Two Years Later

As I entered the Laker's locker room, the crowds and cheerleaders out on the basketball court cheering made for nervous background music. I stood rooted where I was, clutching tightly to my duffle bag, with my gaze locked in the direction of the basketball arena tunnel. I noticed nothing happening around me. My heart was drumming hard against my chest as images of the cheering crowd filled my mind.

One of my teammates bumped into me, causing me to stumble forward; the teammates there turned towards me.

"Sorry." I apologized, rubbing my bicep. "I was thinking of something."

"Clearly." One of our power forwards spoke up. "Are you going to keep staring, or can you manage to focus tonight?"

Before I could say anything, he headed to his locker. I hung my head, missing my high school years when I was not only the captain, but I could actually talk to my teammates. We were not only teammates; we were best friends. It seemed like a lifetime ago since I've had teammates I got along with that well. I longed for it more and more each day that went by. Shrugging off my feelings of anxiety and longing, I headed for the shower. Tossing my bag into my cubby, I unlocked my cupboard. I was greeted with pictures of me with some of my high school basketball team the second I opened my locker. There was a picture of Zeke, Chad, and Jason running track with me. The one of Zeke trying to teach the three of us to bake after we discovered his love for baking never failed to make me smile. Below was the one of Jason trying to teach our friend Kelsi to shoot a basketball when we were Sophomores in high school. So much has happened since most of which I would say was good.

I smiled through the ache in my heart and gently touched the graduation picture my parents took of my best friends and me in high school that took front and center. We were all in our cap and gown with Zeke, Sharpay, Ryan, Jason, and Kelsi standing while Chad, Taylor, Gabriella, and I kneeled in front of them.

"Hey, Hoops."

I turned around, seeing Chad in his uniform. I smiled, seeing my best buddy since preschool with his wild personality and bushy fro to match.

"Hey." I parked myself on the bench and proceeded to tie my sneakers.

"Ready to show the Clippers what happens if someone steps into our house and send them packing?"

I hung my head and lowered my leg to the floor. "I doubt I'll be doing much aside from warming the benches."

"Says who?" Chad asked, taking a seat beside me.

I gave a seriously look. "Says my performance at practice." I reminded him.

Chad winced, "granted, you weren't your best at practice….."

"That's putting it mildly." I interrupted him. "Your two-year-old could've played better than me; at least he would know who's coming and going."

Chad sighed, "point is you shouldn't be counting yourself out; if you're really that bad, Coach wouldn't see you as an asset to this team, and you would be traded off."

I sighed, "Chad, be real. I'm the team laughing stock, and I'm lucky that one can't get kicked out of the NBA for playing terribly."

Before Chad could reply, one of our teammates interrupted us. "Bolton. Danforth, the Coach, is coming, so if you're done singing Kumbaya around the campfire."

Chad and I exchanged glances and shot to our feet just as the Coach came in. Everyone scrambled around the Coach, ready to hear his pre-game pep talk. After his usual pep talk, Coach had us all put our hands in the middle and chanted Lakers. Everyone was fired up and still changing Lakers as we ran through the arena tunnel towards the basketball court. I was the only one not cheering as I lagged behind the team.

"Hoops," Chad looked around for me. He stopped me, pulling me aside. "You got this, and I'll have your back."

"Thanks," I smiled, thankful to have a friend like Chad.

We raced to catch the rest of our team.


I glanced over at the scoreboard with a ticking clock from my place on the bench. The game was tied at 50 a piece. It was really anyone's game with less than seven minutes to the final quarter.

I held my breath as I watched Chad intercept a pass by the Clippers. Racing down the court, Chad made a lay, pulling us head. My hands were balled into a fist as I glanced back at the clock.

Come on, I thought, willing the clock to count down faster, count faster-end the game.

Coach called a final time-out and put me back in the game. My heart raced with anxiety as I stepped onto the court. Chad tossed the ball back in, and before I could figure out what was happening, it was in my hands.

I stood frozen in shock and confusion, oblivious to the standing crowd shouting. Finally getting the sense to pick my head up, I noticed the Coach pointing at the basket as he shouted at me to shoot. Taking a breath, I looked around at my teammates to see that everyone was guarded. There was no way I could pass it without risking a turnover.

My heart hammered in my chest as I turned back to the scoreboard—less than three minutes. If I was going to take a shot, now was the time. My hands shook as I bounced the ball a couple of times. Taking a step back, I got ready to shoot and noticed one of the Clippers players charging in my direction.

