The Captain, His Best Friend, Amber-Lee, And How It All Went Wrong

               River Falls High was the school that carried victory back home every single basketball season for three years in a row. They remained unbeaten, almost unrivaled, and stronger than ever. Such facts could make anyone comfortable, but to Kayden, there was just something off about this particular season.

               Kayden Wilson, the captain of the basketball team, stood at an impressive height of six foot five and had an unapproachable look about him. Many people didn't dare to approach him, nor his gang of basketball friends. Only the few who were brave enough got to see them for who they truly were; a group of boys who stuck together like glue at first because of their love for basketball. Until they'd become inseparable.

               They were leading the season, but it didn't sit well with Kayden that every single win had been frighteningly close to a loss. Which was why he made sure their coach only directed the pressure toward him, and let him handle the rest of the team.

               Usually, his coaching was completely strict, and he had earned a lot of respect from the rest of the players over time. Kayden tried to ease up a little this time, but he still made sure they practiced extra, although not enough to wear their bones out completely.

               And then he practiced more than they did. It was probably a bad habit, but he had a burning desire to always win, so it didn't matter what he put himself through.

               The hours he put into practicing did not affect his grades. Kayden was a straight-A student, and he didn't even need to try, he was just that smart. So he stayed late more often than not, just to practice.

                This day was no different. He'd stayed back after everyone had left. Or at least, after everyone should have left.

                "If it isn't K, practicing late again," he heard Kit say. And as he guessed, he was moving closer to him. He paid him no attention.

               Kit Pierson was what you would call part of his gang, and what you would call the person he was closest to. They just hadn't given a name to their relationship yet.

The others were Mike, Knox, and Liam. Stacey and Connor were the only two who weren't connected to basketball, but hang out almost all the time nevertheless.

               Kit had been extremely annoying lately for some reason, and Kayden didn't want to read too much into it, but his best friend couldn't just leave him alone. It was starting to get super annoying.

               Kayden bounced the ball and caught it, then bounced it again and caught it. Just before he could throw it into the hoop, Kit came into view and he hesitated, then stopped. He stood there just staring at him with an amused expression on his face.

               "You want a one-on-one?" Kayden asked.

               "No," Kit replied with a little shake of his head, his smirk still intact. Didn't he have better things to do with his time? Namely; one of his girlfriends or flings or whatever.

               Kayden remembered that just earlier that day, some girl called Cleo, Chloe, Cholera-whatever, was blowing his phone up with messages about meeting after school. If only Kit ever cared about someone that much.

               "Then pick up a ball and practice," Kayden told him, trying to keep his annoyance out of his voice.

               Kit decided it was best to shove him at that moment. Kayden decided to ignore him again. He already had a short fuse because he was stressed out, and he didn't need Kit adding to that stress.

                The only times Kit got this annoying was when it was always a week to Kayden's birthday. He always became extra because the deal was that Kayden couldn't say anything about it and he could spoil him and get them all into trouble as he saw fit.

                Kit threw exceptional parties, everyone knew that. But once a year, on Kayden's birthday, he always went overboard.

                His birthday wasn't anywhere around the corner so the captain could not for the life of him figure out why he was being such a pain.

               Kayden bounced the ball and before his hand could catch it, Kit shoved him again and disrupted him, letting the ball bounce on its own, away from them both.

               "What the hell man?!" Kayden snapped.

               Kit smirked like he finally got what he wanted. Kayden couldn't understand why he was provoking him. It all started at the beginning of the basketball season, right from their first game.

               "I'm going to shower and change," said Kit while he walked away.

               "Good for you, champ," replied Kayden.

               Just until the season was over, Kayden thought the best option was to ignore Kit. He would confront him about his strange behavior afterward.

              There had to be something that was going on with him and maybe that was what he was trying to convey. He continued to practice after he left.

               Kayden tossed the ball into the basket turn after turn. His mind was straying far, and he lost track of time as he kept dribbling and shooting the ball.

               It probably wasn't ten minutes since Kit left and he heard footsteps getting closer to him. His temper flared. "Jesus, just fuck off," said Kayden, nearly growling.

               The footsteps receded so fast like the person was running away.

               "Wait," He called out. He thought it couldn't be Kit, Kit wouldn't listen. And when he turned, he saw that indeed, it wasn't his best friend. It was Amber-Lee, the one other person who didn't hang out with them.

