{This story is ready to read on my P-a-t-r-e-o-n. If you wish to read ahead then the link is https://www.p-a-t-r-e-o-n.com/easyread. Be sure to remove the dashes. I hope to see plenty of you there and enjoying this novel.}
~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~
~~~(Date: October 8th, 2025)~~~
~~~(Time: 3:25 PM)~~~
~~~(Location: Holden Highschool Locker Room)~~~
I lace up my shoes and put on my jersey. My favorite number is 24, and despite the fact, it's Kobe Bryant's number. That isn't why it's my favorite number. That's the date of Ellie's birthday. Kobe is a role model to me, but the real reason I'm wearing this number is because of Ellie.
Coach Rodgers enters the locker room, and we can hear the cheering and chanting from the brief moment he has the door open to walk in. It's faint when it's closed, but man, it's almost deafening. He walks over to our area, and there are 22 of us.
Most of the players tonight won't be doing anything but warming the bench. Coach only benches a starter if they need a break or if they're playing badly. "There is a huge crowd out their boys... I don't want this to get to you... For some of you, this is your first game playing varsity... Drown out the noise and lock-in. Follow Ulysses's lead. Copy his approach mentally as best as you can." I'm notorious for being impossible to guard and stop one on one, but we have lost games in the past for the team playing badly.
Everyone claps and says yes, coach. We all start heading out, and before I can leave, Coach Rodgers pulls me aside. "I know that you're going to play great. I need you to involve as many of the newer players as you can. It'll help them get settled in when a big crowd is watching." I nod my head. I'm fine with that.
As the team captain, I need to be the role model and example for the juniors on the team. There is one sophomore playing varsity, but he's benched tonight. "I'm glad you never have a problem with a change of plans." I chuckle, and we both walk the locker room side by side.
I look at the crowd, and I see a bit more than usual for a scrimmage game. I see there are plenty of NBA scouts. Some familiar faces among the rap and music community are watching too. I'm not going to bother saying hi right now.
I walk over to the bench and sit with my teammates and put my hands in my pockets. I'm going to be starting and playing at Small Forward. It's my personal favorite position to play. "Everyone stand up for the national anthem." One of the teachers announces through the microphone, and we all stand.
The national anthem ends, and we all start warming up for the scrimmage game. I look to the stands, and I see Ellie and Hannah sitting next to each other. To my surprise, my wave to them is interrupted by a cheerleader for our school.
I look down at her, and she looks up at me. She's not a face I've seen before. "Hi, my name is Payton Wills. I'm a big fan of your game..." She's a hair-dyed blond cutey. I can't help feeling like I've heard the name Payton before... Perhaps on a TV show or movie. Anyway, I reach my hand out and shake hands with her.
She must be a new transfer student. I look back towards Ellie and Hannah. However, I don't see Hannah by her. I look, and I see she's making her way down the stairs to the court. I quickly get back to my warmup, and I thank Coach Rodgers as he stops her.
The Payton Wills girl heads back to the cheerleading lineup, and I notice that she's staring at me in a rather wanting way. "Don't look at my boyfriend like that!!!" I turn my gaze away and focus on the basket. Hannah was warned that this might happen, and she said she'll be able to handle it.
Before Hannah can get any angrier, the announcer for the game tells everyone to get back to their seats. I make my way towards the center of the court and wait for the ref to throw the ball up. I'm 7'1 with my basketball shoes on.
The center of Edwin High is only 6'8, so I got a serious height advantage. The ref throws the ball up, and I instantly jump for it. Easily winning the tip-off and sending it towards the point guard. Time to get this scrimmage going. Involving my teammates will be easy. I'll get my buckets where I want and involve them too.