Disclaimer: See Chapter 1 please...
Chapter 7: The Test Part one
After a long week of pick up games that really pushed Freddie to the limit. He tried to stay away from play as much as possible. He would just pass the ball whenever he had it in his hands, even when he is open. On defense it was pretty much the same, as he would just get embarrassed with the talent he came up against. It didn't matter who went one on one with him. So it was just enough to get him past the week with few problems.
It was the night before the tournament. It was very late and even Rudy was sound asleep. Sean and Jerome were in the kitchen, seated at the island. Sean wanted to talk to Jerome about his leadership skills.
"You're bold for pulling this off. You know?" Sean would say with a shrug, "But I don't recommend this as a way to be a leader in Amateur Athletics." Sean and Jerome were seated at the family table.
"Aww come on man," Jerome would say in frustration..."You've done it with your Teammates at Newcastle."
"But…" Sean interrupts, holding up a finger, sitting forward as he stares intently at Jerome, "Those guys were professionals. Your guys…" Sean nods towards the front room where the team is asleep, "…they don't seem to want to take the road you're taking."
Jerome groans again, "Look, cousin, I know what I'm doing, and I sort of understand where you comin' from, but I warned and promised them that they'd be pushed to their limits and I am going through with my promise." Jerome takes a deep breath to calm himself down.
"And what promise would that be? Trying to kill them before their college basketball careers start?"
"Sean…" Jerome closed his eyes, and groaned. He's been going back and forth about the 'regimen' hes been putting on these boys.
Sean puts his seat forward. "Now look kid…"
"Kid! I'm only three years younger than you!"
"Whatever," Sean waves his hand dismissively, "Look, I know what you're doing; tryin' to correct the mistakes you made in high school. Am I right?"
Jerome, confused, looks over towards the door where he knew Rudy was sleeping on the couch. With a groan he looks back towards his cousin/mentor. "Did Rudy put you up to this? When he gets up he is going to get a can of whoop- ass..."
"Rome, you're not going to beat Rudy's ass for this."
Jerome looked at his cousin, confused "Now you calling me Rome?"
"Hey," Sean raises his hands, "As Rudy explained it, it makes total sense." Sean sits back with a smirk on his face, placing his hands behind his head.
Jerome sat back with his arms crossed. "Still think it's something to do with Caesar." He would grumble childishly, like a kid who had been sent to his room.
Sean would Chuckle heartily. Caring for his family is his main job; the soccer gig just pays the bills. Caring was the key to his success as a soccer icon. He always trusted in the people he had. That's why he's taken such an interest in what Jerome's doing. He want to give Jerome that knowledge.
After calming down from his chuckling fit, Sean regains his composure, "Look," Sean would say as he sits upright. "I feel like you have that talent and that eager ambition that will take you places, kind of like how I was when I was at Newcastle, but please listen. Show them you can have fun as well." and he would stare intently at Rome "That, among other things, will make you one helluva leader."
He knew Sean was just being a good cousin but he, also, knew this was going to work… that it had to work. So, he leaned forward and said, "I know what I am doing, and damn it, I have my ways to make this work, ok? Now…" Jerome leans back with a smug look on his face, "…watch Caesar work his magic."
"Ok, *cough* Nero *cough*"
"What was that?" Jerome would say through Gritted teeth and squinted eyes.
"Nothing, oh powerful Caesar." Sean would give a slight chuckle and a mock bow.
"Yeah whatever." He looks at his cell phone. "Look, it's almost four in the mornin' and I have to wake up the fellas at ten so that everybody can get to the courts for practice before the tournament, so I have to get some kinda sleep." Jerome heads to the kitchen door and turns around before leaving, "You're gonna be there tomorrow?"
"Sure thing, kiddo." Sean chuckles.
Jerome scowls and turns to walk out of the room, "You're only three years older." Jerome lay in his sleeping area reflecting on the conversation he had just had. Could he be overdoing it? Could he really bring about the destruction of his own team?
Nah… everything will work out fine… He turns on his side trying to focus on the game… It has to.
At eight, that morning, Freddie was jolted awake by a loud beep. Somehow, everyone is still asleep. He checks it out anyway, and what he sees surprises him...
Hey Freddie its Carly. Surprise! Me and Sam are in New York to Root you guys on, (Well just me, Sam wanted to see that Soul Food Restaurant, that got her all hyped up)
Freddie had to chuckle on that one...
Now, I would love to meet you guys at this Cafe over at Times Square, Sam won't be with us, and I don't know why maybe shes off to find that restaurant. Oh well think you can meet me in a hour?
Freddie unsure if he should do this goes to a sleeping Jerome…
"Jerome." he says as he is shaking him...
"What Benson?" he mumbles, still in a slumbering state.
"Can I go see some friends that came from Seattle?"
