Stay Down

20

"our farther who is in heaven, hallowed by thy name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread. and forgive our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen."

"b." honor walked up on me, as i stood from my knees. "you ready?"

it was the last game before the championship, it was another step closer to getting scouted, early.

another step closer to the dream.

"yea." we walked out to screaming and yelling from the crowd, it brought a smile on my face to see people as passionate about this ball stuff as i am.

my smile widen when i noticed her, standin' screaming my name.

the smile, slowly, staring to diminish when i seen king. he hasn't been to any of the practice, i ain't even been seeing 'em in class but he was the least of my concern, he always should've been.

"alright huddle up." we made our way around coach, "this is a big game, play like you want it. them boys ain't gon let up. they think fast, they have a good shooter, b." his attention on me, "stay wit 'em. he may seem big but the bigger they are, the harder they fall."

i nodded, taking it all in.

"i want the ball to be passed to the strongest shooters."

that was me and josh. everybody agreed, in understanding.

we had to be almost perfect to win this game, there was no time for fuck ups.

loud lips smacked against my ear, "why this nigga get the fuckin' ball? shit he ain't no better then the rest of us."

"he's the better shooter." trevor admitted as did everyone else. "you wanna win or not?"

"man whateva." bumping me in the arm as he walked to the middle of the court.

my fist clenched, feeling my trigger finger move back and forth. if we weren't on this court i would've killed 'em.

nobody ever disrespected me.

ever.

a hand placed firmly on my shoulder, "let it go man, he just tryna get under ya skin." josh ran off to the court, taking his position, following, i stood at the line, the whistle sounding off as the ball went into the air, the other team taking it.

we ran down the court, blocking the attempt of a shot he tried to make, honor snatching the ball away. "on t-line!" he yelled the play, "t-line!"

passing the ball to king who threw it at a unopened josh, they other team stole the ball runnin' down court and makin' the shot.

"what is you doing, smith." coach yelled across the court. "he wasn't even open."

he ignored 'em, running down the court.

coach threw his hands up in frustration.

i ran down the court, blocking my opponent, king next to me as he did the same. "whateva this is about." i panted, shuffling back and forth. "leave it off the court."

he took the ball, making his way underneath the guys arms before hittin' a three, people stood to their feet, yellin'.

ball in hand, he walked back over to me , throwing it roughly, against my chest, "you ain't the boss of shit, stop tryna run me."

pushing me against the chest, i grabbed his shirt along with some his skin, bringing his eyes to mine. "don't make me do sum i regret king, family or not."

watching' his face harden, he tried to escape my grasp but my strength tripled his. "i will kill you if i have to."

throwing him to the ground, he scurried to his feet as the whole gym watched him, "ya ain't betta then me b, you ain't better then nobody, fuck you blessing and fuck this team, i quite."

pushing past the players, he punched open the double doors, leaving.

then coach blew his whistle, anticipating the yellin' and disappointment from my team, i jogged ova.

taking me by surprise when he laughed, "ive been waiting on that day since he tried out." coach admitted.

making everyone else laugh.

"lead us to victory captain." the whole team waiting for me.

"okay." i told'em, "new plan."