Chapter 7: Back on My Feet

Wilt PoV

Wilt smiled as he shot a basket into a hoop.

"Look at you, little bro," Vanessa said. "You look very happy, even more than before."

He grinned. "I'm glad to be playing again."

She laughed. "You were miserable for the first couple of days."

"That's because my leg was healing. I was worried that I'd never be able to play again."

She smiled and hugged him. "Come on, it wasn't that bad!"

He frowned slightly. Right. Loxus had rewritten the timeline.

"Wilt, what's wrong?" Vanessa asked, noticing his expression.

"Nothing. I just realized I had a nightmare the other day. That's all."

"Nightmare?"

He rubbed his thigh. "Where I could never play again. I had to use a wheelchair and all."

Vanessa ruffled his red hair. "Well, you're fine now. So stop worrying."

"You're right. I'm just glad it was a nightmare."

She chuckled. "Yeah, I bet. Anyway, I need to get going. My boyfriend's waiting for me."

Wilt wanted to ask him what the rest of Kellen's team was like, but Yosiah would only know last year's team. Tryouts for this year's team would begin soon.

He took a deep breath. "I should join, too."

"You're really thinking of joining the basketball team, huh?"

"Yes. And I'm determined to make the starting lineup."

She laughed. "You already qualify. You just have to get around to accepting their scholarship."

He blinked. So in this timeline, he hadn't settled yet?

"They contacted you, didn't they?"

"They did," he replied.

"Well, it's not too late to accept it. They'll probably give you a call again."

He nodded.

"Alright, I'm off. See ya."

"Bye."

With a wave, Vanessa walked to her car and drove off to Yosiah's place.

Wilt walked back inside and went to email Kellen University that he has decided to accept the offer.

After a while, his cell rang.

It was his sister.

"Vanessa," he answered.

"Hey, little bro. You accepted the offer yet?"

"Just now."

She giggled. "Good."

"I look forward to playing with you again, Wilt," her boyfriend called out.

Wilt laughed. "Same, Yosiah. I'll be a star like I was in high school."

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Vanessa joked.

"Anyway, I'm gonna go jogging now. See you."

"See ya, bro."

Wilt smiled as he put away his phone. The screen had gotten fixed since the mugging.

He stared at his left leg. It was hard to believe he had traveled through time with Loxus. That guy really was dangerous.

He sighed and started his jog. All he could do was go along with what Loxus wanted. And that was taking Kellen to nationals. Wilt planned to play basketball anyway, so it wasn't much of a departure from his plans.

"Man, that's crazy. Time travel," Wilt muttered.

If not for the pain he felt during the repeat attack, he wouldn't have believed it.

He froze as he saw the handsome black-haired boy jogging toward him.

Loxus gulped. Why did he have to run into that jerk again?

"Oh, it's you," Loxus said, smirking. "Working out?"

Wilt nodded. "Gotta keep in shape."

"Good."

He clenched his fists.

"By the way, I heard Kellen's trying to recruit you."

"Yeah, I accepted."

"Good. I'm gonna try out for the team too."

Wilt gasped. Right. He intended to look up information on Loxus' record. He didn't recall facing a guy like him during high school.

"You're welcome to try, but I doubt the coach will want a thug."

Loxus narrowed his eyes and bumped his shoulder against his. "Don't get too cocky, star player. I will surpass you."

Wilt laughed. "Is that a challenge?"

"It is."

He shrugged. "Very well. You can try. But you'll be sorely disappointed."

Loxus gritted his teeth.

Wilt laughed and began his jog again. He took out his phone and began to search Loxus online. He surprisingly didn't see anything about a criminal record.

"Guess he has a clean record. For now."

As he continued his jog, Wilt felt a sense of foreboding. Loxus was a dangerous guy.

Wilt shook his head and kept reading. Loxus played basketball during middle school but quit. Why had he decided to join the team this year? Had meeting Wilt inspired him to take up the sport again?

He put away his phone and sped up his pace.

Loxus was such a mysterious guy. There was a lot more to him than met the eye. Wilt could sense it. And he was determined to uncover the truth.

The question was, how?

"Hey, Wilt!" a voice called.

He stopped and turned around and saw Natasha running toward him.

Wilt smiled. It was good to see her again. She was the only one who believed in him back when his future was uncertain.

"Hey, braces girl," he joked.

She frowned. "You're not funny."

He laughed.

"It's nice to see you laughing again. I take it the operation was a success."

"Yep. The doctors said I'll make a full recovery and as you can see, my leg is back in shape. Thanks to you, I got to the hospital on time."

Natasha blushed. "Oh, it was nothing. Just glad you're doing better."

He grinned. "Same. Hey, wanna grab a bite? My treat."

"Sure," she replied. "I'm hungry."

Wilt and Natasha walked to a nearby fast food joint.

"I gotta admit, you look great," he said.

"Thanks," she replied, her face flushed. "So do you."

"So, what university did you apply for?"

"Kellen. Same as my cousin."

Wilt smiled. "Then, we're going to see each other a lot more. I'm attending there too."

Her eyes lit up. "Really? That's awesome! We can study together!"

He nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

They ordered and sat down at a table.

Natasha sure was pretty. Her hair was a dark blue and short. It reminded him of Loxus' dark and messy hair.

"So, what are you gonna study?" Natasha asked.

He hummed. "Not sure yet. Maybe sports medicine or physical therapy."

"I think you'll be great at either of those."

"Thanks."

She smiled and took a sip of her drink.

"And you?"

"I was thinking medicine."

Wilt chuckled. "Should've figured. When you saved me, I thought you'd make a great doctor."

"R-really?"

He nodded. "Yeah, the way you told me not to move else I might puncture something. It sounded very doctor like."

She blushed. "Oh, you're just exaggerating."

"No, really. Thanks, Nata."

"Nata? Is that a new nickname?"

"Don't you like it?"

"I... don't mind it."

They finished their meals and headed outside.

"So, I'll see you at school," Natasha said.

"I can't wait," he replied.

She smiled and waved goodbye.

Wilt watched as she walked away. She sure changed. Then again, he was different too.

He took out his phone and looked up Loxus again. But there was no record of him past his middle school basketball team.

"Guess I'll have to ask him myself," he muttered.

He put away his phone and made his way home.

His eyes narrowed as he spotted Loxus feeding some cats. Was he feeding them poison?

"Hey! Loxus!"

He looked up and then down at the cats. The guy pulled his hood down as if hiding his face.

"What?" he responded.

Wilt jogged over to him. "Are you giving the cats poison or something?"

"Huh? Why would I do that?"

He stared at the cats, watching their every movement.

"I'm just curious. Why are you feeding them?"

Loxus turned away. "Buzz off."

"Fine. Sorry."

He continued his jog.

"Stupid," Loxus muttered under his breath.

Wilt smiled as he looked back at the guy. Seemed Loxus had a softer side.

As he continued his jog, Wilt wondered what it would take to uncover Loxus' past.

"He's an enigma," Wilt muttered.

But that's what made him interesting. Ugh, maybe he was being stupid for wanting to learn more about that guy. He was dangerous. A psycho. Although, seeing him feeding the cats, he couldn't help but wonder if Loxus was lonely.

He scoffed. Why did he even care for that guy? Maybe Jake was right when he told him he could be too nice.