Fairview Highschool
October 4th, 1993.
"Have you ever thought about joining a sport, François?" The counselor looked at him.
"It's Frank." Frank grumbled.
"Sorry, Frank. Have you ever thought about joining a spor-"
"I heard you the first time," Frank hissed. "No, I haven't."
"Well," The counselor looked at his file. "Judging by your past, and today's incident, it seems you have trouble with staying in line." Frank raised an eyebrow. "How about basketball? You used to play in middle school, right? We have a great coach, I think it would help you."
"I've haven't touched a basketball since. I hated every minute of it."
"That's why we…have a coach…"
"No thank you."
"Let me put it this way Frank, if we don't find something for you, we'll have to double our weekly sessions, maybe even get outside help."
"That's bullshit!"
"Language!"
"Sorry, that's horse-crap."
The counselor sighed. "What will it be, Frank?"
"…Put me in…" Frank grunted.
"Excellent choice, Frank. Let's have you try practice after school today, huh?"
If you took a look at him, you would've sworn he belonged at a college game instead of Fairview Highschool's. He was stood at 183 cm, 81 kilograms, and was sporting a close shaven beard, all within the beginnings of his sophomore year. Right now, the most intimidating player on the FHS basketball team was lucky number 18, Joseph Culver. 18 was his old man's number when he used to play. Joseph had been playing basketball ever since he was a child, as Joseph's father was an avid fan of basketball. He was five years old when he made his first real basket. Now he was here, inside the FHS gym, warming up for todays practice. This was his first step to victory, he always thought. He'd hope he could get a scholarship, and eventually become part of the NBA. He knew it'd make his father proud.
Joseph noticed There was a new-comer of the field. He looked…out of place, like he was forced to be there. He had the average height, maybe 177 cm, but he was lacking the muscle mass the other players had. He looked like he would fit on track way better. If the way he was built didn't say it, his demeanor did. He fidgeted, looking around for something. This kid angry. Angry at what, though? Angry at the coach? I mean, Joseph thought, The coach gave him the jersey of someone who quit weeks ago, number 43, and all he did was slap a piece of tape over the old kids name and scratch down "Morrison." Or maybe he was angry at the school, for forcing him into this. Or maybe he was just angry at everything. Whatever it was, Joseph figured it'd come out in his playing.
"Culver!" The coach said. "This side!" He pointed over to one half of the gym. Joseph obliged. "Morrison, that way!" The coach pointed to the other side. Morrison grunted something, slowly pacing over. The coach assigned the rest of the team to a side. He walked over to the center of the gym, and put a single basketball in the middle circle. "Go!" He blew his whistle, and just like that, everyone was off.
Joseph was the first to be passed the ball. The opposite side was on him, trying their best to get the ball out of his hands, but he wouldn't let it happen. He used every spin, maneuver, and trick in the book to make sure he kept it. He was about to make it to the basket when someone blocked his way. It was Morrison! Morrison stood there. Despite Joseph towering over him, the confidence in his stance was intimidating. Joseph tried his best to calculate a weak spot in him, but Morrison watched him intently. Joseph decided he had to make a move, the timer was ticking down too fast. He attempted to side step Morrison, but the kid called his bluff and moved Infront of him, knocking the ball into his hands. Joseph tried to grab it back, but Morrison side spun him, knocking Joseph off his feet. Joseph looked up to see Morrison throwing it into the basket, a smug grin on his face as he walked back over to Joseph.
"Get your ass up," He said. "We're playing!"
"Good job today, Morrison." Joseph said, throwing his sweatshirt over himself.
"Frank," He grunted.
"Right, right. Frank. Not bad for a first game." Joseph said.
"Yea? How long have you been playing?" Frank stood up.
"Long enough to know you're pretty good." Joseph smiled.
Frank smirked. "You're alright, dude. You're alright. I like you man. What's your name?"
"Joseph Culver."
"Joseph?" Frank laughed.
"What?"
"You've just been going by that your whole life?"
"Pretty much."
"Nah, nah nah. You need something cooler." Frank thought for a bit. "Joey. Yeah, Joey." Frank said.
"I'm guessing your first name isn't just Frank." Joseph asked.
"Nope, but François was given to me by some dipshit deadbeat." Frank spat. "So it's just Frank."
"Fair enough." Joseph said. "Well hey, lemme know if you ever need practice outside of school, I got some hoops out at my house."
"I might just take you up on that." Frank said. "I don't gotta be home anytime soon."
"Let's go then!"
"Right on, Joey!" Frank said.
Joey, he thought. It was growing on him.
Frank and Joey walked down the snow-covered sidewalk, talking about basketball techniques. It was a nice break from the desolate feeling Frank had over him ever since he walked into this shit-hole. As they walked, they came across a lean, brunette cheerleader, and her shorter, blonde friend. Frank thought the cheerleader looked familiar. As they came closer, he noticed it was the same long-haired girl he'd talked to last night! "Julie!" He said enthusiastically. "I was hoping I'd get to see you soon!"
Julie looked up into his charming eyes. "Hey, Frank." She said. "What are you up to?"
"We just got off basketball practice,"
"Oh, you do basketball?"
"His first game." Joey said. Frank shot him a look.
"This is Joey," Frank said. Joey waved, and Julie and her friend waved back. "We're heading back to his house to play some more."
"Oooo…that sounds fun," Julie said. "Right, Susie?"
"S-sure." Susie said, softly rubbing her hand against her other arm.
Frank smirked. "You guys wanna come and watch?" He asked.
"I'd love to!" Julie said.
"Lead the way, Joey." Frank said.
Susie sat on the curb, watching as Frank and Joey went head to head. Susie was younger than all of them, Julie included. She was born in the year 1979, but because of her excellent academic record, she advanced into high school a year before everyone else. She was an intelligent young woman when it came to academics, though naïve when it came to anything else. That's where Julie came in. Julie swore to protect her, and she did. She'd known Julie since elementary school, even though Julie was a grade above her, she had always looked at her like a big sister. They had met when in the lunch line, of all places. When Susie didn't have enough money to pay for her food, Julie stepped in, handing her a 20! It was the first 20 she had ever held. From that day forward, they were best friends, and that friendship stayed true, even to this day! Susie never managed to make many other friends, she was always too shy to try, despite Julie's constant encouragement. Julie never had a problem meeting new people, that was a skill Susie had envied.
While deep in thought, she failed to notice Julie had gotten up to go talk to Frank, leaving her on the curb alone. "Hey," Joey said, walking over to her.
"Oh, hi." Susie greeted.
"You looked lonely." Joey said.
"Oh I was just thinking."
"Oh, really? I don't do much of that" Joey laughed. Susie giggled. "What's it like?"
"Just thinking about…" Susie stammered. "What I wanna draw next."
"Ooo, an artist, huh?" Joey asked.
"Just characters 'n stuff" She told him. "Usually just to pass time."
"Hey man, that's really cool! You got any on you?" Joey asked. Susie showed him her sketchbook, full of little doodles of people, animals, whatever was going on in her mind she wanted to express. Joey appreciated it, encouraging her. She appreciated the kindness, even though she thought it was dumb. Eventually Frank and Julie came over, looking over them to. Frank asked her to do more, wanting to see her process. Julie agreed, telling them all about Susie's ambitions. Normally, she'd feel embarrassed, but today it was comforting.