'Ding… ding… DONG' (school bell)
Leonz left the classroom, followed by Madelyn.
"Do you have any idea where the gym is?" (Madelyn)
"I think so. I'm pretty sure it's somewhat to the back of the school." (Leonz)
Leonz sent a text to Kent.
'I'm heading towards the basketball gym.' (Text, Leonz)
'Got it.' (Text, Kent)
Eventually, Leonz ended up at the ground floor, looking around for any signs. He spotted one that pointed towards the Basketball gym, so he walked towards it.
For some reason, he felt excited. It was a new place and he was excited to explore. He wanted to see how the basketball court looked like, where he would be spending most of his time practicing at.
"The gym isn't gonna run away from you, why are you rushing?" (Madelyn)
Without realising, Leonz had quickened his steps. He slowed down and continued at a normal pace, heading towards the gym.
"Sorry, I'm just excited to see the gym." (Leonz)
"Yeah, me too." (Madelyn)
Leonz stopped informer of the door of the gym, reading the sign above the door.
'Basketball'
From where he was, there was the faint sound of the ball bouncing on the ground. It was obvious that there was someone inside.
"Am I hallucinating or is someone inside?" (Leonz)
They had yet to open the door.
"You too? I thought I was crazy for a moment." (Madelyn)
"This guy's really dedicated." (Leonz)
"Or girl." (Madelyn)
"This guy or girl's really dedicated." (Leonz)
"Could be both too." (Madelyn)
Leonz turned to face Madelyn, who was obviously trying to hold in her laughter.
"Why would there be both?" (Leonz)
"Who know?" (Madelyn)
Leonz ignored her and started opening the door.
"Wait, we won't get into trouble for this, will we?" (Madelyn)
"You're the one who suggested this." (Leonz)
"I mean, yeah, but I'm still worried. I can't get detention on my first day of school." (Madelyn)
"Life is either a dating adventure or nothing at all." (Leonz)
"That sounds philosophical, who's it from?" (Madelyn)
"Confucius*, probably." (Leonz)
* It's not
Leonz turned back to the door and opened it. Madelyn mostly hid behind him.
Leonz glanced behind him.
"Why are you hiding behind me?" (Leonz)
"If there's a teacher, it's easier to run away." (Madelyn)
Leonz looked in, ignoring what she just said.
The gym was big. There were two courts next to each other, about two metres of space between them. There were benches along the whole place, along with water fountains and vending machines. There were toilets, showers and locker rooms for both the home team and away team. There was even a second floor, though it was only for observers who wanted to watch the game.
Standing at the court closer to Leonz, was a person. Just as he heard, there was someone in the gym.
The person stood at the free thrown line, a ball in his hand. He had slightly longer black hair that looked like it was annoying to have. He wore the school uniform, the buttoned-up white shirt, the dark blue blazer and even the purple tie.
The guy didn't even acknowledge Leonz and Madelyn's entrance.
He stood at the free throw line, his feet set and shoulder-width apart. He held the ball below his waist as he bent down slightly. He stood straight, bringing the ball up to above his head before releasing it.
"Nice shot." (Madelyn)
Leonz looked back at Madelyn, who was still hiding behind him. The guy turned to face the two people who had just entered the gym.
He had a bored look on his face.
"I don't think you're supposed to be here." (Guy)
"Neither are you." (Leonz)
"Yeah! Neither are you!" (Madelyn)
Leonz turned and whispered to Madelyn.
"You don't have to repeat after me, ya know?" (Leonz)
"Sorry, I'm used to it." (Madelyn)
When Leonz looked back, the guy sighed.
"Could you guys go somewhere else for you lover thing?" (Guy)
Leonz took a step towards him, putting up his hand.
"Calm down there bud. For one, we ain't dating. For two, we're here to check out the basketball courts." (Leonz)
The guy looked at the both of them, as if just realising why two people would actually go to a basketball court.
"So the two of you are in the Basketball Clubs?" (Guy)
"Yes." (Leonz)
The guy stepped out of the court to get a closer look at Leonz and Madelyn. He reached down towards the pair of glasses which hung at his pocket.
He put them on and blinked a few times, looking at Leonz and Madelyn.
For some reason, Leonz felt slightly intimidated. Actually, there was a clear reason why he was intimidated.
