101 Venice Beach II

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: January 25th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Venice Beach, LA)~~~

~~~(Time: 11:31 AM)~~~

The courts clear and start to form a circle around the one I'm about to play on. Everyone has their phones out, and Hannah is on the sidelines recording too. She has a beaming smile on her face, and she can't help but wave at me as I look at her. I focus on the game as the ball is inbounded to me. We're playing 5 on 5 and full court. First to 21 wins, and the winner stays on.

As I cross half-court, a knucklehead decides to smother me. His friends are clapping from the sidelines. "That's right, Jamal! Show him how we do it here in LA!!" I'm 7'1 with my Basketball shoes on, and this guy is barely 6'3. He's pushing against me. I'm pivoting with the ball behind the 3-point line. I bump him with my shoulder, and I take a jump shot.

Sinking it with a swish and getting two points for my team in the process. "Damn, Jamal! You're really letting him do you like that!!" His friends start to laugh and heckle him from the sidelines. It's all in good fun. It's not nearly as toxic as it was at Rucker Park. Jamal looks to his friends and tells them to shut up.

I'm already back on defense, and the opposing team comes down the court and does some passes. Jamal, my match-up, is playing the inside and trying to post up on me and call for the ball. He's pushing hard, but he's not getting any ground. He looks like a kid trying to push over his big brother. Everyone is laughing at his struggles, which causes him to smile.

The energy here is pretty laid back and calm, despite this being a somewhat competitive game. The opposing team sets some screens and gets their 5'11 shooting guard open. He knocks down an elbow shot and gets his team a point. I'm given the ball immediately after the inbound, and I bring it down the court.

I spin past Jamal and push into the paint. Someone tries to help on defense, but I cross him, and I jump. Throwing down a dunk with both hands hard and with athleticism. "C'mon!! He's a tall white boy!! He shouldn't have hops like that!!" Jamal starts to jokingly complain, and I can't help smiling and laughing a little. This is way more enjoyable than Rucker Park.

All my basketball skills and my Prodigious Basketball System have made an overpowered and broken existence in the world of Basketball, but that's not a bad thing. "C'mon, Sugar!! Show what else you've got!!" Hannah joins in on the fun, and it's amazing to have someone that's supporting you no matter what.

The score is 3-1 in my team's favor, and I'm already back on defense. What I'm noticing about Venice Beach basketball, everyone is always trying to get others involved. It's not too serious. It's more about having a good game than winning a game. Jamal gets the ball, and he immediately loses it, and I grab it. Tossing it up the court to an open man.

We get another point, making the score 4-1. Jamal's friends are laughing on the sidelines and pointing at him. "Man's put too much cocoa butter on them soft lady hands!!" All the friends start to burst out laughing harder. Jamal takes it all in stride, knowing that it's all in good fun. I used to have moments like these with my teammates and friends... I miss them... I really do...

~~~(POV: Hannah Fiona)~~~

~~~(Date: January 25th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Venice Beach, LA)~~~

~~~(Time: 11:33 AM)~~~

This is so much fun!! I didn't expect so much positive energy and good vibes. It must be from the beautiful day and sunshine. "Is Ulysses your boyfriend?" A voice comes from behind me, and it's a feminine one. I turn and see a beautiful light-skinned woman with striking green eyes and perfect freckles. She's like an African goddess...

For some reason, I don't feel like she's after Ulysses. Women talk to me a certain way if they're into Ulysses. She doesn't have that same tone. "Yeah, he's my boyfriend. Why are you asking?" She smiles and pulls out a photo from her backpack.

It's a basketball card of Ulysses in High School. "I was wondering if you could get him to sign this for my little brother." Ahh! That's why.

I don't see the harm, and I certainly don't see any reason not to. "My little brother is in the hospital right now. He's fighting Sarcoma, and I wanted to get him something to brighten his day. I'd appreciate it..." She sounds weaker as she starts to talk about her little brother. Now I'm fully invested. I can't ever refuse something as wholesome as this.