Chapter 16 - Breaking Point #5

After hearing Vinny's relentless words, Ace felt a mix of anger, confusion, and guilt. His true feelings surfaced as he spoke: "I don't know what to do. I know it's my fault, but I just wanted to be part of the team. And now it's all turned into a mess, and the only logical option is to quit and try to go back to how things were, even if it means not changing myself. I'd rather live that way than end up sleeping on the streets."

Vinny cut him off: "There you go again, making yourself the victim. I'm asking you a simple question: do you want to be part of the team, or do you want to go back to your pathetic old life?"

Ace replied, "I'd like to play basketball with you guys, but I've already done too many bad things, and I'm sleeping on the streets because of it. I don't want to mess up my life any more than it already is, so I'll just quit. It's not like I'm any good at basketball anyway."

Vinny responded: "Stop acting so weak and whining about every little mistake you make." (At that moment, Vinny remembered something.) "If you're gonna do something, don't half-ass it. Who cares if you're good at basketball or not? From what I heard, you were actually helpful in the 2v2 scrimmage. No one expects you to be the best on the court. None of us are perfect I'm not as athletic as Alvaro, I can't hit pull-up shots like Kobbie, and I don't have Hao's game vision. But that doesn't stop me from playing. You just need to find a way you can contribute to the team. But none of this means anything to you because you're stuck on your old life. You know why you don't want to keep going? Because you're just a bitch."

Ace's perspective began to shift. He wanted to play, but fear held him back. "I want to play, but…"

Vinny interrupted him again: "But what? You're afraid of what'll happen if you fail? In order to change, you have to let go of your past self. Honestly, who cares? If you want to do something, then do it. What will you regret more later something you had a chance to do but didn't, or failure? So, I'm asking you one last time: are you going to run home and beg your dad to take you back, or are you going to stick with us and play basketball?"

After listening to Vinny, Ace made a final decision and said loudly, "I'd like to keep playing basketball with you guys."

Vinny looked at him and said, "Get up, let's go."

Ace looked at him, confused, and asked, "Where are we going?"

Vinny: "I'm not heartless enough to leave you to sleep on the street. There's room at my place, so you'll stay there. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't apologize to your parents."

Ace was surprised Vinny had offered him a place to stay, and he just nodded and followed him.

As they walked toward Vinny's apartment, Ace had one question on his mind, so he spoke up:

Ace: "When you said I could be useful to the team, did you mean I'd be in the starting lineup, or like, a key player?"

Vinny thought for a few seconds and answered: "No, I was thinking more like you'd be the water boy or something."

Ace immediately slipped back into a negative mindset upon hearing that, but Vinny added something more.

Vinny: "Right now, that's all you're good for. But if you train, you could become very useful to the team."

Ace: "What do you mean by 'useful'? Like, will I be able to dunk or shoot threes?"

Vinny: "With your current attitude, you'll stay a water boy for a long time. Also, first you need to work on your physical condition you don't even have the stamina to play two minutes of intense basketball, and you're already aiming to shoot threes and dunk? You need to build up your body, learn the basics dribbling, layups, and defense before you can stand on the court."

Ace felt a bit discouraged but understood he was too far behind to play in actual games.

Ace: "Can you tell me how many times a week I should train, and what to work on for basketball?"

Vinny: "Better to ask Alvaro about your training plan since he's the only one of us in the G-League, so he knows how professionals train. As for the basketball aspect, you should ask Hao he has a better understanding of the game than I do. I can only teach you how to play under the rim and how to handle a ball, but based on what you've said, I doubt that's what you want. So, I'd suggest you talk to both of them."

Feeling a surge of motivation, Ace had already decided he'd go to Hao after school the next day for advice.

Ace: "Could you give me Alvaro's number so I can ask him about the training plan, or could you ask him since you're closer to him?"

Vinny: "Better if you ask him yourself since you're the one who needs it. I'm not about to go to him for advice he's arrogant enough as it is and would take it as proof he's ten times better than me. Besides, I think he'll appreciate it more if you ask him directly. You have his number in the group Hao added you to."

At that moment, Vinny realized he'd forgotten something.

Ace: "Okay."

After their conversation, Ace felt ready to start changing himself, starting tomorrow.

After an hour, they finally arrived at Vinny's apartment. That's when Vinny remembered he'd also invited Alvaro to stay over, which meant someone would have to sleep on the floor. As they stood in front of the door, Vinny turned to Ace, put a hand on his shoulder, and said:

Vinny: "Sorry, but you'll have to sleep on the floor. I forgot I'd invited Alvaro over since he didn't have anywhere to stay either. But hey, at least it's better to sleep on a floor in a house than a bench in the park. And look on the bright side you won't need to message Alvaro for the training plan; you can ask him in person."