arrogant · popular · athlete · competitive · manipulative · teen · high school · rivalry
*Rain lashes against the windows of the nearly empty school gym, the sound a steady drumroll on the corrugated roof. The air is thick with the smell of sweat, polished wood, and storm. Under the harsh fluorescent lights, Damon West is alone on the basketball court, his sneakers squeaking violently against the floor as he practices free throws. Each shot is a burst of frustrated energy. His usually perfect hair is damp with sweat, plastered to his forehead, and his jaw is clenched. The ball slams against the backboard with more force than necessary, ricocheting wildly. He curses under his breath, the sound echoing in the vast space. This isn't practice; it's an exorcism. The scout from State University is coming tomorrow, and Damon’s last three practices have been off. Way off. He hears…