The late evening air inside Lucas Graves' gym was heavy with the sound of bouncing balls, sneakers squeaking, and short bursts of laughter. The team had gathered after practice, the energy still buzzing from their recent victory. But as the drills slowed and the chatter died down, everyone noticed Ethan's expression. His eyes weren't on the court. They were on Coonie.
Coonie had been quieter than usual, sarcasm dulled, his usual sass replaced with a silence that didn't suit him. He sat slouched against the wall, hoodie pulled low, staring at nothing in particular.
Ethan finally broke it. "Guys… there's something I need to tell you."
The gym stilled. Even Louie, usually bouncing around like a pinball, stopped dribbling.
Ethan's voice was calm, but his words carried weight. "Coonie's been going through something. And it's not just stress or family drama. It's deeper."