"Yea Benson, just be at the courts by 1 o'clock, ok?" Jerome promptly turns over, burying his face in a couch pillow.
Freddie Nods furiously, "Great thanks,"
"Nah leh abrah slee." Jerome mumbles sleepily into his pillow.
Freddie, not sure what Jerome said dons a confused look, "What?"
Jerome turns and faces Freddie with an annoyed groan, "Now, let a brotha Sleep. I want to be ready for the game." And Jerome turns over, drifting back into his slumber."
Satisfied with his answer, he responds to Carly.
Of Course, I got the ok from Jerome and ill meet you there,
Freddie would get his instructions and say he would meet her there, now he goes to wake up Gibby and he's out cold...
"Gibby," Freddie would shake the little giant as hard as he can.
Gibby groans and gives off an annoyed sigh, "Freddie, I know about the text I got one too." Hoping that the conversation's over, Gibby puts his head on the pillow.
"Well…" Freddie Whispers, "You gonna come with?"
Gibby groans once again. This time, more angry than annoyed, "Not now. I told Carly I meet her later."
"Alright. Will I meet you at the courts or with Carly? "
"Most likely with Carly," Gibby turns his back to Freddie signifying that he's finished with the conversation.
Freddie didn't take the hint, "Gibby…" Gibby releases a loud snore. Having caught on, Freddie smirks "Ok, Later man." Freddie takes a shower and gets dressed...
He comes down the stairs ready to go. He grabs his phone and checks the time. 8:45? How much time did I spend in the bathroom? He shrugs it off and heads to the door.
When he's about to reach the door, Jerome mumbles loudly. "Oh, and be careful Benson; New York is a very easy place to get lost."
The quick pace of New York City was something new for Freddie and something scary at the same time. He was usually traveling with the rest of his team, and that was using some form of transportation.
"I could've sworn it was this way." He looks around at the bustle of people and immediately found out that you shouldn't stand still on a New York side walk.
"Hey watch it!"
"Sorry sir I…" Freddie looks up to see the same man-lady that he saw on the subway. Hopefully he… or she… didn't remember him.
Judging by the grin, and look of realization on the person's face, there was no hope for Freddie. "Well, if it isn't my subway sweetie." Freddie blanched at his nickname.
"Sorry but I'm late for… a meeting." Freddie silently thanks the powers above that his arguments with Sam increased his ability to think on his feet. With those words he hastily heads away from the man-lady.
Deciding not to risk any more chance meetings, he decides to hail a cab. He hasn't had to spend a lot of money on this trip so he had what he hoped was more than enough to cover the trip. After seeing a number of people sticking their hands up and yelling out for taxis, he figured that was how it was done. "Taxi!" the yellow car slowed down and stopped.
Hmm… that wasn't so hard. He started to walk to the taxi but was, abruptly, pushed aside as a tall red head open the door and got inside. "Hey what the…"
The woman rolled down the window and yelled out, "Sorry kid, you snooze, you lose." Freddie stood there with his mouth agape. As the cab sped off, he heard the woman's voice, "Tough luck kid!" She didn't have to tell him.
He repeated the taxi hailing process. He rushed to the cab this time and got in. "Where to, kid?"
"Umm… Times Square." The cab driver sped off towards the destination. By the time he reached Times Square, he convinced himself that he would never take a cab again. He hastily paid the man, told him to keep the change, and jumped out of the car.
Luckily he could see the café in the distance. Grateful that his journey was almost over, he walked to the café. He was amused to find that the café's name was El Café.
Freddie walks into the café looking for Carly. He scans the café but is unable to locate his friend. He contemplates yelling out her name, but decides against it, knowing how crazy he would look yelling out random names in public. He decides to walk over to the counter and orders himself a coffee. While waiting in line he checks his cell phone. 10:18. I can't believe I wandered around New York for an hour and a half before deciding to get a cab. I could've died.
While the waitress takes his order he looks to the tables and sees Sam sitting by herself. He takes his coffee and pays for it, forsaking his change. Against his better judgment he decides to speak to her. "Sam?"
"Freddie!" Sam's surprised look doesn't go unnoticed. However, the surprise quickly fades and is replaced with her natural disposition, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm supposed to be meeting Carly here."
"Of course you are." Her exasperation is evident in her voice.
Freddie sighs with the same amount of exasperation, "It's not like that, Sam." The crush has long since been dead, and he was getting tired of defending himself, "I didn't even know you guys were gonna be here." Freddie takes a seat across from Sam. "So…"
"So…" Sam didn't like this type of silence. Nothing good ever came from this type of silence. "You said you were lookin' for Carly?" Freddie sighs, noticeably, angrier than before, "Calm down, dork. I was just gonna say that maybe you're at the wrong café." Sam points to the window which faces the other side of the walkway.
