Chasing Dreams

First Day at LA Academy (Chapter 3)

Christian's POV:

The sound of my alarm dragged me out of a deep sleep, and I groaned as I reached over to smack it off. It was still dark outside, but the flashing numbers on the clock told me it was time to get up. My first day at Los Angeles Academy. A fresh start.

I stared at the ceiling for a second, letting the reality sink in. Texas was behind me, and now I was here—about to walk into one of the most prestigious schools in the country. I couldn't mess this up. This was my shot, my chance to take things to the next level.

With a deep breath, I threw the covers off and swung my legs out of bed. The hardwood floor was cold under my feet, but it jolted me awake. I stood up, rubbing my eyes before walking over to the bathroom.

As I splashed cold water on my face, I glanced at myself in the mirror. Same Christian Valcosta, different city, different life. My mind wandered back to the people I'd left behind in Texas—my friends, my teammates, even my family. It still felt weird not being around them. But I was here for a reason. NBA dreams didn't wait for anyone.

After quickly brushing my teeth, I grabbed a towel and hopped in the shower, letting the hot water relax my muscles. The pressure of this new life weighed on me, but the water helped me shake off some of the tension. I had a lot to prove, and I couldn't afford any slip-ups.

Once I was out, I stood in front of my closet, debating what to wear. This school had a strict uniform policy, but I still wanted to look like I belonged. After all, first impressions mattered, especially when you were the new kid.

I threw on the school's blazer and slacks, straightened the tie around my neck, and grabbed my sneakers from the floor. Simple, but it worked. At least I'd blend in until I got a feel for the place.

As I pulled my jacket over my shoulders, my phone buzzed on the desk. It was a message from Bryce James.

Bryce: "Yo, u ready for today? Big man makin' moves in LA! 😂"

I smirked at the text, knowing Bryce was probably already hyped for the day. He'd been talking me up ever since I told him I was moving out to LA. It didn't hurt that his dad was LeBron James, either. The guy had connections everywhere.

Me: "Ready as I'll ever be. Let's make it count."

I tossed the phone into my pocket and grabbed my bag, heading downstairs.

When I got to the kitchen, Mom was already there, pouring herself a cup of coffee. She looked up and smiled when she saw me, but I could tell she was trying to hide her nerves. This move had been a big deal for all of us.

"Morning, Mom," I said, opening the fridge to grab some orange juice.

"Morning, baby," she replied, her smile warm but a little too tight. "You all set for today? Feeling ready?"

I nodded, pouring myself a glass. "Yeah, I think so. Just gotta get through the first day. Shouldn't be too bad, right?"

She laughed softly, coming over to kiss my cheek. "You'll be fine. You always are." Her voice softened as she added, "I'm proud of you, Christian. No matter what, you've already come so far."

I met her eyes, feeling the weight of her words. She had sacrificed a lot to help me get to this point, and I wasn't about to let her down. "Thanks, Mom."

After downing the juice, I gave her a quick hug and headed out the door. The sun was just starting to rise, casting a soft glow over the neighborhood as I made my way to the car. The drive to school was quiet, my thoughts buzzing as I wondered what the day would bring.

When I pulled up to Los Angeles Academy, the size of the place hit me like a brick. It looked more like a college campus than a high school, with its massive buildings, pristine lawns, and perfectly manicured pathways. A far cry from the small-town high school I left behind in Texas.

I parked my car and sat there for a moment, taking it all in. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. New school, new people, and everyone already had their cliques. And I was the new guy. Not exactly an ideal situation.

With a deep breath, I grabbed my bag and got out of the car, walking toward the main entrance. I could feel eyes on me as I passed groups of students, their whispers buzzing through the air.

"Is that the new basketball player?"
"Yeah, I heard he's supposed to be the next big thing."
"Christian Valcosta, right? Came from Texas."

I kept my head down, focused on finding the office to grab my schedule. As I walked through the crowded hallway, a tall guy with curly hair stepped in front of me, grinning like he'd been waiting for me all morning.

"Christian!" Bryce clapped me on the back, looking like he'd already made himself at home. "You made it, man. Welcome to LA Academy."

"Thanks," I said with a chuckle. "This place is... huge."

"Yeah, you'll get used to it," Bryce said with a smirk. "Come on, I'll show you around before class. You gotta meet some people."

I followed him through the hallways, my nerves slowly easing as he pointed out different spots around the school—the gym, the cafeteria, the fields. It felt good to have someone I knew here, someone who had my back.

As we turned the corner, Bryce leaned in a little, lowering his voice. "And there she is."

I followed his gaze and saw a girl standing by the lockers, talking to another girl. She had long, sleek dark hair, her outfit perfectly put together despite the uniform. Even from where I stood, I could see she was different—confident, effortlessly cool, and surrounded by people who seemed to gravitate toward her.

"That's Sophia Kardashian," Bryce whispered. "Most popular girl in school. She's basically a celebrity around here."

I raised an eyebrow, not surprised by the name but a little taken aback by how much attention she seemed to draw. "Kardashian, huh?"

"Yep," Bryce nodded. "Her family's famous, but she's got her own thing going—modeling, acting, fashion. Trust me, she's a big deal."

I looked back at Sophia, who hadn't noticed us yet, and felt something stir in my chest. There was something about her, something that made it hard to look away.

But I wasn't here for distractions. I had my own goals, my own path.

Still, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to cross paths with someone like her.