My eyes widened as panic took control of my body, and my brain checked out. Reacting without a second thought, I passed the ball to my teammates, resulting in a turnover. Groans could be heard throughout the entire room. I knew I was in for it as I watched the Clipper player sink a three-pointer just as the buzzer sounded.

End of the fourth quarter 52 to 53.

In favor of the Clippers.

More groans went around the court.


The game took a lot out of all of us. Everyone collapsed into a seat in exhaustion. I hung my head feeling the eerie atmosphere. The frightening death stares being served to me weren't any surprise, though. They start coming even before the game and are usually worse after.

"Sorry," I apologized, hoping to de-escalate some of the tension around the room, "I panicked and made a bad judgment."

Chad placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Hoops, no worries." We've all been known to make wrong judgments under pressure."

One of our teammates rolled his eyes and gagged at us. "Newlyweds aren't as sickening and blind as you two."

"Do either of you have any idea how to play basketball?" Our center player chimed in. "I've seen College students play better."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Chad challenged, getting up.

I straightened up, sensing trouble.

"It means your buddy should have made the shot." Our captain towered a couple of inches over Chad. "Even if he missed, there wouldn't have been a turnover."

"You don't know that," Chad argued back, looking ready to have it out with our teammates.

Popping on my feet, I held Chad back, reminding him to take it easy. Neither Chad nor our Captain gave an inch as their anger raged on. I tried getting Chad to sit, but he wouldn't budge. My attempt to get our Captain to back off was even worse.

A chill ran down my spine as I watched their argument rage on. The longer they were at it, the more I feared it would turn into an all-out fistfight. Then we would all be in trouble. I prayed that having my hand on his shoulder was enough to remind Chad not to go too far.

"Troy's ten times the Captain you'll ever be," Chad shouted mid-argument. My eyes widen in shock, causing me to whip my head in his direction. "At least he backs up every member of his team."

Captain gave a sarcastic laugh. "Yeah, he really backed us up tonight."

A loud whistle silenced the entire room. Everyone turned, seeing Coach at the locker room door. The Coach had lowered his eyebrows into a straight line with a frown. Anger was in his eyes as he folded his arms across his chest.

"If you're all quite done hashing each other out, how about hearing what I have to say?" Coach continued when no one objected. "Yes, Troy could have done much better, but we weren't exactly killing it when Troy was off the court. This is a team, which means we all have strengths and weaknesses. Until you all learn to work together, accepting every team member, all we'll ever be is one big old melting pot dreaming of the playoff. Bolton, I need you in my office. Rest of you, I'll see you tomorrow bright and early for practice."

"Course, sir." I agreed with a nod.

I reminded Chad to stay out of trouble on my account before I followed after the Coach. Everyone started mumbling and whispering to each other.

"Anyone that wants to join him in my office is more than welcome." Coach stated with a sternness in his voice. The room went quiet as everyone hung their head. Everyone had a guilty look, as if their parents had just scolded them. Satisfied that his players got his message, Coach turned to me and demanded to see me in his office again.


As he sat behind his desk, Coach had a serious look on his face. The tension could be heard in his voice while he lectured away at me through his gritted teeth. To say that the Coach was frustrated with my performance lately was an understatement. I was wobbling on my last leg with him, and I knew it.

I felt like a kid back in elementary school getting in trouble with the principal. I kept my head down as Coach lectured away, not daring to look up at him until he gave me some sign that it was OK. When he finally did stop, he demanded an explanation for all my mistakes lately. But I didn't have one. Slowly I picked my head up, afraid to look in the eye.

"Sorry I…" The Coach slammed his hand on the table, causing me to jump.

"I'm not looking for an apology. I'm tired of hearing all your I'm sorry." Coached sighed, shaking his head. "Do you even want to continue playing in the NBA, Troy?"

I nodded my head without hesitation. "More than anything. The NBAs are all I've ever dreamed of since my dad first taught me to play as a kid."

"Then start proving it." He suggested. "Show me some of your fire and strengths, or I have no choice but to bench you. If it comes to that, I might have to cut our losses."

I nodded again in response, happy that I still had a chance. Seeing that we had an understanding, Coach excused me. Relief washed over me as I headed for the door.

"Troy," I stopped halfway out the door. Turning back, I gave Coach my attention. "You have the talent, but that isn't enough. Talent alone can only take you so far if you're unwilling to try. Don't be so afraid to try and learn from your mistakes. Success comes from failure all the time."

"Right." I agreed with a nod. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Coach."

