Chapter 55 – The Ride to Battle

The bus rumbled down the winding road, cutting through early morning fog as it carried the Rosehill High basketball team toward Oakridge. Inside, the air was a mix of nervous energy and adrenaline, sneakers squeaking on the floor, soft beats playing from someone's phone speaker, and the low hum of voices talking about one thing—the final game.

Ryan sat near the middle, his headphones around his neck but not playing anything yet. He stared out the window, watching the scenery blur past, his reflection staring back at him. Today wasn't just another game. It was the game. The one that mattered.

Ben sat beside him, sipping from a Gatorade bottle. "You think we're ready?" he asked, not in doubt, but in curiosity.

Ryan glanced over. "I think we've worked our asses off. I think we earned this."

Ben nodded, then grinned. "Still can't believe we're starting."

From behind them, Carter leaned forward between the seats. "You two better not choke under pressure," he said with a teasing smirk.

Ryan smirked right back. "You worried we'll outshine you?"

"Please." Carter leaned back with a laugh. "I welcome the help."

From the front, Coach Daniels stood up, balancing himself as the bus rolled along. "Alright, listen up!" he called, and every voice quieted down.

"We're walking into a tough gym today. Their crowd is loud, their team is fast, and they're not going to go easy on us. But that doesn't matter. What matters is how we play. We've prepared for this. We've got heart, hustle, and we've got each other."

A few heads nodded, eyes sharpening with focus.

"I don't care if you mess up a shot," Coach continued. "I care if you give up. I care if you stop believing. Because when you play with heart, you win even before the scoreboard tells you so."

"Let's go!" someone shouted, and the whole bus erupted with cheers and whoops. Ryan could feel it building inside him now—that rush. That quiet fire. He didn't need music. He had this.

Up front, James, the point guard, turned around. "Alright, real talk—what's everyone expecting today?"

Carter grinned. "Victory. And maybe a few bruises."

Ben stretched his legs out. "I just wanna play my game. Keep my guy locked up, feed the ball when I can. No showboating, just real ball."

Ryan finally spoke. "I wanna see what we're made of when it's hard. When we're tired and behind and it's loud. That's when it counts."

James raised a brow. "Deep."

Carter smirked. "He's been hanging with the bookstore guy too much."

Everyone laughed, even Coach from the front.

The bus turned into a parking lot, the looming gym of Oakridge High coming into view.

Ryan sat up straighter, eyes fixed forward.

This was it.

No more talk.

No more nerves.

Just the game.