As the sharp whistle blew to signal the end of the drill, a wave of relief washed over the gym. Kumstrim lifted the microphone once more and announced with his usual stoic tone:
"That concludes the physical testing. You now have a one hour break. Shooting drills will begin after."
The tension in the gym loosened. Players began scattering toward benches, water fountains, or just collapsing on the floor in silence. The air buzzed with exhaustion.
High above in the stands, Hao stood up and turned to his quiet companion.
"Hey," Hao said, adjusting his cap slightly. "Want to head down? There's an hour break now."
Aleksandar, who had been sitting still for most of the tryouts with his eyes locked on the court, gave a small nod.
"Sure."
The two made their way down from the bleachers, weaving through the side of the court. The polished floor squeaked beneath their shoes, and echoes of heavy breathing and bouncing balls filled the background.
They didn't have to search long.
Slumped against the wall, sitting on the floor with his arms resting on his knees, was Nikola.
His head hung low, eyes fixed on the ground, as if the weight of every failed drill was sitting squarely on his back.
When Aleksandar saw him, he smiled gently and approached.
"There you are." His voice was light and calm, trying to slice through the heavy fog around his friend.
"Thought we lost you for a second."
Nikola slowly looked up. His eyes looked distant... and tired.
Nikola sat there like a shadow of himself, sweat still clinging to his face, his shoulders slouched, eyes dim. Aleksandar crouched down in front of him while Hao stood just behind, watching silently.
"So," Aleksandar said gently, resting an elbow on his knee, "how did it go?"
There was a pause. Nikola didn't look up. His voice came out low, almost bitter.
"...Terrible."
Aleksandar blinked. "Really? I mean come on, you're being hard on yourself, right? You finished all the drills, didn't you?"
Nikola finally looked up, and for the first time, Aleksandar saw something in his friend's eyes he hadn't seen before disappointment that cut deep.
"I couldn't beat that guy Jamie... not in a single drill." His voice cracked slightly at the end. "Not in vertical... not in agility... not even in the sprint. I was always behind. No matter what I did."
Aleksandar opened his mouth to say something, but Nikola shook his head.
"I gave everything I had... and it still wasn't enough." He forced a bitter smile. "Must be nice, huh? Being born like that strong, fast, gifted. Jamie looked like he belonged out there. Me? I looked like a fan who snuck onto the court."
Silence hung in the air for a moment.
Even Hao, usually quick with encouragement, didn't know what to say just yet.
Aleksandar let out a small sigh and sat beside him on the floor.
"Well... at least you're not pretending you're perfect. That's something," he said, trying to sound light.
Nikola gave a quiet chuckle barely more than a breath.
"Doesn't feel like it helps."
Just as Nikola let out that bitter chuckle, Hao finally stepped forward, arms crossed casually over his chest, the ever present calm on his face giving way to something a little more serious.
"You do realize it's not over yet, right?" Hao said plainly, his tone not accusing, but sharp enough to cut through the fog of doubt Nikola had wrapped around himself.
Nikola looked up at him, his expression blank.
"What?"
"There's still the shooting drills," Hao continued. "It's not just about running fast or jumping high. You're not trying out for the Olympics. You're trying out for basketball."
Aleksandar nodded immediately, snapping his fingers like Hao had just solved the world's biggest mystery.
"Exactly! You've got range. That pull up jumper of yours? Not everyone out there has that in their bag."
Nikola blinked. The words hit him like a small spark in the cold. He didn't say anything right away, but something in his posture shifted only slightly. His back straightened just a little. His shoulders weren't as slumped.
"Yeah... I guess…" he muttered.
Hao raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
"You 'guess'?"
Aleksandar leaned in with a grin, nudging Nikola with his elbow.
"Come on, man. This is the part where you say something."
Nikola chuckled, a weak but genuine sound this time.
"Don't push it."
The three of them sat there for a moment in silence. And while Nikola managed a small smile, in his chest… the weight hadn't lifted. Not really.
Because deep down, he knew.
That even if he shot perfectly, even if he sank every jumper he still wouldn't be Jamie.
And no small spark of confidence could erase the storm of jealousy still brewing within him.
The hour long break slipped by faster than expected.
Hao and Aleksandar stayed the entire time, chatting with Nikola about anything and everything the drills, old games, funny memes, even the awful sandwiches served on the flight to Argentina.
Their presence didn't erase the bitterness festering in Nikola's chest… but it dulled the edge.
He laughed a few times. Even smiled without forcing it.
Eventually, the sharp tone of Kumstrim's whistle echoed through the gym, signaling the end of the break.
Hao stood up first, brushing off his jeans. Aleksandar followed, stretching his arms with a loud yawn.
"Alright, Nikola," Aleksandar said with a crooked grin, offering a fist bump. "Time to show them that range."
"Good luck," Hao added, his voice calm but steady. "It's not about beating someone else now. Just be the best version of you."
Nikola nodded, bumping fists with both of them.
"Thanks… really."
They turned and walked back toward the stands, their voices already fading into the background noise of bouncing balls and squeaking sneakers.
And Nikola was alone again.
But not like before.
His doubt still lingered, and the heavy jealousy hadn't vanished… but there was something else now.
Something faint.
A flicker.
A whisper.
Hope.