First day of school.
Leonz walked into Zodiac Academy, which was a pretty good school. The facilities looked clean, everything was up-to-date. Hell, even the railings of the staircases weren't rusty.
"Seems nice." (Leonz)
"It's technically a prestigious school, just that their Sport Clubs don't do too well." (Kent)
"Damn. Am I going to be in trouble? Don't think I can do the tests too well." (Leonz)
"Cram." (Kent)
"Sounds like Hell." (Leonz)
Both Leonz and Kent made their way towards the Hall which most of the other freshmen were headed towards. They split up and found the seats they were assigned.
Leonz simply sat through all the speeches, not really caring much about whatever was going on. He was quite bored.
The only thing sunning through his mind was how much he wanted to start playing basketball. He wanted to see the state of the club and start fixing everything there.
"We welcome all fresh faces to Zodiac Academy…" (Principal)
"You're pretty tall, huh?" (?)
Leonz turned to his right to see who was speaking to him. They were seated according to classes and their name by alphabetical order, so Leonz was sitting closer to the end of the row.
It was a girl.
"Not really." (Leonz)
Since that time he played the half-court, he had managed to grow taller. In the few months, he managed to grow another four centimetres, leaving him at 188cm, or 6'2.
"What are you, six foot?" (Girl)
"Six foot two inches." (Leonz)
"You're way taller than a lot of people, huh? Do you do sports?" (Girl)
"Basketball, actually." (Leonz)
Leonz could guess that the girl was about as bored as he was, which was probably the only reason why she was speaking to him.
"Really? I play basketball too, but I'll be playin' for the Girl's Basketball team though." (Girl)
Leonz did not know there was a Girl's Basketball Club in Zodiac Academy.
"Guess we'll be seeing each other at practice sometimes? Not sure how this whole thing works though." (Leonz)
"Hm… probably." (Girl)
They stopped speaking when they were told to stand up for the School Song and Pledge.
When they sat down, the girl continued talking.
"What's your name?" (Girl)
"Leonz Lovehart. You?" (Leonz)
"Madelyn Kalakos." (Girl)
Leonz nodded, not exactly sure how to continue the conversation they were having.
"When did cha start playing basketball?" (Madelyn)
"Are you interviewing me?" (Leonz)
"I guess? If you'll let me." (Madelyn)
"It was a joke." (Leonz)
"Really?" (Madelyn)
"Yeah, I started playing basketball around the first year of middle school." (Leonz)
Madelyn nodded before she snapped her fingers.
"Right, the rankings. Do you know your ranking? Could you tell me? I'm curious." (Madelyn)
"Um… ain't nothing impressive. I ended up at No. 43." (Leonz)
"Tough competition, huh?" (Madelyn)
"Do they have a ranking for girls?" (Leonz)
"They do, actually." (Madelyn)
"How high did you rank?" (Leonz)
Madelyn tapped her chin.
"I was… No. 3." (Madelyn)
Madelyn stood at around 176cm, or 5'10. Leonz had no idea what position she played, but being ranked No. 3 was definitely impressive.
"Guess you're my better." (Leonz)
"I guess so. Based off rankings, at least." (Madelyn)
"Why did you choose Zodiac? Couldn't you have gone to a better school?" (Leonz)
"It's much more convenient to go to this school. Besides, I made it my personal goal to win a Championship here by the end of my high school life." (Madelyn)
"You're aiming for a Championship too?" (Leonz)
"You too? Well, wouldn't it be great if the both the girls and boys won the Championship at the same year?" (Madelyn)
"I guess it would be sick." (Leonz)
"Sick?" (Madelyn)
Madelyn gave Leonz a confused look.
"Nevermind." (Leonz)
Eventually, a bunch of people started walking onto the stage. It was the school's Band, and they played a musical piece for the freshmen. Leonz thought it was nice, but it forced them to stop their conversation.
He had heard that Zodiac Academy was one of the top schools in their performing arts. Looking at the Band's performance, Leonz could tell why.
After about fifteen minutes, the Band left the stage, the students clapping.
Leonz clapped along, impressed by the performance.
Leonz didn't know anyone there, but he was content with just relaxing and listening, even if it was a bit boring. However, Madelyn decided she still wanted to talk.
"Are there any other freshmen joining the Basketball club? I heard they weren't winning many games last year." (Madelyn)
"I dunno. I only know I'm gonna play for the Basketball Club." (Leonz)
"What position do you play normally? Im a guard, probably going to play the one or two." (Madelyn)
"I play the two. I'm also fine with being the point though." (Leonz)
"A guard too? That's interesting." (Madelyn)
Leonz looked around him, trying to see if anyone around them was annoyed by their constant chattering.
"Thinking about it, you haven't told me your reason for enrolling into Zodiac." (Madelyn)
Liens rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well, my score was too Low to go anywhere, really. So I had to accept the school's Sport Offer." (Leonz)
"Ah, so you're an idiot?" (Madelyn)
"That's not a very nice thing to say. But yeah, kinda." (Leonz)
Madelyn covered her mouth.
"Oh, sorry about that. Wasn't thinking about what I was spouting." (Madelyn)
"It's fine. I have a friend that calls me an idiot too, so I guess I'm used to it?" (Leonz)
"That's not a normal thing to get used to, is it? Or is this some guy thing I'm unaware of?" (Madelyn)
"Trash talk your friend and treat strangers nice, am I right?" (Leonz)
Madelyn let out a small laugh. She had to stop herself when more people started looking in her direction.
"Does your friend play basketball too?" (Madelyn)
"Nah. He's just this really big Basketball Nerd that likes talking about basketball. It's really hard to shut him up when he gets going." (Leonz)
"Sounds like gun though. I could talk about basketball for hours without stopping." (Madelyn)
They had to stop their conversation when the Principal went through some of the important information. The main point was where the facilities were located.
Both Leonz and Madelyn looked at the screen, instantly spotting the gym which the Basketball Club was located at.
"Nice, it's indoors." (Madelyn)
From the screen, it showed that both the Girls and Boys Basketball Club were in the same gym. From the size and structure of the thing, Leonz could guess that there were two basketball courts in the gym.
"Wanna check it out during the break? Us Freshmen need to see where our clubs are going to be practicing." (Madelyn)
"Sure, I don't mind." (Leonz)
Leonz roughly memories the rough layout of the school. He noticed where the gym was located around just so he knew where to walk towards during the break.
"I'm hyped for this season, can't wait to get out there and play again!" (Madelyn)
Madelyn had talked a little too loud, so she lowered her voice the next time she spoke.
"I gotta gun for that Championship from day 1 if I wanna complete my goal." (Leonz)
"I know, right? My middle school season was such a disappointment when we lost in the Finals." (Madelyn)
"At least you made it to the Finals. My school lost in the first round." (Leonz)
"But losing in the Finals is the same as losing in the first round. I didn't get no Championship or Finals MVP." (Madelyn)
Madelyn crossed her arms, looking slightly frustrated by what had happened in her middle school.
"It is what it is. Not like we can change anything now." (Leonz)
"Yeah, true." (Madelyn)
The bell rang, and they were allowed to leave the Hall after the assembly was over. On the way to class, Madelyn asked Leonz something.
"You mind exchanging numbers? Might be important for future club activities, ya know, just in case." (Madelyn)
"Sure, I don't mind." (Leonz)
They continued walking in relative silence, the students around them also not speaking to each other as much. It was the first day of school, everyone was awkward and unsure.
However, for Leonz and Madelyn, they had a clear goal in mind for their high school life. They were going to win at the game of basketball, and they were going to win that Championship.