The week of camp went quickly. Way faster than expected. But it was a great experience.
Like every basketball camp, the camp in New York was for learning. We did drills, one-on-ones, three-on-three, and five-on-five. It was the first time I went to the camp. I thought it was worth the $250 that I had to spend for it. It was just a week of basketball with no other distractions. This is the reason I'm broke now.
I was also hyped for who was at the camp. College recruits made an appearance. Among those colleges was Duke University. What high school player doesn't dream of being with the Blue Devils and Coach K? I know that was my dream school. At camp it was time to impress.
I did make an impression too. I dominated one-on-one competition, losing only one game versus a guy from California. I also showed I was a good team player. I did not just score, but I could pass and rebound. Coaches like unselfish players with high IQ for the game.
I think schools were impressed with my size and my style of play with that size. A couple of colleges spoke with me. They were all the same, what were my grades and that they will keep a look out for me, housekeeping stuff. Duke was not among them, but I'm pretty sure they were watching. At least I hope so. Best college that talked to me was Syracuse. The Orange is alright, but nothing like that dark blue and white.
Other than the competition and school, being a part of the overall experience was great. We played in the famous Madison Square Garden. The stadium was awesome. I might be playing there one day. The other guys that participated were cool.They came from all over. California, Texas, even someone from Canada came to participate. New York City like expected was great. The city had a lot of venues that you could interact with that Jersey City did not have. Camp was only 5 hours a day. The rest was free time.
The experience could have been better if Dashaun could have gone with me. I made friends over there, but I was not likely to keep in contact with them all. Plus, it is always nice to have someone you already know with you. He could have gone, but his mom took him on a two week vacation to Los Angeles. This reminded me, I won't see my bro for another week.
Now I was back home and literally on my doorstep. I was thinking if anything changed since I've been gone. Will things change now that I'm back? I opened the door and went in.
I looked around. Nope, everything is still in place. Furniture, television, and the kitchen, everything was how I remembered it. There was a different look and feel to the house however. Probably because I have not been here in a week. I just have to readjust.
"Welcome home, Ray!" my mom shouted coming from the kitchen.
"Hi, mom." I said. I smelled food so I guess she was cooking.
"How was the week?" she asked.
"It was good." I answered.
"What did you do there?"
That was a stupid question, but I knew what she meant by it. She wanted a conversation. I was too tired for that though.
"I'll tell you about it later. I want to go to bed right now. Long bus ride, you know."
"You don't want to eat first? I'm almost done with dinner." she said. It was going on six o'clock.
"Na, I'm ok right now. I just need some sleep. I'll eat later."
"Ok. Glad you are home."
"Me too."
I started making my way upstairs. I noticed that someone was coming down at the same time. It was Jessica. She was looking beautiful like always. She was the same as I left. I turned to the side so my duffle bag did not hit her and she had room to get by. I was about to say hi, but I stopped. The reason being was because she just ran by me. She did not look at me or even acknowledge me. She just went by. She usually says hi at least, but today nothing. I was gone for a week too.
She may have been mad at me. It was probably because of the way I departed. I said bye to mom and dad. I did not say it to her. She already thought I hated her. I think that done it. She is probably, most likely, mad.
She should not be mad though. I mean I did not say bye to my best friend. I was able to call him at camp before he left on his trip. My dad got me minutes on my phone so I could talk to him (we barely did). That's beside the point. I did not say bye to my bro, why should she get special treatment.
I did not think about it that much. Maybe she did not want to say hi then, whatever. Like I said, I was tired and I want to go to sleep. I went in my room and closed the door. That was that.
I woke up at 9pm. A three hour nap was not bad. I felt good and wide awake. I wonder how will I fall asleep again, but I will worry about that when it gets there. I was hungry now too.
I went downstairs still in my pajamas. There was no point in changing. I went to the kitchen and looked in the microwave. My dinner was sitting there like usual. My mom always leaves it there when I'm not home for dinner unless we have sandwiches. She made chicken, rice and gravy, and string beans. That was a classic dinner in this house. I put the timer on two minutes and thirty seconds. I went to the fridge to find a drink. I saw a can of Pepsi soda in the back. I took it out, opened it, and took a swallow.
