the 2 year olds...

Driving back home.

All in his mind was the accident and the face of the little girl's mother.

When he got home.

Just feel lonely, sad and melancholic.

The fragility of human life.

At this moment, an obsession arose from him. A seed been planted.

Morning. He got porridge for Ana and Amy.

He wanted to have a shift with Ana but she said she is pretty comfy there. She only lack fridge and its a hotel. Hehe

Rome requested so.

Then about 20 minutes, there's really a fridge.

In America, when u have money, ur a false god.

The corporate world will kneel for u.

Rushing to Galen.

His practice never stops. Haha

"Clap clap clap clap!!"

"Wooooh!!!"

"Splash! Splash! splash!"

The moment Rome entered the arena, he can see his team mates rushing to him with celebration.

"Guys?"

"Come on brother. Give it." They hug and patted Rome real hard one by one.

"U hero man."

"U crazy ro. Real crazy."

Each celebrated his heroics.

US loves individual heroism.

Now that his face and deeds are out in the public, he became an instant hero now.

"Coach." Rome embarrassed of the overwhelming support. But the picture of the dead. He smiled weakly.

John gave him a big warm hug.

"U did a great job yesterday. however, rules are rules, ur late. Run kid."

The team laughed at him.

Rome run around with deflated look.

"TRAITORS!"

"That would beat him back and be humble." John said to David.

"Haha. But u know Rome's ego isnt that much, right? Its bad or good tho?"

"Well, yeah. The kid is humble that it amazes me so much."

"Like u said, he is a gem. And gems always stands out from the crowd. U just need to polish him."

The old guys gossiping.

Several news people started to search for Rome. Haha

They want the hero to be on tv. Haha

But they got no clue.

But if they really want to turn stones, they will find Rome.

The hype isnt just enough. haha

2nd week of October.

Rome sits comfortably at the recliner.

Under the sun.

Hearing the sound of the ocean.

"Ro, the fish is ready. U can grill it now."

Ana called him from inside the house.

Behind her is Amy carrying her doll.

"Rome. The fish has big eyes. Big big eyes. Look." The cute little girl excitedly jumped to him. Haha

They are at Malibu house Rome that bought.

Its been 2 weeks after the accident.

Ana is cooking for them. Especially Amy the little girl.

She still doesn't talk much but will talk to Rome.

Her savior is Rome. That's why she has soft spot for him.

Abby is also here.

The changes of Rome is obvious to Ana.

She still cant believe that her son is so powerful to tie up a blonde girl who seemed to be nice and respectful.

She really thot Rome is gay.

Taking weekend break in Malibu is always cool.

Thus, he bought a 7.5 million Malibu house with its private beach.

Not like 4 star hotel but u can really feel the ocean vibe and the beach house vibe.

Rome say its all worth it.

Having world class recipes, lunch is always gonna be great.

Just got an octopus and tuna.

With truffles.

Caviars.

Coconuts.

African spices and asian fruits.

All in the table.

Money can practically buy all these things.

"What is it?" Abby discovered Rome looking at her.

He reached for her cheek and fixed her hair.

He shook his head. "Just happy."

Abby smiled. "No cheesy lines."

"Alright. cool. Ur no fun at all Abigail." Rome kicked her off the recliner.

Abby rolled and her expression said it all.

"ROME!!!!!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!!!"

"Run." hahahahaahaha

Its October 27, 2019.

Same same.

Rome is doing his thing and played several games with different universities. He is a role player but his role in the team is really great.

Only his team mates know he is a monster.

Just playing 3 months of basketball. From zero to this stage, they are sure he is gonna be big in the future.

Its the start of Pac10 Div 1.

Its November 17, 2009.

"Rome, stay hot. We need u down the stretch."

"Yes Coach. I understand." Rome doesnt really want to start. He likes the bench because he can drink his coffee.

Which is really not allowed. I dont know why he can even get it. Plot armor perhaps. yeah...

"Come on man." They started to hand shake.

"Make sure Rome doesn't play. It means were losing." Nicki shouted at them. "U dont want to be bailed out by a complete rook, u know what I mean?"

