The gym echoed with the sound of sneakers screeching and balls pounding against the hardwood floor. Kendrick pushed himself harder than ever, sweat dripping down his face as he sprinted up and down the court. He didn't care about the stares from his teammates or the way they whispered behind his back. All he cared about was being ready for the showcase.
"Rivers, move faster!" Coach Ray barked from the sidelines. "Scouts don't care about tired legs. Push through it!"
Kendrick clenched his teeth and forced his body to keep going. He couldn't let up, not now. But no matter how much he focused, he couldn't shake the memory of the confrontation with Trenton. The threats weren't just words anymore they were promises.
After practice, Kendrick stayed behind, working on his jump shot. He shot basket after basket, the repetitive motion giving him a brief sense of control. Swish. Swish. Clang. Each miss made his frustration grow, and his muscles burned with exhaustion.
"Yo, K-Dawg," Jamal's voice cut through the quiet gym. Kendrick turned to see his teammate walking over, a cautious look on his face. "You good, man? You've been going hard all day."
Kendrick forced a small smile. "I'm fine. Just got a lot on my mind."
Jamal leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Yeah, I figured. Listen, Slim's been running his mouth all over the neighborhood. Saying you're acting like you're better than everyone else. Trenton's not happy."
Kendrick let out a bitter laugh. "When is Trenton ever happy?"
Jamal didn't laugh. "This is different, K-Dawg. They're not just talking anymore. People are saying they might show up here. Try to make a point."
The words hit Kendrick like a punch to the gut. He looked around the empty gym, suddenly feeling exposed. "I'm not backing down, Jamal. I've worked too hard to let them stop me."
"I get that," Jamal said, his tone serious. "But you've got to be smart about this. Trenton doesn't play fair. You've got a future, man. Don't let them take that from you."
Kendrick nodded, but the weight of Jamal's words lingered. He thought of his mom, of all the sacrifices she'd made to give him a chance at something better. He couldn't let Trenton ruin that.
As Kendrick walked home that night, he kept glancing over his shoulder. The streets felt different, quieter than usual. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him. When he reached his apartment, he found a folded piece of paper taped to his door.
"Midnight. The old court. Don't make us come find you."
Kendrick crumpled the note in his fist. It wasn't fear he felt anymore it was anger. Trenton wanted to drag him back, to make him feel small, but Kendrick wasn't that kid anymore. If they wanted a fight, he'd give them one.