Drip

Kareem Salia | Portland State Senior | 21 | Shooting Guard for the Vikings

[carliebishop]

She was now aimlessly walking through the isles of the store to waste time, she literally had nothing better to do and had acquired all of the items she needed. Well, more like wanted her cart was a mixture of household necessities and selfish indulgences. Why did she have three mugs and a new throw pillow? She saw a mug for herself, then thought of her sister and decided to get a third in case either of them broke theirs. And the pillow, well the pillow was just too adorable to leave. She had finally reached her home, as she turned her key the sound of paper ripping followed by something shattering into a million pieces, her heart sunk to her gut, “Fuck!”

[kareem-salia]

“Woah, woah,” Kareem yelled out as he slowed down from his run, taking one of his headphones off before he jogged towards her. “Shit, that was..not good,” he told her and crouched down to secure the ripped bag before he started to kick aside shattered pieces with his foot so it wouldn’t be in the walking path. “Was that important?”

[kareem-salia]

quidqen‌:

“You’re lucky you ended up talking to someone with experience,” She laughed, nodding as he continued talking, “Good friends will keep you humble, yeah, and it’s so easy to get a big head, I’ve seen people get full of themselves from the most minimal positive attention.”

“I mean dont get me wrong, I’ve had plenty of bad influences but I think at some point I realized that shit is so not worth it. I mean failure is a learning lesson but Im all about excelling as much as I can.” He bought a few copies of the magazine and tucked them under his arm. “Thanks for the advice, maybe you can come to a game some time,” he told her as he inched towards the door. 

[kareem-salia]

angelicalvares‌:

“We should. Above the bed, perhaps? Nothing like a ménage á trois with yourself.” speaking in terms of things as theirs, such as their bed, was still very new to her. When the subject of them moving in together had been brought up it felt obvious to her, they practically lived together anyway. “Please. I missed it the second we were at the airport.” she smiled at the kiss and cuddled herself even more into his side. “I’m thinking Santorini next. Italy has it’s charm and all, but Santorini is just — other-worldly. Only downside is after it nothing else will ever compare. So, kind of like me.” she joked with a grin. “Suggest sushi tacos again and I’ll cancel all our appointments with the real-estate agent. But, tacos. There’s this new food truck a couple blocks from my work that is really good, apparently. I haven’t been yet because y’know, haven’t needed to be work since I started dating an NBA player. Honestly, twenty year old me would be so proud.”

"Oh yeah, definitely above the bed but only if we get a potrait of you to put right next to it,” he replied with a laugh. He really loved that they could talk about everything now as a ‘we.’ It felt good, secure and not as terrifying as he once had thought it would. “Santorini? Count me in. I mean really I’ll go anywhere with you so you can make all the plans, I’ll just follow and take the pictures,” he joked and pressed a kiss to his temple as he patted her ass lightly. “I mean fair. You’re the best of the best, number one, top dog, all of that.” And though they were laughing, it was true. No one had his hear the way she did. He hadn’t ever been in love the way he was in love with Angelica. She was out of this world to say the least. “Sushi tacos,” he repeated and patted her ass again before laughing as they walked out. “Fine, just tacos. Oh yeah, am I your sugar daddy now? If they don’t cast you on Basketball Wives one day then we’ve failed,” he added, still a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing but it felt right, so right he knew he would eventually stop panicking so much. “I mean move out the way Kendall Jenner, the top basketball girlfriend has arrived.”

[kareem-salia]

supremekareem: Next stop, penthouse. 📷: @angelicalvares

[kttniss]

[angelicalvares]

@kareem-salia

[maxevvans]

You know what your problem is?

[kareem-salia]

@angelicalvares

[kareem-salia]

supremekareem: Sup roommate @angelicalvares #theregoesmybaby #igothekeys #rideordie

[quidqen]

kareem-salia‌:

“Yeah, I’m still trying to let it set in,” he told her with a soft laugh. “I mean earlier today some kid came up to me for my autograph and a photo. Like that shit is..surreal.” He looked over at her before laughing softly. “I don’t ever see this not being surreal.”

