Zion had a brief pickup orders to deliver before picking Arielle for the party. He brushed into the studio dropping off his friend's new sneakers.

“Thanks, man!” Oliver flaunted his white kicks as well as the rest who received the orders. Oliver is Zion’s teammate, from a wealthy background but has a thing for identifying with the hood. His forced accent didn’t fit but no one argued with him.

“Are you coming to the beach party tonight?” They asked almost simultaneously. He was the most reserved in their team. More interested in bringing smiles to their faces by taking their last minute orders or even covering up for them.

“Yeah,” with a smile, “I just need to go get dressed and pick Arielle.”

A wispy silence engulfed the room. “You mean coach Monroe’s crippled daughter?”

“Oliver?!” Something was wrong not only in the condescending tone in which he spoke about her but also the adjective.

“Her name’s Arielle.”

“Come on, Man!”

Jack brushing his shoulder, “I thought what you did the other day at the stadium was just to build your fan base.” He pulled out his phone opening Zion’s social media handle. “Your followers went up by 5,000 after that kind gesture.”

“Fan base?” Scoffing, “I was just being nice and…she’s my friend.”

They all erupted in laughter pushing him into a state of confusion. “Just friends?”

“Yeah,” hiding a blush, “just friends…is it a crime? She reminds me of my little sister.”

“It’s not a crime,” Oliver holding back his laughter, “but I have one advise though, ensure she knows that.”

Brushing off the advise, “she knows that…y’all need to start prepping for the party instead of focusing on me.”

“Wait!” Oliver pulling him back, “prom is next weekend, who are you taking? All the ladies have refused to give us an answer because the great Zion Carter hasn’t chosen his queen.”

Yanking off Oliver’s hand. “I have more things to think of than prom.”

The boys gave themselves a quick stare, “like what?”

“The NBA draft, the agents were at the last game. We are yet to hear from them.”

“Doesn’t have to kill your love for prom!” Jack hurled behind him. Picking the empty boxes, he headed out. He would have loved to talk more with them but he gave Arielle a fixed time. Pushing back the thoughts of their words but prom lingered longer. He has always had one femme damsel that’s he wished he could take to the prom. While waiting for the draft, maybe he could focus on asking her.

Getting home, he hastily got dressed in his sunny beach wear. It was absurd to have a beach party at night but the host was Tamar and she had a thing for breaking norms hence everyone had to queue and list their names to attend. He took his mother’s car as his ride for the night. It wasn’t the finest but he chose to think about its utility.

He was dumbfounded to realize that Arielle wasn’t dressed.

“I thought we agreed to be out by 7pm.” Lifting his wristwatch to his face, “this is 7:30.”

Placing her hands in the armrest of her wheelchair, “I’m not going anymore.”

The fire he had sparked in her eyes were gone. “Why?”

“Nothing.” Her words simple yet were heavy and ladened with emotions that he couldn’t explain. He bent down to meet her face, “that’s unlike you.”

“You don’t know me!” Pushing him back, “all you care about is using me for your stupid online followers!” Holding out her phone to the page which Samantha had shown her earlier.

“That’s not true, Arielle. I really care about you. I hardly even check my fan base. You promised to not let what people say deter you.”

He stared at her with pity in his eyes, the longer he stared, the more of Rachel he saw in her.

“Fine! I’ll…try and get ready…not promising anything.” With a pouting expression. All she needed was more push and confirmation from Zion.

“I’ll be waiting downstairs.” Rushing down to wait.

In the next few minutes, she was done. Flowery patterned crotchety green two piece fitted and accentuated her features. Her blonde hair resting on her shoulders

“You look beautiful.” As he took control of the wheel, helping her into the car.

“I can’t believe my dad is allowing me out this late with a guy.” She mumbled to herself but loud enough for him to take note.

“I’m not just any guy. Your dad knows I’m a good guy plus we are granting his wish. He wants to see you bubbly and back to your usual self.” His voice going lower like a guardian. It was a part of him she didn’t like.

“Enough about my dad, let’s talk about prom. Who is your date for the night?” Her ears were itching. It was her dream ever since they began to talk.

“I don’t get the hype about prom.” His eyes fixing on the steering wheel, “but one thing is certain, with the hype around it, I’ll have to pick my date tonight.”

Arielle’s smile faltered, eyes latched on to him and admiring him like she hadn’t stared at him properly. She couldn’t wait for that moment.

Samantha was there to receive them at the party. Zion handed them some drinks before getting busy with his friends and teammates.

Arielle’s eyes followed him wherever he went.

“You have to stop lusting about the basket baller and actually enjoy the party.”

Playing with the straw on her cocktail, “he is my party. Did you see the way Bianca and her stupid minions stared at us with jaws dropped when we stepped in?”

Samantha nodded, “I guess you’ll be off their hooks for now.”

Arielle turning to her with excitement in her eyes, “I will be off their hooks forever. Today he expressed his care for me and also spoke to me about prom.” Her face flushed and stomach bubbly.

“He asked you to be his date?”

“Not technically,” smiling wryly, “but he hinted it. I’m sure he’s going to ask tonight.”

Samantha trying to make more sense of the situation. “He said he’s going to ask you, tonight?”

“I guess…” rolling her eyes, “I mean which other girl will he ask out if not me?”

“Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!”

A loud chorus ongoing which captures their attention. Samantha wheeling Arielle to observe the spectacle. Her heart sank into her belly, her face ghost white.

There he was on his knees in front of Mary Jane. All lights and cameras fixed on the spotlight moment of the night.

“Yes, I’ll be your prom date.”