Rebound: A 2nd Chance

Jasmine turned to the boys behind her with a serious expression on her face "I want you guys to follow me but keep ya mouth's shut. Got it?"

Kyle and the other boys all nodded their heads in agreement. Jasmine sighed before turning and making her way up the bleachers.

As they got to the top there were four guys. The section all around them was empty as people seemed hesitant to be near them.

One of the guys had on a gray beanie and a black down jacket. He had light brown skin and a few golden chains were hanging on his neck.

As he saw Jasmine approaching a bright smile grew on his face "Ay yo check it out boys. It's the Princess of New York.

What up Jazz. How yo Unc doin? Last I heard some of his boys were plannin on talkin." Jasmine rolled her eyes.

"My uncle doin just fine RJ. I don't know where you get your news but you need to find anotha source if that's the BS they tellin you.

My Unc only roll with certified Gs. They ain't punks like you and your boys." The three other dudes sitting to the side of RJ all got up.

But RJ stuck his arm out "Yo chill guys. Sit down. We at the Rucker. Show some respect." After hearing RJ say that the three other guys all sat back down.

He then looked at Jasmine "You know that the Rucker is a neutral zone right Jazz? So why you here tryin to start shit?"

The sound of Mr. Green's voice once again shot through the speakers "Another basket by Young Buckets! Team one up by four."

Jasmine glared at RJ "I didn't come here to start nothin. I just want to make sure that you stay the fuck away from my friends aight?"

RJ had had a confused expression on his face "What the hell? I don't know what kinda new shit you on Jazz but I ain't eva-"

Just then RJ noticed Kyle and the other boys standing behind Jasmine. Then everything started to click as RJ took a look out at the court.

He slapped his leg as he started laughing "Hahaha! I get it now. You talkin bout the lil Asian dude right? You talkin bout Jaya?"

Jasmine nodded her head "I don't know what you or your dudes is schemin but I'm tellin you right now RJ.

If anything happens to him or any of my other friends from Cali then you gon be in some real hot water you feel me?"

RJ had a grin on his face "I feel you Jazz, I feel you. I'd rather be feelin you back at my place bu-" Jasmine raised her fist up which caused RJ to stop mid sentence.

He put his hands up as he continued to smile "Yo I was jokin Jazz. Come on now, neutral zone remember?"

Jasmine reluctantly put her fist down as she continued to glare at RJ. RJ shook his head "Listen Jazz, I don't know what you think I'm tryin to do but I honestly ain't plannin nothin.

All I know is that some dudes from out in Cali called and they talked to some of the OGs and old heads.

Talkin bout they was tappin in, they was checkin in. Said that they got a youngin who was gon be operatin and movin in the area.

I guess they must have done it the right way cause all the OGs and Old heads told us to keep an eye out for yah boy and make sure that he don't get in no trouble."

Jasmine rolled her eyes "That sounds like some BS RJ. If they was gon check in then why they ain't call my uncle or nobody from our side?"

RJ just laughed as he went back to watching the game "Times is changing Princess. These folks was from outta town.

They ain't know nobody. They probably had to call around and see who they should check in with. And the fact that yo Unc wasn't the first name to pop up should say somethin.

But now you know that I ain't up to nothin. If anything you should be thankin me for gettin yah boy a spot tonight. Lil dude can really hoop."

Jasmine motioned for the boys to take a seat on the other side as she put herself in between them and RJ's group.

Kyle and the others followed Jasmine's instructions as they sat down on the bench. Jasmine then turned back to RJ.

"Please, I ain't gotta thank you for shit RJ. I coulda got him a spot just as easy." RJ put his hands up "Probably, but I guess you were just a step too slow seein as how I had to do it."

Jasmine was furious but she couldn't think of anything to say in rebuttal. She sat in silence as she watched the game Kyle and the boys.

As the game went on Jason continued to put all of his skills out on display as he clamped down on defense despite the clear size and strength disparity between him and the other players.

Because of his thin frame and lack of strength Jason wasn't able to stop his defensive assignments from driving to the paint.

However he would always come up with the timely steal or block as he timed his counter moves perfectly to neutralize the offensive player.

And on offense he didn't make it a solo show all about him as he got the rest of his teammates involved with his great court vision and passing ability.

He was finding guys and dropping off dimes with no look passes, behind the back passes, and he was even threading the needle as he bounced the ball between defenders legs in order to deliver the ball to his teammates.

The game was soon over as Jason hit the long three right in his defenders face. His teammates all ran to him as they hyped him up.

Jasmine took Kyle and the other boys as they made their way down the bleachers. Jason was all smiles as his teammates surrounded him.

He saw Jasmine and the others walking towards him "Oh! Hey guys thanks for letting hop in for the game. I gotta go, my friends are here."

Jason finally got away as he walked toward Jasmine and the others "Yo you guys finally made it. No offense Jasmine but you were taking a long time."

Jasmine scrunched up her face as she glared at Jason "Do you have any idea how worried we all were? Why the hell would you just dip like that without sayin nothin?"

Jason scratched his head in confusion "Huh? What are you talking about? I tried to tell you guys that I was heading out but you were busy talking about something.

But that's why I left a text. I said that I was going ahead and that I would just wait for you guys here."

Jasmine as well as Kyle and all the other guys were surprised when they heard Jason say that. They all pulled out their phones to check.

Just like Jason had said he had sent a text message to their group chat saying that he would go on ahead to Rucker park and that he would just wait for them there. 

Jasmine before smiling. Jason thought that he was in the clear after seeing Jasmine smile. But a second later she grabbed his cheek.

"You still shouldn't be doin shit like that!" Jason apologized as Jasmine pinched his cheek "My bad, my bad, I'll make sure to tell you guys next time."

Jasmine let go of Jason's cheek as she nodded her head in satisfaction "Good. Now let's get out of here."

Jason looked at her with a confused expression "Wait why are you trying to leave so soon? They just asked me if I wanted to play in the next game.

And I met some really cool dudes. I should introduce you guys." Jasmine shook her head "I want you to stay away from those guys Jaya. They ain't nothin but trouble."

This time it was Jason's turn to shake his head "I can't do that Jasmine. Apparently my people back home reached out and made some arrangements for me.

I can't do something that will have people looking at my guys sideways. RJ and his boys ain't do nothing but show me some love so far.

So I can't do them like that. It just isn't how I operate. If you show me love I do the same. Likewise if you try to do the opposite."

Jasmine was once again frustrated as she didn't know how to explain her side of things to Jason. Just then Mr. Green's voice shot out of the speakers.

"Ay look alive folks. We got royalty in the house. Not only do we have New York's Princess in attendance tonight.

But her lil bro is here too! Make some noise for Central Park!"