I drifted off. “I can’t even collect the words to tell me how good you look. You just glow.”

“Thank you,” she spun around one more time. “Aren’t you glad that I made you wait to see the dress?”

“Yes I am,” I licked my lips.

“Don’t,” she said out of nowhere.

“What?”

“Don’t you look at me like that.”

“Like how?”

“Stop looking at me like you want to fuck me.”

“I can’t help it.”

              I extended my arm out and we began walking out of the campus. People were staring at us. I’m sure we looked like we were going to a red carpet or something. I was dressed in a casual suit myself. It’s what I bought back at home in Brooklyn. My father would tell me that I should always have a suit, just in case of a special occasion. I fought with him throughout the whole process, but when we were finished, I was glad that I did.

              “So, I know that this whole restaurant thing is supposed to be a big surprise,” she said.

“Yes?”

“Is there any way that I can get a clue?’

“Oh my gosh. How could I forget?”

“So, you’re going to give me a clue?”

“God, no,” I took out my phone and smiled when I saw the notification.

“What are you looking at? Why are you smiling?”

“Because part one of the surprise is almost here.”

              Just then an all-black car pulled up. It was sleek and luxurious. I walked up to the back passenger door. I opened it and gestured for her to come over.

“What are you doing?” she asked, looking confused.

“It’s our ride.”

“What? But it’s so fancy.” She bent over and peeked inside. “This is like a Mercedes,” She remarked.

“It is a Mercedes,” I told her and she opened her eyes wide. “Now get inside, we have a schedule to keep.”

              We got in and within seconds, the car pulled off. We drove for what seemed like miles. I tried to make small talk with Simone, but all she was interested in was where we were going. She couldn’t keep the conversation going without veering off into what we were about to do.

“But what if I’m overdressed?” she asked.

“Look at what I’m wearing. If you’re overdressed, then that would mean that I’m overdressed too.” I chuckled. “Just relax, we’re almost there.”

              Sure enough, the Mercedes stop in front of the restaurant. Simone’s jaw dropped open.

“This is where we’re going?”

I didn’t bother to answer her question. I just got out and came around the other side to open the door for her. When she put her hands within mine, she had the biggest smile on her face.

“Wow, I really don’t know what to say.”

“That’s a first,” I joked and she poked me with her elbow. “Are you ready?” She nodded her head excitedly and we went in.

              The online photos of this place didn’t do it justice. It was like a palace. I’m really glad to be in this suit and Simone in her dress. We fit right in. When the maître d’ saw us, he greeted us with a warm and inviting smile.

“You are both looking lovely tonight.”

“Thank you so much,” Simone spoke first.

“Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes under Benjamin Wood.”

The maître d’ looked at down at his tablet. He swiped his fingers in a few directions and then smiled.

“Of course. Right this way.” He walked in front of us and we followed. When we got to the table, he pulled out Simone’s chair.

“If you don’t mind, I would like to do that,” I stepped in.

“Of course, sir.”

“Mmm, such a gentleman,” Simone boasted. She sat down as I gently pushed the seat in.

After our orders
had been
taken, we started talking about our future. I finally let her in on how disappointed I was about Dwayne. She just nodded her head as I spoke. When I finished, she just smiled.

“What is it?” I questioned.

“You know, with the way that this world is going, I don’t think you’re up with the times.”

“What do you mean? I have Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and all of that nonsense.”

“That’s good that you have it, but how do you use it? Is it helping you? Is it helping your brand?”

“My brand?” I was confused. “What do you mean?”

“What I mean is, that this is a new era, this is a new day. The old days of getting drafted are pretty much about to be over. You have to get in another way.”

“You’re trying to say that I can’t get in the old fashioned way?”

“I’m sure you can. I think what I’m trying to say is that you can’t think that it’s only one way to get in the NBA. Look at you, you’re going to wait for a big game to come along and hope that you get seen by a scout, and that’s good, but it’s slow. You need to be doing more.”

“But I’m playing the best that I can.”

“Yeah, but besides us at the school, who else really knows?” She shot a look at me. “Do you know how many clips of you are out there on the internet?”

“Probably a few.”

“And none of them are from you. None of them lead to you. Do you realize all the clips about you playing ball go to someone else? Everyone goes to watch a video of you but it’s on someone else’s page or on the school website, but there is nothing that leads directly to you. You need to start branding yourself.”

              I was really shocked to hear that. I’ve never heard anybody tell me that before. All I ever heard was that I needed to play hard and that maybe I will get seen by someone important, but what Simone was telling me was that I had to have my face out there. I had to put myself out there and have them come to me.

“That is pretty smart,” I nodded my head slowly. “I never thought of that. One of these days, we’re going to talk about that.”