As I waited my dad came into the kitchen. He was still dressed so I guess he just got in from work. He probably had overtime.
"How was the ride back?" he asked.
"It was fine. Tiring though." I responded.
"I could see that."
"It was probably because of the whole week combined, you know."
"Yea, you push yourself a lot."
"Yep." The timer went off. I got my food and made my way out of the kitchen and into the living room.
When I went to the living room I noticed the Lion King was on. Why it was on at nine at night I had no clue. Then I noticed Jessica was watching it. She was sitting on the couch wearing some shorts and a t-shirt. Look like clothes she bought last week (or the week I was gone). I did not mind her there. The Lion King was a good film and it seemed she liked it too. Plus I did not mind a beautiful girl in the same room as me.
I sat on the other chair with my plate and started watching. Dinner and a movie, awesome. It was on the part when Scar killed Simba's dad. Everything was fine until a minute later. She got up and went upstairs. I just sat there. Why? Maybe she was tired, but it looked like she was watching it. I think it was option two, she hates me.
Then my dad walks by with a sandwich.
"What's that about?" I asked him.
"What?"
"She just left without saying a word. Is she upset?"
He just looked at me like I was supposed to know the answer. I probably do.
"I wonder why." he said.
"What?" I responded.
"You treated her like crap since she got here." This speech again. "Now you are mad that she is not saying anything. You did not even say bye when you left." I knew that was a point.
I said nothing. There was really no need.
"If you want her to say something then you talk to her first. Start the conversation." He said then went upstairs.
I guess I could talk to her. I had no time to think about it at camp because of basketball. I had no time to think of anything except basketball. I might speak to her, but not tonight. Tonight I eat and watch Lion King.
And that was what transpired that night.
I ended up falling asleep on the couch. When I woke up it was seven thirty in the morning. Already time to start the day. I had a blanket on me. I guess mom did not want to wake me and did that. I got up and stretched and went upstairs. I got clothes and went to the bathroom for a shower.
After a nice ten minute shower I felt refreshed. For some reason I felt good today. Actually I was feeling way because today I was going to talk to Jessica. I had to get my mind right. Looking back on it I should have listened to Dashaun when he said I should have something to talk about. Right now I had nothing to talk about. I guess I will wing it. Whatever I say can't be as bad as what I haven't said. I got dressed and went downstairs. It was going on eight o'clock.
I heard the T.V was on. Who could be down here this early? I looked in the living room and saw Jessica sitting in the same spot she was sitting in last night. She was watching some show on some channel.
This was perfect. I could start a convo right now. No need to wait for later. I went to the kitchen to get some cereal. The plan: go into the room, sit down, and say hi. That sounded pretty simple to me.
I got some cereal. Check. I went back into the living room and sat down. So far so good. Now the main event, the talking part.
"Good Morning, Jessica." I said. Check.
"Oh now he speaks!" she said angrily. "What did your father tell you to do it?" she got up and started to leave.
"Wait." I said.
"No. it's quite obvious you don't want me here. It is also obvious your dad put you up to this. Don't speak to me unless you want to. Not because someone else does. Remember? You do not have to accept me." She almost cried the last part. She ran up the stairs.
Welp. That did not go as planned. Actually it was the opposite of what I expected. The worst part of it was that It was kinda true. It was obvious that she heard the conversation between me and my dad the other night before I left. She was mad, no, she was pissed. Our first conversation was our first argument. It wasn't even an argument. She yelled, I listened.
Why do I care anyway? It's not like I wanted her here. This is even more of a reason to follow through with the plan. Now I have no worries. All of my confusion was now anger. I don't need her to be happy or my parents happy. Time to only worry about myself for a bit longer.
For the rest of the week we did not speak. We gave each other glares and walked past each other. We never were in the same room as each other except for dinner and even then it was tense. I think my parents felt it too. We basically barely acknowledge each other's existence. For the week Jessica and I hated each other.
For the same reason I was sad.