PROLOGUE

Have you ever been left alone? Like there was nobody in the whole world to keep you company? Trust me, I've been there before. As a matter of fact, 6/06/2040 was the day I felt totally left out. This scenario was enough to make anybody go crazy. But hey, I did not let the situation get the best of me. Instead I learnt some really valuable lessons from them.

For starters, everyone is bound to leave sooner or later. The more friends you have, the more painful that is going to be. I can't trust anyone. The only person I can be really certain of that would stay regardless of the situation is me. Moreover, nobody can make me happy. I owe my happiness to myself. The choices I make determine my happiness. Nobody can hurt me unless I choose to feel hurt. Nobody can make me sad unless I choose to feel sad. Nobody can make me angry unless I choose to feel angry. Nobody can make me insecure unless I choose to feel insecure.

It's all within. I control my own emotions. I make my own decisions. And I choose to feel happy with or without the ones I love.

With these thoughts in mind, I began my days always hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Funny how that sounds but you would understand if you were in my shoes. Joey had called recently to let me know we had a tournament the upcoming weekend. At least that gave me something to look forward to. Matter of fact, basketball was the only thing that kept me going. Well basketball and noodles. But the rhythmic bouncing of the ball as my sweat trickled down my tank top, staring down my opponent as I searched for an opening was what kept me sane.

Believe it or not, I tried on several occasions to falter with the ball but years of practice always kept the ball glued to my hand.

"Sam, we gotta go." Joey voiced out immediately cutting through my reverie. It was a good game. I got as many points as possible for my team and we won. The cheers from the crowd was quite deafening. The ladies kept swooning and requesting for my autograph. For some reason though, I was absent-minded. I kept signing but I wasn't really present at the moment. For real though I had no idea the number of ladies I had handed out my phone number to. I was about to find out though.

Joey drove me home. He had been the only real friend I ever had. We'd been buddies since childhood and had balled in the same hood all our lives.

"You coming over to the club tonight? Shantel will be there." Joey voiced out casually. "Nah man, I'm cool." I replied.

"You seemed a bit off today. You okay?" Joey inquired. "Yeah bro, I'm alright."

"Alright then, catch you later." He said as he drove off. Sighing, I turned around and made my way lazily towards my apartment.