Against the Edge

The Tournament Begins

Miguel woke up with a start, surprised to find himself in his car, parked along the side of the road. The first light of morning cast a soft glow through the windshield, and he blinked, trying to remember how he'd ended up there. He hadn't meant to fall asleep, he'd only meant to rest, to shake off the weight of last night's memories. But sleep had overtaken him, giving him a small reprieve from his restless mind.

Glancing at the time, he realized that today was the tournament day. the day he'd been building toward. Straightening up in his seat, he took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of determination flow through him. Today is the day, he reminded himself, and we're going to give it everything.

He drove home to freshen up, quickly showering and changing into his gear. The chill of the early morning air cleared his mind, sharpening his focus as he went through his usual pre-game routine. After gathering his bag, he headed out, feeling lighter and ready to face the day.

On the other side, Ethan was already in the locker room, pacing as he checked the time on his phone. Miguel was late, and for Ethan, that was enough reason to worry. He dialed Miguel's number, waiting for him to pick up, tapping his foot impatiently. When Miguel finally answered, Ethan's voice was thick with a mix of concern and brotherly irritation.

"Where are you, man? I've been waiting here for ages!" he half-teased, half-scolded, clearly relieved to hear Miguel's voice.

Miguel laughed, brushing off Ethan's impatience. "I'm on my way, don't worry. You're not getting rid of me that easily," he replied, injecting a lightheartedness into his tone. The sound of Ethan's nagging was oddly comforting, and it reminded him of the unwavering support Ethan had always given him.

Minutes later, Miguel arrived on campus, greeted by his teammates with eager smiles and an energy that was both nervous and excited. He gathered them together, scanning their faces, meeting their gazes as he began to speak.

"Alright, team," Miguel started, his voice calm and steady. "Today isn't just about winning. It's about playing with heart, showing them what we're made of, and having each other's backs. Let's make it count."

His teammates nodded, the nervousness beginning to fade, replaced by determination. Ethan clapped a hand on Miguel's shoulder, giving him a look of confidence and reassurance. Miguel gave his friend a nod, feeling the strength of their bond settle into place, ready to face whatever the day would bring.

--

Miguel, Ethan, James, Max, and Oscar lined up with resolve, each of them vibrating with the tension and excitement of the moment. Behind them, their backup players Charles, Matthew, and Lucas were equally charged, fists clenched and faces focused. They had practiced hard for this day, and now, as they stepped onto the court under the bright stadium lights, the anticipation in the air was almost tangible.

Across from them stood the players of Cambridge University's basketball team, their maroon jerseys crisp and gleaming. Miguel's eyes locked onto the opposing captain, a towering figure with a cold, calculating expression. Miguel felt a thrill shoot through him, he loved a good challenge.

The roar of the crowd was overwhelming, filling every corner of the court. Miguel scanned the bleachers, spotting familiar faces in the packed audience. There, right in the front row, sat Blanca, cheering him on with Louis and Mia by her side. His eyes softened for a moment at the sight of Blanca, and he drew strength from her smile. Beside her, Mia caught his attention, waving both arms in an exaggerated fashion to make sure they knew she was there.

Ethan, standing next to Miguel, grinned as Mia caught his eye. She pointed at him, giving him a thumbs-up and winking dramatically. "Show 'em what you're made of, hotshot!" she yelled, loud enough to turn a few heads, and Ethan shot her a playful salute in return.