Let the Flowers Bloom

Chapter 1: The Cave

"Pick and roll bro, pick and roll!"

Internally wincing at the sudden- likely improperly used- nomenclature that sprung from their older brother 30 feet away on the basketball court, the older of the two groaned a small "Don't look up, pretend you don't hear him..."

The truth is, despite Grizz's undying, everlasting passion for basketball, he was simply no good at the sport. Just wasn't cut out for it. Ironically, the only people not particularly pleased with him being anything other than a benchwarmer was his own team; the East Bay Cougars. This didn't stop him, however, from putting his entire heart and soul into the game.

While they'd never, ever tell him or even think of indicating it to him, times like these were when it was almost embarrassing to be Grizz's younger brother. He didn't know if his own younger brother, Ice Bear, felt the same way, but the slight twist in his face and subtle nod at the request let him know he at least understood why Panda would make such a request in the first place.

A number of excuses would be thrown about after every game without fail as the Cougars coped with their inevitable loss every other week or two.

"I heard the referee has connections with the other team!"

"Oh yeah? I heard they're paying him off so he won't call technicals!"

Never perpetuated by anyone with a rational bone in their body (or simply anyone with eyes), those rumors had no real chance of being true, but it's not like it mattered. Any way those poor, poor kids could get any closure from their embarrassing losses would be needed and welcomed.

As Panda fervently erased at a stray mark left on the paper of the sketchbook he was doodling in, the pair couldn't help but notice when the referee blew his whistle, signaling the fouling out of their oldest brother.

"Think we'll have to console him later?"

"...Ice Bear anticipates it."

The game ended and the Cougars lost 8-40.

"You guys SAW me! The last point shouldn't have even gone to them, the ball was in bounds!"

"Mhm,"

"I mean, it really seems like they're overcompensating for their lack of respect for the game by showing off,"

"Yeah, totally,"

"Pan, are you listening to me?"

"No, you're totally right..."

"Incorrect response!" With that, Grizz jovially slapped Panda on the back, knocking his cellphone out of his hand. Before Panda had even a second to react, Grizz had already caught the phone and was intruding on Panda's privacy.

"You're still using Yo-Date? I thought you were texting that girl from the farmers market. What was her name? Lazy?"

"Her name is Lucy, Grizz- why would it be 'Lazy'? Anyways, we text sometimes. I'm still on Yo-Date for the same reason anyone else would be. To talk to girls."

Grizz seemed satisfied with that answer, and handed his younger brother back his phone. "So, how was I out there? Think I could be drafted?"

Panda, in his infinite wisdom, genuinely didn't know if Grizz was being sarcastic or if he really thought he had a chance at playing for the Lakers. Shooting a glance back at Ice Bear hoping for some sort of lifeline to save him, the youngest brother chimed in in his usual monotone.

"Ice Bear sees potential."

That was the great thing about Ice Bear; just atonal enough to get away with just saying anything.

"Jeez, I sure hope that new kid joining the team next week is as good at basketball as the guys on the team have been saying. He could be our saving grace for the season!"

By the time they'd made it home, the three brothers had mostly forgotten about the game and had their sights set on watching the new episode of Swords and Castles airing that night, and otherwise goofing off until they fell asleep.

"New kid? I thought it was too late to join the team,"

"Nah, he's transferring in from another school," Grizz fumbled with his keys and nearly set off Ice Bear's car alarm (strategically placed spare key) before finally unlocking the door to their apartment. "He's from Burbank, I think?"

"Huh," Panda blinked. "I haven't heard about him yet. How do your teammates know?"

"Us B-Ballers have a way of doing things your brain wouldn't understand," Grizz barely whispered, which was his way of saying there was probably some group chat somewhere in Grizz's life where this information was discussed.

Their apartment wasn't anything to write home about. Grizz, being 18, was able to secure it after spending most of their lives in a homeless shelter between couch surfing. That's how they unfortunately learned how few people were open to the idea of three teenage boys staying at their home. The orphanage they grew up in was involved in a number of scandals which would soon force the place to close, leaving many children straight-up homeless.

The apartment boasted one bathroom and two bedrooms, which would soon be complemented with a pullout couch in the living room. Ice Bear sacrificed having a proper room for the air conditioning in the living room, comfortably leaving Panda and Grizz the two full bedrooms.

Their apartment, informally dubbed "The Cave," may not have been anything special from an outsider's perspective, but to them it was perfect.

After they put their bags and other assorted items back where they belonged, Panda, Grizz, and Ice Bear filed themselves in their usual spots on the couch for their little viewing party.

However, Panda was having trouble focusing. He couldn't get his mind off this mysterious "new kid," which was weird, because East Bay High School had seen many new students come and go within the duration of Panda's enrollment. The only thing setting this particular new student away from the others is the very real fact that'd he'd be joining Grizz's basketball team. He had no idea what kind of guy he'd be or how involved he'd want to be in their lives, worrying Panda into thinking he'd be like... him.

The three brothers let very few people into their lives. There was Chloe Park, the quiet middle school girl who viewed the three as older brother figures after Ice Bear had saved her from a particularly scary neighborhood dog. There was also Nom Nom, the spoiled kid with a Napoleon complex who gained mass popularity over the summer on a popular lip-syncing app, who would say he hated the brothers presence more than anything but would throw his tiny fists at anyone who tried to harm them (to no avail, mostly).

However, there was one person they regret meeting. Maybe Grizz regretted it more than the others.

"I think it might be time for me to head to bed, guys," Panda interrupted his train of thoughts as he stood up from the couch and stretched his arms out above his head. "It's getting late."

"Aw, alright PanPan. You took your meds, right?"

Panda nodded.

"Alright, good! Goodnight, dude. Don't let the bed bugs bite."

"Ice Bear has the exterminator on speed dial. The exterminator is Ice Bear."

As Panda retreated into his bedroom, Grizz considered whether it'd be a good idea or not to start heading to bed himself. Panda had been right, it was getting late whether he liked it or not.

"You wanna close up shop here, little bro? Need any help pulling out the couch tonight?"

"Ice bear will manage. Thank you."

"No problem, man." Grizz playfully rustled his youngest brothers platinum-blond hair, and squeezed his shoulder with a warm "Goodnight."

Briefly nodding, Ice Bear waited until Grizz was out of sight to pull out the couch.