Rebound: A 2nd Chance

Jason as well as Kyle and all the other boys turned their heads in surprise after hearing what the voice on the speaker had said.

Close to the front of the park there was a huge crowd of people who were surrounding a group of five boys.

They all clamored as they asked the boys for autographs and for photos. Rudy snorted "I bet they think they're so fucking cool.

Just because they're famous and people want to get their autographs and take pictures with them. I could do that shit too if we were in Sacramento."

Kyle turned his head and looked at Rudy "Really? You're that famous?" Rudy replied "Y-yeah of course I am! People ask for my signature all the time."

Danilo chuckled "I don't know bro. I think I smell something. Kinda smells like cap." Alex played along with his brothers joke.

He sniffed the air a few times before adding "You're right Dlo. It does smell like cap. Big time cap if you ask me."

Kyle along with the other guys began to laugh after hearing Alex say that. The only one who wasn't laughing was Rudy.

He crossed his arms and rolled his eyes "Whatever. You guys will believe me if you go to Sacramento. I'm practically a Rockstar there."

Jason walked over and patted him on the shoulder "Don't take it to heart Rudy. Everyone's just joking around.

Of course we believe you're famous. You brought your team to the final four of the state tournament. That automatically makes you at least some type of famous."

As they were talking a voice called out "Yo Jazz, surprised to see you here." The crowd surrounding the group of boys dispersed as one of the boys walked toward Jason and his group.

He was dressed in black sweats and a black windbreaker with a white skull on the back. He looked to be about 5'7 (1.7m) and his skin tone was a shade darker than Jasmine's.

He had his hair styled in braids that were tied together into a ponytail on the top while his sides tapered off into a high fade.

Jasmine smiled as she looked at him "What you doin here Rio? I thought you was gonna be playing video games at Derick's?"

He rolled his eyes before throwing his arms to the side "I told you not to call me that outside the house! My name is Amarion."

Jasmine raised her fist up "Boy don't you try and act hard just cause your friends is here! I am not afraid to whoop your ass in public."

Amarion blushed as his friends behind him began to laugh. He looked at Jasmine with pleading eyes "Alright my bad sis, but can you please stop calling me Rio when we ain't home?

That shit is mad corny and it don't even sound good." Jasmine chuckled after seeing her brother become submissive.

"Alright AMARION. Geez, it ain't even that bad of a nickname tho." As though realizing something Jasmine turned back around to face Jason and his group.

"I almost forgot. This here is my lil bro Amarion. Amarion these are my new friends from California: Jason, Kyle, Danilo, Alex, Rudy, and 3D."

She pointed to each of them as she called their names out "They came to New York to attend Nike's training camp for middle school basketball players."

Amarion's expression changed to a serious one "I know who they are." He then began to walk toward their group.

He walked right up to Jason "You're Jason Yang right?" Jason nodded his head "Yeah, that's me." Amarion then put his hand out.

"Welcome to New York." Jason reached out and shook his hand "Thanks for the warm welcome I guess."

As he finished saying that Jason could feel the pressure increase as Amarion began to grip his hand harder and harder.

Amarion smiled at Jason "I was actually kinda surprised. Florida got a one year ban after their players got into some shit last year.

I didn't know that Nike would give their spot to California's JV team." Jason's face kept the same cool and unreadable face that he always had.

"Yeah well it's nice to see that losing the national title didn't ruin your confidence. How's it feel to be the first place loser? Or do you prefer the term second place and runner up better?"

The smile disappeared from Amarion's face as Jason finished saying what he had to say. But a second later he busted out laughing.

"Hahaha! I like you bruh. I like yo style. You quick with it. That was smooth. I hope you didn't take none of that personal.

I was just cuttin yo ass up in true New York fashion. We like to take jabs at each otha out here. The fact that you can give it out just as well as you take it means that you'll fit right in."

The pressure from the handshake went back to normal as Amarion weakened his grip. Jason gave a quick shrug with his shoulders.

"It's cool man. Just a bit of friendly trash talking right? For real though congrats on getting second at Nationals."

Amarion was smiling as he talked with Jason but after seeing a group of familiar faces the smile on his face was replaced with a scowl.

"Damn, I didn't know it was Halloween. I forgot my mask at home. Shit never mind, It's just RJ's ugly ass."

RJ chuckled as he walked toward Amarion and Jason "Haha that's real funny bro. You can call me ugly all you want but at least my parents didn't name me after some bum ass singer from a couple of decades ago."

Amarion rushed toward RJ as he then grabbed him by the collar of his Jacket "Keep my parents off of them crusty ass dried up lips of yours RJ."

The guys behind RJ all stepped toward Amarion and RJ. But he simply laughed as he put his hand up "Damn, all y'all is mad goofy.

How many times I gotta say this. Neutral zone, Rucker Park is supposed to be all about keepin kids outta the streets and outta trouble.

You really gon drag street shit into the Rucker?" Amarion snorted before shoving RJ back "Get the fuck outta here. You got no business being at the Rucker."

RJ chuckled as he made his way over to Jason. He patted Jason on the back "I hate to break it to ya Small stack but I kinda do got business being here.

Lil dude came all the way out from Cali and his people from back home checked in with some of the OGs and old heads from our side.

I gotta make sure he don't have a hard time you know what I mean?" Amarion swept his gaze over to Jason "Yo keep it a buck. What he sayin true?"

Jason sighed as he nodded his head "Yeah. My people from back home did do their own thing and I guess they called some people."

Amarion started to slowly clap his hands "Alright, this some good news. I was lookin to break a sweat tonight."

He then pointed at Jason "You, me, we playin one on one. And don't you even think about sayin no."

Jason felt a headache coming on 'I really wanted to just enjoy these two weeks without any drama.' He then sighed "Fine. Let's get this over with."