First Car

*Sound Effects*

**Language**

'Thoughts'

"Dialogue"

(Point of View)

[System]

// 1 Week Later //

I was currently on my way to the dealership. I had done some research on cars on my Lenovo laptop that I had purchased a few weeks back and looked into what cars would be the best for my price range. After looking through many different options, I eventually settled on the BMW 530i. 

I arrived at the dealership that my agent had recommended. Stepping inside, I was greeted by the salesman my agent had connected me with. Fortunately, they had a few of the BMW 530i on the lot. I opted for a test drive of the dark blue one. As I got inside the car, I was immediately impressed by its luxurious interior. Plush leather seats, a sleek dashboard with a high end infotainment system, and a spacious cabin welcomed me. The scent of new leather and the feeling of sitting behind the wheel of a high-performance vehicle filled me with excitement as I prepared for the test drive.

As I took the BMW 530i for a test drive, the powerful engine purred to life, and I could feel its responsiveness at my fingertips. The smooth acceleration and precise handling made every turn a delight. The car effortlessly glided through the streets, and the comfortable seats provided amazing support, making it a truly enjoyable ride.

During the test drive, I explored the car's various features. The sound system delivered crystal-clear audio which was a major plus for me as I loved listening to music while cruising.

With every mile, I became more convinced that this was the car I wanted. Its combination of performance, comfort, and style was impressive, and I could already picture myself behind the wheel on the open road. After returning to the dealership, I couldn't help but smile as I considered the possibilities of driving this BMW 530i at night.

I informed the dealer that the car was what I was looking for, and he handed over the keys, assuring me that he would reach out to my agent. As I held the keys in my hand, I couldn't help but appreciate the convenience of the situation. "This feels nice," I murmured to myself. From what I've observed when my mom purchased a vehicle.

Typically, dealing with all the formalities, such as background checks and credit history checks, would be required before even test driving a car. It dawned on me that such streamlined processes were often reserved for rich clients and celebrities, making me appreciate the perks of my current situation.

I drove my new car home and eagerly showed it to my family. The excitement in my brothers was palpable, and I promised to get a car for Marky, who had just turned 18, after he learned how to drive from mom. Additionally, I assured Andrew that he would receive his own car when he turned 18 this coming October. Their faces lit up with happiness, and they both gave me a quick, appreciative hug.

I turned to my mom and shared my intention to get her a new car in the near future. I couldn't bear the thought of her, who had done so much for me, driving an old, beat-up vehicle. While it felt rewarding to provide for my family, a hint of guilt lingered in the back of my mind, making me wonder if my actions were driven more by selfishness than genuine generosity.

I shook it off however, as I felt that this was truly what I wanted even before I had money. I decided before parking to drive to Coach Will's house, I had been there a few times prior when he drove their because he forgot something and went inside to grab it before coming back out a few times when on the way to practice.

I made a brisk drive over to Coach's house, which was conveniently just 15 minutes away from our new place. I played some music during the drive, switching it to "Mario - Let Me Love You." With my not-so-great singing, I approached the house. After parking the car, turning off the engine, and tucking the keys into my pocket, I eagerly stepped out.

As I approached the door, I knocked on it, expecting Coach to answer. To my surprise, there was no response. I tried knocking again, but still, nothing. However, as I knocked once more, the door creaked open slightly. I wasn't accustomed to entering other people's homes uninvited, but a sense of concern washed over me. I cautiously pushed the door open and called out to Coach Will.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard what seemed like glass shattering inside. Without hesitation, I rushed into the house, scanning the surroundings. I couldn't see anything amiss, but the sound of breaking glass persisted. Following the noise, I hurried toward its source and cautiously opened another door.

"Coach!" I exclaimed as I approached him. I noticed that Coach had a slight cut on his hand, and the room was littered with shattered beer bottles.

I tried to engage Coach in conversation, but he appeared to be in a drunken stupor, making it difficult to communicate. My calmness helped me think clearly in the dire situation. Without wasting a moment, I removed my jacket and attempted to apply pressure to his bleeding hand.

"Coach! Please, talk to me!" I implored. He seemed to regain some awareness but remained in a disoriented state.