Seeing that there was nothing else, I made a quick exit. The locker was empty when I returned. Figuring Chad must have left with everyone else, I decided to grab a quick shower before leaving.


"Hoops," I heard Chad when I stepped out of the Lakers gymnasium. "Hold up."

"Hey, I thought you left." I greeted him as he jogged up.

"No way," Chad spun the basketball in his hand. "Not without knowing my best friend is OK."

I shoved my hand in my pocket, feeling a bit confused. "Why wouldn't I be OK?"

He shrugged, "The team wasn't exactly playing nice today; plus, I doubt Coach wanted to talk to you alone to sing your praises."

"He didn't." I agreed. "Thanks for having my back with the team, though."

Chad stopped spinning the basketball and tucked it under his arm. "How bad was it?"

I ran my hand through my hair, frowning as I recalled the conversation. Letting out a sigh, I caught Chad up; by the time I was done, he was frowning too.

"I'm not sure I want to know what Coach meant by cutting our losses," Chad spoke up with a slight hint of worry in his voice.

"That makes two of us." I agreed, kicking a pebble on the ground. "What am I going to do?"

We were silent as we wandered the streets of LA without a destination in mind. All we could hear was the oncoming cars and the dribbling of Chad's ball. For a moment, I thought back to when we were kids in high school. Back then, basketball was our entire lives; somehow, we were always practicing our skills.

"Hoops?" Chad waved a hand in front of me to grab my attention. "I said, why not make a schedule."

"A schedule?" I raised a brow.

Chad nodded his head as he practiced his dribbling. "Yeah, practice makes perfect. Why not make a training schedule and follow it to a tee? Maybe you'll be able to get more training in, which in turn could improve your skills."

"Or it could make things worse."

"How?" Chad countered. "The worse that's gonna happen is Coach noticing you putting in some extra effort, which can't hurt."

I smiled, seeing how much he'd changed since high school. "Taylor has really rubbed off on you."

"The power of love." Chad offered. "Gabby has rubbed….."

Chad stopped himself mid-sentence and froze. He had a frown on his face that matched mine, with a narrowed brow.

"Sorry." He apologized.

I shook my head, trying to smile through the pain I felt in my heart. "I'm fine; it's almost been three years. She'd probably moved on by now."

"Doesn't mean you can't miss her and wonder how different your life would be if you and Gabby were still together."

"How did you know that I still think about Gabby?"

"Because as her friends Taylor and I miss her and wonder where she is now. So as her ex-boyfriend, you must still think of her often." Chad stated simply. "Plus, if it were me in your situation, I know I would be thinking of Taylor often. Actually, I think I would be worse off than you."

I chuckled a little. "You know I would never let that happen. Just like how you've always had my back and never let me hit rock bottom no matter what."

"That's what best friends are for." Chad started dribbling his basketball again.

We started walking again, and after a moment of silence, I got a fun idea. The corner of my mouth curved into a sneaky smile as I got a mischievous look in my eyes. Out of the blue, I stole the ball from Chad, shocking him. Chad quickly raced after me, and we were at it again, trying to keep the ball from each other.

We were both laughing between our rapid breaths, just like when we were kids on the court. When we finally stopped, we were both covered in sweat and grinning from ear to ear. My heart was pounding like a sledgehammer against my chest, but it was fun.

Our breaths slowly started evening out when we sat on a nearby bench. Spinning the ball with my hands, weight started creeping back into my chest again. "Chad, you really think I could live the life I've always dreamed of?"

"Why not," Chad replied. "I was the one who wanted the NBA, and you were the one dreaming of someone to share your NBA success with."

"You're right." I agreed. "Everything you have with Taylor I thought I was going to have with Gabby."

"But it's not a total loss." Chad encouraged. "You already completed the NBA part…..sort of. Just give it time, and things will get better. You'll be ready to put yourself out there again, and when that happens, you'll be out of this funk you've been in, in no time."

I smiled, tossing the basketball back at him. "I'll hold you to that."

"You want to grab a bite? It beats going home and microwaving some questionable TV dinner."

"I was thinking of going home and making something," I replied, getting up before pulling Chad into a hug. "Thanks for always having my back."

"Anytime." Chad hugged me back before asking me if I was sure about grabbing something to eat.

I let him know I was before we headed in opposite directions. Halfway down the street, I turned back in the direction Chad went. He was already out of sight, and I was the only person on the streets. Everyone else was in the stores or restaurants.

Chad's words sank in as I stared at the empty street. It'll get better, I told myself as I started for home again.