Chapter 59 – Victory Ride

Monday Evening | Bus Ride Home

The bus was alive with energy—music blasting, windows fogged with excitement, and the championship trophy riding in the front seat like royalty. The Rosehill Wolves had done it. Champions. And now, they were heading back to Rosehill with more than just a win—they were taking home pride, proof, and stories they'd remember forever.

Ryan sat near the middle of the bus, still in his jersey, sweaty and smiling. The gold medal around his neck caught the light every time the bus bounced on a bump. He leaned his head against the window for a moment, letting the cool glass remind him this wasn't a dream.

Across the aisle, Ben was retelling one of his defensive plays to anyone who would listen—even if they'd already heard it three times. "No, no, seriously! He thought he had me, right? But I read it—I read it!—and boom, I'm there before the ball!"

Everyone laughed, cheered, or threw in their own version of the story.

Up front, Coach Daniels sat with his cap turned backward, watching his boys through the rearview mirror with a proud grin. He didn't need to say anything. The noise, the joy—it said it all.

Anna and Savannah, sitting with the cheer squad near the back, had their arms linked and their voices raised. "We are the champions" played through someone's Bluetooth speaker, and the whole bus joined in.

Anna glanced at Ryan, and for a moment, the chaos faded. Their eyes met—just a quiet look across the space, like they were both thinking about how far everything had come. A look that said, This is just the beginning.

Savannah was waving her phone, already recording clips for a montage. "This one's going on the café wall," she shouted, laughing.

Mr. James had given them all a mini speech back at the court before they left: "Trophies are cool, but the real prize is who you become while chasing it." Ryan had stored that away like treasure.

Jack, who had driven up to the game, was waiting to meet them back in town. He'd offered to cook for everyone at the café once they got back. "One celebration dinner—my treat," he said. And no one argued with that.

As the bus rolled along the dark road, music turned into chants, chants turned into laughter, and laughter into a moment of silence—Coach Daniels stood up and faced the team.

"You earned this," he said, voice steady but proud. "Every drop of sweat, every hour, every time you didn't quit—this is what it built. This trophy? It's more than just metal. It's a reminder that Rosehill's got heart."

The team clapped, whistled, patted shoulders.

"Enjoy it," Coach finished. "Because next season—we defend it."

That got a cheer so loud it probably echoed through the trees lining the road.

Ryan leaned back, closing his eyes just for a second. He thought of how it started—being the new kid, not wanting to connect, not planning to stay. And now here he was—medal on his chest, teammates around him, people who mattered, and maybe... people who saw the real him.

Ben nudged him. "Hey, Wolf. You good?"

Ryan smirked. "Yeah. I'm really good."

The bus turned toward Rosehill, headlights cutting through the night, carrying a team that had not just won the tournament—but had found something more along the way.

Family. Friendship. And maybe... the beginning of something great.