               Amber-Lee was more of his friend alone than anyone else among the others. And she was so shy that she never really said 'hi' to any of them.

               The way they'd become friends was a little unexpected. They had been assigned lab partners in chemistry and she'd been paired with him.

               After sitting next to her for ten minutes is when he really looked at her for the first time. And he noticed that she was having an anxiety attack.

               Deciding that it wouldn't do her any good to draw any attention to them, he slowly reached out and put her hand in his under the table, then when her eyes shot up to his in trepidation, he nodded and smiled warmly at her.

               The teacher's voice and the rest of the class drowned in the background at that moment.

              He used his other hand to rub the back of hers as she took deep breaths for as long as she needed. Until she'd calmed down and made it comfortably through the class.

               She was probably (he wasn't sure) the only girl that had ever talked to him without wanting to sleep with him.

               She and Stacey. Probably.

               The rest didn't bother denying the fact that they wanted him, and being selfish wasn't one of his strongest suits. At least if he had the time.

               Kayden didn't do dating, no matter how much some girls had begged. Just the thought of it was too much work.

               He sometimes sat with Amber-Lee at lunch but not always, in consideration of her. Because he knew she hated all the attention that followed wherever he went.

                 Some people rumored that they were dating, but that was hardly the case. They were only friends. After all, she was among the very few girls he could hold an actual conversation with.

                 "Amber-Lee, I'm sorry," said Kayden, he paused his exercise. "I thought it was someone else."

                  The look of hurt on her face slowly disappeared. "I thought you'd be here with your friends, but I only saw you so I came in, I hope...t-that's fine."

               "You're my friend too," Kayden said to her and she looked down, causing him to frown. "Right?" He insisted.

               There was silence on the basketball court.

               "Come on, Lee, that's cold," he said and she gasped.

               "Yea...yes, we're friends," she finally admitted.

                Kayden smiled and bounced the ball. "Come to help me practice?"

                Her face contorted immediately at the question, causing the basketball captain to laugh. "I brought... I made you something," she said.

               "No shit?" Kayden asked excitedly and walked over to her.

                 Amber-Lee held her hand out to him and revealed several tiny strings woven together to make a bracelet. "It's a good luck charm," she said. "I know, the last game will probably be the hardest."

               "For me?" Kayden asked as he took it. "That's so sweet. Thank you, I'll wear it at the game tomorrow."

               She smiled. Amber-Lee was the sweetest person he knew. And because of her anxiety, he suspected this took a lot of courage for her to make, better yet, to give to him.

               "And!" She suddenly exclaimed, seeming upset.

                Kayden raised his eyebrows in surprise.

               "Could you stop... this basketball practice thing?" She asked with a movement of her hands. "You're overdoing it!"

               He didn't think she was actually going to say that but she did, and he felt like he had no choice but to listen to her. Kayden sighed. "Okay, just three more minutes," he bargained. She nodded after seeming to think about it.

               "Do you want me to give you a ride home?" Kayden asked her. "I won't be long."

              Amber-Lee shook her head. "My mom's picking me up today."

             "Okay. Three minutes and I'm done, I promise," replied Kayden.

              "Okay, see you tomorrow," said Amber-Lee. "And good luck!"

"Thank you," he replied.

               Kayden practiced for about three minutes or so. He was actually in a good mood. Amber-Lee had somehow done that.

Unfortunately for her efforts, the good mood only lasted until he got to the locker room and noticed that Kit was still there. His lifted mood dampened again. While they might have been the closest of friends, he'd prefer not to be around him at the moment.

                Kit folded his arms and smiled. "Aren't you just perfect?" His best friend asked. "Staying late to practice, the perfect captain, perfect grades..."

               Kayden gathered all of his willpower and let it go. He put the bracelet in his gym bag and went straight to the showers after stripping.

               Was that what it was with Kit? Was he just jealous? No, that didn't sound right. It was definitely something else.

Kayden closed his eyes and let the water soothe him. He was exhausted, so it felt like he could feel every single drop on him. Although even as he showered, he still couldn't feel relaxed. That would probably be after the final game. He'd have the longest bath after that.

                When Kayden got out of the shower, Kit was seated on one of the benches. "Why are you still here?" Asked Kayden. "Your car break down or something?"

                "Or something," Kit answered coolly. Fucking annoying.

