Rebound: A 2nd Chance

After winning the county title Jason and the rest of the boys from Jefferson spent the next few days enjoying a well-deserved break.

But while the rest of his friends were using that time to get some rest and blow off steam Jason was busy taking care of important business.

He knew that it would be a stupid idea to leave the drug testing to the Committee or the AAU. Jason wasn't naive enough to believe that they would conduct the test honestly.

Seeing that a person like Jonathan could reach such a high position in the AAU Jason couldn't help but have a negative impression of them.

And seeing how far the committee was willing to go to help Jonathan Jason didn't have many good feelings about them.

So in order to have a bit more control of the situation Jason pulled out the strongest card that he had in play.

He called up Kawhi and told him about the situation that was currently at hand. Kawhi didn't say much during Jason's call.

He simply gave Jason the number of a trustworthy lab that he himself vouched for and that the NBA would respect.

But just because Jason got a number that didn't mean that his work was done. He would spend the next few days with his parents as they ironed out all the details for Jason's drug test.

The lab showed why they were worthy of receiving such high praise from a former star like Kawhi within the first few minutes of the phone call.

The plan that they proposed to Jason and his parents included an option to have a member of their own security team show up to their home to pick up Jason's samples should there be any kind of problem with them having to go to one of their lab locations in person.

After listening to the explanation Jason and his parents were all convinced. Especially when they heard that they would be providing their services for free.

They then further explained that since Jason and his parents were clients personally referred to them by Kawhi that they wouldn't charge them.

All that they asked was for Jason to mention the name of their lab and company should he be asked about the situation during interviews.

Jason and his parents agreed to their deal. Whether in his past life or this current one he had never been the type to say no to free things.

- - -

Jason laid his head down on his arm as he rested at a table in his dad's diner. Sitting around him were Kyle and the other guys.

Vince chuckled as he slapped Jason on the back "Damn bro, I don't think I've seen you this gassed all season."

Kyle laughed as he put down his chocolate milkshake "Nah, Jaya looks more annoyed than tired. What happened dude?

You ditched us at the school and now you showed up late to the diner." Matt's jew-fro bobbed up and down as he nodded his head.

"Yeah, we all agreed to come here when the morning announcement told us that today was a short day."

Jason raised his head up "Cut me some slack. I've had it rough today alright?" Jason took a look at the strawberry milkshake that was ordered for him before he had arrived.

He took a sip before continuing "First I had to deal with a dude staring at me while I pissed into a plastic cup.

Then Karla calls me on my way here and drops some bombs on me." All of the boys began to lean in and crowd around Jason after hearing him say that."

With Nick squeezing by his side Kyle asked "W-what do you mean bombs?" DJ pushed down Matt's jew-fro as he tried to speak with Jason "What did she say?"

Jason sighed before looking at them with a heavy and grave expression on his face "I hate to say it but I think..... Karla likes me."

They were all silent for a moment but the next second and they were all annoyed as they threw their complaints at Jason.

"Yo quit playin." "Man, I thought you was about to say something interesting." "She had to tell you?" "Bruh..."

Jason took another sip from his milkshake "She didn't tell me that she liked me but she asked me about my plans for the dance.

I told her that me and Kyle were going to be going as a group with Samantha and Cody since our band is going to be playing.

Then she asked me if there would be any breaks for the band during the dance. Her face was crazy red during the whole video call.

That can only mean one thing. She likes me." Kyle had a weird smile on his face as he shook his head "I mean.... You're not wrong. But it took you this long to realize that she likes you?"

Vince nodded his head "I could tell from day one. She was willing to beef with Sammy just to sit next to you in Ms. Yuller's class."

DJ added "And Sammy was already scary before but ever since her and Shania started hanging out she's even worse."

Kyle chuckled as he added "For real. Sammy's like Captain America but instead of super-soldier serum Shania's doping her up with some hood juice."

Jason and all of the boys began to laugh after hearing Kyle say that. Jason looked at him "Nice to see that you're just as geeky with American comics as you are with Anime and Manga."

