Chapter 3 King Of LA

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~~~

"Well, he has done it, say what you will about Jace, but he is a Bonafide back-to-back State champion," The commentator said as the clock ran out with the Sierra players being unable to score again.

They had given it their all, but Crenshaw was relentless after their captain got in the game. Even though Jace wasn't playing defence his entry into the game seemed to motivate them and they started playing better. Thus, their opponents found it hard to break them down and had to fight for even the slightest inch on the gridiron.

"A remarkable 30:35 Victory for Crenshaw High who deservedly become the Kings of California." The commentator stated as he continued to entertain the few in attendance who were still listening to him.

Most of the people in attendance were either the player's family or members of each other's school. So, the moment the Refs signalled the end of the match they wasted no second to storm the field. Crenshaw High marching band didn't waste a second to play their school's victory song.

Jace naturally became the Center of attention but with all the reporters trying to interview him he had no time to celebrate. "Jace now that you have played your last high school game can you tell us what's next for you." One of the reporters asked him and successfully managed to get his attention.

"Tonight, we will be celebrating our victory and live in the moment. Our work is not done and in honour of the late coach Cash we'll wake up early tomorrow and get back to work," Jace stated with a light smile before continuing his walk towards his teammates.

"Jace, have you decided which college you will commit to?"

"Jace what do you say to people who say you are un-coachable,"

"Jace is it true that you're likely to commit to the University of Alabama," a floodgate of questions bombarded him, but he mostly ignored them only bothering to reply to some.

"Isn't Alabama known for their running backs?" He simply asked the reporter who was so obviously from the university as she seemed to have raided the Crimson Tides merch store.

"Yes, we have some of the best running backs in D1. Roll Tide." She replied with a bright smile seemingly taking Jace's comment as a compliment.

"Oh, okay congrats I guess?" Jace simply replied before reaching his arm out and pulling Tariq into a group. "Let me introduce you to our team's Running back, can't nobody catch him once he gets going,"

Following his words he quickly slipped away amidst a dumbfounded University of Alabama reporter. He didn't care though as he quickly headed to join his teammates in their celebration. They had earned this moment, shedding blood, sweat and tears and deserve to be celebrated.

~~~

"Yo Jace, you the man," an elderly man shouted after Jace walked out of the corner store.

Looking up to see who it was Jace immediately replied as he dabbed them man up. "Naw, you the man unc, I'll need to see you for a lineup,"

"No doubt nephew, just swing by and we'll treat you right," Unc replied with a smile before proceeding to talk about the game with Jace. The inevitable advice on what he should do on the next stage came, to which Jace could only nod.

"Congrats on the win little man," another dude Jace only knew in passing stated as he walked with a head nod. Jace already used to this simply reciprocated the gesture as he continued on his way home.

Almost like a cliche sitcom, he continued to meet people who were at the game and felt the need to congratulate him. He simply accepted the praise and engaged them in a short conversation.

"Oh, if it ain't Mr Superstar, look boys the next big flop stands before you," a gruff voice cut through the night just as Jace arrived in front of his Appartement building.

"Y'know what AT, I heard em say our boy here is putting our city on his back Wakanda style.' Another guy stated before taking a large puff of his blunt blowing the smoke into Jace's face.

"You know what I think you right, our black saviour stands before us we should probably give him a gift." Their leader stated with a mocking grin as he stood before Jace who was looking into his eyes with a deadly gaze.

(Thud) Before any of them could react their leader swung his fist connecting cleanly with Jace's gut. "Ugh" he groaned in response but other than that he remained standing his gaze never leaving the man in front of him.

"Haha Crenshaw strong right, we'll stick to ball boy, the streets ain't safe wouldn't want the black panther to die in a ditch, would we?" He stated whilst lightly slapping Jace's cheek trying to get his point across. "Now run along before the bogeyman comes out to play."

With those final words, the trio continued on their way, not at all minding the little side quests they had completed. Jace on the other hand didn't waste a second thought on them as he simply entered the building. He had dealt with much worse and seen worse than this, so he wasn't too bothered.

When they say Crenshaw strong, they mostly mean about how the environment shapes you and mostly it's because of gangs like them terrorising the hood. However, even they seem to have rules like how they wouldn't touch athletes, or students when it's avoidable. Parents don't play about their kids and with the many kids becoming collateral damage to gang wars none of them were tolerated heckling school kids.

Unless the students themselves started hanging out with them the gangs would generally stay away. However, they seemed to be trying to recruit athletes like scouts offering protection in exchange for future money. It's practically a long-term investment that they want to make but only the dumb ones even consider them.

~~~

"You're home big brother, how was your game you won right, because you're the best." An energetic girl exclaimed the moment he opened the front door. He was able to hear her before he could see her and in the next moment, she speared his stomach pulling him into a hug.

Despite being hurt from the game, which was agitated by the punch he still caught her not showing any signs of pain. The little girl barely reached the height of his chest standing at around 5 feet at the age of 10. "Of course, my Lady Bug you're Big Brother is a superhero."

Following Jace's words he picked up his little sister carrying her at his hip as he walked into the apartment. Looking around the gloomy apartment with paint practically falling off the walls and mould marks appearing on the corners of the walls. He wasn't disgusted by this having already made his piece with their living environment which was the best they could afford.

After their parents died his big sister who had just turned 20 barely completed her second year of studies at Sacramento State. She had to put a hold on her studies as none of our uncles and aunties who all showed up to the funeral for the free food stepped up to take the younger siblings in. Those who did were obviously doing it for the child benefits they would receive, thus forcing Yara to become a mother to her younger siblings.

"What's up Ya, I got your lamb chops, You wanted the ones from old man Jacks, right?" Jace asked his older sister the moment he entered the living room with his little sister clinging to him like a koala.

"Yeah, they the ones," she absent-mindedly responded as she looked up from her beaten-up laptop only to shout in the next second. "Kyra get off your brother right now he's probably tired from the game."

Like a soldier listening to a commanding officer Kyra jumped off Jace faster than a cat stepping on tin foil. "Thanks, Ya," Jace said with a smirk, setting the bag of lamb chops on the kitchen counter. "Have you been glued to that laptop all day; you don't have to worry so much I'll have us sorted once I get drafted. You can even go back to school to study design or not, I got you regardless Yard,"

Hearing her brethren's words Yara could only sigh as she proceeded to brush back a loose loc. She is a beautiful woman who should be in the prime of her life with black slender locks cascading from her head. Her hazel eyes, small nose, perfectly proportioned mouth and little freckles that dotted her cheeks gave her the face of an angel.

That goes without mentioning her slender frame, and the poise with which she carries herself. Safe to say that if she had pursued her career in fashion and entertainment, she would have been very successful. If not for the fact she was stuck to her wheelchair she would be the vision of perfection.

"Just go get the Tiger balm I'll help you apply it to your back," Yara simply said as she wheeled herself towards the sofa.

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To be continued…