Mentality

The locker room was eerily silent, a stark contrast to the roaring crowd that had filled the stadium just moments ago. The players sat on the benches, heads bowed, as the reality of their loss settled in. DJ, still in his number 1 jersey, stared at the floor, replaying the final moments of the game in his mind.

Coach Carter's post-game speech had been brief but encouraging, yet it did little to lift DJ's spirits. He couldn't shake the image of his feet not being in bounds during that critical play. He had given what he thought was everything, but it hadn't been enough. The sting of the loss was more than just the defeat or an L on the record; it was the weight of missed opportunities and the pressure he placed on himself.

---

DJ drove home in silence, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and regrets. Brianna sat in the passenger seat, stealing glances at him. She wanted to say something, anything to comfort him, but the words wouldn't come.

'He looks so distant,' she thought, 'so lost in his thoughts.'

Finally, she reached over and touched his arm. "DJ, you played an amazing game. Everyone saw how hard you worked out there."

He gave her a small, tired smile. "Thanks, Bri. I just... I just can't get over the fact that we lost you know. I feel like I let everyone down."

"You didn't let anyone down," she insisted,

squeezing his arm. "You were incredible out there."

----

When DJ got home, his mom tried to talk to him, but he wasn't in the mood. "Not now, Mom," he muttered, cutting her off and heading straight to his room.

As he went to his room, he put his bag for his gear down before laying on the floor and looking up at the ceiling, tired both mentally

and physically. 'System' he called out.

Name: DJ

Position: Wide Receiver

Team: Sharks

Attributes:

Speed: A

Agility: A

Strength: C

Catching: A-

Route Running: A-

Tactical Awareness: B

Endurance: B+

Leadership: B-

FK Points: 2700

[Note: Through performances in games FK points can be earned.]

'That's convenient' He thought.

Skill Specializations:

Route Apprentice (Level 2): Increased precision and speed in route execution.

Acrobat (Level 2): Increased ability to make acrobatic catches.

Sideline Deadeye(Level 1): Increased catching ability near the sideline along with increased ability in keeping feet in bounds.

High Point Deadeye (Level 1): Enhanced ability to make difficult high point catches in various conditions.

Closer (Level 1): Significant boost in the 4th quarter and game-sealing drive situations.

Active Coupons:

None

Current Abilities:

None

Recent Performance:

Last Game Stats: 10 catches, 225 yards, 4 touchdowns

Season Stats: 22 catches, 500 yards, 9 touchdowns.

Goals:

Win the State Championship

Earn a College Scholarship    

Develop into a 5-Star Recruit

Bronze Lottery:

Cost: 300 FK points per ticket

Prizes: Minor skill enhancements, small basic badge upgrades.

Silver Lottery:

Cost: 1000 FK points per ticket

Prizes: Moderate skill enhancements, medium badge upgrades, 1-month coupons.

Gold Lottery:

Cost: 2000 FK points per ticket

Prizes: Significant skill enhancements, high-quality badge upgrades, 6-month coupons.

Diamond Lottery:

Cost: 4000 FK points per ticket

Prizes: Major skill enhancements, top-tier badge upgrades, 1-year coupons, rare special abilities.

'Purchase a Gold Lottery.' DJ commanded.

DJ used his Gold Lottery, as the sounds of the wheel and pointer rang in his mind, he saw a ticket like object with a Bicep on it.

Congratulations the User has Drawn the '6-month strength coupon.'

'Perfect it was only my strength that was lagging behind, and I've been having trouble putting on weight.'

----

DJ couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment as he walked into school on Monday. The weight of the team's expectations had settled heavily on his shoulders. They had envisioned an undefeated season with his return, and now, that dream was crushed.

'The guys were counting on me,' DJ thought,

staring at his reflection in the school bathroom mirror. 'And I let them down.'

DJ walked through the halls of the school; his mind still clouded with thoughts of the game. As he approached his locker, he was surprised to see Jordan standing there, her curly black hair bouncing as she smiled at him.

"Hey, DJ!" she exclaimed, wrapping him in a tight hug. "I saw the game. You were amazing so don't beat yourself up about it!"

DJ returned the hug, albeit a bit awkwardly. "Thanks, Jordan. It was a tough one."

Unbeknownst to them, Brianna stood a few lockers down, watching the exchange with a sinking feeling in her chest. 'Just why didn't he tell me she was back?' she wondered. 'Why is she hugging him like that?'

-----

Throughout the day, Brianna couldn't shake the image of DJ and Jordan hugging. She tried to focus on her classes, but her mind kept drifting back to them. During lunch, her friend Emily noticed her distraction.

"What's up, Bri? You seem out of it today," Emily said, nudging her.

"It's nothing," Brianna replied, forcing a smile.

"Just a lot on my mind."

Emily raised an eyebrow. "Is it about DJ? I saw him with that girl this morning. Who is she?"

"Jordan," Brianna said quietly. "She's an

old friend of his. She just transferred back."

