Elements of Us /// Jimmy Butler

Chapter 25

Disclaimer: I ONLY own the plot and characters that I have created. I don't own anything related to the Bulls, thank you.

Allison was having major déjà vu. Lacing up her running shoes was bringing all types of memories back to her; good and bad. She took a deep breath before grabbing her bag and locking her door to make her way to the gym where she'd be meeting and working out with her couch and team mates. She wasn't exactly nervous, but she didn't really know what to expect, everything seemed to be happening so fast. She got to the gym at 5:30 expecting to see the four people she was anticipating, but instead she saw no one. She just shrugged and took this as an opportunity to get herself warmed up, so she put her stuff away and began a warm up run on the treadmill. Five minutes before it was 6, her couch and three teammates had arrived and walked through the door. And although, she was unsure about what these next few weeks would mean, she was excited to spend time and practice with her closest friends again.

"Why are you always so fricken early?" Her teammate and dear friend, Adrianna asked, rubbing her eyes as she walked into the almost vacant gym.

"Yeah, what the hell?" Brianna agreed

"I'm not early; you guys are just on time." Allison shrugged, not even really knowing what her motivation was for coming early, "It's not like I've been here for hours, just for a bit."

"Why are we just standing here talking about nonsense?" Jen asked, "Give me a god damn hug you bean!!" She said enthusiastically, to Allison (who she loved to call bean for who knows what reason).

Allison giggled a little before pulling Jen into a hug, that she didn't realize she really needed. Soon, it was turned into a group hug with the three girls who she had considered sisters. Hell, the moment was so exciting and emotional, that even Marcy had cracked a smile.

"Alright, alright," Marcy shook her head, "Let's go, it's time to get to work."

------------------------------------------------------------

After a week and a half of being on the road, Jimmy was finally coming home. He loved what he did, but being gone for so long took a slight toll on him, and he was just excited to go home, to the people that made it home.

He went home and unloaded all of his bags, it was nine AM and he'd be lying if he said he didn't just want to go to bed right then and there, but even though they were home they still had practice. Since, it was becoming colder months, all of the teams practices' were indoors, so he grabbed his stuff and made his way to the gym where they'd be strength training today.

He put his headphones in and made his way through the glass doors, with his bag slung over his shoulder when he noticed Taj, Pau and Derrick walking just a ways ahead of him towards the locker room. He made a beeline to where they were without taking in his surroundings clearly and went back to the locker room to put his stuff away and change.

"Jimmy!" Pau tried to call, to Jimmy who still had his headphones in, "Jimmy!"

"He can't hear you man." Derrick shook his head, pointing to his ears, "Headphones."

Pau realized this and poked Jimmy on the back to get his attention, "Jimmy."

"Huh," Jimmy said, pulling his head phones out, "what's up?"

"Do you know what days we're speed training this week?" Pau asked, "I'm just trying to figure out this week, since it's a different schedule than usual."

"It's tomorrow and Friday." Jimmy answered tying his shoe as she was preparing to make his way out of the locker room;.

"Alright, thanks." Pau said