Freddie looks in the direction as directed by Sam's finger and his eyes stretch as he sees a café across the street. However, that wasn't the worst part. Upon further inspection of the building on the other side of the walkway, he sees that it has the same style, same setup, and same name as the café that he was currently in. Indeed, it was the same café he was in and yet it wasn't where he was.
Seeing Freddie's dumbfounded expression, Sam had to laugh. "I know. It's crazy right?"
Freddie quickly recovers, "So, the game doesn't start for a while. What do you plan on doing until then?"
Sam pauses, she hadn't really thought about it. She supposed that she would just spend the day with Carly. Carly's aunt lives in New York, so she supposed that they would go back there until the games started. Just as she was about to answer, she saw Freddie's jaw clench as his eyes trained on the door. She turns and spots Jonah as he comes through the door.
"What's he doin' here?" Freddie murmurs before he could stop himself. He averts his gaze to his coffee cup in hopes that Sam didn't hear him
"He's in the tournament today." His luck never was all that good. He looks up to find Sam glaring at him, "Didn't you know?" Freddie's frown seemed to deepen, despite his greatest efforts to control his face. Sam instantly went on the attack.
She gets up and walks over to Jonah and gives him a hug. Jonah returns her hug and whispers in her ear, "What are you doing?"
She responds, "Just go with it, or you can forget about Val."
"Why do you have to bring Valerie into this?" Sam finds some loose skin on his back and pinches him. "Ahhh... Alright, but you REALLY owe me!" Whispered Jonah.
"Atta Boy." Sam patted him on his back twice.
Freddie notices the length of their hug and his insides start to boil. Not only for the fact that they have been in their embrace for more than thirty seconds, which is an extremely long time to hug someone, but also because of the fact that Freddie remembers Jonah as the first guy able to make Sam stop being herself. He crushed her and Freddie hated him for it. He shakes himself out of his thoughts just in time to realize that the two had rejoined him at the table.
Freddie, once again, lost control of his mouth. "What is he, your boyfriend or something?" He immediately regretted the words.
"I don't see how that's any of your business." She trains a glare on him as Jonah sits back amused, "Listen up, doofus. I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself. So what, if he's my boyfriend?" Jonah dons a snide look and extends his arm around Sam's shoulders, never taking his eyes off of Freddie. "I came over here for him." Sam's glare was challenging his, "What are you gonna do about it?" Freddie lost the will to fight her glare and looked away. She was right. What could he do?
Freddie clears his throat and looks towards Sam, "You're absolutely right." He looks over at Jonah, trying his best to remove the frown from his face, "So, I hear you're in the tournament today?"
"Yep, got into Washington State on a scholarship. One of the teammates said something about a tournament that features the best of the best so I figured that I should be a part of it."
"Ok, cool, I'll see you out there then."
"Oh yeah, that's right Gibby's down here with the group from U-dub." Jonah nods thoughtfully, "That's real cool of you to come all the way across the country just to support your friend."
"Actually," Freddie clears his throat again. Although he doesn't really know why, "I'm playing as well."
Jonah laughs, "You! I don't think I've ever seen you pick up a basketball, let alone join a basketball team."
"Yeah well…" Freddie started
Jonah interrupts, "I mean, you didn't play for the high school…"
"I know but…" Freddie tries to interject.
Jonah, continues, "You didn't play for a rec league…"
"Yeah but…" Freddie tries once again getting more and more frustrated. How would he know that?
"I didn't even see you in any of the parks I played at when i went back to the Sea-"
"Alright, chill!" this earned Freddie the looks of the other patrons in the café.
"Sounds like you're the one who needs to chill, Benson." Jonah says with a hint of laughter on his voice.
Freddie hears Sam snicker and glances over at her, "Alright then, I guess I'll see you on the courts." Freddie rises from the seats trying to make an exit before he can make a bigger fool out of himself.
"Yeah, I doubt it… but you keep on thinkin that, if it'll make you feel better." Jonah laughs and Freddie, not having the will to continue, heads towards the door.
Freddie checks his phone 11:30? Guess I'll go back to the house. When he walks for the door he looks up from his phone and sees Carly and Gibby.
"Hey Freddie, I didn't know you were over here." Carly smiles. Usually it's infectious, however, at the moment it's just annoying.
"Yo Freddie," Gibby speaks, "Did you know that the same café is across the street? That's crazy right?"
"Yeah, it's pretty wild." Freddie tried to inject some life into his tone. He failed miserably.
"What's wrong, Freddie?" Carly voiced her concern.
"It's nothin' something came up and I gotta get back to the house. It was nice seeing you, Carly. See ya at the courts Gibby. See you guys later." Freddie makes his, hurried, exit before either Carly or Gibby could inquire into his problem.
