As I gazed at the ceiling,
I honestly contemplated whether getting myself stuck in juvie was worth it. The sense of emptiness it brought me and the disappointment I caused to those around
me seemed to erode my mind.
'Honestly, what was I thinking?'
I sighed. 'Did I think anything would change by doing something like this?'
'Just as I was about to drift off into dreamland, I heard a pair of keys jangling as someone approached my cell. I looked up as the guard stopped in front of me and said, "Donovan
King, you're free to go."
As we walked out, I saw someone unexpected. He had short black hair that was beginning to show signs of graying, and faint traces of wrinkles could be found on his face. He was tall, around 6'3", and seemed muscular despite his age. All I could utter was, "Dad?"
He handed a clipboard to the desk lady and looked up at me. "DJ, it's good to see you. Get in the car; we have a lot to discuss."
As we walked to the car, an awkward silence hung in the air until he finally broke it. "DJ, it's been a while since I've seen you. How've you been holding up?"
I kept my head down. "About as well as a kid in juvie could be, I guess. Thanks for asking."
He sighed deeply. "DJ, be honest with me. Does any of this have to do with your relationship with your mother? I don't want to pry, but I'm really worried."
"Dad, is it wrong to want her to treat me the same way she treats Jalen? I know I'm lucky compared to others, and I understand there are people who would kill to be in my position,
but why does she always bring that up when it comes to me, while she goes the extra mile for Jalen?"
'If she didn't want to see my face, she could've just given custody to Dad.'
He stayed silent for a moment before sighing again. "Honestly, kid, it's probably my fault. You remind her of me and the relationship we had. Since the divorce, she's likely taken
her frustrations out on you. This might be her way of getting back at me."
I shook my head. "It's not your fault. Besides, I've decided to move forward without worrying about things like that. From now on, I'll just focus on what I do best: football."
He smiled, relieved. "I'm glad to hear that. Speaking of football, have you talked to your brother? I heard he visited you pretty often while you were in there."
I nodded. "Yeah, he told me about his achievements. It sounded like a fantasy story—going from a 3-star recruit to the top-ranked dual-threat QB in his class, winning California's Mr. Football, and being the runner-up in the state championship."
"Yeah, he's off to Syracuse now. They're starting him as a freshman. You should call him when you get the chance."
"I will. Honestly, I'm surprised he didn't commit to somewhere closer to home."
'I'm sure Mom had something to do with that, but I guess he had a good relationship with the coach.'
As we approached the car, he tossed me the keys. "Here's a late birthday present. Since you're going to be a junior in high school, you'll need it."
I was stunned. "Are you serious, Dad?"
"Yeah, you've had your license for a while now. It's about time you got your own car. I hope you like it; it's a BMW G8X."
"Dad, please don't tell me this is a prank." I was shaking with excitement.
He patted my back. "I know this won't replace the time I've missed with you, but I hope this helps you get your mind off things and gives you a sense of freedom."
"Now hurry up and get in.It's about time you got home and washed up."
——
Inside a room filled with
jerseys, footballs, and dumbbells, a boy standing around 6'1" lay on his bed as
if he missed it dearly. He was visibly muscular, dressed in sweatpants and a
black shirt. His smooth brown skin complemented his outfit and tapered fro.
'I wonder what the guys have been up to.'
Just as he was scrolling on his phone, he heard a knock. "Come in."
There she was, standing at around 5'8" with curly hair and a nice-looking face—it was obvious where DJ got his looks from. But there was an air of indifference about her.
"DJ, your dinner's on the
table. If you need anything, let me know."
'Honestly, I knew it was going to be like this, but I've already promised not to let it get to me. Plus, this is better than usual.' "Thanks, Mom."
After she left, I sat up, looking at a picture of me with my dad and brother. It was taken after I won my first football game in middle school.
'Yeah, it's about time I took things seriously. Whether it's for my dad, brother, or anyone else, I just want to be the best player on the field.'
Just as DJ was
strengthening his resolve, a string of words seemed to appear in his vision.
[Football System initiated]
[Select Position]
'huh is this a joke?'
DJ tried to swipe his hand through it to make sure he was in the right state of mind. His hand passed through it as if it was a projection.
'Either going to juvie made me go crazy, or I got something interesting. I've got to pick wide receiver.'
'Honestly, I want to find my mom to see if she can see this, but I don't need her thinking I'm crazy on top of being a troublemaker.'
[Route Runner]
[Physical]
[Balanced]
[YAC Specialist]
[Select Player Build]
[RR, Physical, Balanced,
YAC]
He focused on 'Route
Runner,' and text seemed to pop up.
