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Bryce's POV:
I pulled into the USC campus, the afternoon sun casting long shadows over the sidewalks as students moved in clusters, some hurrying to their next class, others lounging around, chatting, or staring at their phones. I parked my car near one of the main buildings and stepped out, glancing around.
I had only been here a handful of times, mostly to visit Bronny during his first year, but I had never really wandered the campus alone. Now, I was hoping that, by some luck, I'd just run into Sophia. If she was even out here.
Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I started walking. The place was huge, filled with red-brick buildings and tree-lined walkways. I passed students sitting at tables outside a café, some sprawled out on the grass with textbooks and laptops open, and others messing around on skateboards. The atmosphere was completely different from my college in Arizona—it was lively, buzzing with energy, but I couldn't focus on any of it.
I wasn't sure where to start looking, so I just kept moving, scanning faces, hoping maybe I'd recognize her from the few times I'd seen her at the dinner a few months back and on social media. I checked my phone, debating texting Bronny to ask for her exact dorm, but I knew he wouldn't respond. He wasn't even answering Sophia, so there was no way he'd answer me.
After about 30 minutes of aimlessly walking, I let out a frustrated sigh and turned toward the parking lot. This was pointless. I was ready to head back home and figure something else out.
But just as I was about to leave, a voice called out from behind me.
"Bryce?"
I turned around and saw Juju Watkins standing a few feet away, her expression shifting from curiosity to recognition as she walked toward me.
"Juju," I said, surprised to see her.
She looked the same as always—tall, confident, her curly hair pulled into a high bun, rocking a USC hoodie and basketball shorts. She had always carried herself like a star, and now, with all the hype surrounding her in woman's basketball, she had fully stepped into it.
We dapped each other up, and she gave me a quick once-over. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," I said with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes, but there was amusement behind it. "I go to school here, genius."
I chuckled. "Right, right. But nah, I'm just looking for someone."
Juju raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"A girl named Sophia."
The moment I said the name, her expression shifted like a lightbulb went off. "Oh, Sophia. You must be looking for Angeline Russell's best friend."
I nodded. "Yeah, that's the one."
She crossed her arms. "And why are you looking for her?"
I sighed. "It's about Bronny. He's been locked up in his room for the past week, hasn't talked to anyone, hasn't left the house. My mom thinks the only person he'll listen to right now is Sophia."
