White Privilege

🔵 Chapter 1 : You And Me For Life (Edited)

**Baz's POV**

**12 Years Ago**

"Pass the ball!" I shouted, planting my feet firmly on the cracked pavement as I tried to block Jamal's path. My heart raced, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I concentrated on the game.

"I'm trying! Man, get off my ass!" Greg grumbled, sweat glistening on his forehead as he maneuvered to dodge Quan's impressive reach.

"Nah. I ain't gonna let y'all win," Quan retorted, a playful grin spreading across his face as he skillfully swiped the ball from Greg's hands. With a swift pivot, he launched the ball toward the hoop, and we all held our breath as it arced gracefully before swishing through the net.

"That's game!" Jamal screamed, his voice echoing in the dusky twilight as he sprinted to embrace Quan in a triumphant hug, their laughter brightening the dimming sky.

"Whatever. That wasn't even a fair match, and you all know it. You had Quan, and everyone knows he's a beast when it comes to basketball," I scoffed, a mix of frustration and admiration bubbling within me.

"Please. You're just mad you lost," Jamal chuckled, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Damn right," I muttered, crossing my arms in mock defiance.

"Don't worry, little bro. Next time it's you and me against these two. We'll drag their asses all up and down this court," Quan hummed confidently, his eyes sparkling with determination.

"Yeah, okay," I mumbled, a smile breaking through my petty annoyance as I glanced up at my older brother.

At just thirteen, Quan had stepped up in ways I could only admire. With our father out of the picture, he seemed to wear the weight of the world on his slight shoulders, taking on the role of man of the house as if it were a badge of honor.

"Come on, we have to get home before the streetlights pop on, or else Mom is going to beat us like we stole something," he said, picking up our worn backpack with a casual ease that belied its heaviness. I nodded, saying my goodbyes to the boys before falling in step beside him as we made our way off the court.

"Does Mom have to work tonight?" I asked, glancing up at him as our footsteps echoed on the familiar path.

"Yeah, but not until midnight. She picked up a late shift," he replied, motioning for me to pull up my shorts, a subtle reminder of the standards we lived by. I complied, tugging them up to avoid any unwanted attention.

"You sound just like her," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

"I don't care. Man, you know how these cops be," he said, smacking his lips in frustration, the tension fading into an all-too-familiar weariness.

"Yeah. They got Zavion about a week ago. Said he was stealing," I sighed, the weight of the neighborhood's realities heavy in the air between us.

"It's fucked up," Quan mumbled, his voice low, as we continued to walk down the street, the faint hum of the city enveloping us. We were just a block away from home, and I could almost feel the warmth of our small house beckoning.

"What's up, lil homies?" Reggie's voice cut through the evening calm as he materialized out of nowhere, a charismatic grin plastered on his face.

"Hey, Reg," I greeted, watching as he and Quan exchanged a casual dap, their bond clear in that simple gesture.

"Y'all on your way home?" he asked, his tone light, but I knew better.

"Yep. We just finished a game of ball. Quan won, of course," I replied, trying to ignore the mixed feelings swirling inside me.