Kendrick sat on the steps outside the gym, letting the cool evening breeze wash over him as the adrenaline from the game slowly faded. His shot had won the scrimmage, but the real test was far from over. Mo-G had given him trouble on the court, but that was just the beginning.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, seeing a message from Trenton:
"We need to talk. Meet me at the spot."
Kendrick sighed. Trenton was always the wild card in his life. Their friendship, once inseparable, had been hanging by a thread ever since Kendrick decided to chase his dreams while Trenton sank deeper into the streets.
Reluctantly, Kendrick rose from the steps, tucking the phone back into his pocket. He knew where "the spot" was, the old abandoned playground they used to run when they were kids. Back then, it was just about having fun. Now, it was the place where deals went down, where the streets laid their claim.
The sun had set by the time Kendrick arrived. Trenton was already there, leaning against the rusted jungle gym, a cigarette dangling from his lips. The moment Kendrick stepped into the clearing, he felt the shift in the air. This wasn't a friendly meeting.
Trenton didn't say anything at first, just took a long drag of his cigarette before flicking it to the ground.
"You've changed, K-Dawg," Trenton said, his voice low, almost sad. "You're not the same kid who used to hustle out here with me."
Kendrick crossed his arms. "We're not kids anymore, Trent."
Trenton's eyes darkened. "Nah, man. We're still here. You think just 'cause you got some fancy coach looking at you, you can leave? This place doesn't let you go that easy."
Kendrick felt the weight of Trenton's words. The streets had their grip on them, but Kendrick was determined to break free.
"I gotta do what's best for me," Kendrick said, his voice firm. "I'm not going to end up stuck here, Trent. I've got a chance."
Trenton took a step closer, his jaw clenched. "You think you're better than me?"
Kendrick shook his head. "It's not about being better. It's about wanting more."
For a moment, the two stood there in silence, the tension thick enough to cut. Finally, Trenton turned away, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Watch your back, K-Dawg. The streets don't forget."
Kendrick didn't reply as Trenton walked away, his figure disappearing into the shadows. But the warning echoed in his mind, a reminder that escaping the streets was never that simple.