Emily frowned. "You don't think there's something going on between them, do you?"

"I don't know," Brianna admitted, her voice

barely above a whisper. "He hasn't mentioned her to me, and he seems so distant lately I had to hear from someone else who she actually was."

----

After the loss, the team underwent a noticeable change. Instead of feeling uncertain, they were fueled by a collective mindset. Losing wouldn't happen again.

After practice, Coach Carter noticed DJ's

uncharacteristic silence and pulled him aside. They sat on the bleachers, the field lights casting long shadows.

"DJ, talk to me. What's going on?" Coach

Carter's voice was calm but firm.

DJ sighed, "I just feel like I let everyone

down. We were supposed to have this undefeated dream season, and I couldn't

deliver."

Coach Carter put a hand on DJ's shoulder.

"Like I've told you before DJ, Being great isn't about never failing. It's about how you handle failure. You showed heart out there. That's what matters."

DJ looked up, searching Coach Carter's eyes for understanding. "But it wasn't enough."

"I can tell you've been chasing this thing called 'Greatness' desperately and for you it might mean going undefeated or living up to expectations set by your brother,"

Coach Carter continued, "But it isn't about being special, or being the strongest or the biggest, it's about being what most people aren't and that's consistent and disciplined. Listen DJ sometimes your going to have to suck it up and fail and fail and fail and continue to fail until you finally succeed. Whether it's you or anybody else on the team at the end of the day it's not about today but about the future,this is simply a passing chapter in your lives,you do the work now and fail now and all the things you could ever wanna do for your family, your kids, your loved ones, it's all gonna be on whole different stratosphere. You have to be willing to work for it every single day." Coach Carter said as he seemed to reminisce about his past.

DJ nodded slowly, "I hear you, Coach."

Coach Carter smiled. "Remember, you don't

have to carry this burden alone. We're a team. We win together, and we lose together. Keep your chin up, kid."

----

after the game, DJ had received interest from several prestigious universities, including Louisville , USC, UCLA, Stanford, and Iowa.

The attention was flattering but also added pressure.

on social media, reactions to the loss were mixed. Some expressed disappointment and criticism, while others showed support.

DJ read a supportive message from a fan: "One game doesn't define a season. Keep pushing!"

Another message stung: "DJ and the team choked. They're not as good as they think they are and the pre-season rankings

should've had them lower to be honest."

After practice, DJ drove home with Travis and Malik. The car was filled with a mix of exhaustion and contemplation.

Travis, looking out the window, broke the silence. "I got some news today. Got a few schools looking at me… as a tight end." He said sounding deflated

Malik laughed, "Man, you've been a wide receiver all your life. How do you feel about it?"

Travis shrugged. "Mixed feelings man. I mean, tight end could be fun, but it's not what I envisioned."

Malik nodded, then added, "I've had some interest too, but they're not confident about my size. Makes you think, huh?"

DJ kept his eyes on the road, the conversation adding to his thoughts. 'They see potential in us. All that leaves is for us to keep pushing.'

-----

Later that evening, DJ sat with his dad, who had always been his rock. His father could sense his feelings.

"Rough game, huh?" his dad asked.

"Yeah," DJ admitted. "I feel like I let everyone down."

His dad leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Listen I know you hate losing, I mean everyone does but remember our motto: 'Why would we ever give up today when we lose, when tomorrow might just be the day we win.'"

DJ looked up and smiled. "Yeah, I remember."

"DJ you know," he said pausing for a moment "most people don't want to go to that extra mile, most people don't want to find that extra and dig deeper and go even further cause frankly it sucks, its lonely, its miserable and sometimes unbearable. However, if you ask anybody who has succeeded they'll tell you they did more of what they DIDN'T want to do then what they WANTED to do, it has to be your new norm and come as easy as breathing."

His dad paused, letting the words sink in.

"My ultimate form of satisfaction and revenge against those who doubted and gloated on me when I was at my lowest is you and your brothers' success, you guys are my legacy, my everything and proof that I lived in this world you understand."

DJ felt a wave of realization wash over him.

"Thanks, Dad. I needed that."

"Also remember to not apply my motto to gambling though." He said while smiling but seeming a little nervous.

----

With newfound clarity, DJ called Brianna. "Hey, can we talk?"

They met at a quiet spot in the park. Brianna

looked nervous but determined. "DJ, there's something we need to talk about first, I want get it off my chest. I saw a picture of you and Jordan."

DJ sighed, "Bri, Jordan is just a friend. She

hugged me because we've known each other for years. There's nothing more to it."

Brianna studied his face, looking for any signs of dishonesty. "I was worried. It just seemed like… I don't know, something more."

DJ took her hand. "I understand. I should

have told you sooner. There's nothing between us but friendship. I only have eyes for you."

Brianna smiled, relief washing over her. "I'm

glad we talked. I was scared I was losing you."

DJ pulled her into a hug. "You're not and never will."