As the sun dipped low and the park lights flickered on, the team gathered their things, stretching and yawning after hours of hanging out. The vibe was light, but there was still that edge of tension about the matches to come.
King stood up, dusting off his jeans. "Yo, before y'all go home… I've been thinking."
Everyone turned their heads.
King grinned. "How about we do a sleepover at my place tomorrow? No practice, no stress—just chill, laugh, maybe run some games on the console. What do you guys think?"
Treasure's eyes lit up immediately. "Bet! Say less! I've been waiting for this."
Mia chuckled. "That actually sounds fun."
Ebun raised an eyebrow, but a small smile crept across her face. "Hmm… I could use a break."
Cadel leaned back against the bench. "You know what? I'm in. It might be good for us."
Jasmine clapped her hands. "Then it's settled!"
King pointed at AJ. "But hold up—everybody's bringing something. AJ, you're in charge of snacks."
AJ pulled down his hoodie and rolled his eyes. "Figures. Fine. Chips, soda, candy. I got it."
Treasure laughed. "Don't forget the spicy ones, bro. You know how I roll."
King turned to Jasmine. "You're on movies. Load up something good—we're not watching boring stuff."
Jasmine smirked. "Don't worry. I'll bring a mix: comedy, action, maybe one scary film to keep things interesting."
Mia raised her hand. "I'll bring desserts. Cookies, cupcakes, you know… the good stuff."
Ebun finally spoke up. "I'll handle the music. Somebody has to keep the vibe right."
Cadel shrugged. "Guess that leaves me with…? What do you want me to bring?"
King grinned mischievously. "Pillows. And lots of them. You're in charge of making sure no one complains about sleeping on the floor."
Cadel rolled his eyes but smirked. "Fine. But if anyone steals mine, I'm fighting."
Everyone burst into laughter.
With the plan in place, they all started heading home. King felt a warmth in his chest as he watched his friends scatter in different directions. It wasn't just about basketball anymore—this bond was growing deeper, stronger.
The Next Day – Sleepover Day
The sun had barely set when the Royal Court members started arriving at King's house.
Treasure came first, carrying a big bag of chips that almost tore from how heavy it was. "I told AJ I wasn't trusting him to buy the hot stuff, so I brought backup."
"Bruh," King laughed, shaking his head.
Not long after, Jasmine showed up with a stack of DVDs and a flash drive. "We're covered for movies. And yes, there's at least one horror movie in there."
Mia arrived with a tray of cupcakes neatly decorated with basketball-themed frosting. "Don't eat them all at once," she warned Treasure, who was already eyeing them.
Ebun pulled out her phone the moment she stepped in, Bluetooth already connected to the speaker. "I'm the DJ tonight. No complaints."
AJ walked in last, tossing a bag of mixed snacks on the couch. "Don't ever say I don't contribute."
Cadel followed right after him, carrying a giant duffel bag filled with blankets and pillows. "You said bring plenty? I think I overdid it."
The living room quickly turned into a battlefield of snacks, blankets, and playful arguments about what to watch first.
Treasure had already claimed the best spot on the couch. Jasmine tried to push him off. Mia was laughing as she arranged the cupcakes on the table. AJ had his hood up again, sitting quietly but with a small smirk as the chaos unfolded.
King looked around his house, at his team, his friends—his family. This was more than just a night to relax. It was a memory they would carry, one that would remind them that before they were players, they were people who needed each other.
And tomorrow night? The truth or dare game was waiting.