Target Center – Player Locker Room
June 25, 2016. 1:37 p.m.
The room buzzed with post-practice chatter.
Sweat. Towels. Banter.
But Elias sat alone.
No one had spoken to him.
Not directly.
Not yet.
Until now.
The Confrontation
The starting center—veteran, vocal, respected—walked over.
"You think you're better than us?"
Elias looked up.
Not defensive.
Just present.
"No."
"Then why don't you talk? Why don't you dap anyone up? Why don't you act like you're part of this team?"
Elias paused.
Then stood.
"Because I'm still deciding if this team wants me here."
The room went quiet.
The Shift
Another rookie chimed in.
"You got picked fifth. You don't get to act like you're above us."
Elias turned to him.
"I'm not above anyone.
I'm just not beneath the system that drafted me without knowing who I am."
The rookie blinked.
"Then who are you?"
Elias smiled—small, real.
"Still figuring that out.
But I know I'm not here to be liked.
I'm here to be felt."
The Unexpected
The room stayed silent.
Then the youngest player—undrafted, quiet—spoke.
"You play like you've been through something."
Elias sat back down.
"I have.
But I don't wear it.
I encode it."
He looked around.
"I'm not trying to be mysterious.
I'm just not ready to leak."
Post-Practice Ritual
Elias showered last.
Dressed slow.
No rush.
As he left, the starting center called out.
"You ever gonna talk more?"
Elias didn't turn around.
"Only when the silence stops working."