Spending Time Alone... Almost...

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: December 20th, 2025)~~~

~~~(Time: 11:10 AM)~~~

~~~(Location: Favorite Park, Holden, Oregon)~~~

This last month has been rough on me... It's been hard adjusting to my life without my teammates... While playing basketball in the snow is impractical, it's helping me clear my mind. The school gym has been closed until further notice, so I'm stuck here. Out in the cold winter weather, dribbling and shooting with frozen hands... It's not the first time I've done this, though...

Ellie, Hannah, James... They've been a great support group, but there are times when you need to be alone. It's why I'm here, away from the world and all the problems that I have in it for the time being. "None of you would agree with me... Taking off without telling anyone where I am..." I'm betting Ellie and Hannah are freaking out at the moment...

Taking off without telling Ellie where I'm going isn't my style. It's a good thing to do. My teammates would be telling me I should've told them... My eyes stare at the hoop, and I take a calm shot that's perfect, and it easily swishes in... "Even when I'm like this... I don't miss..." Most people wouldn't be able to function normally, but I've dealt with horrible losses before...

My fingers are numb as they pick up the ball from the snow, and it's coming down harder now. Fluffy pillows of snow and winter break have been fantastic so far... In terms of a traditional white Christmas time... The atmosphere around town is depressing, and the loss that so many parents have suffered has sucked the good times this season is supposed to have.

There have been kids out every day sledding and playing in the snow... Little kids that don't know about the loss that many have suffered... The kids that can't comprehend that part of life at this point in time... "I knew you'd be here..." My thoughts are interrupted as I turn my head and see Anna... Tyler's mom... She and I have been talking a lot...

Ever since Tyler died in the bus accident, his parents have been struggling... His father has become a severe alcoholic and is sitting in jail for beating up Anna... I can still see the bruises on her face... "You should've told Ellie you were leaving... She has the whole town looking for you..." She opens the gate and starts walking towards me... Her eyes are red from crying...

She sets her purse down and wraps my stomach in a hug since that's how tall she is compared to me... The loss of her only son has destroyed her, but everyone in town is trying to help her pick up the pieces... Including me... We talk about that night sometimes... The night everyone died... "Sorry... Just needed some space to think..." She pulls away with a small smile...

If anyone would understand, it'd be everyone that's lost a kid in that bus crash... She lost her son, and I lost a friend... "I get it, Ulysses... Getting away from the world can help, but it's always going to be there... Waiting for you to return..." She looks down and steps away. She picks up her purse and starts walking towards the court exit. My eyes see a familiar car coming down the snow-covered road.

Two doors swing open, and Hannah and Ellie both jump out of the cars. And Hannah is quick to start running to me as fast as the snow will let her. I see the angry look on both their faces, but Ellie stops to chat with Anna. On the other hand, Hannah stops in front of me and slaps my shoulder. It's the highest point she can reach without jumping.

She grits her teeth and decides to smack me a few more times to make sure I get why she's so mad at me. "You idiot! Tell us where you're going when you decide to take off!! Ellie was worried sick, and I couldn't stop myself from thinking the worse... That you might..." Her voice starts to crack, and hot tears fall from her eyes to the fluffy snow below us.

My life is here, with Hannah and Ellie, and while my location is moving in the future. I'm taking them with me, wherever I go. "I'm sorry..." The two words cause her to dry her tears. I lower my body and wrap my arms around her. Picking her up in my grasp as she wraps her legs around my body, securing herself to me... Hugging me tighter with every passing second...