Chapter 3-3
894 Words
Judd enters the gym just in time to join the rest of the basketball team as they run past. He trots at the front of the pack like he was there all along, waving and grinning at the roaring crowd of kids in the stands.
His best friend--and the team's star point guard--Wayne Leary, bumps him with his elbow as they run a lap around the gym. "Nice of you to join us, superstar."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Judd grins and waves at a line of teachers on the floor, and every one of them smiles and waves back. "Wouldn't want you to hog all the glory, Wayne."
"You suck, Judd." Wayne smiles, too, as he plows his elbow into Judd's side again, harder this time. "You never change, do you?"
"Hey." Judd throws an elbow of his own into Wayne's ribs. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Wayne's coal-black face gleams in the bright wash of light from overhead. "I am so gonna sabotage your ass at practice today."
"Knock yourself out, Leary." Judd shoots him a nasty smirk, but there's nothing mean-spirited about it. Wayne's been his best friend since the eighth grade, and friendship, in their case, consists mainly of harassing each other every chance they get. "It'll be like any other practice, I guess."
Wayne's about to say something when Principal Wyland, at the far end of the gym, starts shouting into her microphone. "This year's West Beach Marauders, district six champions for the fifth year running...are about to become state champions for the third time in a row!"
The crowd roars louder, and the marching band rattles off the fight song again.
The basketball team lines up along one side of the court and awaits their cues. Judd has done it so many times before, he knows the drill well, knows exactly what is coming next...
(Every word, every note, every motion.)
...not that it ever gets old for him. Not that he ever ever gets tired of being the star of the show. He's glad that some things never change.
Like, for instance, the chills that run up his spine when the principal calls his name. "Introducing Team Captain Judd Ramsey!"
The same wave of sound crashes through the gym at the mention of his name. The same surge of energy rushes down from every howling body in the stands, cascading and converging on Judd as he runs to the center of the court. He drinks it in, basks in it, as he waves at the adoring multitude.
They throw down their love like a thousand red roses. Judd poses at mid-court under the blazing bright lights, turning in a circle like a champion bullfighter.
The cheerleaders, Kaela included, leap and twist and shake their pompoms. Ranks of smiling teachers and staff clap approvingly. A mascot in a barbarian costume dashes circles around the floor, shaking a plastic prop double-edged ax.
Judd dreams of this moment often. Everyone is focused on him with unwavering intensity. The air crackles with the force of their love and approval. He can do no wrong; his confidence cannot be diminished, and his works cannot be undermined. Everything is all about him.
In other words, it is very much like every other moment of his life.
(Only better.)
Kids are taking photos with their phones. Girls are giving him the eye. Hundreds of people think about him all at once. Does he think about them? No way, José. But it's no big thang. The ones who count are his peeps--his teammates, his buddies, his past-or-present-or-potential girlfriends, the people he parties with. As for the rest...
(Just listen to 'em roar!)
...they matter only as a group, as a mass, beaming their adulation his way in concert. The rest of them only matter because of what they can do for him together.
Not that he'd ever tell them that. Or that he'd need to. Because let's face it, they already know, and they're fine with it.
Obviously. Just watch, as Judd flings up the old double-pump, cranking both fists in the air, and the crowd goes wild. Every kid in the gym howls with sheer overexcited delight, roaring like hypercharged race cars leaping into high gear.
Only a scattering of freaks and weirdos holds back from going bananas. But frankly, they're like shadows to Judd, little blank spaces in the grand super-movie spooling out through his world. They're like bacteria; they have a role in the ecosystem, but he doesn't see them, isn't aware they exist. He doesn't let them spoil his groove, doesn't stop to wonder what the movie looks like to them. Why would he?
One figure stands alone in the ever-lovin' midcourt spotlight, swimming in the glorious currents of mass hero-worship. One hero stands poised...
(Shine on, Judd! Shine on!)
...to win a state championship, cementing his legend...
(Their legend! The whole school will be champion!)
...and bringing down wave upon wave of glory that is just gonna make him shine brighter and all the rest of them too from his reflected light.
Listen! They're chanting his name!
More chills flicker-flash up his spine. His smile couldn't be any wider. This is what he lives for; this is what he's all about. Open him up, and this is what you'll see.
What's that you hear in the background, rising up to drown out the roar and the fight song from the marching band? Oh yeahhhh....
Judd's theme, that same cool song you heard in your head when he first woke up, when you first saw his face, is playing loud and clear.
Niiiiiice.
- Writer
