Rebound: A 2nd Chance

Jason's mind went blank as his body moved on its own. He didn't even have the time to process what had happened.

The next thing he knew he was standing over Kyle as he grasped at his ankle with one hand while burying his face and tears into the other.

Jason had seen his teammates get injured before. If you play basketball long enough an injury is something that you will experience sooner or later.

Whether it is your own or a teammates, injuries are bound to rear their ugly heads. But this was the first time that Jason had ever seen someone that meant so much to him writhe on the floor in pain.

All of the guys from Jefferson just had a mix of anger and sadness on their faces as they all shook their heads.

Trell cursed underneath his breathe "Damn" While Udonis had both of his hands on top of his head as he seemed to be in disbelief. 

Jason got close to Kyle and knelt down "You're gonna be okay bro. I've seen way worse sprains.

After a little bit of rest you'll be back on the court throwing down the same nasty dunks that you've been doing."

Kyle's tears intensified as he then took the hand that he was using to hide his face and slammed the floor "Shit!"

Jason and the rest of the guys from Jefferson helped to get Kyle up. Just as they were about to pick him up a figure came running on to the court.

It was Kyle's mom. She ran to Kyle and knelt down beside him before grabbing both sides of his face with her hands.

"You gon be okay baby. Momma was so proud of you during the game. You played hard and you played with heart. This is just gonna be a tiny break okay? You'll be back out there in no time."

She followed as Trell and Udonis each carried him on the side by going under his shoulders. They carried him into the locker room.

And as they did the entire crowd got up on their feet as they began to clap for Kyle to show their support and to wish him a quick recovery. Even the players and the coaches from Nashton joined in.

After a few minutes they came back out and Ms. Yuller asked "How was Kyle?" Udonis shook his head.

"Kyle's mom is a nurse so she's taking care of him right now. She said that she would take him to the hospital but Kyle wanted to wait until the game was over."

Everyone looked down at the floor after hearing that. This was the first major injury that the team had experienced.

As somber as the current energy was in the gym they still had to continue the game. And thus the players made their way back to the court.

- - -

In the locker room sat Kyle and his mom. It had been a little more than five minutes since Udonis and Trell had carried Kyle in.

 The room was silent as the two of them sat without saying a word but the sound of the game and the crowd could be heard faintly as they leaked in.

Even though she was a tall women standing at 5'10 (1.77m) Kyle's 6'1 (1.85) frame made her seem small as he rested his head on her shoulder. 

Just as it seemed like he had finally calmed down tears began flowing down his face as he began to sob.

Kyle's mom sighed before patting her son on the head "It's gonna be okay baby. It was a pretty bad sprain but that's all that it was.

After a few weeks you'll be back on the court doing the same things you were doing before. You won't even feel any different."

Kyle buried his face into his mom's shoulder "That's not it mom. It doesn't matter that I'll be okay in a few weeks. The team needs me now!"

Kyle's mom was surprised by his outburst. Kyle fought to hold back the tears "We were supposed to win tonight and win Jefferson it's very first county title.

Then we were going to win the state championship and hang that banner in the gym before beating the best teams in the country and becoming the best team in the nation.

W-we were supposed to do all these great things. Make all these great memories and experience all these amazing things.

But now none of that is going to happen. We won't be able to give Udonis and Trell a chance to stand on that big stage before graduating from Jefferson.

We won't be able to prove all the haters wrong and show them that Coach Swendel put together and helped raise the best middle school basketball team in the country.

All these amazing things we had planned. All the people we were supposed to make proud. It's all gone now because of me! I messed up bad mom!"

Kyle's mom was left speechless after hearing what her son had to say. She didn't know what what she could say in order to comfort her little boy. 

It was only now that she felt how much pressure her son had been under. She had a heartbroken expression on her face as she held her son.

'I can't believe I didn't see all the pressure that he was feeling. He just started playing basketball a few months ago but people already call him Jefferson's 2nd best player.

He must have felt so obligated to live up to everyone's expectations. I'm such a bad mom. All I saw was the new friends that he made and the smiles on their faces. I didn't even think about all the things that could be happening under the surface.'

Kyle's mom ended up leaning her head on top of her son's as he leaned on her shoulder. She sighed.

"Ain't no one in the world perfect baby. You gotta ease up on yourself. This wasn't even your fault. It was a freak accident."

Kyle weakly replied "You're wrong mom." She turned to her son "What do you mean baby?" Kyle continued.

"You were wrong when you said that no one is perfect. Jason only started playing a few months ago and he's already one of the best players in the country.

He's not even as athletic or as tall as me but he can do all these amazing things on the court. He's also super smart.

He's always napping in class or goofing around with Sammy but he still get's perfect marks on all his homework and tests.

And he doesn't even game that much but whenever a new game comes out he's great at it. It's like he's been playing them for years. There's nothing that Jason can't do.

And if I can't keep up with him then he'll probably leave me behind. A MC doesn't need side characters in his party that aren't on the same level as him. They just make the battle harder...."

Kyle's mom sighed again 'Not only did he have to deal with the pressure of trying to live up to everyone's expectations.

He's been crushing himself with his own unrealistic standards. My poor baby been having it rough.'

Kyle's mom thought for a second before opening her mouth "I know that Jason is an amazing kid.

He managed to get you outta your shell and he helped you gain some confidence. And for that I am so grateful.

But even he ain't perfect baby. And I ain't saying that to try and be mean. I look at that boy like he was my own son because of how he treats you as a brother.

But you've seen for yourself how human Jason is. All he does is try his best but even he makes mistakes.

Remember the incident with the 8th graders? I don't think that Jason was in the wrong at all. He just wanted those kids to put in some more effort and to treat the team seriously.

But you have to admit that he didn't handle that situation in the best way possible right?" Kyle thought about it for a second before nodding his head.

Kyle's mom finally flashed her beautiful smile as she continued "And you've seen all those girls that show up to every game.

A ton of them don't even go to school here. They always crowd around him after games and ask for pictures and autographs.

Do you think that Jason even has a clue that those girls have their little hearts pounding over him?"

Kyle chuckled as he answered "That dude doesn't even know that Sammy is crushing over him. There's no way that he knows about how those random girls feel."

Kyle's mom laughed "I feel so bad for that girl. She really fell for one of the most clueless nice guys I have ever seen.

But my point is that even Jason who you think is this perfect guy has his own faults. That's because no one is perfect Kyle.

And do you really think that Jason is the type of kid to throw you away just because you're not as good as him at basketball?

I raised you to be such a sweet, gentle, and caring boy. So I would like to think that I am a great judge of character.

And if Jason was the type of kid to stop being friends with you just because you guys lost a basketball game then I would have never opened my home to him.

You know how that boy sees you as family. You guys are inseparable. And that's something that's bigger than basketball baby.

So don't stress over this injury. You don't even know if the guys will lose. There's a chance that they keep winning long enough to wait for your recovery."

Kyle smiled before taking his head off of his mom's shoulder. He turned to her and gave her a hug "Thanks mom. You're right. I need to believe in the guys."

- - -

Back out on the court Jason was sitting on the bench watching the game with a frown on his face 'This ain't good.'