His eyes were bloodshot, and tearstains streaked his face, but he didn't respond to my questions.

Fearing the worst, I made the decision to help Coach out of the house. I used all my strength to guide him toward my car, although he stumbled and fell a few times along the way.

Finally, I managed to get him into my car and quickly sped off to the nearest hospital. While I briefly considered trying to use the healing drink I had, I believed that the bleeding, though concerning, wasn't life-threatening at the moment. However, I remained ready to pull over and give it to him if his condition worsened during the drive.

Upon arriving at the hospital, I parked near the entrance, allowing for a swift entrance while ensuring I wasn't obstructing emergency access. After turning off the car, I rushed to Coach's side, assisting him out of the vehicle. He still appeared disoriented as I guided him inside.

Once inside the hospital, the nurses swiftly took Coach to a bed, and I followed closely. However, they stopped me, insisting that I would have to wait. Despite my attempts to argue, one stern older nurse firmly directed me to wait in the designated area.

'Fuck! I should've just given him the damn drink!' I thought, plagued by the nagging uncertainty of whether not giving Coach the healing drink was a mistake. The thought of the potential consequences for not giving it to Coach weighed heavily on my mind.

During the agonizing wait that felt like hours, I had taken the time to call my mom and inform her of my whereabouts so she wouldn't worry. She offered her understanding and sent her heartfelt prayers for Coach.

Finally, a doctor approached, inquiring about the situation while providing an update. She assured me that Coach Will was in stable condition, with no serious injuries, but they would need to wait for the effects of the alcohol to wear off before he could be discharged. She asked for an explanation of what had transpired, and I did my best to recount the events, although I remained as baffled about the situation as she was.

I contemplated what could have possibly happened, I knew that it was unlikely to be related to his job since he had been thrilled about working with Coach K at Duke. At the moment, all I could do was patiently wait for Coach to sober up so I could ask about what really happened.

// Time Skip //

A couple of hours had passed and finally the medical staff allowed me to take Coach Will home, it was currently 7pm, turning dark soon.

During the car ride to Coach Will's house, an eerie silence hung heavy in the air. Unable to bear the silence any longer, I decided to break it.

"What happened, Coach?" I asked softly.

He turned to me with a look of profound sadness in his eyes before finally uttering the words, "She's gone."

My heart sank as I glanced at him, my concern growing. "Your wife? Did you get a divorce?" I asked.

His voice quivered as he replied, "No, it was our anniversary... She passed away two years ago during labor."

Those words hit me like a truck. I struggled to find the right words, wanting to express my condolences. "Coach, I'm so sor—" I began, but my words trailed off as I heard Coach Will's sobs. I looked over to see him, his hands covering his eyes, overcome by grief.

"We had plans for a family... but everything changed," he managed to say between sobs.

My heart ached, and I softly spoke, "I haven't been on this earth long, but I know that..." I stopped before breathing for a moment.

I reached out to place a comforting hand on Coach Will's shoulder, like he would do for me, as I offered some words of advice, "Coach, I can't even begin to imagine the pain you're going through. But remember, it's okay to grieve, to remember the good times, and to hold on to the love you shared. It's all a part of healing."

As we continued the drive in silence, the weight of Coach's loss hung in the air. It was a painful reminder of how life could change in an instant, and the importance of cherishing the moments with our loved ones.

Finally, I softly added, "And if you ever need someone to talk to or lean on, I'm here for you, Coach. We all need support during times like these."

As I drove amidst the silence, I couldn't help but think how Coach Will never showed any signs of this, there was an instance a long time ago where he forgot his ring, however it was a one time thing so I didn't think much about it.

It just goes to show that you don't really know what people are going through. Thinking about this I had a epiphany, I wanted to treat everyone as best as I could because at the end of the day I didn't know what was going on with the next person.

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A/N : Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I've really wanted to make sure the story didn't feel plain and only about basketball. Sometimes, NBA players deal with things in the background that they don't talk about. Though some may be confused as to why Coach would tell Javi these things since he is much younger. I still wanted to incorporate this as it's a vital part of the story and who Javi will become.