Freddie hurried down the sidewalk. He wasn't too sure where he was going but he had to get away. Away from the café, away from him… away from her. He had to get out, "Hey Freddie, wait up." They just keep pulling him back in.
He turns around to see Gibby jogging up beside him. "Hey. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be spending your last hour of free time, before practice, with Carly?" He couldn't stop the venom that poured from his tone. He was trying to recreate himself and his image and this was a major step backwards.
"Whoa chill out man." Gibby raises his hands in caution, "I just came to see what has my friend so shaken. It's not good for the game." Freddie turns to continue walking as Gibby quickly falls into step with him.
"It's nothin'. I just have to get myself focused." Freddie, not too sure whether or not Gibby bought his story, increased his pace. They walked in a companionable silence until they came to the subway. Freddie looked at Gibby and said, "I'm going back to the house. You can go and hang with Carly if you want. I'll be fine." he boards the train and Gibby is still silently following.
having decided that he's been quiet for too long, Gibby decides to speak up, "I saw Jonah at the café." Gibby watched Freddie's shoulders briefly tense, "I wanted to let you sort this out on your own but Carly wouldn't hear of it. She shooed me out to check on you as soon as she saw him." Still hearing no reply from Freddie Gibby decides to press the issue further, "Look man, I know you don't like him because of what he did but…" Gibby never was one for subtlety
"And how do you know about it?" Freddie no longer cares about how he sounds. The memory of it makes his skin crawl.
Gibby disregards Freddie's tone, "Carly told me about it a while ago." Gibby looks towards the tracks as they would wait for the subway. "Its messed up, what he did to her."
There is another long silence that lasts the duration of the train ride. They have to wait for a different train in order to reach their destination.
Freddie and Gibby take a seat on a bench and wait. Freddie decides to oblige his friend with an explanation, "It's not that he did it, more than it's that she's goin' out with him again."
"She is?"
"That's what she told me." Freddie shrugs, "She said she was here to see him."
"Man. That's rough." Freddie nods, "I mean, first Carly, and now Sam." Freddie, feeling this may go south, quirks an eyebrow in question.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that, in all of the time I've known you, you've seriously liked two girls… Carly and, now Sam."
"Why would you think…"
"Come on Freddie… I know a crush when I see one." Freddie is silent for a while. He has to figure out a way to play this off.
They see other trains come and go, but its not their train so they wait. The hustle of the subways gave Freddie time for a rebuttal. "Even if I was crushing on Sam… it wouldn't matter. That's where we're different Gib. Your crush is also crushing on you, despite your vehement denials."
"What, you think Sam would never like you? Are still beating that dead horse? Please, man… that's a tired old excuse and you know it."
"It's not what I think, it's what I know. While your crushing is crushing on you, my crush…" Freddie puts the word, crush, in finger quotes, "spends all of her time crushing me."
They look up and see the train that will take them back to Brooklyn. They stand up and move closer to the edge of the standing rail to be ready to get on. "Man whatever, you know that's how she says she likes you… I say go for it." Gibby would say while giving Freddie a pat on the back.
"If that means she likes a person then she must've been torn between the two of us in high school."
"Well, come on Freddie, everybody secretly likes me. It's part of my Gibby charm." Freddie would look at Gibby and laugh. "What? It's true!" Freddie continues to laugh at the absurdity of the statement and Gibby joins in as the train stops in front of him. "Whatever man. Look, I say just walk up to her and tell her what the deal is."
Freddie gives a breathless laugh at what Gibby was suggesting, "Subtlety's not your strong suit is it?"
"Come on, Freddie. Who're you talkin' to?"
They start to board the train when a familiar hand on their chests pushes them out.
"Hello boys!" Jerome, with his trademark smirk, comes out of the train and the rest of the team follows him out.
"Uh... Jerome! What are you doing here?" Freddie in sudden fear.
"On the way to the tournament, and you guys are right on time!" He exclaims as he gives them their bags. "We're gonna run to the next subway station." he looks at his watch. "Five minutes! lets go!" And so, The team would be in a sprint towards the next train station.
Gibby can't seem to get why they are sprinting if they have five minutes. So, he decides to ask. "Hey, how far away is the next station?"
"Uh, 2 miles away. So we gotta get movin'!" Jerome claps his hands and the team follows him out of the station, "Let's go people!"
All Freddie can think is, He really is trying to kill us. The one time I need her craziness, and she's nowhere to be found.
Well, he never had the best of luck.
A/N: well that is the next chapter and I hope you enjoyed props to KingxLeon21 for his proofreading and help on this and I hope you review and most of all pass the story on and if you have ideas pm me or review (i rather have review but private messaging is not bad either heh, heh) so Thanks and Stay Curious my friends.
"I am Hartful13 and i approve (most) of this message"