               Maybe he just wanted a ride home. Probably. "Fine," replied Kayden. "I'll drive you."

               He started to change, but before he could throw his shirt on, Kit grabbed it away from him.

               "Don't piss me off, man," Kayden warned.

                "Or what?" Asked Kit.

                "You've been getting on my nerves Kit, what's your problem lately?" Kayden said irritatedly. "Something you want?"

               "You just piss me the fuck off lately," replied Kit.

               "Yeah?" Kayden backed him against the lockers with a bang. "I'm the annoying one?"

                "You can do better than that K," said Kit. It was annoying how calm he was.

               "Your white ass looking for a fight?" Kayden moved closer to him, making Kit's six foot one height look shorter.

                He closed his hands around Kayden's throat and squeezed. "What if I am?" Kit asked, then he pulled Kayden to him and kissed his best friend.

                 The shock took ages to finally land. His mind went into confusion until understanding dawned on Kayden. All the goading, taunting, and getting on his last nerve... all of it had just been sexual frustration!

Did Kit want to kiss him all this time? Wanted to kiss him? Kit wasn't gay, or so he thought.

A memory suddenly came to him, one where they stretched during practice and he lowered himself next to Kit. His hand had covered his on the floor by mistake, and Kit had pulled it away from underneath his so quickly it made it awkward. They'd both ignored it and went on with their exercise, talking about other random things.

                Kayden had never been into guys before, the idea had never even crossed his mind. And he should have pushed him away, but he didn't. Kit had been acting like a piece of shit, but boy could he kiss, so he kissed back.

               For one, Kayden didn't know what to do with himself, because this was completely new ground. He kissed girls all the time, but right now, he was a little lost.

Yes, he kissed back, but he didn't know what to do. Whether to hold him tighter or not. Should he turn them around or not? What was Kit thinking? What was the vulnerability he suddenly felt coming off from him?

               No sooner had he used both his hands to hold Kit by the waist, than he withdrew like he'd been burned. It just felt too weird to hold his best friend like that.

                He called the shots and withdrew from the kiss when he felt Kit's erection pressing against him. He'd draw the line there. He just couldn't handle that level of weirdness. Or at least the weird feeling of another guy's hard dick pressing against him.

                   The look that Kit had on his face after they'd parted was one that he'd seen many times. Mostly when the gang had gone out, or he'd thrown one of his parties and he'd had too much to drink. He looked drunk.

                 The look didn't last that long. It changed quickly, like the realization of what he'd done had finally caught up with him. He moved back as if forgetting he was against the locker and there wasn't any further he could get than that.

               Kit clearly wanted to get away from him. Kayden himself was shocked by the look on his face. It was nothing other than fear.

•••

              Coach Peralta had watched Kayden be the best he could be for a long time, so he knew that something was off about the whole situation. His talent didn't go as far as Liam's, but no one could lead the team as he did. If he went, they lost. It wasn't that complicated.

               "We need him, if he goes, we lose this season," he said to the principal because there was no other way around it. It was literally like he said.

               The principal put his hands together on the table before him and pretended to take his words seriously. He'd never liked the balding man, personally. He was the picture of the typical corrupt official. It was just unfortunate that he didn't have enough power to get to the bottom of Kayden's situation. Someone had obviously pulled some strings.

              "For the first time in three years," the coach insisted. "You know what that means right?"

               "And how do you know that," principal Matthews asked with a look that couldn't even pretend that he was interested.

The coach wondered if the man could decipher his expression, his disgusted expression that could probably pass off as an insult.

                "There's a reason why you're the principal and I'm the coach. It's my job to know," said Coach Peralta.

He was pissed off because deep down, he knew this wasn't fair and he doubted that Kayden would do anything so outrageous as to invoke an expulsion. At least not right before his final game of the season.

                  "He is vital," he finished with finality to his voice.

                "He has to go," said principal Matthews, angering the coach further.

                  "And may I ask why exactly?" He'd already asked, but the snake sitting before him had slithered around the question, refusing to give him an answer.

                    "That would be none of your business," he now replied.

               "Fine, expel him. Have River Falls' legacy and reputation finally thrown in the mud. It's your school anyway, not mine," coach Peralta used the only resort he had left. He knew that Matthews was a proud man, and he tried to use that to his advantage.

