the tryout...

"What gay? maybe? Haha."

"Hehe. Come on. Have u eaten?" She threw her shoulder bag to the old couch and grabbed Rome's arm.

Rome shook his head. Of course he waited for his mother.

"I have a mother. I have a mother. Hehe."

Eating with enthusiasm. The two shared mother and son bonding. Hehe

"Romy, where u get this fish? This must be expensive."

"No mom. Let me explain why we have to celebrate tonight."

Ana suspiciously looks at Rome.

"Ur not really gay are u?"

"What? no. Im not gay. Geez."

"Good good."

The exchange is funny and threw him off topic again.

Rome is amused by his mother. Hehe

"Mom, im gonna try out to the Trojans tomorrow. If I pass, I can get full ride playing for the team."

Bang.

The spoon and fork got abandoned.

The face of Ana cant be painted.

"Rome, are u serious? For real? Ur going to college?"

"Yes mom. College and its free."

"Yes. God is good. God is good. But since when did u learn to play basketball?"

"At school." Rome playing it cool. He really cant explain his perfect shooting is based on 100% luck.

The playing thing overwhelmed by the fact he will go to college if he passes. So Rome gotta relax because no further explanation needed. Haha

Saying goodnight to his tired sleepy mother, he went back to his room.

"THANK U LORD!!!!"

He shouted in his heart.

Long night for Rome in his first day being reborn.

Too much information and too much heart wrenching abnormalities.

Around 3 am, he finally fell asleep.

Around 8am, Rome went to Galen.

His home is just 3 blocks away from Galen but he is early because he going to have breakfast. He is too lazy to cook fish. And not in the mood to eat fruit for breakfast.

Hence, just grab meal from a street hotdog stall.

"Rome. Ur early."

An old man greeted Rome as soon as he arrived at the gym.

This is the security guard for the night.

"Old man. Morning. Here." Rome bought coffee and hotdog.

Taken aback because of his generosity, the old man have another look at Rome.

"Thanks kid. Ill go home first." He smiled at Rome and patted his shoulder.

Exactly 10, three figures arrived at the gym.

Abby, John and David.

Abby wearing gray yoga pants and a white sports bra. Her hair is tied.

She really looks so sporty.

Standing 6 foot flat, she is tall compared to lots of girls.

From her figure alone, she could be a model.

"Rome."

Abby called his attention as he was shooting free throws with his eyes closed.

And he really cant miss. haha

"A…" he paused because he just got smitten by her. Haha

An american beauty in front of him. Blonde. Longs legs. Tall. Sexy. All he can wish for in his last life. In front of him now. Barbie. Haha

Watching American Piece and teen movies during his high school influenced his women aesthetics.

Yeah. He has a type.

"Abby." He finally returned to Earth.

Abby sees his embarrassed state, she chuckled and found Rome cute.

With the old guys beside her, she stopped herself from slamming or make fun of him.

"Hey. U arrived long ago?" She seen the sweat of Rome. Ice breaker.

"Hmmm. Sirs." He went forward and greeted the old guys.

"Yeah. Rome, this is Coach John Hornacek and Assistant Coach David Ivler for the Trojan Basketball program."

"Goodd morning Sir Coach. I'm Rome Smith."

Rome said tin attention.

"Hornacek? Then. She is Abby's grandpa?" He thot so in his heart.

Abby winked at him slightly.

"Gramps, Uncle Dave, he is Rome, the shooter I told u last night. Gramps, uncle, u cant believe Rome can shoot accurately from the logo. Or steps away from the arc so accurately. Promise the full ride is worth for Rome. Give him time to try out, please."

Abby actively convincing the old guys.

She is selling him and wanting Rome to enter the varsity.

Rome appreciated Abby more and more.

I mean, she met him in a sorry state with dirty clothes and messy face.

With his big stomach.

All in his memory, the bullies of old Rome were girls in majority calling him fat and pig. There would be disgust in their eyes.

But Rome did not feel that from her.

She must be a very nice girl.

Thats what he felt last night and today too.

U know, he is wearing a shabby jogging pants, a worn out Kobe 8 jersey and some china made shoes.

He is fat and badly dressed.

"Young man, how old are u?" It was John who asked.

"Just turned 18 coach."

"Have u finished high school?"

"Yes. Straight outta South High." Rome remembered.

"Thats good." John and David dont want a drop out dont they? Duh.

"Actually we saw u last night."

David said after.

Rome and Abby looked at each other and surprised.

"And we are impressed. All we need to do now is to test ur physical ability. But ur size is not so considerable." He slowed down.

"Coach, I'm starting to lose weight. I can promise before the Conference start, I am fit."

Rome is determined.

Tho he really dont love basketball that much like any other kids. But he is still interested in playing.

He just watched in his last life. Now that he has a chance to go to NBA and be good at it, he wants to take the chance.

Basketball is the first thing he stumbled after the Fantasy Draw.

That must meant something.

And there's Abby.

What else he should be doing than going to college and play basketball.

He already told his mom he will be admitted to college. Now way out for Rome.

John and David look at each other. These two old guys can see Rome's talent and his height is quite good.

6 foot 8 inches. Good.

"Are u sure u can lose that much weight in 1 month?"

David wanting himself be convinced by Rome.

"Yes. I'm sure coach." He is sure. The slimming pills aren't just for show.

"Yeah Uncle. Just enough to run around back and forth right?" Abby wanted to make it clear.