Location: Lucas Graves' Private Gym
The sunlight poured through the tall windows, slicing golden rectangles across the polished hardwood floor. The gym smelled faintly of sweat, leather, and the faint tang of ozone from the ventilation. Sneakers squeaked rhythmically against the court, the hollow echo of a ball bouncing, and the occasional laughter of teammates filled the air. For the first time in what felt like weeks, the space felt almost normal, a fragile bubble of ordinary life. Ethan wiped sweat from his brow, dribbling the ball slowly as he scanned his teammates moving around him. Ryan flexed for no one in particular, Louie trash-talked the air with exaggerated gestures, and Brandon quietly boxed out imaginary opponents beneath the hoop.
"Alright, reset! Let's run the motion again!" Ethan barked, passing the ball sharply to Lucas.
