Opening Scene – Miami Campus VisitThe air in Miami was different.
Warm, but not the dusty heat of Jamaica.
Clean, American, rich with possibility.
Kyle stepped out of the black SUV, fresh Miami Hurricanes hoodie on his back, Nike duffel slung over his shoulder. The palm trees leaned gently, like even nature had a little swagger here.
Ari stood beside him, oversized shades on, notebook in hand.
"Welcome to The U, Mr. Wilson," the recruiter said, smile like a car salesman. "You ready to see your future?"
Kyle glanced at Ari.
"Let's find out."
Tour – Locker Room, Weight Room, Film RoomThey walked through the tunnel, onto the gleaming court.
The hardwood shimmered under the lights.
Retired jerseys hung above them. Legends.
"You get the right medical program, right strength plan, and the right mindset? You're a lottery pick," the assistant coach said.
Kyle nodded, but his hand grazed his knee instinctively.
"You'll redshirt, rehab, build, then dominate. That's the roadmap."
Ari narrowed her eyes.
"And if he doesn't want to sit?"
The coach paused.
"Then he risks ending his career before it starts."
Silence.
"We've seen it before," he added. "Talent without timing? Wasted."
The Dorms – Kyle & Ari AloneThey got a moment to themselves.
A guest dorm overlooking the practice courts.
Sunset glowing through the blinds.
Kyle sat on the bed, spinning a Miami basketball.
"Feels like I made it," he muttered. "But I'm still not… here."
Ari joined him.
"You here, Kyle. You just limpin' through the finish line of the first lap."
He laughed softly.
"That poetic?"
"Maybe I've been around you too long."
"You think I'm doing the right thing?"
She took a breath.
"You picked the smart route. But don't think for one second that means it'll be easy. You got haters, doubters, and vultures all around. You need to stay sharp. Heal smart. And trust me to handle the wolves."
Kyle leaned over and kissed her.
"I trust you more than the game."
Meeting the Team – New Faces, Old ThreatsKyle was introduced to the team during a private run in the gym.
Big guards.
Athletic wings.
Post players with eyes like predators.
They ran drills. Kyle moved smooth… but slow.
The coaches watched closely.
Then, during a break, one of the players approached him.
"Wilson, right?"
"Yeah."
"You from Jamaica, huh?"
"Born and bred."
"Then you probably know Travis 'Teeko' Barnes."
Kyle froze.
That name hadn't passed his ears in two years.
"Yeah. Why?"
The guy smirked.
"He's my cousin. Said to tell you… he ain't forget what happened to Rico. Or who was involved."
Kyle's knuckles tensed.
"Rico made his own bed."
"So did you."
They walked away.
"Miami might not be far enough from your past."
Ari's BreakthroughMeanwhile, Ari sat across from a blazer-wearing exec at a local sports management firm.
"We saw your TikTok breakdown of Kyle's viral tape," the woman said. "You have a mind for this."
"I want to rep players like him. Real ones. Kids with ghosts."
"Well, we want to offer you a summer internship. Starting next month. Paid. With mentorship."
Ari blinked.
"I'm still in high school."
"Even better. We train early."
"And what if I'm going to college out of state?"
"We'll relocate you. Fully covered. If you're willing to put in the work."
Ari's throat tightened.
She didn't expect this dream to come early.
Rooftop Scene – Miami NightsLater that night, Kyle and Ari stood on the rooftop of the guest dorm, city lights below.
"They offered you an internship?" Kyle asked.
"Yeah."
"Are you taking it?"
"I said I'd follow your future, didn't I?"
He smiled.
"You ever think we're too young to carry all this weight?"
Ari stared at the skyline.
"We grew up in warzones. That age excuse don't work for us."
They kissed.
Then Kyle pulled away.
"Someone on the team knows Teeko. Said Rico's death still haunts."
"It should. But not your doorstep."
"You don't think they'd try something?"
Ari's voice hardened.
"Let them. I'm not letting this world take you down again. Not while I'm standing."
Scout Meeting – Brutal HonestyBefore Kyle left Miami, the lead scout brought him into a conference room.
The man sat across from him with a folder of MRI reports, stat breakdowns, and biomechanical assessments.
"Kyle, I won't sugarcoat this."
"Go ahead."
"Your left knee's inflamed. Overused. One wrong cut and it's done. You sit out a year, we get you strong, you're a top-15 pick. But if you rush it? You won't have a sophomore year."
Kyle nodded slowly.
"I hear you."
"No pride. No stubbornness. Just science. Redshirt, rehab, rise."
Final Scene – Back on the PlaneOn the flight home, Kyle looked out the window, clouds rolling like waves below.
Ari slept against his shoulder, hand resting on his thigh.
His phone buzzed with offers:
Brand deals. Interviews. College merch collabs.
He silenced them all.
Then he opened Notes and typed:
"Miami is just a new court. I still gotta win the game."
He looked down at Ari.
"She's my reason now."
And then he closed his eyes.
Not afraid.
Just focused.