               It took a while for the balding man to think it through, using the pad of his thumb and his forefinger to stroke his surprisingly nice goatee until he caved in. "Fine... fine, the boy plays."

               The coach sighed inwardly and got up to leave, his job here was done after all. "But after that," the principal stopped him in his tracks. He answered by continuing to walk away before he hailed his anger on him.

               On the day of the final game, coach Peralta tried not to show guilt and sadness every time he looked at Kayden. The boy was in high spirits, and in turn, was the entire team. For what it was worth, he couldn't know just yet.

               As the players made it out to the court, the coach called Kayden back for a few seconds.

               "You look, worried Coach," Kayden said with a smirk on his face, he could tell how excited he was for the game. "I know I'm not going to let us down."

                 The way he said it sounded like a friendly accusation to the coach, like what was he doing sounding worried?

                 "I know," he replied.

               Kayden continued to look at him expectantly. He cocked his head questioningly. "What?" The boy asked. "You wake up on the wrong side of the bed today, coach?"

                "It's nothing," replied coach Peralta as he shook his head as if to clear it. "I believe in you, kid."

               "You better. Thanks, Coach," said Kayden, he was already turning to get back into the court to join the rest of his team. "We're about to show them who owns the court."

                 The coach watched him go. He sighed because he'd never been this tense before a match. Deep down he knew they would win, but how would Kayden react after he found out that he was getting expelled right after?

               He tried not to think about it and focus on the players instead.

               Kayden could tell that it was going to be a tight match from the moment the other school got the first five points. It didn't help that their opponent's cheerleading team made their amazing cheerleading team (in his own opinion) look like they weren't even half good.

                The deciding moment came when both schools were tied with only under a minute left to the end of the match. It sucked that Liam had an injury, but then again, Liam with an injury only leveled out their skill.

The fact that the other team didn't know that little truth could be the only reason why they would win. They also didn't know that Knox already had it figured out. He complemented Liam perfectly, apart from the fact that he was the best small forward they'd ever had on the team.

               Mike had to be the MVP of this particular match, coming in clutch at any moment's hesitation. The members of the other team were intimidated by him, and Kayden knew exactly how to use that to their advantage.

               Mike passed the ball to him to shoot their final shot. He had to think fast because he didn't have to make the last shot in his risky position.

That was when he saw Liam, almost unguarded. That was really dumb of the other team. He was like a god on the court, they'd seen his magic enough times not to doubt him.

                It would be difficult for the pass to get to Liam uninterrupted, so Kayden passed to Kit. If you needed anyone on his team to make a pass successfully, it would be Kit. And there was also the fact that he always seemed to know what Kayden was thinking every time the ball was passed to him.

Barely after the ball was in his possession, it was already in Liam's before the other players could understand how it happened.

                From their side, the biggest threat was their captain, but with Knox marking him, they could still play confidently.

                Unfortunately for them, they made the mistake of assuming that Kayden was their biggest threat, and now Liam had the ball. He just couldn't for the life of him figure out why he passed it right back to him.

                 Even in his confusion, Kayden knew he couldn't hesitate. He had to make the shot one way or another. They didn't have much time, and he trusted Liam. Maybe he couldn't make the shot for some reason, or maybe he had calculated moves ahead. Either way, Kayden had to make do.

                The captain drove his team to victory by scoring five seconds to the end of the match. The applause and cheers were deafening. Kayden threw his fist in the air in celebration after the match was finished, the orange bracelet on his wrist jerking vigorously according to his movements as he did it again.

                He was then lifted unexpectedly. It was Mike, of course, it was. The other team members just started to jump on them, screaming their victory. And then the rest of the school, Kayden thought he'd die.

                 For four years in a row, River Falls High would remain undefeated.

•••

               Kayden was still receiving praise the next day at school, including the biggest hug from Amber-Lee. She knew how to surprise him because a hug in public was one of the last things she would probably do.

               She was smiling widely when they parted. You were so cool at the game! She said excitedly.

               "Am I not cool all the time?" Kayden pulled his lips into a pout that looked like he was going in for a kiss then he raised his eyebrows.

                 Amber-Lee laughed. "What type of face is that?"

                   "The hot one," he replied.

                   'KAYDEN WILSON, REPORT TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY,' came the sound from the PA system.

                "Did something happen?" Amber-Lee looked worried as she asked.

