Game Above Game

The sky was still painted in shades of midnight blue when Jaden Hunter stepped onto the Ironwood Academy track field. The cold morning air bit at his skin as he zipped up his hoodie and stared at the empty lanes stretching out in front of him. Stadium lights hummed softly overhead, casting sharp shadows across the asphalt.

From the corner of his eye, Jaden spotted Tyler Crane walking onto the field, his hoodie pulled low over his bruised face. For a second, their eyes met under the flickering lights, but neither said a word.

Coach Hale's voice cut through the silence, sharp as glass.

"You two know why you're here. No basketballs. No team drills. Just running. You'll run until I'm convinced you've thought about what you did. Now start moving."

Jaden set his jaw and took off down the track, his sneakers pounding against the ground. Tyler followed close behind, his heavy breathing breaking through the stillness of the early morning.

---

The sun was higher in the sky by the time Hale blew his whistle. Both Jaden and Tyler collapsed onto the grass near the edge of the track, sweat pouring from their faces, their chests heaving.

Jaden's legs felt like they were made of stone, every muscle screaming in protest. Tyler sat nearby, his face buried in his hands as he tried to catch his breath.

Coach Hale walked over, clipboard tucked under one arm. He stared down at them, his face unreadable.

"You two better figure out how to coexist. Because if you can't, you'll take this team down with you. Understand?"

Neither boy spoke. They simply nodded.

"Good. Hit the showers."

Hale turned and walked away, leaving them both sitting in silence.

After a long pause, Tyler finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse.

"You think this is it, Hunter? You think this little punishment's gonna fix anything?"

Jaden didn't look at him. "It's better than throwing hands again."

Tyler let out a bitter laugh and stood up, wiping sweat from his face. "Yeah, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Jaden didn't respond. He just stared out at the horizon, where the sun had finally started to break free from the clouds.

---

The Ironwood locker room was nearly empty when Jaden walked in. Most of the team was already out on the court for drills. Jaden dropped his gym bag near his locker and pulled off his hoodie, letting out a long breath.

Ethan was tying his sneakers on the bench nearby. He glanced up at Jaden, his expression neutral but not unkind.

"Hale really put you two through it this morning, huh?"

Jaden nodded, running a hand through his damp curls. "Feels like my lungs are still out there on the track."

Ethan smirked faintly but quickly grew serious. "You two need to get it together, Jaden. Tyler's stubborn, yeah, but this can't keep happening. The season opener's coming up, and we can't afford to be broken before we even start."

Jaden sat down across from him, elbows on his knees. "I'm trying, man. But Tyler's… Tyler. I don't know how to get through to him."

Ethan studied him for a moment before speaking. "Sometimes it's not about getting through to someone. Sometimes you just gotta show up. Prove you're reliable, even when it's hard."

Jaden nodded slowly, but deep down, he wasn't sure how to bridge that gap.

---

In the cafeteria, the energy was buzzing with excitement as the season opener approached. Posters of the Ironwood Hawks hung on the walls, and students crowded around tables discussing predictions for the first game.

Jaden sat with Tank and Leo, their trays half-eaten in front of them.

"Yo, Silk, you good?" Tank asked, breaking the silence. "You've been staring at that chicken like it owes you money."

Jaden smirked faintly. "Yeah, I'm good. Just thinking."

Leo, scrolling through his phone, chimed in without looking up. "Everyone's hyped about the season opener. You can feel it in the air."

Tank nodded. "Yeah, and we need you out there, man. First game sets the tone for the season. Ain't nobody trying to start on a loss."

Jaden leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the table. His mind wandered back to Tyler, to Hale, to Pinehill. The weight of it all pressed down on his chest.

Before he could respond, Ava Martinez walked up, her camera bag slung over her shoulder and a small notebook in hand.

"Mind if I join you guys?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Always, Martinez," Tank said with a grin, pushing a chair out for her.

Ava sat down and opened her notebook. "So, how are you feeling about the season opener, Hunter?"

Jaden hesitated, then shrugged. "Ready, I guess."

Ava tilted her head slightly, her sharp hazel eyes narrowing. "You don't sound ready. You sound… distracted."

Tank laughed. "You can't hide from Ava, man. She sees everything."

Jaden smirked faintly but didn't respond.

Ava leaned forward slightly. "Listen, Jaden. I know things are tense right now—with Tyler, with Hale, with… everything. But the opener isn't just a game. It's a chance to set the story straight. For you, for the team. Don't waste it."

For a moment, Jaden just stared at her. Then he nodded. "Yeah. You're right."

Ava smiled faintly before closing her notebook and standing up. "Good. I'll be watching from the sidelines. Don't disappoint me, Silk."

As she walked away, Tank let out a low whistle. "Man, she's got a way with words."

Leo finally looked up from his phone. "She's not wrong, though. This opener isn't just a game. It's a statement."

Jaden stared down at his tray, Ava's words still echoing in his mind.

It's not just a game. It's a chance to set the story straight.

---

That night, Jaden found himself back on the outdoor court, the glow of the campus lights reflecting off the slick pavement. The air was cool, and the faint hum of crickets filled the silence.

He dribbled slowly, his sneakers scuffing against the ground. In his mind, he could see Tyler's smug grin, Hale's disappointed face, his mother's tired smile.

With every bounce of the ball, he felt the weight of it all pressing down on him.

But then he stopped. He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and launched a clean jumper toward the hoop.

The ball swished cleanly through the net.

Jaden nodded to himself, his jaw set with quiet determination.

The season opener was coming, and he wasn't about to let anyone—not Tyler, not Hale, not even himself—stand in his way.