the 11 abs...

The locker room after a game will always be messy.

People everywhere. Jerseys and other garments being processed by cleaning guys, the players are hyped up, for this case, they lost so each to their own.

The coaches are onto the next game.

Most importantly after the game? A table full of foods. Courtesy of the University.

They bring in cash every game, feed the cows, u know.

At the NCAA level, the players dont make money. They even get fined or penalized for receiving a small "sponsorships".

This is why many great college students will have one-and-done season like Kyrie Irving.

They want money because all these guys have rough childhood, growing without father or the projects. Seldom you see a David Lee who is rich and handsome.

And all the money goes to the school. Honest.

After getting shower and exit the stadium with the team, he surprised to see his mother outside.

"Mom?" Surprised he is. "See u Monday guys. My mother is here."

"Airight man. Keep it rain."

"Go."

"Mom. Ur here." He hugged the best mother in the world.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. But son, I didn't know u had game. If u did, we could have played u earlier than going to glee club."

"Haha. Glee club is lit mom. I learned to play Harmonica."

"Isnt glee club acapella?" Ana confused.

"Thats the point mom." Even Rome doesn't know the point. Let Nike say it, just do it.

"Mom, how was it? NBA bound, right? Hehe"

"Of course u are. U didn't missed a single shot. But why did u not played after 2nd quarter?"

"I only know how to shoot mom. I cant defend well and I dont know the tactics yet."

"Oh. then u better learn. U cant do half dones."

"Know mom."

After the short chat, the two rode their vehicles.

Rome is G wagon while Ana is Range Rover.

They have money now. And can afford.

The next morning, his mood is still up but can feel his muscles tight and his body his banged up.

Eating breakfast Ana made. He savored the TLC cooking of his mother.

After that, he went back to his room to read the books from Kamar Taj library.

"I seem to have good memory these days or these books easy to understand"

If the disciples of Ancient One heard this, they will hack him to death because of his talent. Hahaha

The day is passing if u so focused on something.

"Mom."

Rome already fixed the table.

"Son."

Ana sat there but unlike in the past, she is not so exhausted.

She doesn't do overtime anymore.

Rome sat too.

Mother and son sharing a warm dinner.

Going to the living room, he got coke with a cigar that's still wrapped with Cuban plastic. Haha

"Welcome to the 2014 NBA Draft."

Adam Silver appeared and talked facing the audience.

Its Green Room.

Draft candidates that are sure to be drafted are invited by the league to be her for the lottery draft.

"Live from the Madison Square Garden."

"This is Ernie Johnson."

"Kenny the Jet Smith. And Sir Charles Barkley."

Ernie on his iconic intro. Hehe

"And the big diesel. Shaq-attack, Shaquille O'neal."

Rome watching the draft.

Wiggins got 1st by the pups via trade from Cleveland.

Biggest steal goes to Denver for getting Jokic.

"What is my pick next year tho?"

Around 4am, Rome woke up and started his training. But first, he stared at his phone and read Abby's message.

"Nice post moves Splash (Pun).. We lost." She inserted crying emoji.

"Im sorry for what happened the other day. Talk Monday same spot. U read this, let me see the sun at 4am.." Insert smiley.

He took photo of the night sky and the bball court in his yard.

"The sun in LA at 4am."

"Its cool. Im fine. But still, u owe me three meals."

He sent the two mails.

Good mood starting the day.

"Im the American dream!!!!"

He shouted before jumping to the pool.

Because he already told John he won't practice at the gym, he chose to stay at home.

2 hours of intense workout at the gym lifting weights and cardio.

Ana woke up and there's already food on the table.

Surprised, she looked for Rome.

There, Rome is sweating like crazy.

She cant help but wonder what brought the change to her son. Hehe

Eating and talking is the norm.

"Son, do u have a girl u like?

Rome stopped eating and nodded.

"Well, just dont overdo ur work outs just because u want to impress a girl. Its always the thot son. Just express how u feel and act on it. And dont be a douche and a jerk."

Ana stressed those last two. Haha

"Im gay."

"U can still like a girl. No?"

"Gross. eww. So graphic mom." Rome shivered as he pictured, the..pussssssssseeeeeeey.

"Haha. I know mom. But I only get to choose one, Id be a jerk. Hehe"

Laughing with her son, Ana experienced no pressures of life now.

There's food on the table.

Warm home.

And education for Rome.

Galen Center is at Figueroa Street. Just continue driving and its Staples Center and to the downtown.

Its a donation from the Galens. Thus Galen Center. Smart.

It sits at the the University Town and its neighbors are either University dorms or University offices and private business and apartments and houses.

Galen Center is the home of Basketball and Volleyball teams.

Hence, Rome and Abby are here.

Along with other players.

Its September. November is the start of NCAA. The athletes are preparing now.

Rome and Abby met at Starbucks, 3 blocks away from Galen.

"Ro." Abby jogged quickly. Her face is painted with smile.

"Abby." Rome's felt that chip fell off from his shoulder. Anticipating if she changed because of what happened. But now, its all in his head.

The two opened arms and embraced.

They kinda miss each other but did not say it.

A hug is enough to fill the gap of awkwardness.

Getting their dose of caffeine, they did not rush to jog but walked instead.

"How was the game? Ur eyes are not bothering, u right?"

Rome asked about her eye injury last year at practice.

She practically lost her sight for a good amount of time and got 2 operations.

Now, she lost the chance going pro. But hey, her original dream is to be a journalist.

Its one way telling us that u cant have it all. haha

She is a junior now.

She is going back and forth to San Diego for her Internship at some sports channel.

Volleyball now has become her staying fit and mental health check and as well as stress reliever.

Abby smiled. "It was good game. I didn't have much time playing. U know, my eye. They dont want me blind. Again."

"Yeah. I can relate to that."

"Haha. But it doesn't bother me, no more. Its all in my head, I suppose."

She got psychological trauma.

Imagine being blind.

It will practically change our lives.

Now. She blinks and her right eye glitches.

hahaha. Not funny but its really make u stare at her. promise.

People now start to consider her as its her handicap.

She denies such but her mind cant still get to think that she is okay. Its all in her head as she said.

"U know, u dont have to cover ur eyes with ur hair when ur with me, right? U saw me at my worse and u accepted me. I was fat with dirty clothes. So chill."

He stopped and bite the bullet.

"So, I also accept all ur flaws because its what makes u, u. Ur beautiful inside out."

Rome said it because he cant take how Rome gets conscious in front of him and covers her eyes unconsciously.

He want to hide now. So cheesy!!! Ewww. Yuck. ugggggghhhh!!!

Abby stopped her tracks.

The words of Rome resonated in her brain and it got her.

She stared at the his back.

"Ro. I broke up with Cody. It.wasnt right and should have stuck with u. Its late but i apologize."

Rome stood there with big eyes.

A chance. hahaha

"Really? Good good. Good." Is all he can say. He too happy that his brain glitching.

"Haha." She seen the happy face of Rome and just cant help but laugh.

"Yeah."

She meaningfully look at Rome and smiled. A tinged of soft and warmth in her eyes.

"But i see u gaining again. What have u been eating?' Abby noticed and made fun of him.

"Hey. Thats just ur imagination. Not fat anymore. All muscles." He tucked in his stomach. haha

Insecurities, man.

Makes the best worse of us.

"One day I get 11 abs. No matter how u thirst on me. I say..never. It's about principles that time." Rome just pulls her to continue walking.

She just shaking her head.