Invictus
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Captain Canada
Topic author - Posts: 7880
- Joined: 01 Dec 2018, 00:15
Invictus
Trying to get into your Soxstradamus bag, are we?
The quicker we can move on from this comment trope, the better for our whole community, big brudda
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Captain Canada
Topic author - Posts: 7880
- Joined: 01 Dec 2018, 00:15
Invictus
Jones, Williams team up to lead Upper St. Clair to WPIAL State Championship
By Andy Villamarzo
November 28, 2025
Under swirling snow and biting cold at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Upper St. Clair High School delivered its most complete performance of the season, overwhelming Exeter Township Senior High School 41-10 to capture the PIAA Class 5A state title.
What had been a playoff run defined by grit, explosive offense, and just enough defense turned into an outright statement game when it mattered most.
Snow fell steadily from kickoff, and the temperate never climbed above freezing. But, instead of limiting the passing game, the conditions seemed to unlock it. After an uneven postseason, quarterback Malik Richards delivered the best performance of his high school post-season career with 327 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Wide receiver Zane Jones was unstoppable to the tune of nine catches for 162 receiving yards and three huge touchdowns. Jones consistently created separation despite slippery footing, turning short throws into chunk gains and repeatedly winning contested balls. His timing with Richards was perfect, especially on deep routes and red-zone throws.
Running back Raekwon Williams provided the physical balance that kept the offense humming, with 127 rushing yards and a score. His ability to churn through contact and covert tough yardage kept the chains moving.
Upper St. Clair Game Stats
Malik Richards: 27-38, 326 passing yards, 4 touchdowns
Raekwon Williams: 15 carries, 127 rushing yards, touchdown, 5 catches, 40 receiving yards
Zane Jones: 9 catches, 162 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns
Cameron Wilson: 7 catches, 66 receiving yards
November 28, 2025
Under swirling snow and biting cold at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Upper St. Clair High School delivered its most complete performance of the season, overwhelming Exeter Township Senior High School 41-10 to capture the PIAA Class 5A state title.
What had been a playoff run defined by grit, explosive offense, and just enough defense turned into an outright statement game when it mattered most.
Snow fell steadily from kickoff, and the temperate never climbed above freezing. But, instead of limiting the passing game, the conditions seemed to unlock it. After an uneven postseason, quarterback Malik Richards delivered the best performance of his high school post-season career with 327 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Wide receiver Zane Jones was unstoppable to the tune of nine catches for 162 receiving yards and three huge touchdowns. Jones consistently created separation despite slippery footing, turning short throws into chunk gains and repeatedly winning contested balls. His timing with Richards was perfect, especially on deep routes and red-zone throws.
Running back Raekwon Williams provided the physical balance that kept the offense humming, with 127 rushing yards and a score. His ability to churn through contact and covert tough yardage kept the chains moving.
Upper St. Clair Game Stats
Malik Richards: 27-38, 326 passing yards, 4 touchdowns
Raekwon Williams: 15 carries, 127 rushing yards, touchdown, 5 catches, 40 receiving yards
Zane Jones: 9 catches, 162 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns
Cameron Wilson: 7 catches, 66 receiving yards
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Captain Canada
Topic author - Posts: 7880
- Joined: 01 Dec 2018, 00:15
Invictus
We really just getting started (taking the long road, apparently
)
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Captain Canada
Topic author - Posts: 7880
- Joined: 01 Dec 2018, 00:15
Invictus
Season IV | Chapter VI - A Couple Minutes
The locker room doors swung open and a rush of cold air hit Zane’s face as he stepped out into the night.
The noise outside was still alive - parents, students, flashes from phones going off like strobe lights. Snowflakes drifted down slower now, catching in the glow of the stadium lights.
Zane moved carefully, a slight limp in his step, his body stiff from the game. The gold championship medal bounced lightly against his chest with each step, and the State Championship MVP trophy sat firm in his left hand. His duffel bag hung heavy off his shoulder.
“Zane!”
Bianca’s voice cut through everything.
