บท 54: Good times coming

Jason had been on his phone just like everyone else so he also saw the negative comments about him.

But Jason didn't let it get to him. Back when he had played in college a lot of their games were nationally televised so he was used to seeing and hearing these types of things.

The comments of the show were mostly positive with just a few negative ones mixed in every once in a while.

Jason wasn't bothered but that wasn't true for everyone else. Jason's mom was fuming "What the heck! Jaya is an adorable name!"

Ricky was angry too "Man who they calling fake!? I ain't proud of it but that shit was all real! I had my ankles snatched."

Jason could tell that everyone was starting to get upset. He stood up and laughed "Come on guys. Let's not get worked up over a few dumb comments.

We still have an hour of the show to watch and I think I can smell aunty Vee's pie in the oven. We should just fill ourselves up with some tasty food and enjoy ourselves."

Everyone started laughing as soon as they heard Jason talk about food. If the person themself wasn't upset then why should they be?

Everyone was soon digging into a delicious slice of apple pie as they watched the rest of the show.

Jason was enjoying his slice of hot apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top when he saw a notification pop up.

[ Mission acquired: Silence the haters. There are those who doubt your skills on the court. Win your next five games to prove them wrong.

Prizes: unlock one random badge. Penalty: One skill will be demoted a letter grade.]

Jason rolled his eyes 'Stupid system. I would have done that without you asking. I don't need a reason to show out other than winning.'

- - -

Everyone was saying their goodbyes as they got into their rides and started leaving. Jason was waiting in front of the house and getting some fresh air while his parents helped Kyle's mom clean up.

As Jason was looking up at the moon he heard some footsteps approaching. He turned his head "Oh, it's just you."

Samantha was standing behind him. She pouted "Geez! Why do you seem so disappointed? Your face looks terrible. Don't tell me that those comments are starting to get to you?"

Jason chuckled and shook his head "My bad. Trust me the comments don't bother me at all. And I'm not sad or disappointed about you.

I always feel a little down when a party or event ends. I don't know why. I can't explain it. Maybe I just hate saying goodbye to good times."

Samantha smiled as she walked to his side "Well it looks like you'll have a bunch of good times in the future.

A lot of those comments were from girls saying how cute and adorable you are. Who knows? Your future wifey might be in those comments."

Jason rolled his eyes at Samantha's teasing "Yeah right. They'd have to have something be seriously wrong with them to like me.

Besides, It's not like it matters. They would probably get sick of me after they realize that I'm a dense basketball freak. Girls want a dude that's romantic and charming.

Not a guy that can't spot love when it's right in his face." In his past life Jason lived and breathed basketball. That didn't leave much time for girls.

Growing up a lot of girls complained about Jason and how he would coldly reject them or give them the cold shoulder.

But that was just Jason not knowing that they were trying to get at him. It wasn't that Jason was blocking all their attempts. He just didn't know that they were shooting their shots in the first place.

Samantha chuckled "You'd be surprised. Some girls might actually be into that." Jason shifted his gaze from the moon to Samantha "What are you doing out here? Where's Victor?"

Samantha whistled with her hands behind her back as she looked up at the moon and then at Jason "He's on his way. He had to go pick something up real quick. I'm here to get some fresh air like you."

After a few minutes Victor pulled around the corner with the limo. Samantha gave Jason a quick side hug "Congrats again Jason. You looked cool tonight."

Samantha gave Jason a thumbs up as she hopped into the limousine door being held open by Victor.

The tinted window rolled down as Samantha stuck her head out and waved goodbye until the limo made its way around the corner.

Jason had a smile on his face 'I don't know about the part with girls but Samantha got one thing right. The good times are just getting started.'

- - -

Monday afternoon. The whole team was allowed to leave school early as they got on the bus and made their way to their next opponent.

They were on their way to play against Granger middle school in San Jacinto. The school was only about thirty miles (48.2km) away so it shouldn't have taken too long.

Unfortunately California traffic was very much a real thing. The drive ended up taking an hour and a half. But it wasn't anything that they weren't expecting.

That's why they all took the bus instead of going with their parents. And that's also why they had to leave school early.

Ever since Jason's debut episode on Through the Hoops everyone on the team started calling Jason Jaya, even Trell. It seemed that they really liked it.

During the long bus ride, the guys did everything they could think of to not go crazy. They took turns shooting balls of trash into each other's bags, they tried freestyling and beatboxing, and they even played I spy.

Luckily they reached the school before Trell could go crazy from the 112th round of I spy. They arrived at 3:30 so they had thirty more minutes before the game would start.

The guys went into the locker room and quickly changed into their jerseys before coming back out into the gym to warm up.

Jason was working on his dribbling to warm up and loosen up his body when he felt some eyes on him.

He ignored it and continued to dribble. A few minutes later he saw some people walking toward him. They were wearing Granger jerseys.

The rest of the guys from Jefferson tensed up. They stopped what they were doing and turned toward Jason.

Trell was the fastest to react. He walked up to Jason's side "Y'all got a problem? Game ain't start yet in case you didn't notice"

San Jacinto wasn't as bad as LA or San Bernardino but it still had its rough side so the guys from Jefferson were still on alert.

One of the Granger players put his hands up and smiled "My bad dude. We wasn't tryin nothin by walkin up on y'all. We just wanted to ask something."

He turned to Jason "You Jaya right?" Hearing it from his teammates was one thing but he was surprised to be called Jaya by a complete stranger.

Jason nodded his head. The Granger player turned to his teammates with a smile on his face "Yo I told you it was Jaya! It's cool if we call you Jaya right?"

Jason saw their excited expressions and chuckled "If you guys rock with me then go ahead man I don't mind."

The guy took his phone out "Yo we all saw you on Through the Hoops. Is it cool if get a couple pics with you bro?"

After they heard what the guy had to say all of the guys from Jefferson almost busted out laughing. Trell's face twitched before he just walked away.

Jason laughed "Sure man. We got time before the game so it's cool." Jason ended up taking a few pictures with all the players from Granger and even their coach before the game started.

From the beginning, it was clear that Jefferson was in a different league compared to Granger. Jason managed to score four straight baskets off of pure isolation.

Both of Jefferson's big men put up big numbers as Jason constantly fed Kyle and Udonis off of the pick and roll.

And Udonis got to show a different side of him this game as he dominated in the post as he played bully ball all game long with his husky frame.

Constantly having to be defended by Jason during practice seemed to have helped him in polishing up his post moves.

The game ended with a lopsided score of 73-35. Jason posted 25 pts, 10 ast, 3 reb, 3 stl, 1 blk. While Udonis put up a new personal record of 26 pts, 4 ast, 14 reb, 2 blk.

The game ended and both teams lined up to shake hands. After changing out of their jerseys and hitting the showers they made their way out.

As they got on the bus for the long ride home Jason only had one thought on his mind 'One game down just four more to go. Let's do this! I'm getting that skill badge.'