Chapter 2

It is now 4:00 pm Zack is now back in his hotel, at the moment he is just lying on his bed face down in misery. He has to show his team that he can play basketball, but the first thing he needs to get straight is showing up a practice on time. If he's late one more day the coach will not hesitate to kick him off the team. This will of course make Beasley shout in joy. Zack decides to watch some T.V when he turned it on the news was talking about the Japan basketball team on how they are ready to face the U.S.A team. It seems like the Japanese team is intimidating the Americans. Japans star player Royko Mamiyuki was on the Screen talking. "I feel that the American team is just not ready for us, mainly because I hear of some extreme tension going on in the locker room. Besides we beat the Americans 3 years ago and we can do it again, who cares about Mike Beasley and Zack Hughley, he's garbage." Royko just started to enjoy his laugh with all the harsh words he said about the American team. (Man mike is probably pissed off) Zack thought.

After the harsh news about the American team Zack decided to go out into the city. He went to a bar to watch other world teams play. Russia against Thailand, it seems like Thailand has lost the game but that was just game one, they have 2 more chances to win. Zack continued to watch the game, think, and suck down a few Coors light beers. Thailand lost their game and now Russia need to win one more game to advance. Zack has one more day to kick up his game because the day after tomorrow is the big game. "Excuse me sir, you put money on the table are you sure you want another beer this would be your fourth one." The bartender said. Zack did not even answer instead he got up and moved some where else in the bar. "I wonder what the hell is wrong with him?" The bartender was worried. Zack sat down and ordered something to eat. He had a simple ham sandwich with yet another beer. It didn't seem like he was drunk, but it's not like he is trying to get drunk though. "Do you always drink this much?" said a girl. It was the same girl he saw earlier, Ayane. "No only when im really stressed out I hate drinking this much" He said. "Then why do you do it?" Ayane asked. Zack is now getting upset, "Who the hell are you why are you asking me all these dumbass questions? Can you answer that?" Zack said raising his voice. "Whoa what is wrong? Im trying to make you mad im just curious about you. Also I think I have seen you somewhere before." Ayane said She is really worried, but she has seen him before he was in the 4th DOA tournament and he lost, but she never really paid much attention to him.

During that tournament he was a guy who jokes all the time but now Ayane seems to think Zack is just a Drunk with no friends. Ayane told Zack where she saw him and then this brought back a few memories for him. "I remember now you are a ninja girl aren't you? Then there was Tina I forgot all about her. I forgot about all of this because I like to put bad memories behind me and you all where bad memories" Zack explained. "Well this seems like a bad memory too, look at you. You look horrible and you are sitting in a bar getting drunk. What you should be doing is getting some rest and practicing because you have a game in about 36 hours." Ayane said. Zack thought for a moment as much as this girl hated him, she was right. He got up said good bye to Ayane and left to go back to the hotel. That night he did not sleep well a lot of negative tensions where on his mind. Then the train woke him up at 5:00 am. "THAT DAMN TRAIN I HATE THIS HOTEL!" he yelled. Neighbors could hear him but at least he woke up early this time.

Zack left the hotel and 8:00 am to go to the gym. He waited for an hour in a half for the other players to arrive. Beasley then showed up, "well look who's here early this time" Beasley said looking at Zack. Zack didn't even look at him, it was like mike wasn't even there. " You know Zack I was really hoping you wouldn't show up, it was reduce our media attention and we would make better progress, someone like you can really slow down a champion like myself." After that Zack looked at him and get in his face however he didn't say anything he just walked away. When the coach showed up practice began. They started off with Drills of sprints; spin moves, hot steps and lay ups, Zack was always the last to finish. "C'MON HUGHLEY HUSTLE UP!" the coach ordered. Zack started to speed up a little. Beasley was just running a laughing at the same time. He thought someone like Zack will never win anything. After the drills came some stretching Zack was breathing hard, this was an intense workout for him especially because he hat be drinking the night before. After stretching was round two of the same drills Lay ups, spin moves and then they started to run some plays. Zack messed up two plays two very important plays.

"DAMMIT HUGHLEY, THAT'S THE LAST TIME YOU WILL MESS THIS PLAY UP." The coach yelled. The coach was really getting furious at Zack, this entire practice he has been slacking off and not keeping up with the other players. "Coach I need a break, I can't breath" Zack said. The team took a short Gatorade break Zack about two cups of the drink and tried to regain his energy. He was breathing very heavily; the other players have never seen this out of him. Five minutes later he got his energy back he was able to go again. They started the same plays again this time Zack didn't mess up, then they went into shooting practice he was good there too. After that was time for the weight room. Zack benched 245 while Beasley was getting 310 pounds. While watching Zack he laughed again but this time it cost him, He lost control of the barbell and the weight fell on his chest. Beasley was now getting laughed at, he made a fool of himself. "Damn even I have never done that" Zack said. The rest of the team laughed with him he was finally not the one being made fun of. After practice the other players game Zack some pointers but Beasley left the building going back to his hotel.

Practice was over Zack did much better how ever the coach still doubted him, the coach told Zack he might not play him in tomorrows game, this made Zack upset but he was happy he did better today. Zack went back to his hotel after dinner at the sushi bar down the road. He thought about how he did today and how he can make himself better. While thinking he fell asleep tomorrow was a big day its game one against a Japanese powerhouse.

So how was this chapter? Was it better than the first? I would also like some more reviews please I think this is a good story but I need to know what others think.