บท 67: Franklins Highschool Hostile Welcome
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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~
~~~(Date: November 3rd, 2025)~~~
~~~(Time: 3:15 PM)~~~
~~~(Location: Franklin Parking Lot)~~~
I've had a comfortable trip here, and that's going to be positive towards my game. Sometimes, I have a rough time moving after being in cramped spaces. Since Coach Rodgers lets us spread out between the seats, it's not a problem for us. "Alright, let's go and show these Franklin players that Holden is still the number one high school team in America!" This is more than a pep talk.
Many of my teammates are nervous after the last game. I had to carry during the rough patches of the game, and we came out at the skin of our teeth. "Now Franklin is a legit contender every year for the state championship. They're going to come at us hard." He makes sure that his eyes meet every player and conveys how hard this game is going to be tonight.
He grabs his clipboard and opens the bus door, time for the bad part of away games. The crowd. "Now, let's walk into their home court and show them who's the defending champs!!" Everyone on the bus cheers, and I'll admit, I clap too. We all stand up, and most of us have to bend our heads down so we can walk. I'm the last one out of the bus.
As we're walking to the steps to get inside, Hannah grabs me from behind and follows me in. "Ulysses! Once we get in there, I'm going to need you focused!" A smirk crawls on my face, and Coach Rodgers grins in response. I'm his Ace, and he knows that no matter who's watching. I'm the best player on the court, and no one can compete with me.
The cheers for the Franklin team can be heard as we walk into the gym. As soon as the hometown crowd sees us, they all start booing and saying we suck. They're pretty bitter since they've been knocked out by our team every year in the state playoffs. We're the reason they've never been to the National scene.
Before we go into the visitor's locker room, I stop Hannah and lift her into a hug. We're face to face as she has her legs wrapped around my abdomen. "They're going to be very mean and loud tonight, and they're going to trash talk you too, Hannah. Some of the other players might even try to get to me through you... Stay sharp, like you always are." She smiles, and she kisses me.
It lasts a little longer than it should, but we stop, and I put her down. My team is already in the locker room, and I join them. Coach is going over more plays, and I start getting dressed in my gear like everyone else. "Franklin's team has an incredible defense, and they play hard and physical. Keep the ball move, and look for gaps in their defensive shifts." The point guards are having fun tonight.
~~~(POV: Hannah Fiona)~~~
~~~(Location: Franklin Bleachers, behind visiting team seats)~~~
~~~(Time: 3:22 PM)~~~
The seats behind the visiting team, which is Holden, have some real hecklers in them. They're constantly trash-talking me and trying to get a reaction. This school is pretty fanatical about their team. "Hey, Snow Bunny! You're Singularity ain't getting a win tonight!" A player is barking from the baseline at me. He's using Ulysseses nickname in the basketball community.
My reaction would normally be defending Ulysses, but what they want is a reaction. I ignore him and patiently wait. "Aww, c'mon! Does the Snow Bunny need a good pettin'! Cause I could make you purr!" The advanced of fellow teenage boys aren't unfamiliar to me, but I don't appreciate the fact any of them think I'd entertain any of them. Ulysses makes them nothing in my eyes.
The Holden players come out and start making it over to the seats in front of me. Ulysses smiles as he sees me before setting his water bottle on the chair. "Yo, Kennedy!" Oh my God! Do they ever let up! "You got a quality girl there! Maybe you could let me borrow her, and I'll teach a few things!" Ulysses has a subtle frown, and his entire demeanor has changed.
~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~
~~~(Location: Franklin Gym)~~~
~~~(Time: 3:24 PM)~~~
We head out onto the court, and we get in our positions. The refs check the game ball and start making their way over. I look at the man who was talking about Hannah like that. He's grinning and waiting for a reaction. I stare into his soul. "I've got something for you. And the whole world is going to see it." My words have an effect on him. He loses his smile and gets ready to play.
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