“Mmm, yeah,” She nodded, “You’ll get used to it in general but there will always still be those moments, though I can’t say I’ve ever had many random kids approaching me for autographs,” She laughed a little, “Life becomes life eventually, but it never feels fully real in every moment.”

[kareem-salia]

“Damn you just fall out of the sky to give me all this sage wisdom?” Kareem laughed softly a hand to his chest but he gave her a grateful smile. “Nah for real though, I appreciate that. That’s why Im trying to make sure I keep people in my life who keep me level headed. No one likes an ego filled superstar.”

[kareem-salia]

dankimkong‌:

“F-Fittings?” Daniel couldn’t help the stutter– he was that surprised. “You guys get fitted for uniforms–? I mean, that makes sense, I guess I just never thought about it.” Unless that wasn’t what Kareem had meant… Daniel brushed off the thought. “When do you start? Or when do you know if you’re starting? – Sorry, I don’t know a whole lot about this. I’m just excited for you.”

“Yeah man, I mean not like intense shit but enough that my jersey and warm up suit won’t be hanging off of me. Plus you know they arrive to games in the best style. But my girl is gonna help me with that, update my wardrobe a bit,” he told him, laughing softly at his surprise. “Nah it’s cool, I’m learning as I go too. Once summer league ends and we’re in the gym as a real team I’ll find out. Just gotta work my ass off, not get injured and give it my best, you know? And you let me know when you’re ready to come to a game,” he offered with his signature smile. “But only if your’e ready to cheer your ass off.”

[kareem-salia]

angelicalvares‌:

“Are you kidding me? Baby. You’re a fucking NBA player.” the joy in her voice was undeniable, at this point almost jumping with joy next to him. “You did that. Like, literally, fucking did that and I’m so proud of you.” she’d said it a million times already and would say it another million. She gave his bicep a kiss before picking up the magazine with the hand that wasn’t clutching onto his arm. “It’s a good picture, too. People are gonna be swooning.”

“Mm, call me baby one more time,” he teased as he leaned against her. Leaving the country for the first time to celebrate his draft had been one of the most amazing experiences. Not to mention, he had found even more ways to fall in love with Ang, another thing he never knew was possible. But the more time they were together, the more he realized just  how much they fit together, how happy they could be once they let themselves open up. And there was no one else, absolutely no one else he wanted by his side for what was sure to be the ride of his life. “Right? We gotta frame that one,” he told her with a wink before they moved to the counter to pay for it. “Also Portland is cool and all but I’m 100% ready to be by that ocean with you again,” he told her and kissed her cheek before he grabbed the magazine so they could head out. “Alright, this NBA star needs to be fed. What are you in the mood for. Sushi or Tacos? Or..sushi tacos, those exist, right?”

[kareem-salia]

jchanbakes‌:

“Of course you do! Honestly, I’d gift you with a batch of whatever pastries you want, but I’m not sure if your new nutritionist will appreciate that.” He chuckles. “I’m serious though. If you want anything, just say the word. It’ll be on the house and everything.” He nudges Kareem on the arm. “Seriously, though. I’m so happy for you. And I bet Angelica is ecstatic.” He hasn’t kept up with basketball for a long time, but he’ll catch a livestream once in a while. So when Kareem mentions going to a game, he lights up. “I actually would love to! It’s been so long since I’ve been to one. I think the last time was when I was in high school and I would tag along to Warriors games with my friends instead of doing my homework.”

“I don’t know, I think there’s some policy about me getting free stuff,” he replied with a laugh, sure that pastries wasn’t listed on that policy but he enjoyed the joke anyway. “I’d love to have some of your stuff at my celebration party though. I think that’d be really cool. Oh yeah she’s over the moon,” he told him with a bright smile. There were no words to describe how amazing it felt to have her there with him when he got drafted. The look on her face, the pride he felt he saw in her eyes and not to mention the fun they had that night that made him fall in love with her all over again. There was no one else, no one else he wanted by his side. “Well then we gotta change that. I’ll see what I can do for the first game I play in, it’s gonna be amazing. I’m,” he took a deep breath. “Fuck it lets go get some pastries.”

