August 13th, 2018.
The morning sunlight poured through the window, illuminating Lucas's small room. He blinked against the brightness, the faded posters of basketball legends on his wall coming into focus. Stretching lazily, he glanced at his clock. It was nearly 8:30 AM, and the sound of his mother humming in the kitchen told him breakfast was already underway.
Lucas pushed himself out of bed, his muscles still sore from the previous day's workout. He smiled faintly, relishing the feeling. It wasn't much yet, but every ache was a reminder that he was working toward something. With only a week left before middle school started, he had to stay disciplined.
Sliding into a pair of shorts and an old T-shirt, he grabbed his notebook and plopped down at his desk. The previous evening's scrawled notes stared back at him, but this time, he flipped to a fresh page. Today wasn't just about working out—it was about creating a plan, a routine he could stick to for the weeks ahead.
Lucas wrote the date at the top of the page, then underlined it with determination. He remembered how often injuries had derailed him in his old life—how his knees and ankles had taken the brunt of his intensity without proper care. He wasn't making that mistake again.
Not only that, but he started by listing stretches to improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury. "The foundation matters more than the flash," he muttered to himself, jotting them down carefully.
Hamstring Stretch (3 sets, 20 seconds each leg): Sitting on the floor, reaching for his toes to loosen up the backs of his legs. Quad Stretch (3 sets, 20 seconds each leg): Standing and pulling his foot toward his glutes, holding his balance. Hip Flexor Stretch (3 sets, 20 seconds each side): Kneeling on one leg and pushing his hips forward to open them up. Calf Stretch (3 sets, 20 seconds each leg): Leaning against the wall, pressing one heel into the ground while bending the opposite leg. Shoulder Rolls and Arm Swings (1 minute each): Rolling his shoulders in smooth circles and swinging his arms to loosen his upper body. Butterfly Stretch (3 sets, 20 seconds): Sitting with his feet together and pressing his knees toward the floor to open up his groin and inner thighs.
He tapped the pen against the notebook before moving on to strength and endurance exercises.
Push-Ups: 3 sets of 10, building toward higher reps over the next few weeks. Body weight Squats: 3 sets of 15 to strengthen his legs. Planks: 3 sets of 30 seconds, progressing to longer holds over time. Calf Raises: 3 sets of 20 to build explosive power for jumping. Lunges: 3 sets of 10 per leg to improve balance and strength.
Satisfied with the layout, Lucas flipped the page and sketched out a schedule for the week. He planned to alternate intense workout days with lighter ones, focusing on stretching and shooting drills on the lighter days to give his body time to recover.
As he closed the notebook, the smell of eggs and toast wafted into his room, making his stomach growl.
In the kitchen, Maria was plating scrambled eggs when Lucas walked in. Her dark hair was tied back in a loose braid, and her face lit up when she saw him.
"Good morning, cariño," she said, setting a glass of orange juice on the table. "How did you sleep?"
"Good," Lucas replied, grabbing a plate. "Sore, though."
"Sore?" Maria raised an eyebrow, glancing at him as she handed him the toast. "What have you been doing?"
"Just working out a bit. Trying to get ready for school basketball."
Maria's lips curled into a smile as she leaned against the counter. "Well, don't overdo it. Your body is still growing. And drink more water. I don't want to find you passed out on the court like last summer."
"Mom, that was one time," Lucas groaned, but he couldn't help smiling.
Steven walked in, his broad frame taking up the doorway. He grabbed a cup of coffee and nodded to Lucas. "Morning, champ. You're up early."
Lucas shrugged, shoveling a forkful of eggs into his mouth. "Got stuff to do. Court's probably gonna be packed later."
Steven chuckled, sipping his coffee. "Good. Keep at it. Hard work pays off."
It wasn't much, but his dad's approval always carried weight. Lucas finished his breakfast quickly, gave his mom a quick kiss on the cheek, and headed back to his room to change.
By the time he stepped out of the apartment, the sun was climbing higher, bathing the streets in golden light. Chicago in August was alive with energy—kids playing tag on the sidewalks, neighbors chatting on their stoops, and the distant sound of music blaring from a passing car.
Lucas bounced his basketball lightly as he walked, the familiar rhythm settling his thoughts. The court wasn't far, just a few blocks down, but it always felt like a world of its own.
As he passed a community center, something caught his eye—a bright yellow flyer tacked to the bulletin board near the entrance.
"3-on-3 Basketball Tournament: August 20th. Cash Prizes for the Top Three Teams! Sign Up Today!"
Lucas stopped, his heart skipping a beat. He scanned the rest of the flyer. It didn't look like a massive event, just something local, but the thought of competing again sent a thrill through him. He hadn't played in a real tournament in years—not since everything had fallen apart in his old life.
The tournament was exactly one week away, the same day school started. It was perfect. Lucas grinned to himself, already imagining who he could team up with. Jaylen and Miguel were obvious choices—they'd been playing together for years, and their chemistry on the court was undeniable.
He memorized the registration details before continuing toward the court, his mind buzzing with excitement. The familiar chain-link fence came into view, the sound of bouncing balls and shouts of laughter growing louder.
Jaylen was already there, dunking on the slightly crooked rim while Miguel yelled, "That doesn't count! You're too tall for this court!"