LEAH’S POV

I woke up excited

I sat on my bed, staring into the ceiling when my phone lit up. It was a notification from Nyra, my best friend, she was on her way to my house.

I got up hurriedly, my long brown curls were a complete mess, falling over my face and shoulders. I caught my reflection in the mirror and laughed.

“Definitely need to fix that”

My room now looked empty. Suitcases were packed close to the door. With my makeup and skincare bags sitting right on top of them. On my desk was the acceptance letter I had read over and over again. UCLA. The university of California, Los Angeles.

My dream school and my basketball future.

My new life.

I picked up the letter and smiled.

For years basketball has been my only escape. The only thing I enjoyed completely.

Before the tournaments. Before the scouts. Before the rankings. There had only been me, a basketball and the court behind the house.

I recall waking up before sunrise just to train with Dad. I remember the sore muscles and bruised knees and times when I wanted to quit.

But my family had always been there for me.

They encouraged me, because basketball was the only thing I was truly passionate about. The only thing I had love for.

I glanced around my room. “I definitely forgot something.” I had barely finished texting Nyra when someone knocked on my door.

“Leah?” Mum’s voice from the other side

“Come in” I said, dropping my phone.

The door open, and Cassandra Melas steps inside. Even at six in the morning mum looked put together.

Her dark hair was neatly styled, her Loewe blouse was pressed neatly and there wasn’t a thing about her appearance suggesting that she had been awake worrying about her daughter leaving home.

That was Cassandra for you. Always polished. Always composed.

I smiled. “Morning Mum.”

“Morning baby.” She responded looking around the room.

“You’re almost packed.”

“Almost.”

“Well, almost isn’t packed”

I laughed. “I know.” She walked over and picked a shirt from the floor “Leah. This doesn’t go in your suitcase remember?”

“Why?”

“Because you packed it yesterday.” I blinked “oh.” She shook her head but there was a small smile on her face. She placed the shirt on the bed. And for a moment neither of us spoke. Then she looked at her daughter. “You’re really leaving Markis.” I was named Markis by mum, she loved calling me that.

My smile softened. “Yeah.”

Mum nodded slowly “well are you nervous?”

“A little.”

“Well that’s normal”, she responded chuckling.

I watched my mother’s face. Cassandra wasn’t the type to say everything she felt. Instead, she reached over and fixed one of my curls. “You’ll be fine.”

I smiled again. “Thanks mum.” She kissed my forehead and got up. “Breakfast in ten minutes.” As she got to the door, she turned.

“And Leah?, don’t forget to call me when you arrive okay?.”

“I won’t, I promise.” She gave me one last look before leaving. I smiled to myself, that was her way of saying I love you.

A few minutes later I headed downstairs, the smell of food immediately hitting me. Dad was in the kitchen.

Axel Melas stood over the stove wearing an apron, completely focused on whatever he was cooking.

He was a five-star chef, and somehow, even breakfast in their house felt like it belonged in a restaurant.

“Morning, Dad.” I said skipping into the kitchen.

He turned around.

“There she is.” He opened his arms and I walked straight into them. He hugged me tightly. “Look at my big baby.”

“Dad, stop. You’re embarrassing me.”

“You haven’t even left yet.” He said, chuckling,

I laughed. As he pulled away and looked at me.

“You ready?” He asks turning away. “Yes I am.” I responded rubbing my hands together. He nodded as he placed a plate in front of me. “Eat Markis.” I looked down and laughed. He made my favorite.

My younger brother, Nick, walked into the kitchen a few moments later, still half-asleep. He looked at me. “So you’re actually leaving?”

I nodded. “Of course, I wouldn’t want to see you every other day.” He opened the refrigerator. “Finally. He said rolling his eyes. I threw a napkin at him.

“Excuse me?”

Nick laughed. “I’m joking.”

“You better be.” I said smirking. He grabbed a bottle of juice and sat beside me. “You’re going to miss me.”

“Obviously.”

“More than Mum and Dad?”

I pretended to think.“Hmm.”

Nick gasped. “Wow.”

Axel laughed from the kitchen. Cassandra entered moments later, carrying her coffee. “Are you two already fighting?” She asked with her laptop in her hands.

“No,” Nick and I said together. She raised an eyebrow.

For a few minutes, everything felt normal. The kind of normal i had known my entire life.

My father’s jokes. My mother’s quiet observations and Nick’s teasing. The familiar kitchen. The familiar people.

But underneath it all was the knowledge that things were about to change. I looked around the table and suddenly realized that I was going to miss this, more than i wanted to admit.

Cassandra noticed.“You’ll come home.”

“I know mum.”

“And we’ll call.”

“I know.”

“And you have Nyra with you.”

I smiled. Dad placed another piece of food onto my plate and don’t forget you have your basketball.”

I looked at him. “I know that one isn’t going anywhere.”

I laughed soflty and returned to eating.

After breakfast, I returned upstairs for the final check. Clothes. Checked.

Laptop. Checked.

All my Basketball shoes. Checked.

Documents. Checked.

Phone charger. Checked. I looked around my room one last time, this room had seen everything. My childhood, victories, failures, tears, my dreams. I picked up the framed photograph on my desk. It was a picture of my family from years ago. I smiled while placing it carefully into my bag. Then i heard a car horn outside. Nyra was here. My heart jumped as I grabbed my suitcase. Dad came upstairs to help carry the bags.Cassandra followed behind him.

Nick stood at the bottom of the stairs. “You better not become famous and forget us,” he called.“Never” I said laughing.

Outside, Nyra leaned against the car. She smiled when she saw me approaching.

“Ready? She asked. I looked back at my family, at my home.Then i looked toward the road ahead.

College.

A new beginning. I took a deep breath.

“Ready.”

I hugged mom first.Cassandra held her tightly.

“Make yourself proud,” she whispered. I swallowed.

“I will mama.”

Dad hugged me next.“Go show them what you can do.”

“I will Dad.”

Nick pulled me into a quick hug. “Don’t get annoying.”

“You’re already annoying enough for both of us.” I said ruffling his hair. He laughed, gently pushing me away.

I finally climbed into the car and watched my family disappear behind as we pulled away. I turned toward the window. My heart was racing I had spent years preparing for this moment.

I had no idea that the biggest challenge waiting for me in California wouldn’t be basketball.

It wwould be Avery Dalton.