Rebound: A 2nd Chance

As the kids surrounded the both of them they were separated from each other before they had even realized it as the kids squeezed in between them.

"Oh my god Jaya!" "He looks just like Beastar from Wild Hearts!" "I love you Jaya!" Jason's face began to twitch in annoyance as the girls crowded around him.

They all pulled at his clothes and touched his hair while taking selfies with him. Jason cursed in his mind 'Stop fucking up my hair! And they're stretching out my new shirt. I just bought this bitch!

Damn it! Why did it have to be girls? At least if they were guys I would be able to shove past them. Where the hell is Kyle?'

Jason looked over as he tried to spot Kyle amongst the ocean of kids surrounding them. Luckily because of the huge difference in height it didn't take too long.

Kyle was surrounded by a bunch of guys who were excitedly talking to him "Hey Kyle, how high is your vertical?!" "Have you tried dunking from the free throw line?!"

"Can you go with us to the gym so we can throw you some lobs?!" Kyle had a wry smile as a droplet of sweat rolled down the side of his face.

"It's kinda early guys. I'm not even warmed up. Maybe next time hehe." Kyle's head then began to move side to side as he scanned the crowd for Jason.

Thankfully because of Jason's growth spurt he was now a good couple inches taller than most of the other kids their age.

He was able to quickly find him "Jaya!" Jason raised his hand "Kyle! I'm over here!" Kyle then looked at the guys surrounding him "Me and Jaya have to talk to the coach, sorry."

The guys around him split up and made a way for him. Kyle let out a sigh of relief before making his way to Jason.

"Excuse me, pardon me, tall guy walking through. Oops! Sorry!" Kyle had to walk around the girls as if he was wading through a marsh.

After some effort he finally managed to reach Jason "This is crazy Jaya!" Jason shook his head "Tell me about it bro.

I thought we could avoid this by coming to school an hour early. Who knew that these guys were so crazy! 

I mean look at me! My headband's gone and I'm pretty sure one of these girls have it. Time for plan B Kyle."

After hearing Jason say that Kyle nodded his head. He then bent down and picked Jason up. He then carried him on his shoulder like a bag of rice.

"Sorry girls but we need to go talk to the coach." After saying that Kyle tried to walk away but the girls seemed to be harder to deal with.

They all stood in place as they began to whine "Don't take him away!" "We didn't get enough pictures yet!" "I didn't get to touch his hair yet!"

They all pulled at Kyle's clothes in an attempt to keep him there. Kyle tried his best as he pulled against them.

As he was on Kyle's shoulder Jason looked at the girls "We really need to go right now girls. We need to go see the coach."

He then turned his head to look at Kyle "Walk faster Kyle!" Kyle nodded his head as tried to power through the crowd of crazed girls.

But after only taking five steps Kyle's body began to shake. He then bent down as he placed Jason back on the floor.

Seeing this the girls once again surrounded Jason. He looked over at Kyle "What are you doing?" Kyle shook his head "I got tired man. The girls were pulling my clothes. I couldn't walk properly."

Jason sighed 'Of course he's tired. He's a beanpole just like me. It would be impossible for him to carry me while pushing through this crowd.'

Just as Jason was trying to think of a way out he heard a familiar voice "Wow. Looks like you're having fun Jaya."

He instantly recognized the sarcastic tone as he turned his head in the direction where the voice came from "Sammy!"

Samantha was a distance away with a smile on her face as she watched Jason and Kyle. Her long and curly red hair partially covered her face.

Her jeans were ripped at the knees and she wore a white graphic tee underneath her red flannel that had the sleeves rolled up to the middle of her forearms.

It looked like she grew over the summer as well as she looked to be around 5'6 (1.67m) Jason hurriedly waved his hand "Help Sammy!"

Samantha chuckled before playfully saying "I can help you but it won't be for free. You're going to owe me." Jason nodded his head repeatedly.

Samantha smiled brightly "Deal." She then pushed her way through the crowd as she approached Jason.

She easily pushed the girls aside as she made her way to Jason. As she stood in front of him she turned around and stared at the girls.

"Alright ladies! Get your hormones under control and beat it!" The girls went silent as they stood there nervously.

Seeing their hesitation Samantha glared before coldly saying "Now." The girls all started to leave after hearing her say that.

Soon things went back to how they were before as the crowd around them dispersed. Jason and Kyle both sighed in relief.

Jason patted Samantha on the shoulder "Thanks Sammy. That was pretty amazing. You really know how to control a crowd."

Samantha turned around and smiled "Haha that was nothing. I need to take you to a concert one of these days so you can experience a Wall of Death."

Jason nervously smiled "With a name like that I don't really think I want to experience it." Samantha laughed "Is our big hometown hero scared?

Haha alright. You guys have something to do right? I'll leave you guys to it." She then turned around and walked away.

After walking for a bit she turned around with a mischievous smile on her face "Don't forgot Jaya, You owe me. You too Kyle."

After saying that she didn't wait for a reply as she walked through the doors of the school. Jason turned around and shook his head as he looked at Kyle "Let's go bro."

Kyle nodded his head as the two of them began to make their way to the gym. After a short walk they found themselves outside the gym's doors.

Jason pushed the doors opened. As the two of them walked in the lights were already on. Smiles grew on both of their faces as they saw some familiar people.

Jason called out "What's up guys." Matt, DJ, Vince, and Nick were all sitting at the lowest level of the bleachers.

All of the boys clearly grew over the summer with DJ he standing at 5'7 (1.7m), Matt at 5'6 (1.67m), Vince at 5'10 (1.77m), and Nick at 5'7 (1.7m)

Kyle and Jason stuck their fists out as they fist bumped all of the guys. Even though today was the first day of the new school year all of them had been seeing each other over the summer as they practiced together regularly so their sense of familiarity didn't change a bit.

As they were all sitting and chatting the doors on the other side of the gym swung open as a face that they hadn't seen in a while showed up.

Coach Swendel had his usual salesmen smile and blonde buzz cut. On his shoulder was a messenger bag.

"Hey guys! Been a while huh? Hahaha." He walked toward the boys and put his bag down "Man! You guys all grew a ton. Especially you Jaya. I can still remember when I first-"

As he was talking Jason gave the boys a subtle signal and the boys all nodded their heads before standing up.

They all ran toward Coach Swendel with a water bottle in their hands. They opened the bottles up and splashed Coach Swendel.

Then they all shouted "Congrats Coach!" He was taken completely off guard "Hey- wait! What are you guys doing?!"

After they all had emptied out their bottles Kyle laughed "You never got to celebrate with us after we won the county title so we thought that it would only be right to do it now."

Vince nodded his head "No matter what the school and the committee says you were our coach and you at least deserve to celebrate the title. Even if it's only with us."

Coach Swendel looked at all of the boys as his eyes began to water "You guys..." Jason chuckled "Come on Coach Swendel. You can't start up the water works now.

How are you going to react when we win the State title this year?" Coach Swendel wiped his tears away with his forearm.

He then chuckled "You're right as always Jaya. I shouldn't be acting like this now, otherwise I don't know what kind of reaction I'll have when we raise that State trophy."

Jason nodded his head "That's the spirit. So what's the plan for club rush Coach?" After hearing him say that Coach Swendel let out a spirited laugh.

"Haha I don't think we'll have to worry about that Jaya." All of the boys looked at Coach Swendel with confused looks on their faces.

Coach Swendel just laughed before reaching down for his bag. He opened it and brought out a big stack of papers.

"We got so many applications over the summer that we don't have to worry about not having enough players.

In fact we got so many applications that the Principal even gave us permission to start up a junior varsity team!"