Questions

Kyle had a freaked out look on his face as Jason told him about the thugs that ran up on him at the restroom. But after Jason told him about Tustin middle school Kyle became furious.

"What the hell!? They actually sent people to try and do that to you!? We have to destroy them next week!"

Jason was surprised by how pumped up Kyle was "Wow, I didn't think you'd be pumped like this. I thought you would be more scared or nervous."

Kyle looked at Jason "Oh don't get me wrong. I'm plenty scared. But the number one rule of shounen is that you always have to have your nakama's back!"

Jason was confused "Naka-what?" Kyle shook his head "Nevermind. It just means that you can count on me. Here let me see the phone."

Kyle spent an hour dismantling the phone that Marcus had given to Jason. He carefully went through all the parts.

After going through all the parts carefully he put it back together and plugged it into his computer.

After about another hour Kyle unplugged the phone and handed it to Jason "I'm not sure if we can trust Marcus but this phone isn't bugged.

I checked through all the parts and everything seems good. I looked through everything and I didn't find any suspicious or malicious programs on the phone. So far everything checks out as far as the phone is concerned."

Jason took the phone from Kyle before tossing it and catching it a few times "Thanks Kyle. You were the only one I could ask for this kind of thing."

Kyle smiled "Jaya, I might be a huge scaredy cat but you know that I always got your back. Oh shit that kinda rhymed haha."

Jason and Kyle spent another hour playing video games. It was starting to get late so Jason texted his dad to pick him up.

- - -

The next day Jason went to visit Tyreek at his new place. After being dropped off by his mom Jason texted Tyreek to let him know that he was there.

Jason waited in front of the gates for a few minutes before Tyreek came down to get him. As soon as Tyreek saw him he smiled as he started to dap him up.

"What's good man? I really appreciate you offering to help me and Shania move our stuff in and get settled."

Jason smiled back "No problem bro. So this is the new community huh? Looks pretty nice man. You excited to live in the same townhouse as Javier and Greg?"

Tyreek started guiding Jason as they walked and talked "I'm stoked bro. Javier and Greg seem like super chill dudes.

But the best part is that without having to worry about rent I was able to leave the warehouse gig behind.

I been zeroed in on ball for the last two weeks and I can already feel the difference man. Ima bout to be a beast when it comes to college."

After a bit of walking Tyreek stopped as they reached one of the townhouses that had a moving truck parked in front of the open garage door.

Tyreek called out "Shania! Get yo ass out here. I got your favorite person to pay you a visit." Shania walked out of the garage but as soon as she saw Jason standing next to Tyreek she rolled her eyes.

"Why the hell you bring him over here? You already know he be gettin on my nerves!" Tyreek laughed as he patted Jason on the shoulder.

"Don't mind her. That's just how Shania shows her affection. She be calling me all types of stuff. Here just start movin the stuff from the truck into the garage. I'll go grab you a pair of gloves."

As Tyreek passed by Shania on his way into the house he whispered into her ear "Looks like the white girl ain't got him tied down yet. I would make my move if I was you."

Shania punched him in the shoulder "Shut the fuck up Tyreek!" He just laughed as he made his way inside the house.

Jason helped Tyreek and Shania move their things off of the moving truck and into the garage. After a few hours they stopped to take a break.

Tyreek turned to Shania "Yo Shania. Go grab some water from the fridge. And go make some sandwiches" She turned to him with an annoyed look.

"Why the hell can't you do it?" Tyreek laughed "Okay I can go grab em. I guess you want some alone time with Jaya."

She jumped up and stomped her feet "Geez! Fine I'm gettin the water and the food. You startin to get on my nerves too Tyreek."

Jason laughed "Good to see that she's taking the move well. Where are Greg and Javier?" Tyreek answered "Oh they inside. They busy lookin at some footage from me and you."

Jason nodded his head "Okay. Hey Tyreek I got something I wanted to ask you about." Tyreek looked at Jason "Shoot for it bro. I'm all ears."