“We can do that now.”

“Now, it’s about you and me. Let’s leave basketball out of this.”

“What about you and me?”

“I don’t think that I have to state the obvious. I like you.”

“You do?” she batted her eyelashes at me. She was always joking.

“You know that I do. The more I hang out with you, I can see that it’s more than a physical thing.”

“Physical? Are you really attracted to me?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

              She didn’t answer me. Luckily for her, our food came in. She just started picking at her grilled chicken salad. She wasn’t even really eating it, but she just made sure that her face was concentrated on the plate. I leaned closer.

“Hey, what’s up?” I asked. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She still wasn’t looking at me. She then took a deep breath and dropped her fork. “Don’t get me wrong, I know that I’m cute. I might even be pretty but sometimes the way you look at me…”

“What about it?”

“You look at me like I’m so sexy.”

“But you are,” I told her seriously. “I don’t get it that the woman that sketched and designed that sexy dress for herself could not think that she herself was sexy. You are so beautiful and should be so confident.”

“I don’t know,” She sounded so unsure.

“You know what drew me to you on the first day that I met you?”

“No, what was it?”

‘It was your confidence. You just told off those girls and walked away like nothing could phase you. What happened to that girl?”

“She’s still here.”

“Good, because I really liked her.”

“I like you too.”

              The rest of dinner went great. She got up briefly to use the restroom a few times. I guess the sparkling cider was getting to her, but aside from that, we were having a great time. She told me more about her fashion line and how it would be for all sizes. She was an English major but she wanted to go to a fashion school before she started her fashion line.

              “So, what about you?”

“What about me?” I shrugged my shoulders. “You already know my plan. I’m going to get into the NBA.” She nodded her head very slowly. “Are you going to be like others and ask me what my backup plan is?” She shook her head ‘no’. “Why not?”

“Because plan B distracts from plan A,” she stated brilliantly. “But there has to be something that you want to do besides, just basketball.”

“To be honest, I haven’t given it much thought,” I confessed. “I guess if I even think about it, it feels like I’m betraying a dream.”

“So let’s put it this way. You’re in the NBA but now you’re about to retire, what are you about to do?”

“I don’t even know how to answer that question because that thought rarely crosses my mind.”

“Well, you better get to thinking about it or you just might end up on one of those awful reality shows.”

“Not even!” I chuckled out loud.

“You might be on there looking for love.”

“Hopefully not. Hopefully, I have that situation taken care of.”

“You hope to be married?” She sipped on her drink slowly but never took her eyes off of me.

“I do want to be married.”

“And you want kids?”

“Yup.”

“That’s so sweet and rare for guys our age. Our generation isn’t really into that,” She smiled.

“Well, I am. And I’m into you too.”

              Our check arrived and I thanked the waiter. I looked at the receipt, preparing for the worst, but there was nothing there but a note.

Your dinner was on the house. We are all big fans.

There was a smiley face at the end. That was one huge advantage of being in a town like this. If you played on the teams, people really knew you. I knew I was getting spoiled with all this treatment, but I heard that the football players were like gods amongst men. They got almost everything. I went into my wallet and put three $20 bills in there. The service was impeccable and I needed to find some small way to thank them.

              “Are you ready to go?” I got up and extended out my hand. She just put her hand within mine. We walked out holding hands and it felt right. It felt like we were a couple for a while and this is just something we do all the time. We got outside and I took my phone out.

“What are you doing? Are you ordering another Uber?” She gave me a slick smile.

“Not just any Uber, but an Uber XL.” I laughed. “That’s how we got that luxury car.

“I can’t lie, I was very impressed but I’m not expecting that treatment, all the time.”

“Why not? If I got it, I will get it for you,” I looked at her. “You’re not some basic chick.”

“Thank you for that,” She smiled. “But please don’t order an Uber.”

“Why not? I want us to ride back in style.”

“I’m flattered, but I have a surprise for you. So, I need to get the Uber.”

“I’ll pay for it.”

“I’m glad for the suggestion, but I got this.”

              When the Uber pulled up, I opened the door for her. I was curious to where I was being taken to but I was being as patient as I can. The comforting smile on Simone’s face was reassuring.

“This place?” I started.

“Yes?”

“Is it outdoors?”

“Wait and see B-Wood,” She winked at me. I shrugged my shoulders and just leaned back.

              We weren’t on the road for long. We stopped and I looked out the window. We were by some houses, but I still was confused. Was she bringing me to a house party? I got out of the car and then opened the door for her. She thanked the driver and he was on his way. I looked at the houses, trying to figure out which one we were going to go into. I saw a house down the block that had people sitting out in front of it. I guess that was it and took her hand. I started walking towards the house but she pulled her hand away.