The squeak of sneakers still echoed through the gym, the thud of basketballs hitting hardwood a steady rhythm in the background.
But Nikola barely heard any of it.
He was still locked in his own world a strange mixture of exhaustion and rising confidence. The warmth of finally outperforming Jamie hadn't left his chest, but the drill wasn't over yet. He remained seated off to the side, water bottle resting loosely in his hand, gaze distant.
Then
"Yo, what's up?"
A voice broke through his thoughts.
Nikola blinked, lifting his head.
Standing in front of him was none other than Kris the calm, sharp shooting player with the smooth jumper who'd just tied his midrange score.
He was light skinned with clean, short cropped hair and a relaxed posture.
Nikola straightened up slightly. "Uh... hey," he said, a bit caught off guard.
Kris gave a quick nod, the corner of his mouth tugging into a half smile.
"You were on fire out there," he said. "That three point round? Nineteen? Not bad at all."
Nikola blinked, unsure whether to feel flattered or suspicious. "Thanks," he replied, voice still a little low. "You weren't too bad yourself. You hit 17 on both."
Kris chuckled. "Yeah, but you got the edge on the three. I saw you watching Jamie, too."
Nikola gave a small shrug. "Can't help it. He's... good."
"Sure," Kris said, leaning back slightly. "But so are you."
Nikola shifted on the bench, letting out a small laugh. "You know," he said, glancing up at Kris, "I was watching you too. That shot form of yours... smooth as hell. You barely even jump and it still goes in."
Kris smirked, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I get that a lot. Coaches always told me to jump higher, but I guess I just stuck with what worked."
"I wish I could say the same," Nikola replied, smiling. "I probably missed over a thousand shots trying to fix mine."
"That's how it goes," Kris said, his tone easy and casual. "Trial and error until it finally clicks. You got a nice rhythm, though. Like when you hit your third shot in that last drill? I knew you were heating up."
Nikola chuckled. "You noticed that?"
"Of course. I pay attention," Kris said, crossing his arms and leaning slightly against the wall. "Especially to the ones who actually know how to hoop."
There was a short pause between them. It wasn't awkward just... calm. Like the tension of the tryout momentarily eased up.
"You're not like I expected," Nikola said honestly. "You've got that killer instinct on the court, but you're pretty chill off it."
Kris shrugged, eyes scanning the court. "I get that a lot too. But I figure there's enough ego in this gym already. Doesn't hurt to be decent."
Nikola nodded slowly, his guard lowering more and more with each word. "Well... glad you came over. I was kinda in my own head."
Kris gave him a nudge with his elbow. "We all get like that. Just don't stay there too long."
For the first time in what felt like the entire day, Nikola let out a real, full laugh. "Thanks, man."
"No problem," Kris said. "We'll probably be going head to head again soon anyway. Might as well get to know the competition."
"Guess that makes us rivals then?"
Kris gave him a wide grin. "Nah. Teammates, maybe. Rivals... eventually. Friends for now?"
Nikola blinked, then returned the grin. "Yeah. Friends."
But just as the mood settled into something easy and genuine
BZZZT.
Kumstrim's voice echoed through the gym again.
"Alright, that wraps up the shooting drills! Everyone head over to the next station we're moving on in two minutes!"
Kris stood and stretched. "Duty calls."
Nikola got up too, the weight in his chest lighter than it had been all day. "Let's show 'em what we've got."
Kris shot him a confident look. "You read my mind."
And just like that, they jogged off together.
Kumstrim once again took the microphone in hand, his voice steady and clear as it echoed through the gymnasium.
"Next drill Catch and Shoot from the three point line. You'll each be taking twenty five shots: five from each of the five standard spots on the arc both corners, both wings, and the top. Please get into line."
The group began to move, sneakers squeaking against the hardwood as bodies shuffled into formation.
Nikola and Kris, without a word, fell into line one behind the other ending up near the middle of the pack.
Kris let out a small breath and glanced over his shoulder. "Guess we're synced up again, huh?"
Nikola smiled faintly. "Yeah... can't shake you even if I tried."
Kris chuckled. "Not that you'd want to."
Their shoulders lightly bumped as the line inched forward, player by player stepping up to shoot.
The tension of competition still loomed in the air, but between the two of them, things had softened. There was still pressure always was in a tryout but now, it wasn't just about proving yourself alone. It was about measuring up beside someone you respected.
"Think you're gonna light it up again?" Kris asked casually.
"I'll try," Nikola replied. "The rim's been kind to me so far."
Kris gave a low whistle. "Man's got confidence now. I like that."
Nikola laughed quietly, the anxiety from earlier now a distant echo. "Just hoping it sticks around."
They continued to chat light banter, shared observations, small jokes about Kumstrim's whistle and the robotic ball boy who retrieved stray shots. The kind of talk that filled the waiting time and kept nerves at bay.
And as the line grew shorter, both of them grew quieter, focusing their energy inward, readying themselves for the next test.
The line moved again, and this time it was Nikola's turn.
He took a slow breath, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on his shoulders.
Just as he began to step forward toward the shooting rack, a calm voice reached out behind him.
"Good luck, man."
Nikola paused and turned slightly.
It was Kris his arms folded, his expression relaxed, but his words carried genuine warmth.
For a moment, Nikola didn't know what to say. After all the self doubt, all the jealousy, all the pressure... that simple gesture reminded him he wasn't completely alone in this.
He gave a small nod, his lips tugging into a faint but sincere smile.
"Thanks," he replied quietly.
With renewed calm, Nikola turned back toward the court and walked forward, his steps steady, his heart focused.