Phoenix Dreams

Great News

A few weeks into the school year, the leaves began to change, transforming the campus into bright shades of red and gold. Jalen was settling into his sophomore year, juggling courses, basketball practice, and a developing friendship with Tyler. However, despite the exhilaration, he couldn't ignore the feeling that something was about to shift. After practice, Jalen met Dante by the bleachers. Dante was leaning on the railing, wearing a sneer that Jalen remembered all too well. 

"Yo, Jalen! You won't believe what just went down!" Dante said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"What's up?" Jalen replied, feeling a rush of anticipation. "You look like you just won the lottery or something."

"Nah, better than that," Dante said, crossing his arms. "I just had a talk with a college scout!"

Jalen's heart skipped a beat. "A scout? For real? Which college?"

"The one I've been eyeing, man. UCLA! Dude was asking about me, said he liked my game. Can you believe that?" Dante's pride radiated as he spoke, and Jalen couldn't help but feel a mix of happiness and something else—something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"That's dope, bro!" Jalen said, forcing a smile. "You've been putting in the work. You deserve it!"

"For real," Dante replied, his excitement infectious. "He said if I keep it up, I could get a scholarship. That's the goal, you know?"

"Yeah, I get it," Jalen said, nodding. Inside, he felt a twinge of jealousy. Dante was one step closer to his dreams, and Jalen couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever get that kind of opportunity. He pushed the thought aside, trying to focus on supporting his friend.

"Man, this is just the beginning! We gotta keep working hard, though," Dante continued, oblivious to the internal conflict Jalen was grappling with. "You're gonna be right there with me! I know you will."

"Of course," Jalen replied, his voice steady. "I'm grinding too, you know? Just trying to keep up."

Dante threw an arm around Jalen's shoulders, giving him a playful nudge. "You've got mad skills, Jalen! Don't ever doubt that. We're in this together. You're gonna shine, just wait."

Jalen welcomed the encouragement, but it was like a double-edged sword. Part of him was happy for Dante; his friend was pursuing his aspirations and making progress. But another portion, lying beneath the surface, couldn't shake the sense of being left behind. 

"So what's next?" Jalen asked, trying to steer the conversation back to Dante's plans. "You gonna keep in touch with the scout?"

"Yeah, definitely," Dante said, enthusiasm bubbling over. "He wants to come watch me play in a few weeks. I'm gonna show him what I got!"

"You'll crush it, man. I know it," Jalen said, forcing a smile. "Just don't forget about your boy when you make it big!"

"Never!" Dante laughed, his voice light. "We're a team, always. And when I'm in the league, I'm bringing you along for the ride."

As they walked out of the gym, Jalen couldn't help but feel overshadowed. He shoved it down, convincing himself that he was glad for Dante, as he should be. However, as they approached the dusk, Jalen's doubts began to creep in. Will he ever get his moment? Would he ever get the opportunity to shine as Dante was about to? Jalen took a deep breath, telling himself that the journey was only beginning. He had his own aspirations to pursue, and he wasn't going to let jealousy obscure his path. As long as he had friends like Dante and Marcus at his side, he felt he could keep moving forward one step at a time.