The guy stood at about 201cm, a 2 metre tall guy, about 6'7. He had put on his glasses to look at Leonz, then at Madelyn.
He nodded and pointed at Madelyn.
"I know you." (Guy)
"Really?" (Madelyn)
Madelyn had circled around Leonz when the guy tried circling around Leonz, keeping Leonz between them at all times.
"You're the third ranked player for the girls, right?" (Guy)
Leonz was just surprised the guy actually checked the girls ranking, because he definitely didn't think to do so.
"Damn, you actually know?" (Madelyn)
"I mean, your Finals performance stood out from the rest. Heard you played rank No. 1 and rank No. 2 in the Finals?" (Guy)
"Yeah, it was so unfair!" (Madelyn)
Leonz felt left out, seeing as the only thing he was doing was being a social barrier for Madelyn.
"And you…" (Guy)
The guy tilted his head, looking at Leonz.
"I have no idea who you are." (Guy)
Something clicked in Leonz's head. He had thought he recognised the person, but it wasn't just that he recognised him.
Middle school basketball magazines, middle school social media, people talked about him often. He was probably one of the most hyped up prospects to enter high school, not even talking about his future.
Leonz remembered playing against him once. In their friendly school game, the person that stood in front of him had played a total of three minutes.
Score by the end of 3 minutes:
25-3
"I know you." (Leonz)
"I would be surprised if you played middle school basketball but don't recognise me." (Guy)
"That's being arrogant!" (Madelyn)
"It's confidence. Confidence in myself, in my abilities. Basketball requires confidence, wouldn't you agree?" (Guy)
Madelyn did not say another word.
Leonz doubted Madelyn knew who he was.
Without injury, he would have had one of the best Championship runs in middle school. Losing in the Finals due to an injury.
"You're the No. 1." (Leonz)
"That I am." (Guy)
The guy glanced around before sighing.
"I thought there would be someone else better playing on this team. But I guess I have to go back to carrying a team again." (Guy)
"Wait, he's the No. 1 for the guys?" (Madelyn)
"What are you even doing here in Zodiac? I thought you would've gone to the Spartans or something." (Leonz)
The guy shot a warning look at Leonz. It was only for a moment before he returned to his bored expression, almost depressing look.
"I have my reasons." (Guy)
The guy picked up the Basketball on the ground before leaving.
"Try not to drag me down too much." (Guy)
He left.
"What an asshole!" (Madelyn)
"What da Hell is that guy even doing here?" (Leonz)
"No. 1 my ass! Bet he ain't even good!" (Madelyn)
"That technically insults the rest of the guys, y'know?" (Leonz)
"Sorry about that. But yeah, screw him." (Madelyn)
Leonz shrugged and took one last look around the gym before he started leaving.
"Where are you going?" (Madelyn)
"To have my break?" (Leonz)
"Imma tag along!" (Madelyn)
"Are you just going to follow me everywhere? People might get the wrong idea." (Leonz)
"I literally do not have any friends. I'll probably stop after I hang out with the girls team more." (Madelyn)
Later that day…
On the way home from school.
"How was the gym? Was it any good?" (Kent)
"Forget the gym. There's bigger news." (Leonz)
"What is it?" (Kent)
Leonz could not help himself. He cracked a smile.
"We got No. 1." (Leonz)
"Huh?" (Kent)
"No. 1, the MVP guy. He's in our school." (Leonz)
"You're kidding." (Kent)
"No joke man. I saw him at the gym. Looked just like the last time I saw him, maybe about an inch taller though." (Leonz)
"Wait, wait. So the No. 1 ranked middle school player is playing for the Zodiac Beasts?" (Kent)
"Yeah." (Leonz)
"That's big news!" (Kent)
Leonz looked at the sky.
"Reaching the Playoffs won't a problem now. Hell, I think we have a fair chance of winning the Finals!" (Leonz)
No. 1 teams up with No. 43.
No. 43, #22 SG Leonz Lovehart.
Middle school Championship run averages:
12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 6 steals, 66.7% FG (1 game)
No. 1, #21 SF Asher Monegotomy.
Middle school Championship run averages:
28.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.0 blocks, 2.0 steals, 72.1% FG (8 games)