Before he could even react - arms wrapped tight around his neck, nearly knocking him off balance. She let out a high-pitched squeal, half-laughing into his shoulder.
“I still can’t believe it! I’m so thrilled for you guys!”
Zane let out a tired laugh, steadying himself as he hugged her back with his free arm. “Yeah … yeah, we did that shit.”
Mary was already circling them, phone up, snapping pictures rapid-fire.
“Don’t move - hold that - Zane look here- Bianca, smile baby!”
Felix stood just behind her, hands tucked into his coat pockets, grinning as he watched it all unfold.
Bianca pulled back just enough to look at Zane, her hands immediately moving to his shoulders, his arms, his face - checking all over.
“You scared the hell out of me,” she said, brows knit tight. “That touchdown - you didn’t get up right away-”
Zane gave a small shrug, wincing slightly as he shifted. “Yeah, I got my bell rung a little bit. I’m aight though.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, not fully buying it, but she nodded anyway, her hands lingering on his arms.
Mary stepped in then, lowering her phone for a second, her face softening. “We are so proud of you,” she said, voice warm and steady. “You hear me?”
Zane nodded, a small smile pulling at his lips.
“And your father,” she said gently. “He’d be proud of you too.”
The words landed heavier than anything else that night. And that was saying something. Zane’s smile faltered just a touch. He swallowed, nodding again.
“Thank you,” he said quietly. “All of you for coming.”
Felix stepped forward then, clapping a hand on Zane’s shoulder before gently pulling him away from the group. “C’mere for a second,” he said.
They walked a few steps off to the side, away from the flashes and noise, the crunch of snow under their feet the only sound between them for a moment.
Felix cleared his throat, looking out toward the field before turning back to him.
“I’m proud of you, kid.” Simple and direct.
Zane felt his face heat up instantly, his eyes stinging. He blinked hard, looking down for a second before meeting Felix’s gaze again.
“I don’t mean to be all soft and what not, but it’s meant a lot,” Felix continued. “Watching you grow into a man, doing all this incredible stuff. Everything that should have stopped you - it didn’t.”
Zane nodded, jaw tightening as he fought to keep it together. “Thanks, Grandpa,” he said. “For everything. None of this is worth it without you being here.”
Felix’s expression shifted, just slightly. His eyes glossed over for a moment, but he blinked it away, giving Zane a firm nod.
Mary’s voice cut back in from behind them. “Alright, enough secret man time - get over here!”
They turned as she held her phone out, arm extended wide. “Family picture time, Bianca, get in here!”
Bianca slipped back in beside Zane, wrapping an arm around his waist carefully this time. Felix stepped in on his other side, Mary angling the phone just right. They all leaned in.
The moment froze - four smiles, a championship night, snow falling softly around them.
Felix leaned over and kissed Mary on the cheek before stepping back, adjusting his coast.
“I’ll catch you tonight,” he said to Zane. “Gotta swing by the shop - finish some paperwork Mariah started. Told her I’d help after the game.”
Zane nodded. “Sounds good.”
Felix looked to Bianca. “Dinner tomorrow. Don’t think you’re getting out of hearing my stories.”
Bianca smiled. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Felix gave one last nod, then turned, heading off through the crowd, disappearing into the mix of people and lights.
Mary clapped her hands together once, energy bouncing back. “I’m assuming you guys are going to be out of my hair tonight so I can start prepping for tomorrow’s dinner?”
Zane let out a breath, shifting his weight as the fatigue settled deeper into his bones. “I don’t know,” he muttered. “I’m dead tired.”
Bianca nudged him lightly, looking up at him with a grin. “C’mon. One last night. Upper St. Clair champion - MVP - you can’t just go home.”
Zane hesitated, glancing back toward the field one more time.
He let out a small sigh, the corner of his mouth lifting.
“One more time can’t hurt.” he said.
The house pulsed with noise. Music blasted through blown-out speakers, bass rattling the windows and spilling out into the street. Bodies packed every inch of space - living room, kitchen, hallways - people shouting over each other, drinks sloshing out of red cups, laughter cutting through the chaos. The front door hadn’t closed in hours, a steady stream of people pouring in and out, tracking mud and melted snow across the floors.