[Build, Route Runner: The development of your route running abilities will be accelerated, and your peak form will resemble a WR who possesses both great release skills and creates immense separation on your routes.]
[Cons: Although your RR
skills will accelerate, you will lack physical development that will help you
stand out and that is typically seen in WRs at high levels.]
[If RR build is chosen, RR
badges will be easier to gain, and conditions and missions will be targeted
towards your RR.]
He then thought of 'Physical.'
[Build, Physical: The development of your physical skills such as speed, vertical, and body control will be enhanced, allowing you to become an amazing contested-catch type
receiver.]
[Cons: It'll be difficult to develop the technical side of your game, and as a contested-catch
specialist, you'll have higher requirements for a QB.]
[Physical Badges will be
easier to gain, and conditions and missions will be related to the 'body.']
'Interesting, but I've got to see all my options.'
[Build, Balanced: The rate
of your technical skills and body skills will advance at the same rate in proportion to your effort. This build possesses the greatest potential.]
[Cons: You'll be slower than if you focused on one of the skills and may be seen as a late bloomer due to doing everything great but nothing significantly amazing.]
[Conditions and missions
will be targeted towards both, and badges for each side will be balanced in the
difficulty to obtain them.]
'This is probably the best option since it gives me all-around development.'
[Build, YAC Specialist:These players are versatile as they can play in the Kick Return and Punt Return, and are typically seen in the slot. Progress in skills such as agility,
speed, and change of direction.]
[Cons: Typically limited in stature, progress in developing catching ability and skills in other
primaries will slow down.]
[Conditions and Missions will target the player's ability to perform after the catch.]
'This one is basically for highlight plays. Not really my style.'
DJ thought about how he
would grow depending on what he chose.
'If I pick Physical, I might become a player like DK Metcalf, Calvin Johnson—guys who can outmuscle anybody. All they need is for their QB to throw the ball up, and they'll come
down with it.'
Calvin Johnson had possibly the most ideal physique for the receiver position in history, with a stature of 6'5", 240, and a 40-yard dash of 4.35. He was practically unstoppable, needing a double team every time he stepped onto the field.
He had possibly the greatest season by a wide receiver, holding the record for most receiving yards in a season with 1,964, breaking Jerry Rice's 17-year-long record of 1,848 yards.
But his only weakness was his lack of longevity. All that weight falling continuously on the turf and being such a big target caused stress on his lower body.
'But then again, that's the best-case scenario. I could always end up like George Pickens or N'Keal Harry.'
Although George Pickens became successful due to his contested-catch ability, he was one of the few whose skill translated well. N'Keal Harry, on the other hand, was amazing in college but too heavy-footed to be usable in the NFL.
'It's a decent choice since I'm willing to work relentlessly on my technical skills, but the injury risk isn't something I can ignore.'
[Route Runner]
DJ was initially attracted
to the RR build but had second thoughts. People who matched this archetype
included Stefon Diggs, Cooper Kupp, and Chad Johnson.
These players beat you
with their feet, eyes, and body. Everything about them seemed to be a tool used
to get open. Their entire body was a weapon, and they could make a bad QB look
amazing.
However, in the worst-case
scenario, players like Jerry Jeudy, who were amazing in college and known for
making people fall, couldn't catch the ball in the NFL despite the separation.
They struggled with bad hands and the NFL's physicality.
'YAC Specialist has the
same issue. That leaves one option.'
After contemplating his options, he chose balanced. As his finger landed on the option, functions and knowledge seemed to be imprinted in his brain almost as if he knew it
instinctively.
'Stats,' DJ called in his
mind. His eyebrows rose as a list of information appeared in front of his eyes.
[Stats]
[General Ratings [B]]
Acceleration: A-
Speed: A
Agility: B+
Awareness: B+
Jumping: B+
Strength: D
Toughness: C+
Stamina: C+
Injury: B-
[Receiving Ratings] [B+]
Catching: B+
Catch in Traffic: B+
Spectacular Catch: B+
SRR: B+
MRR: B
DRR: B
Release: B
[Ball-carrier Ratings]
[C-]
BC Vision: A-
Carrying: C-
Trucking: F
Stiff Arm: D
Spin Move: C
Juke Move: B
Break Tackle: C+
Break Sack: F-
Change of Direction: A-
[Evaluation: A talented,
out-of-shape football player who is wasting his talents.]
[Note: This is the user's
skills in comparison to the best WR in high school at each individual skill.]