                Kayden shrugged. "Don't know, maybe he's dying to congratulate me," he replied. "I'll see you later, Lee."

              He kept it light-hearted but he couldn't shake the cold feeling deep in his gut.

                "Congratulations," said the principal immediately after Kayden got into his office.

               Before he could answer, he noticed that his mom was already inside. "Ma?" Kayden got to her side. "How come you're here, what's wrong?"

                "Sit down, Kayden," said the principal. "I'm saddened to have to do this, but I'm afraid this school has a zero-tolerance policy–"

                "For what? Winning a championship?" He asked immediately, cutting him off.

               "Substance abuse," he said gravely. "This was found in your locker." The principal motioned to what looked like cocaine.

               Drugs? Kayden almost laughed at the accusation. He'd tried drugs before but it just wasn't his cup of tea. He'd sooner be caught smuggling orange juice than with drugs. Before Kayden could open his mouth to defend himself, his mother spoke.

                "Not my son," she stopped the principal just before he was about to add something else. Kayden too kept his mouth shut. It'd been a while since he heard his mom sound that angry.

               "I understand your confusion and anger Mrs. Wilson, and Kayden is a brilliant student and athlete, it would be a pity to see him go," he said like he really meant it. Kayden just wanted to know what the hell was going on.

               "Not. My. Son," his mom said more firmly like it was taking everything in her, not to punch the man in the face.

                The principal rested his forearms on his desk. He liked doing that. "And as I said, Mrs. Wilson, I understand your confusion, but if you really look at it, these cases are not that rare with people of your skin complexion. Perhaps it could be the environment you are raising him in, I would hate to see such a–"

                 "The fuck did you just say to my mother?" Kayden was up from his chair in the next second.

                 The principal did not cower or flinch, he looked Kayden in the eye and took his time. "I'm sorry Kayden, but you are expelled."

                  Fuck that. "Apologize to her," he warned.

                "Come on baby, let's go," his mom said while getting up and putting her bag over her shoulder.

                  "He just–" Kayden was cut off.

               "Kayden," she insisted and he reluctantly stopped. "An apology from him is as good as nothing. Let's go."

                 Kayden let it go, but his mother wasn't done yet. "You do not come at my people the way you just did, do you understand that?" She said to the principal.

                Principal Matthews had the slightest decency to look just the least bit ashamed. "I was only–"

               "One more slur, out of that mouth, and I'll show you how well I learned from the environment I was raised in," she replied then suddenly gripped his necktie and pulled him to her face. "You racist motherfucker."

               She took her son's hand and they walked out of the office, then the school. He could almost swear he'd never heard his mom curse. She was always the one yelling at him not to use foul language.

               The word had felt heavier somehow when she had used it. Like it carried more meaning.

              He knew she had done everything back there to hold herself back. Somehow, he knew it was for his sake.

               "I'm sorry baby," she said when they were outside. "I hope I didn't spoil any chances you might have had back there. I think someone's out to get my lovely boy. Who could have planted drugs in your locker? I swear I'll cripple a kid–"

               She looked at her son after she realized he wasn't even listening to her. He had that far away look on his face that he always got sometimes—one of the biggest reminders she had of her late husband.

As his mother, she always knew how he looked when he was in pain.

               "Kay?" She called. "There's something you're not telling me."

                Kayden shook his head. "It's nothing," he replied. He hugged his mom against his car and tried to cool her anger off.

               He knew she was overworked and tired. She worked all the time and took care of her children the best she could. She was a single mother of three, and that alone had to be taking a toll on her. And now this? He didn't need to be an addition to that stress she was already under.

               "It'll be okay Ma, I promise," he said.

               "You were almost finished with high school, now what?" She asked angrily.

               "There's other schools, it'll be fine," he answered. "We'll figure it out. I'm smart, remember?"

               She nodded. "I know. Shouldn't you say something to your friends first?"

               Kayden held the passenger door open for her and she got inside, then he walked over to the other side.

               "It's okay," he said. "We'll meet up."

               One way or another they would. It could even be as soon as that same day because they'd want answers. Answers he wasn't even sure he had.

               He didn't want to meet them. To be specific, he didn't want to meet Kit. Because if he looked him in the eye, then he'd know whether what he was thinking was true or false.

              And something told him he wasn't going to like what he saw.

>>>>>><<<<<<

Gosh, that was one long-ass prologue.