Outside, it was worse - in the best way.
The lawn was trampled flat, backyard lights strung up between trees, people dancing in clusters, others gathered around fire pits trying to fight off the cold. It felt like half the town was there.
Upper St. Clair were state champions.
Zane stood in the middle of it, Bianca pressed against him. Her back to his chest, her body moving in rhythm with the music, hips rolling into him with a confidence that made him smirk. His hands rested along her sides, fingers tracing over the denim that fit her like it was made for her.
He leaned in, his voice low near her ear. “What kinda time you on?”
She tilted her head back slightly, just enough for him to hear her over the music. “This is what championship MVPs get.”
Zane let out a quiet laugh against her ear, tightening his grip on her for a second before the two of them finally broke away from the crowd.
They pushed through bodies and found their way to a cluster of couches shoved against the wall.
Luke was already there, leaned back with a drink in hand, his arm littered with bruises from the game. Cam sat beside him, posture loose, eyes glassy. Rebecca was next to Cam, legs crossed, watching everything with a quiet intensity. On the other end, Kwon had a girl - Tanya- half draped over him, her arms around his neck, whispering into his ear while he grinned like he’d already own a second championship tonight.
Zane dropped onto the couch and Bianca settled into his lap sideways, one arm looping around his neck as she leaned into him.
“Look who decided to grace us with his presence - the MVP,” Luke said, raising his cup.
Zane smirked. “Had to make an appearance.”
Luke leaned forward slightly. “So what’s the move next year? You coming to Penn State with me or what? Keep this thing rolling?”
Zane shrugged, casual. “Still figuring it out. Going to take all of my visits. Keep my options open.”
Luke nodded, accepting it. Kwon snorted, breaking apart from Tanya for a mere moment.
“That nigga just waiting to see what school is going to back up the biggest Brinks truck for his ass.”
Cam let out a short laugh beside him, dragging his cup up to his lips. His words came out a little thick.
“He’s not going anywhere but Michigan.”
The group shifted slightly.
Zane’s brow furrowed. “What?”
Cam took a long sip before lowering the cup, a crooked grin on his face. “Come on, man. You’re so fucking whipped. Ain't leaving her ass to come up for air.”
He nodded toward Bianca.
Luke chuckled awkwardly, clearly not trying to get caught in whatever this was turning into.
Bianca’s expression tightened. She shot a look at Cam, then glanced back at Zane.
Zane leaned forward slightly. “What’s your fucking issue?”
Cam shrugged, leaning back like he didn’t care. “Ain’t got one.”
Then, louder, more pointed - “Just tired of everything being the Zane Jones show. Upper St. Clair won the State, but we still sucking you off.”
The words hung there.
Bianca’s voice came quieter, but sharp. “Jealousy is so fucking ugly.”
Cam’s head snapped toward her. “Ain’t nobody jealous, bitch.”
The air shifted immediately. Luke straightened up. “Alright, hey-”
But Zane was already moving. Bianca slid off his lap as he stood, slow and deliberate. The noise of the party kept going around them, but inside that small circle, everything tightened.
Zane stepped forward, stopping right in front of Cam. He bent slightly at the waist, bringing himself eye level.
Close.
“You want to repeat that shit?” Zane said, voice low.
Cam didn’t back up, but the grin faded a little.
Zane held his stare. “You can apologize,” he continued, calm but firm. “Or we can settle this shit right here, right now.”
He didn’t raise his voice.
Didn’t need to.
For a second, nobody moved. The music still blasted. People still danced. But around the couches, a pocket of tension locked everything in place.
Zane stayed bent forward, eyes drilled into Cam’s. Steady. Unwavering.
Cam’s jaw tightened, his grip around his cup flexing until it crinkled. All the noise in his head - the comparisons, the looks, the way people said Zane’s name first, always first - boiled over at once.
“Man, fuck you-”
He lunged. Fast, but sloppy. Zane saw it the whole way. He caught him at the shoulders, pivoted his hips, and used Cam’s own momentum to throw him down hard onto the floor. The impact rattled the table, drinks sloshing over the edge.