"Hey. That's too much." Rome complained. "I played 5 months now."

"I played since grade school."

"Me too."

"Kobe was 2 year old."

"Sit down Rook."

"2. really?"

"Fuck. Who cares."

"But."

"Damnit."

"Defense!!!"

The game started very slow and rough.

"Nicki is the only decent in our team. All, even me are cba."

He counted himself without Luck Buff.

"U see that? Arm bar then secretly hold the jersey. The refs won't see. Clean. Act like it."

A team mate told Rome.

"Thats it. I saw that in the video."

"If u want not to be embarrassed, try not to be too good out there, man. Defend like they are gonna kill u. Because that's what they see u too."

"I know."

"And dont get affected by trash talk. Even if they call u names or ur color, just get revenge by scoring."

"Thats over the line, man. If someone calls u the N word, mine is B word, would that be okay to u?"

"No."

"See? Im gonna fuck his lip and put him 10 stitches."

"Thus."

The life of water boys. haha

The second half.

Score is 40to 38. USC behind UC Riverside.

"Rome. Ur starting the quarter. Just remember the plays. Move without the ball. Trust ur team mates to find u. Ur number will be called."

John is confident of Rome. Very very confident.

"HMMmm."

"Clap clap clap"

Rome clapped on his face.

"Coach, should I miss?" Cocky piece of shit.

"Hahahaha."

The rest laughed at him.

They fucking knew Rome's character.

"Split it. And Rome, ur a power forward. Ur on the front court. In the post. Make ur presence there."

"Im stretch 4." Rome said blankly.

"Only 4. only 4. no stretch."

"Ugh. okay." He wanna be like Dirk, or Love, or Duncan, or AD, even Cousins shoots 3. Only Motiejunas seemed legit 4 now.

But he did not answer anymore.

Rome calm but nervous.

There are 5 to 6 thousand people watching.

Bands and shaking the arena.

Cheerleaders with their blinding legs. He took away his eyes. haha

"Hoooooh. One Shining Moment.....hoooh.. here goes nothing..fukkk why am I here???" Jitters as the arena comes to life.

He clapped on his face thrice.

"Bud. Just like practice." Nicki patted his back.

"Hmmmm. hooooh. and let the show begin!" Rome pounding his chest.

The ref whistled.

3rd Quarter 9:59.

Rome followed the plays where ever the PG calls.

Running around as he is not so guarded because he is a complete rookie.

But the scouts of other teams know he can shoot.

That's why the defense is arms length.

"Ro."

Nicki waved Rome to the other side.

Rome understood.

He run while changing position and slightly nudge his defender. He created space.

At the corner, he just raised his hand, the ball landed on his hand.

"Nice pass Nicki."

He bent. One motion, he rose up.

Highest point, he released his shot.

The parabola is so beautiful and the defense is late.

Splash!

His throat dried.

"Made!!!! ahhhhh!!!!!" Rome threw a fist in the air.

He runs to Nicki excitedly.

"Nice."

Rome high five with the others.

His hair messed up having been baptized.

USC fans cheered and shouted.

The bugle sounded and trumpets flew.

Back on the defense.

As a forward, his battles will be on the inside trying to keep lay ups and mid range shots because they are efficient and easy to shot.

That's the essence of bball. The nearer to the basket, the easiest to score.

Thus centers and power forward will guard the ring.

But that's 2000's.

Today is the era of guards.

Thus hybrids 4 and 5.

Big as Rome is, the one who he guards is depressed because he cant nudge Rome a bit.

The man tried to post him up but Rome is powerful and has strong core.

Holding the opponents jersey with arm bar, Rome repelled him because he passed the ball.

"Bad Luck burst."

The ball slipped in his hand.

"Steal!!!

"Thank u!" Rome shouted.

Sprint as fast as he could and dribbled like a guard.

Fast break.

"Woooooh!!!"

"Slam it!!!!"

The USC fans shouted.

Rome landed.

"So easy?" He asked as he pointed to the bench.

"Luck 40x"

"Ahhh. So that's how it is. hahahahahahah"