333: Rekindling of an old Friendship

Rekindling of an old Friendship

"No naps here but you're still gonna have to wait a bit Dev, we got a pretty big order ahead of you. Not to mention all the pick up calls we just got."2

A twenty-something-year-old man with dark brown medium-length curly hair, and sideburns that connected to a full beard and stache, walked from the back room to the counter.

With tanned skin, somewhat muscular arms, and a potbelly that was covered by an apron that had a fresh patch of flour across it, he smiled as he looked at the young boy that had just walked in.

Dev looked to be around 5'7 (170cm) and was dressed in blue denim jeans that had stylized rips across the knees and a black hoodie.

With his orange-dyed hair cut into a high fade flat top Dev smiled as he walked up to the counter. His head dropped into his arms that were resting on the counter.

"Ah come on Donny! You can't do this to me man, my stomaches empty and I'm dyin." Seeing how he was acting Jason couldn't help but chuckle.

'I would say I'm glad to see that Dev hasn't changed but considering I went back in time I guess it would be more accurate to say that he's been the same since middle school.'

Donny slapped Devin on the shoulder "Sorry bud, nothing much I can do except for try to get these orders out as fast as I can."

He then looked over at Coach Swendel who was sitting at one of the tables "Some of the pizza's you ordered are ready chief."

As he was getting ready to get up Jason approached "I got it Coach, I'll take them to the tables." He then made his way to the counter.

Picking up a large pizza in each hand Jason turned his gaze to Dev who was still whining on the counter.

"Devin Collins right? You're the starting Shooting Guard for Dominion Middle School." Hearing Jason's voice Devin turned his head toward him.

"Huh? Yeah-oh snaps, I know you! You're Jaya, the big hotshot from Jefferson." Devin jumped to his feet and straightened up his posture.

"What are the chances haha, must be a small world for us to be meetin up like this. Outta all the pizza joints in the city we both came here."

Jason chuckled "Haha yeah, small world." He then paused for a moment as he turned to look at his table.

"Seeing as how we're still waiting for the rest of our order to come out it might be a while until you can get an order in.

You can join us if you want to. Consider it a gift from a visiting team." Without hesitation Devin answered with a smile.

"Hell yeah! I never say no to some free grub." Still smiling Jason thought to himself 'So he was a glutton even back in middle school.'

He then tilted his head over to the counter where a few more freshly made pizzas were waiting "Just give us a hand and we can start eating."

After bringing the pizzas over and distributing them across the two tables Jason brought Devin over to the one where he was sitting at with the rest of his friends.

"Hey guys, this is Devin Collins. He's the starting Shooting Guard for the team we'll be playing here in Chicago."

After taking a seat at the end of the table Devin gave a wave while smiling "Sup, can't wait to play y'all. Oh, and thanks for the grub."

He then stood up in a hurry and looked in the direction of Coach Swendel "Thanks for letting me sit in on the team dinner coach."

Coach Swendel put up a strained smile as he turned around in his chair "Haha sure, no problem." As he thought to himself 'Why the hell do we have a player from the opposing team eating dinner with us?'

Devin then sat back down before quickly picking up a slice of pepperoni pizza. Kyle and the rest of the boys sat silently for a few seconds surprised by the identity of their new guest.

Vince broke the silence with a burst of laughter as he then proceeded to smack DJ on the shoulder "Leave it to Jaya to end up inviting the enemy to a team dinner huh?"

DJ took a bite from the slice in his hand before shrugging his shoulders "Man, if it was anyone but Jaya I'd say he was on somethin."

Jason picked up a slice "Come on guys, ain't no love on the court but we should be trying to network a bit.

If we keep playing high-level ball we'll be seeing each other for a couple of years. Who knows, a couple of scholarship offers later and you might be playing on the same team with guys you competed with."

Devin looked at Jason while shaking his head "No offense bro but you sound old as hell. The only people I hear talkin bout networkin is teachers and coaches."

Hearing him say that Kyle and the others let out a few laughs. Devin stuffed the remainder of his slice into his mouth before continuing.

"But he do got a point. Especially since you guys don't play AAU ball. Most of us at least know about each other from runnin the circuits."

Jason nodded his head with a satisfied look on his face "You get it. So put in a good word for us with your teammates Devin.

Who knows, we might end up on the same team in high school or college." Devin thought about it for a second before gulping down the contents of his mouth.

"Aight, for sure. Don't know how much good it'll do but consider it thanks for the grub."

More pizzas came out as the dinner progressed through the night. Coach Swendel and all of the boys ate their fill as cheerful laughter and discussion echoed across the room.

The entire time as the meal went on Jason couldn't help but have various memories well up from within the deepest parts of his mind as he listened to the young Devin partake in the laughter and conversation.

The impact of meeting him for the first time in this lifetime being just as great as when he had first seen his parents after being brought back in time that fateful morning.

Thankfully he was much more accustomed to the thought and had accepted the fact that he was given a second chance to live through his past. Otherwise he may have embarrassed himself with another outburst of emotion similar to the one he had the first day back.

Thinking back to the reason why he transferred schools and moved all the way from Chicago to Riverside Jason thought to himself

'After everything you've done for me Dev I'll make sure to pay it back this time.' A thought then popped into his head  'I can probably save him some trouble if I have him transfer out sooner.'

Outside the pizzeria, Devin was smiling ear to ear as he blew into his hands and began to rub them together in an attempt to warm them up.

"Yo, thanks again for the pizza Coach Swendel." He then turned to Jason and the rest of the kids "I appreciate the grub for real.

But don't expect this to change a thing when it comes to us playin out there on the court. I ain't trynna have my last season ah middle school basketball end just yet.

At least not until me and my team is raisin up that National trophy." Hearing his confident words Jason couldn't help but smile as he shook his head slightly.

"Wouldn't have it any other way Dev. Me and the guys wouldn't want to hear any excuses from you or your team after we move on to the next round of the tournament."

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