A few people nearby shouted, backing up.
Cam rolled, scrambling to get his feet under him, but his balance wasn’t there. The alcohol slowed him, made everything a half step behind.
Zane didn’t hesitate. He stepped in and threw. A clean right hand. It cracked against Cam’s jaw with a sharp, sickening pop that cut through even the music. Zane felt it shoot up his arm, all the way to his shoulder.
Cam’s head snapped to the side. His body stalled for a split second - stunned - but instinct kicked in.
He dropped low and grabbed Zane’s legs. His knees buckled - already shot from the game - and the two of them crashed to the ground, knocking into the edge of the couch. The room erupted now, voices shouting, people scrambling to get out of the way.
Cam got on top, swinging wild.
His fist connected once. Twice. Glancing, but hard enough. Zane grunted, turning his head, then drove his elbow up.
Straight into Cam’s midsection. A dull thud. Cam’s breath left him in a sharp gasp. His boldly folded just enough.
Zane shoved him off. They separated, both trying to rise again, but hands were already on them.
“Yo, chill! Chill!”
Luke grabbed Zane around the shoulders, Abdul and Brock jumping in to help hold him back as he surged forward again, teeth clenched, eyes blazing.
Across from him, Cam stumbled backward, one hand on his stomach, the other bracing against Rebecca as she grabbed him, trying to steady him.
Zane strained against the grip holding him. “Fuck you!,” he roared, voice raw. “We’re fucking done. Don’t ever come near me again!”
Cam sucked in a breath, still trying to recover, but the anger pushed through.
“After all I’ve done for you-”
“Done for me?” Zane snapped, cutting him off instantly. “I’m tired of covering for you. Cleaning up your bullshit every time you get fucked up and start shooting your mouth off.”
The room had gone quiet around them now. People watched, phones half-raised, unsure if they should record or step in.
Bianca stepped in front of Zane, grabbing his face with both hands, forcing him to look at her.
“Hey - hey. Breathe.”
Zane’s chest heaved. His jaw flexed.
“Let’s get out of here,” she said, firm but calm. “This shit is done.”
He held her gaze for a second longer, then finally nodded once. The fight drained out of his shoulders just enough.
He spat to the side - dark red hitting the floor - and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
Bianca took his hand without hesitation and started pulling him toward the door. They moved through the crowd, people parting, whispering, watching.
As they passed Cam, Bianca slowed just slightly. Didn’t even look at him.
“You’re going to regret this.”
Then she kept walking. And Zane didn’t look back.
The city looked different at night.
Felix kept one hand draped over the steering wheel, the other resting near the gearshift as he eased his car through a string of yellow lights. Storefronts blurred past him - some dark, metal gates pulled down over their windows, others still glowing with late-night customers drifting in and out. Neon signs flickered in patches, reflecting off the windshield in streaks of red and blue.
His headlights swept across the pavement ahead, catching bits of cracked asphalt and the occasional puddle left behind from melted snow earlier in the day.
He should’ve been home. The thought sat in the back of his mind, steady and persistent. He could picture it clearly - Mary in the living room, the TV on low, waiting. Maybe what would have made tea. Maybe she would doze off in her chair and pretend she hadn’t when he walked in. It would have been easy to call Mariah, tell her they would sort the numbers in the morning.
Instead, he flicked on his turn signal and rode through a quiet intersection.
The engine hummed beneath him, a familiar, comforting sound. One of the few things in his life that still made sense without effort.
The snow had started to come down heavier by the fourth quarter, sticking just enough to dust the edge of the turf. The stadium lights cut through it, making every flake look brighter than it should have been. The crowd had been on its feet, bundled in coasts and blankets, breath fogging the air.
Zane. The kid had been everything. Felix let out a small breath through his nose, a faint smile pulling at one corner of his mouth.
Running routes, cutting across the field, getting hit and popping right back up like it didn’t matter. That last touchdown - Felix could still see it. The way Zane pulled the ball in and braced for contact, the way he bounced off the ground and kept moving like nothing could stop him.
