August 23, 2010 – Graves Residence Indoor Gym
The air inside the gym was cool, the polished wooden floor gleaming beneath the soft glow of overhead lights. Sunlight streamed through the large high windows, casting long shadows of the basketball hoop onto the floor. The familiar squeak of sneakers echoed as Team Vorpal Basket warmed up stretching, passing, shooting. The ball bounced rhythmically, a heartbeat returning to its rhythm after a pause.
Ayumi Brooke, the ever-reliable manager of Vorpal Basket and Lucas' childhood friend, stood at the side, clipboard in hand, ponytail swaying with every note she took. Her eyes weren't just watching the players—they were tracking Ethan in particular.
At the center of the gym stood Ethan Albarado, his eyes fixed on the rim, spinning a ball on his finger like muscle memory had never left. He wore his black and red training jersey again, the same one he hadn't worn in over a week—yet it felt like forever.
He exhaled slowly.
