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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~
~~~(Date: January 25th, 2026)~~~
~~~(Location: Venice Beach, LA)~~~
~~~(Time: 11:37 AM)~~~
The game has resumed, and the two hotheads, Ray-Ray and JP, have settled down. They're still playing and guarding each other, but they've let out their anger. My team is on defense since Ray-Ray lost the ball on the last possession before getting into it with JP. I'm defending Jamal right now, and everyone around the court is still lively.
Issues are popping up, though. Mainly with the arrival of more people since my being here is being posted on social media. My train of thought is interrupted as Jamal gets the ball passed to him, and I start to guard him. I'm not going to smother him. There isn't a need to. But he decides that it's not worth trying anything anymore, so he passes back, and his friends start to laugh.
It's understandable, given what he's up against. And the opposing team puts up an open mid-range shot and gets another point. Making the score 4-2 in our team's favor. They're not bad, but I'm not really going all out right now, and if I wanted to. I could end this game after hitting deep shot after deep shot. It's not fun playing like that when you're this good.
After this game and the next one, Hannah and I will head over to the hospital that William is staying in. Bianca will get a ride with us. The ball is passed to me, and I immediately pass it to the man running the baseline. He gets an easy bucket and another assist for me. Involving others in a sport or team activity is important, and something I strive to do.
~~~(POV: Ellie)~~~
~~~(Date: January 25th, 2026)~~~
~~~(Location: Downtown at a Restaurant, LA)~~~
~~~(Time: 11:46 AM)~~~
Today was a day that I needed to myself, and it's great to get out and do things. I'm still a young and attractive woman. The Lakers are picking up the bill, so I've been enjoying what I can. "The high society life isn't something you're used to, is it?" A female voice interrupts me, and I look to see who it is. It's Jeanie Buss, and I'm a little surprised she's here.
She's right about her observation that I'm not used to this life, and I'll never be used to it. It's scary sometimes thinking about how much money Cera will start to make. "Yeah... It's not something I've experienced..." She asks if she can take a seat, and I nod my head. She sits across from me, and I see her call one of the waiters over with a snap of her fingers. Talk about unfamiliar for me.
Jeanie is a powerful and wealthy woman, and she's lived this lifestyle her whole life. So she's used to it. "I didn't expect to find you here. I have to say, that dress is amazing. Where did you get it?" I've been getting compliments about my dress and my looks all day. It's been a huge confidence boost for me. One that I didn't know I needed.
She is a woman of high fashion herself, and I should feel proud she likes my dress. "I made it myself from scratch... It's taken me a while to gain the confidence to wear it in public, but I figure that today was a good chance since the people here in LA don't know who I am." She looks at me with surprise and a form of interest.
I know that people will try to get close to me to get close to Ulysses, and I wouldn't deny the possibility that Jeanie would try that. "It takes a lot of work to do that. Do you have any other ideas for dresses?" She's starting to sound like a businesswoman, and I'm flattered, but I shouldn't do anything until after Ulysses is drafted.
She sees my apprehensive look, and she smiles, and before I can give a reply, she raises her hand. "It's okay, I understand. There is no need to say anything. If you ever change your mind, here's my card. The Buss family and I are interested in your possible ideas for clothing design." She stands up with those words and leaves me with the card in my hand.