Kyle had a proud look on his face as he looked up with his nostrils flaring "That's nothing. American comics, Chinese Manhua, Korean Manwah I geek out equally over all of them.

It's just that most of my favorites are usually Animes and Mangas." Vince nodded his head slightly "Wow, I guess you're not just some regular loser."

DJ jumped in "Yeah, he's like the final boss of loser's" Even Kyle laughed at DJ's jab as the other's all joined in.

After a few minutes of joking around and hearty laughter, the mood at the table calmed down a bit. Kyle was snacking on the fries on his plate "Man, I didn't think that the school would call for a short day out of nowhere."

Nick replied "I heard they called a short day so that they could work on setting up the venue for the dance. Apparently they're still behind schedule."

Vince leaned back into his chair as he let out a sigh "The school's really putting a lot into this dance.

The principal even decided to postpone it by two weeks when he heard that there was a chance to include the trophy ceremony with the dance."

Kyle looked back over to Jason with a worried expression on his face "So what do you think? About Karla I mean.

The dance is coming up soon and you're going to have to give her an answer eventually. Even if it doesn't happen at the dance it's bound to happen some other time."

Jason let out a sigh as he ran both of his hands through his hair that he currently had down at the moment "Honestly... I don't know."

All of the boys went silent when they heard Jason say that. For as long as they've known him Jason had always had an answer for every situation that popped up.

They might not have been the best answers all the time but Jason normally knew what he wanted to do and how to react to a situation.

Jason rolled his eyes as he saw the way that Kyle and the other boys were all looking at him "I can't help it okay?

This really is a complicated ass situation. Here, let me try and say this in a way that you guys will be able to understand."

Jason pointed at Vince and Kyle "Vince, you didn't know Kyle that much before he joined the basketball team right?"

Vince nodded his head in agreement "Yeah." Jason paused before continuing "But after having known each other for a bit you guys are pretty close now right?"

Vince nodded his head again "Yeah, we're pretty tight now. What's your point though?" Jason raised his hand "I'm getting there.

Now that you and Kyle are close imagine how you would feel if he came out and said that he had a crush on you."

Everyone erupted into a noisy mess "Yooooo!" "Pause! Pause!" "Ay, you soundin a little sus my guy." Jason rolled his eyes once again.

"Alright, got the jokes out? I know that that sounded pretty sus but let me explain. I never thought of Karla in that way.

Just like how Vince never looked at Kyle that way because he's straight Karla just doesn't show up on my radar like that.

Not to say that I'm not into chicks. I'm pretty sure I am. But I just don't have anyone that makes me feel like that you know?"

Matt nodded his head "I get you Jaya. You're saying that you don't dislike Karla because she's ugly or anything.

You just don't like her in a guy and girl way. And that's what's making this even harder for you. Because you like Karla as a friend and you want to reply to her feelings in a way that won't damage your already pre-existing relationship with her.

This level of concern over the outcome of your reply shows just how much you treasure and value your relationship with her."

Not just Jason but all of the boys fell silent after hearing Matt talk. Jason gulped "That was.... one hell of an analysis Matt."

Matt blushed before answering "My mom's schedule changed recently so she's been at the house more. She really likes watching relationship counseling shows and love doctors."

The conversation went on as they talked about their own relationship statuses and their plans for the dance.

DJ looked over at Jason when he realized something "So what you gon do about that goofy ass clown from the AAU?"

All of the boys looked at Jason. They knew it was impossible for Jason to just sit down silently without doing something after having been schemed against like this.

Jason looked at all of his friend's faces. Seeing the expectation on their faces he couldn't help but get a kick out of it as he sat there increasing the tension "You want to know?"

Kyle and all of the boys nodded their heads. Jason smirked before pulling his phone out. With everyone's attention on his phone he placed it on the table.

Then a voice could be heard playing from Jason's cellphone "Lately there's been a lot of talks about you and PEDs."

Jason paused the recording right as Jonathan had finished speaking his lines. He looked at his friends with an excited smile on his face.

"I have my lines and props ready. I just need a stage big and bright enough for the kind of show that I'm about to put on."