Chapter Text
IKTAN Mᯓ★
Nicholas left about an hour ago. His mom pulled up in their car on my driveway, waving from the driver’s seat. Before he left he gave me this look like “you good?” without even needing to say anything. I nodded. He bumped my fist before jogging down and smiled and left without a trace.
Getting ready wearing the same thing I wear everyday, my go to Levi jeans just adding a different shirt white black you name it. After putting my clothes on I ate another chocolate concha while scrolling through my past messages bored out of my mind, sighing I whipped my AirPods out of my pocket and listened to a playlist from somebody.
Final Days by Michael Kiwanuka
Final days on the planet
Here we are, on the ground
Every day, automatic
Here we are, goin' ‘round and ‘round and ‘round
In the midst of the world, we soon will part ways with one another. The hands we always used to shake with one another become nothing but just a memory fading away as we get older. Growing up was the worst thing ever, when I was a kid you could say life was easier and less rough those days myself was more joyful? There was this feeling that couldn’t be described in words or just in general and I wanted to know how to describe it. Sunlight always shined in my face but now it’s passed on to kids who enjoy their youth now, to turn back time though it wasn't possible.
Days went by fast, the end of middle school coming quickly, I savored those moments in Ms. G's when we always used to argue about the worksheets and loads of work. Mr. Manor's, where embracing myself physically was free with my friends and my sport making me feel included, Ms. Vickery who taught me so much about the real world and set me up for math in high school. Mr. Spitalare, who taught me the precision of success is not to be measured, Ms. Huang... well, not that much to say about her. Lastly, Ms. Weathers, who made me love history more than I ever did and enjoy learning with my friends.
Finally it was the last week of 8th grade and middle school. I'll be in high school in 3 months and honestly time went quicker than I expected.
Today was Thursday May 29th 2026 and we had just one day before the end of the semester and middle school. Throughout the day the carnival was alright. I myself didn't find it enjoyable but with my friends everything was fun. Shave ice tasted like straight water and popcorn just tasted like unseasoned popcorn?
Looking amongst the crowd, noticing someone, her, standing in silence. Without a single breath I stood while waiting to play basketball with Martin.
“Yo, Iktan, you alright?” Martin's voice flooded my ear. I responded quickly, “Yeah I’m good.”. Lies were dancing on my tongue while slapping the palm of my hand to my forehead. I stared out at the sixth graders playing soccer on the small field in the Quad. Suddenly, a loud voice over the intercom interrupts my thoughts.
“Alrighty! The next team up playing is The Warriors!” A volunteer said cheerily. Me and Martin step forwards, pulling on our shitty jerseys.
“C’mon Martin, we’ve got this!” I clap him on the back, not quite sure who I’m encouraging.
“Yeah!” He says enthusiastically, seemingly not noticing the dull expression on my face. I look out to the crowd and immediately spot Abigail. Her bright eyes shimmering with awe. She’s daintily shoveling the terrible popcorn they served us into her mouth, and I think I fall in love a little more.
“Hey c’mon dude! Snap out of your trance, we’ve got a game to win here!” Martin snaps me out of my thoughts, and maybe I’m a little thankful.
We play a quick game against another eighth grade team. I look across the field and lay my eyes on my best friend. Nick is standing the the opposite goal, looking nonchalant as always. My palms start to sweat heavily inside my goalie gloves. I know we’re going to lose now. There is no way I can even compare to Nick’s insane abilities. I wipe the sweat off of my forehead and shake myself. I can’t let my own team down, as much as I’m tempted to.
The whistle blows and the field is a blur of purple and yellow mesh jerseys. I can barely keep track of the ball, even when it comes at me, I barely scrape my fingertips across the surface.
I groan, disappointed that I just scored the opposing team the first point. I watch solemnly as Martin and Jacob run up to me.
“Hey man, we’ve gotta be on our A game. We CANNOT lose this please Iktan.” Their persistent enthusiasm raises me up slightly.
“Okay guys. I’ve totally got the next one, trust me.” My voice wavers imperceptibly as I look out again at Nick, Abigail almost directly behind his goal. My friends don’t notice, however, and walk away planning their next offence strategy.
A sigh escapes my mouth as I get myself into a ready position, bracing myself for the ball to come flying towards me. It does soon enough. Our defence is fighting for their lives as the other team’s offence quickly advances towards me. I adjust my gloves, tightening them, and lunge through the air as a whirlwind of white and black hurtle straight at me. As I land roughly on the ground, I can feel the weighty ball stuck firmly in my hands. Cheers erupt around me as my teammates help me to my feet. I throw the ball back onto the field and the game resumes as usual. My eyes track my teammates as they scatter across the field, chasing after the ball. Martin acquires the ball and makes a daring shot, aiming for the right side of Nick’s net. He jumps, throwing himself in the direction Martin kicked, but he misses. The ball dents the back of the net as Nick falls to the floor. His teammates groan as Nick stands up and brushes himself off, adjusting his gloves — a nervous tick of his.
Proud and grinning, I sneak a glance behind the net, looking for Abigail, and I find her already staring at me. I smile harder, cocking my head as a slight wave. I watch as she turns to her friends, beaming like a ray of sunshine. I look back out towards the game, and I notice Nick staring at me too, he has a hard expression on his face, and I know that means that he’s displeased with himself. My face falls, just barely. I hate seeing him upset because I know how it feels.
NICHOLAS L ⋆˙⟡
How could I let that ball get by me? There is no way I’m telling my father about this. Thank God I’m staying with Mom today. There is dirt covering my right side and I can feel my hip throbbing where it harshly met with the ground. I’m so disappointed with myself, I’m not sure if I’ve ever felt this strongly unhappy before. I don’t even know why I’m so upset. Maybe it’s because I’m playing against Iktan instead of with him. I know he’s a better player, and I know that I’m insecure about it. I saw him staring at that girl from history, and I feel kind of jealous. My thoughts are running away from me and I cannot keep up with them. I take some deep breaths to calm myself and I adjust my gloves once more, attempting to focus on the game.
My face brightens slightly as my team scores point after point, I know that lunch is almost over and I know that we’re close to winning. Iktan’s teammates come closer, the ball darting between their cleats and I prepare myself. Eyes locked onto the ball, I leap up into the air and grasp it safely in my gloved hands. The referees call it a game and I break out into joyful laughter. I won! We won! Aarav and my other teammates and friends surround me, praising me. I’m so happy as I scan the crowd. Iktan is huddled close with his team but I can see his face, he looks slightly sad, but also happy at the same time. This confuses me to I continue to look around at my classmates. I spot one girl looking straight at me. I recognize her as one of Abigail’s friends, Lizzette Price. I know that she’s really smart and popular but that’s about it. She’s got this look on her face that has me mesmerized and I have to look away, back to my team.
I break free of them to grab my backpack and pose for a picture right as the bell rings. I look behind me and I catch the sight of Lizzette walking to her next class. As she disappears behind the building, someone grabs my shoulder.
“Good game out there, Nick.” Iktan says kindly.
“Yeah you too. I saw that save in the beginning.”
“Aw, that was nothing. You on the other hand were a superstar! You should get a scholarship to Mitty for soccer or something. You’re really amazing, Nick.” He smiles brightly at me, and I can tell that he whole-heartedly believes the words he’s saying.
“I would only accept it if you would get to come too.” I sincerely say back. He turns away, his dark skin flushing slightly. He takes his hand off of my shoulder. “I’m gonna meet up with Gio and talk to him for a bit, I’ll catch you in science, yeah?” He nods as I walk briskly away. I wipe the sweat off my forehead as I catch sight of Giovanny in the midst of the hallway.