Love And Basketball

Prologue

Grayson looked around at all the people that are gathered around the gym at Providence High School. Home of the stallions. He still couldn't believe that these people were here celebrating his acceptance to Duke University. His dream school, the dream that he never gave up on even when people told him it would never happen.

He also couldn't believe that it wasn't just him going, one of his best friends all through kindergarten and high school was coming along on the ride with him. Sarah Carter, the second best shooter at their high school in Jacksonville, Florida. She was also accepted to Duke University and had committed to playing basketball at Duke.

Her and Grayson are best friends, they would spend hours each day playing Basketball on the asphalt courts at the Jacksonville parks. Grayson was always there to back Sarah up if anyone got to rough with her on the court, or if anyone had anything to say. Sarah wasn't always accepted in those games because she was a girl. But Grayson knew she could play with the best of them, and he was always the first to smile when she beat their butts.

"Hey Grayson!" Sarah called out as she held up a piece of cake. "Want a piece?"

"Sure!" Grayson yelled back.

Soon Sarah was walking over with the piece of cake, with Duke blue frosting. He took it from her and immediately dug in. If there was one thing Grayson liked it was dessert.

"You looked kind of spaced out over here, is everything okay?" Sarah asked, eyes filled with concern. He could always count on her to know when something was up.

"No I'm fine. Just thinking that this is the last time we'll be home, surrounded by all our friends and family for a long time." Grayson replied.

Sarah nodded. "Yeah I feel you, I was just thinking that also. But look on the bright side, we'll be living our dream playing basketball at Duke!"

Grayson smiled, he could always count on her to look on the bright side of things, and to cheer him up.

"Tomorrow is when it all changes." Grayson looked to be in deep thought after those words.

Grayson has never been an outgoing person, or one to just come up and strike a conversation with you. Sarah Isn't either, both are pretty quiet and shy. But they connected playing basketball, they both come alive on the court. That's where they feel the safest and most secure.

Sarah felt bad for Grayson. She knows how he struggles with change. To be honest she was more worried about him then herself. That's just how they were, always looking out for each other. But she also knew that once he got to Duke and on the court, he would feel much better. She would too.

"Sarah, Grayson! Come get one last picture together in front of the stallion mascot." Sherry Allen called.

Grayson and Sarah looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They could always count on Sherry, Grayson's mom to take lots of pictures. William Allen was there beside Grayson's mom when they walked up.

He smiled, "you know your mama loves to take pictures Grayson! You do too Sarah."

William Allen, Grayson's dad was always someone you could talk to if anything was wrong. Sarah had spent plenty of nights at their house growing up. She still stays there now.

Sarah's dad had died in a car crash when she was just five years old. Her mom, Ally Carter held it together for her during her childhood years. But when Sarah got older Ally started drinking, and that led to other things.

Sarah couldn't stand watching her mom drink herself to death so she started staying away. She would sometimes stay with the Allens for weeks at a time. Grayson didn't mind, he could always use a friend. To be honest Sherry and William didn't mind either. They always wanted another child, but that just wasn't in Gods plan. So Sarah would just have to do.

"Say cheese!" Sherry Allen exclaims with the biggest grin on her face.

Sarah and Grayson give her a big eye role, then they put their arm around each other and give her a big smile.

"Got it! Now go enjoy the party. Tomorrow, William and I will be taking y'all almost five hundred miles away." Tears come to Sherry's eyes and she quickly dabs them away.

"Do y'all have to go to college?" She asks. Grayson snorts, and Sarah laughs slightly and leans in to give her a hug.

"I'm going to miss you Mrs. Sherry." Sarah exclaims.

Sherry wraps her arms around her and squeezes tighter. "Oh sweetie, you have know idea how much I'm going to miss you too."

"Well gee thanks, what about me?" Grayson asks with his arms crossed. William laughs, while Sarah sticks her tongue out at him.

Sherry moves over closer to her boy and includes him in the hug too. Pretty soon William has joined them and all four of them are wrapped up in one big hug. Grayson's buddy, Tony laughed at them and took a picture with his phone.

"Hey, delete that now Tony!" Grayson called out to him.

"Why? You scared to be seen wrapped up in a hug with your mommy and daddy?" Tony asked. Grayson furrowed his brows, and pretty soon he took off after Tony. Tony took off running screaming like a little girl.

Sarah watched them with a smile on her face. Wow, she thought. Things were really about to change. Tomorrow her and Grayson would be on their way to Durham, NC. No more sleepovers at Mrs. Sherry and Mr. Williams house, no more late night games of basketball with Tony and the rest of the gang. Now she was starting to get nervous.

Mrs Sherry must have sensed it and pretty soon she had her arm wrapped around her shoulders. "It's going to be okay sweetie." She said softly.

"We will always be here, and you will have Grayson. I know I can count on you to take care of him, and I know I can count on him to take care of you."

Sarah smiled and nodded. "I know, I'm just going to miss you guys." Sherry squeezed her tighter.

Soon Grayson had Tony tackled to the floor. Tony yelling bloody murder, while Grayson tried to pry the phone from his hand. Tony soon got tired of fighting and gave up.

"Okay, okay I give up here take the phone, delete it." Tony handed the phone to Grayson. Grayson snatched it away and clicked a few buttons, soon he was handing it back to Tony.

"Thank you." Grayson said sarcastically.

Tony smirked. "You're welcome."

Pretty soon the night came to an end. Sarah went home with the Allens into the room that they called hers. She looked around at all the bags and the empty shelves. Grayson came in and they talked about the journey ahead. Tomorrow they would be a Blue Devil.