Jason asked "You know Marcus right?" Tyreek was surprised for a moment "I know him. Me and Marcus grew up together.

We was friends and teammates until high school. He was just as talented as me but he stopped playin ball when his folks passed.

That was when he started fucking heavy with the street shit. Marcus got a good heart , at least that's what I want to believe, but lately he been gettin into some dangerous stuff.

But why you askin bout him? Anything happen?" Jason hesitated but in the end he decided to tell Tyreek about what had happened in San Jacinto.

Tyreek sighed "Damn man, not again. I was hoping that shit would change but I guess a few years ain't enough."

Jason looked at Tyreek "Marcus said that he didn't want another story like yours happening again. What did he mean?"

Tyreek looked around before taking a deep breath "This bout to be the first time I talked to anyone about this."

He looked Jason straight in the face "You gotta keep this to the grave aight? You can't let anyone know. Especially not Shania."

Jason felt the mood get heavy as he nodded his head. Tyreek looked out in front of him "This was a little more than two years ago.

I was finally startin to blow up. My name was pickin up traction as I lead Newberry to our first undefeated season.

I was getting coverage on the news and big youtube channels were going to my games to record my highlights.

We were about to play against our first team on the way to the state championship. One day Marcus came up to me and told me that the school we was gonna play against hired some thugs to scare me to give up the game.

Maybe I didn't believe him because I wanted to believe in the good that was inside of people. Or maybe I didn't think that they would really do anything and that it was all just a bluff.

I can't remember anymore. But I ignored him. Me and Newberry went to LA and whooped that schools ass. We blew em outta the water.

My big bro decided to treat the whole team out to some food to celebrate. We was eating and chillin when all of a sudden bullets started flyin.

Two of the homies got hit before everyone realized what was happening. We hit the floor and prayed to god that we was gonna make it out.

My bro was the only that was strapped up. He pulled out his piece and started firing back. Cameras caught him shooting back and even though it was self defense he got hit with illegal possession of a firearm.

And since he already had some dirt on his track sheet he got hit with a felony. Just because I didn't listen to Marcus' warnin Shania had to see her old man get locked up."

Jason asked "Shania doesn't know this?" Tyreek shook his head "No one except for you and Marcus know.

Police chalked it up as a random gang fight. I was 16 and scared. I didn't know any better so I just rolled with that story."

Jason was deep in thought for a few seconds "So do you think I can trust Marcus?" Tyreek thought for a moment before answering.

"I honestly wish I could tell you. A couple days after that I got a text from Marcus. It was a link to a news article about three gang affiliated men in LA who died after being shot while buying food. And then he sent a text that read 'An eye for an eye.'"

Jason checked the time and saw that it was almost time for practice. He told Tyreek that he couldn't stay any longer but that he would come back another day to help move stuff.

Jason ended up leaving with more questions than he had when he first came.

- - -

Jason poured all his frustration and anger into practice as he used it to fuel himself to work even harder.

The weekend soon passed as Monday quickly arrived. Jefferson made their return trip to San Jacinto to play against Tustin middle school.

As the teams lined up to shake hands before the start of the game Jason was smiling and shaking hands with all the players until he came to a certain player.

He was about 5'7 (1.7m) with a medium frame. He was a lighter shade than Kyle or Trell and had a small afro.

His jersey had the number 15 and Newman on the back. Julius smiled and extended his hand toward Jason "Nice to meet you!

I can't believe I get to play against the famous Young Buckets. Let's have a good game." The rest of the guys from Jefferson ,except for Kyle, were surprised as Jason didn't even aknowledge the kid.

Jason passed by him with a nuetral face. The rest of Jefferson were even more suprised as they saw Kyle do the exact same thing.

Jason began clearing his head and getting tuned into his game mindset 'Let's do this. TIme to show this clown how real hoopers handle business.'