Spunky? Who are You Callin Me Spunky?!

"I don't trust easily." He felt the need to warn her, "So don't expect me to be open to you or whatever. Not exactly the friend type." He said with a shake of his head as he returned to his food. She nodded though she obviously wasn't giving up,"It all depends on what you want, spunky." He said with a cocky laugh.

"Spunky?" She asked with a snicker, leaning her head in her free hand as she looked him over. "Who ya callin, spunky?" She raised a brow as her gaze met his once more.

He smirked at her and shrugged. "You." she rolled her eyes, surprised to find her heart beating a little quicker.

He was built for what she wanted, that's for sure. Strong, slender, dark, and brooding. "Wanna see some real spunk? Meet me at the court during 'enrichment'," she challenged with a curved smile, making the air quotes herself.

He laughed and shook his head. "Sure thing." He said rather jokingly as he rubbed his head. She grinned at his acceptance. He sighed deeply and leaned on his hand. Not feeling very hungry, he figured he'd get 'dressed eventually. His grace period of a day was quickly closing.

She bounced a bit in her seat. "Yay!" She giggled excitedly, bringing curious eyes to their direction. Honestly Shane was relieved to be away from his unrighteous father, but this new girl was almost too much for him. Jesseye finished quickly then jumped up,"Cya then!" She punched his arm playfully and trotted off snickering.

Was it just her or did he seem less annoyed today? She shrugged it off as she left the room to join the Bible study a few of the older women ran. She was new to the faith, but obviously very passionate. She doubted she'd find a group of Christians this strong on the outside, so she wanted to learn all she could while she could.

Her fiery ponytail swished as she warmed up in the court afterwards. She was a natural to the game. Her height, coupled with her many years of playing, nearly guaranteed victory. "So?" He questioned as he stood in front of her, blocking her way to the hoop. "You a cute little Christian girl then, huh?" He asked with a smirk.

Her lips twisted fondly as she nodded,"Yup!" He'd have no chance and she knew that. This was more than just a game. She needed to change his view of her, earn his respect. It was her only chance if she wanted him on her side.

"I saw you go to that study thing." He almost mocked, watching her ball bounce between her long white fingers and the cement court. "How'd you end up getting into the robber gig, hmm?" He asked.

She slowed for a moment to think, cocking her head ever so slightly, "Um.." She was a bit taken aback by his frankness. He took her slow gears as an opportunity to grab the ball and dart the other way. "Hey!" She shouted before running down the court after him. "I gotta a dream! Annndd," she nearly knocked the ball out of his hands,"Dreams cost money!"

He jumped and hit the backboard just as she reached him. He caught it then tossed it back to her with a smirk. "Cute little Christian girl in the slammer. Don't think your God would be very proud."

Jesseye grinned at him with a sort of joy he couldn't understand,"This is where he found me. He's happy where I'm at," she talked confidently while she swished a basket,"Oh, thanks for the compliment by the way!" She trotted off to reclaim her ball.

He rolled his eyes, a scowl forming on his lips. "Sure." He said with a cool edge of annoyance.

She bounced it to him to test,"Now, you ready to play or not, hot shot?!" Her smile curved into a smirk at the game ahead.

He scoffed and shrugged before throwing it back,"Sure. You're on." He said before sprinting at her. She dodged just in time and caused him to stumble forward. He spun on his heels and tried to catch her, but she got to the hoop long before he could. "Ok ok, I see you."

She glanced over her shoulder as her ball hit the corner of the square,"What?" she asked, loving the sound of this game swishing in her favor, "Shorty gotta problem?"

"You're taller, you have an advantage." He commented with a smirk, snatching her ball out from under the basket, "It's not fair."

She scoffed and teased him a bit before hitting it out of his hands,"Not according to God!" She chuckled loudly as she now dribbled it once again. He growled and lunged at her. She let him try to take it from her then turned slightly and shot a three pointer. "Awweee, look at the whittle boy run!" She couldn't help taunting as she clapped slowly.

He clenched his jaw and grabbed the ball as it hit the ground. "Jerk." He glared shot her a death glare. She crossed her arms, giving her shoulders a shrug. He didn't really like her much. "I'm not little. And don't call me little." He said, his brown eyes flashing with anger.

She put her hands up in defense,"Okay, okay." she spoke with a now nervous grin, "I was just joking," she sighed and chewed the inside of her cheek.

He looked up at the clock on the wall and bounced the ball lightly. "You win." He decided, throwing the ball away from them both. She jumped at the clanging sound of it hitting the chain link fence and burst after it. He wasn't much in the mood to play anymore. Her high energy and joy rubbed him the wrong way. Did she really think her innocent act would fool him? He scoffed and stalked across the yard. She had something foul up her sleeve and he wanted nothing to do with it.

She threw the ball in its metal container and ran after him,"Wait, wait, I'm sorry!" She frowned at herself for throwing such insults. She stopped in front of him and shook her head, sucking in a breath, "Another game, okay? Something you're good at," she pleaded with him, clasping her hands together. She didn't want to lose a friend this quickly.

His golden eyes pierced harshly through her. He hoped she felt guilty. She deserved it, this place. "I don't do games." He snapped rudely. People calling him short was one of the few things he wouldn't tolerate. It was true he was probably only 5"5, but he hated when people pointed it out. "Never had the opportunity to." He said, walking past her. That was a lie, he knew lots of games. He just didn't want to. He had enough things to hate about himself. He didn't need someone reminding him about it.

Jesseye frowned and shook her head at herself,"Okay. I'm sorry." She watched him walk away sadly. He just wasn't in the mood anymore, right? "I'll see you in the cell!" She slide down against the wall and gripped her hair. She felt like crying. Finally she found someone her age, someone who could help her... and she ruined it. It hadn't even been a day before she gave into the flesh. Jesus wouldn't have called him names. He wouldn't have invited him to such a rig game. "I'm sorry," she whispered, this time to her God. She glanced up to the clock and sighed before heading slowly to the showers. Being all gritty and gross in the cell wouldn't help anything.

*&^%$*&^%$*&%$^*

Shane laid on his cot on his stomach. He sighed deeply and scratched his arm. He didn't hate this place for the reasons most people did. He was away from his dad. He held his pillow and stared at the wall in thought. He was probably more free in here. He preferred almost it to some extent to the outside. That's what scared him. Could he ever have a life outside of this and his father?

He glanced over as Jesseye walked in with wet hair. "Hey." She greeted quietly before running to her book again. She didn't like how it stuck to the sides of her head so she pulled it back. He sighed and continued playing with his pillowcase.

'Give him time,' one of the older women had said after she explained her situation in the shower, 'You didn't want any friends when you first got here, remember?' The older woman had said and patted her back as she left for her cell.

She glanced over to him and sighed before laying back with her book on her chest. It was obvious he wanted to be alone, but that wasn't really an option here. Maybe she'd try again tomorrow? But she didn't want to wait. She wanted to be out of here. She wanted to start a new life, make new friends, build her restaurant. She wanted to do all the things her mentors encouraged her to be: kind, honest, joyful, selfless, patient, loving. Why couldn't she have it all now?