It's a Saturday night after a hard fight battle on the grid iron - last night, Jay throws back. A few chips into his mouth as chuck the enforcer of the crew it's cracking jokes as his laughter feel the room , the whole house is filled with people like an concert - the vibe is filled with people playing beer pong ,music blasting ,people dancing the night away .
As chuck said "the guy said he went oh shit"I didn't know they sell beer - everyone bust out laughing - .Jay feels the vibe is amazing as chuck said everyone raise the glass - This Guys is for an great season it hasn't start like we wanted but I truly believe we stick to our code - The lion Leads Forward - There nothing we can't do this, season everyone as brothers smack glass & enjoy the rest of the night as the party ends jay get's in his car & Start driving down the road it starts pouring down raining when he sees Adam walking in the rain - Jay Said Yo Adam you need a ride.
Adam Said "I don't need your charity" - Jay said bro come on it's raining were teammates - Adam get's the car as jay drive off as it's silence for a few mins until Jay turns on the radio - Jay Said so where we going - Adam Said take right than an left & than straight down near the Port Sign - as I'm thinking in my minds eyes - this the poorest part of town as we get close Adam Said my house is right there as I see this grey blueish house with an old car in the drive way , Is that your car parked in the driveway - Adam unease say - "Yea um, I don't drive it anymore. but thanks for the ride.Jay - Said No Problem.
As the sunrise jay wakes up feeling an little Hammer from last night kickback as his father bust in the door & yells Marcus said " son Breakfast is ready - as jay gets up from the bed whips the crust from his eyes - as he walks to the bathroom & whips his face with a hot rag as he cleans his teeth & as he heads to the breakfast table as his mother Kenya fix grits, eggs & turkey bacon as jay is amazed as eh says "mom you did your thing. Kenya says thank you son.Jay - " So what's the game plan today" - Marcus said "well I was thinking an family hiking trip - there beautiful scenery at the Ibis Rocks - Jay said I'm down.as eventually the family packs their bags & food material & hit the road & THEIR SUDAN. as Jay is listening to some music by indie artist Simba - Flow Song as they beat rift is flowing with the beating of the sun as jay is in the backseat in his own enjoying the empty road of the fresh.
The Johnson's finally get to the trail as they begin to start walking grabbing as much material from the car as they begin to walk jay has his camera in his that he borrowed from last as each green tree he sees or out of the normal object is like an kid at the candy shop the image is his candy & his hands are the clicker, the birds are chirping the , all the insects & animals seem synch In rhythm - as the sun is a feeling like an peace sauna as they are moving forward the keep going & each step feels unpossible but possible each stride they step. as the Johnson get to their destination at the top of the mountain it feels as a infinite accomplishment as Jay tells both his parents to take a picture as they feel something missing as they sign for him to join in as he sets a 3 secs flicker to snapshot as he jumps in the frame as they pose the image speaks longevity & promise.
The next day,The clouds dark weary as a light drizzle start to approach cars are driving by headed to destination unknown the tension reached a breaking point. Coach Parks, with his gruff demeanor and demanding expectations, called Jay into his office. The air was thick with anticipation, and the weight of the conversation felt heavier than any defensive lineman he had ever faced.
Coach Parks began, his voice gravelly. with a stern questioned that hit his consciousness like a commander What does it mean to be a winner ? coach parks spoke like an hermit on a quest? Jay spoke confused" I don't mean just in football "I mean beyond this gridiron". Jay was going to speak with confidence until the questioned hit him like an stern black coffee - Jay always winning in life from pewee ball till his rising at Willmore feeling like an big man of campus constantly overachieving Coach Parks spoke "You're a
talented player, no doubt about it. But you're not living up to
your potential. {Life} Your focus is off, and your performance on
the field is suffering." Jay stomp -"Coach we just won the game last week I score twice , with a few carries myself - You tell me we are balling.
Jay felt his throat tighten. He knew the coach was right. He'd
been distracted, preoccupied with his personal struggles,
letting his inner turmoil affect his play.killing his ego
"I… I know," Jay stammered, his words barely audible. "I don't know what you mean coach - I have been reading the playbook. me & Adam are getting along now, I don't know how to answer the question.
Coach Parks stared at Jay for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he leaned back in his chair, his voicesoftening slightly. "I get it, Jay. We all go through these
growing pains. But you're here for a reason. You have a gift. You have the potential to be great. Don't let these distractions get in the way of that."
His words struck a chord within Jay. He knew Coach Parks
was right. He had a gift, and he couldn't let it go to waste.
But how could he balance the demands of the game with the
desire for a life outside the field?
As he walked out of the coach's office, the weight of his decision settled on him like a heavy cloak. It was time to make a choice, to figure out his priorities, to find his own path. He couldn't keep living in two worlds, forever teetering between the pressure of the game and the longing for a life less defined by the gridiron.
He needed to find a way to make them coexist, to create a balance, to find his own equilibrium.
Jay is business management as he get's tapped on the shoulder by Howard Jay found himself wrestling with a question that had never before crossed his mind: Was this what it meant to be a winner? Was this the price of success? His life had become a relentless cycle of practice, games, and the constant pressure to prove himself. He hadn't had time for much else – friends,
family, or even a moment of quiet reflection.
"You look like you're carrying the weight of the world," Howard's voice broke through Jay's internal turmoil.Howard, his fellow transfer student, had become a beacon of normalcy in this strange, new world. He wasn't burdened by the expectations that weighed heavily on Jay. Howard was just Howard – a curious, witty, and surprisingly insightful guy who had become a confidante, a friend who understood the struggle of being an outsider.
Jay let out a weary sigh. "It's just… I don't know if I can do
this, Howard."
"Do what?" Howard raised an eyebrow, a hint of concern in his gaze. "This whole football thing. It's all-consuming. I'm constantly trying to impress everyone, to live up to these impossible expectations." Jay's words spilled out, tinged with a hint of self-pity. Howard placed a hand on his shoulder, his expression a mixture of empathy and understanding. "I get it, Jay. This is a big deal, coming to a new school, especially one like CenterScore." He hesitated, then added, "But maybe you're putting too much pressure on yourself. You're not just a
football player, man. You're Jay.
. "Remember that."