[kareem-salia]

dankimkong‌:

The excitement radiating off Kareem put a giant smile on Daniel’s face. “Congratulations again, man. You must have worked your ass off for that, and it paid off. So, what comes next? You going off to some training camp or something?”

“Something like that, yeah. There’s all these meetings, trainings, signings. Fittings. It’s crazy. And then..suddenly I’m on a team. Now I gotta prove that I’m worth starting. I can’t be riding the bench but if I have to, I’ll take it as it comes. I’m just fucking hyped to wear that uniform.”

[kareem-salia]

quidqen‌:

“You’re good,” Manon smiled at the other as he apologized, “Congratulations, finally becoming professional is a huge deal.” She remembered back when she first joined a professional company so she more than understood his excitement.

“Yeah, I’m still trying to let it set in,” he told her with a soft laugh. “I mean earlier today some kid came up to me for my autograph and a photo. Like that shit is..surreal.” He looked over at her before laughing softly. “I don’t ever see this not being surreal.”

[kareem-salia]

sonia-berkely‌:

sonia laughed a little when the younger man mentioned street cred, and nodded. “you bet your sweet little ass, this gal’s street cred is as bad as anyone’s grandma, i’m guessing the kids is not so keen about the finals that is coming up, hard to stay cool then,” she said under her breath before nodding to his comment about no cars getting harmed. it was one of these moments that made her forget that the man standing in front of her was actually younger than her, and not the other way around. when it came to sports in general, she was not the most athletic types — not those sports that included a ball at least — so sonia definitely felt the student on that level. however, she was always up for a challenge, and was happy that kareem was willing to help her out. set at the park, she began to bounce the ball with her left hand, her dominant hand slowly and just followed his lead. “it’s very kind of you to help your old tutor out, i know your schedule must be pretty packed at this point,” she smiled at him, “how’s everything going?”

“hey it’s really no problem. plus you’re helping me not stress too much about all the ways my life’s about to change,” he admitted with a soft laugh as he dribbled and then let her do the same. “but things are good. i uh, actually have a girlfriend now,” he told her with a cheesy grin. “her names angelica. fucking..gorgeous,” he added, shaking his head at how corny he sounded. “which is new for me. being in a real relationship. but it’s kind of kept me grounded through all the craziness. it’s good to have someone to keep your head level, you know? i think that’s a really beautiful thing.”

[kareem-salia]

jchanbakes‌:

Glancing between the man in front of him and the newspaper he’s holding in his hands, Jacob’s face brightens when he puts two and two together. “That’s awesome!” he says with a big smile. “Congratulations!” He doesn’t follow basketball as much as he did before he moved to Portland, but he knows enough to understand the headline on the paper. “Let me treat you to one of my pastries on the house as a gift, you deserve it.”

“Shit I get drafted and a free pastry? Man i can’t say not to that, I really appreciate. I think the best part of this all is that I get to stay in Portland.” It had been a big question for him and had been like the dark cloud looming over his relationship with Angelica. But his wish had been granted and damn had they celebrated the night he got drafted. It was like the best dream to have his dad and Angelica there when the moment happened, the proud smile he saw on her face was something he thought of every morning. “You know this means you gotta come to a game, right?”

[kareem-salia]

heknewhimself‌:

Taking it Clem smiled and studied it    “ I am really proud of you my friend, though I knew you could always do it, it was just a question of when would it happen”

“Clem! My man!” Kareem smiled and threw his arm around clem’s shoulders. “Thank you, thank you. It feels fucking amazing. Like still totally surreal but dude i’m a fucking NBA player. Like..that shits wild.”

[kareem-salia]

dankimkong‌:

Daniel peered over Kareem’s shoulder to read the newspaper. He didn’t know a damn thing about sports, but he did recognize Kareem’s name on the story. “Oh shit! That’s about you, isn’t it? Congratulations–! I mean, I think. This is a good thing, right?” 

“This is about me, yeah,” Kareem replied with a laugh and moved the paper so he could see it. “It’s a great thing. I’m a fucking Portland Blazer man, official and all,” he told him with a proud smile. “I think it’ll feel even more real when that check hits my account,”  he joked and took a deep breath. “Kind of crazy though.”