Felix adjusted his grip on the wheel, his fingers tightening slightly. Rasheed would’ve loved that.
He slowed as he approached another light, tapping the brakes as it turned red. The car idled softly as he sat there, staring ahead at the empty stretch of road.
The light turned green. He pressed the gas, the car rolling forward again.
Zane had done everything right. Everything Felix had hoped for, whether he had said it out loud or not. Discipline. Focus. Staying out of trouble. Carrying himself like he had something to prove, but never needing to say it.
Felix exhaled slowly, eyes flicking toward the side mirror before settling back on the road. He turned onto the familiar block, the auto shop coming into view at the end of the street.
Something felt off immediately. He slowed. The lot was too bright.
His headlights flooded an entirely dark shop. Which it shouldn’t have been. Mariah’s car was still parked - tucked away in the corner under a street light. She was presumably still in the office, finishing paperwork.
The front door wasn’t shut all the way. It sat slightly ajar, just enough for a thin line of light to spill out onto the pavement.
He felt something tighten in his chest. For a second, he didn’t move. Just sat there, staring at the door, the faint hum of his engine filling the silence around him.
He reached for the keys and pushed the door open.
His keys hit the concrete first. They clattered and skidded somewhere under a workbench, the sharp sound echoing through the hollowed-out garage. For a split second, it was the only thing he could hear. Not the hum of the street outside..
Everything rushed back in at once.
The smell hit him - copper and oil mixing in the air. The overhead fluorescent lights buzzed faintly, flickering just enough to make the shadows shift along the walls. Mariah was crumpled near the front of the shop, one arm tucked awkwardly under her, the other stretched toward nothing. A dark stain had spread beneath her, soaking into the cracks of the concrete.
Felix’s chest tightened. His breath caught halfway in.
“Ma-”
The word never made it out. The cold press of metal dug into the center of his back, just off his spine. Heavy. Unforgiving. It forced him forward half an inch, enough to remind him exactly what it was.
Boots scraped lightly against the floor as they adjusted their stance behind them. Close enough that Felix could feel the heat coming off them, smell the leather and something sharp - cologne or sweat, Felix couldn’t tell.
“Night night, old man.”
The locker room doors swung open and a rush of cold air hit Zane’s face as he stepped out into the night.
The noise outside was still alive - parents, students, flashes from phones going off like strobe lights. Snowflakes drifted down slower now, catching in the glow of the stadium lights.
Zane moved carefully, a slight limp in his step, his body stiff from the game. The gold championship medal bounced lightly against his chest with each step, and the State Championship MVP trophy sat firm in his left hand. His duffel bag hung heavy off his shoulder.
“Zane!”
Bianca’s voice cut through everything.
Before he could even react - arms wrapped tight around his neck, nearly knocking him off balance. She let out a high-pitched squeal, half-laughing into his shoulder.
“I still can’t believe it! I’m so thrilled for you guys!”
Zane let out a tired laugh, steadying himself as he hugged her back with his free arm. “Yeah … yeah, we did that shit.”
Mary was already circling them, phone up, snapping pictures rapid-fire.
“Don’t move - hold that - Zane look here- Bianca, smile baby!”
Felix stood just behind her, hands tucked into his coat pockets, grinning as he watched it all unfold.
Bianca pulled back just enough to look at Zane, her hands immediately moving to his shoulders, his arms, his face - checking all over.
“You scared the hell out of me,” she said, brows knit tight. “That touchdown - you didn’t get up right away-”
Zane gave a small shrug, wincing slightly as he shifted. “Yeah, I got my bell rung a little bit. I’m aight though.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, not fully buying it, but she nodded anyway, her hands lingering on his arms.
Mary stepped in then, lowering her phone for a second, her face softening. “We are so proud of you,” she said, voice warm and steady. “You hear me?”
Zane nodded, a small smile pulling at his lips.
“And your father,” she said gently. “He’d be proud of you too.”
The words landed heavier than anything else that night. And that was saying something. Zane’s smile faltered just a touch. He swallowed, nodding again.
“Thank you,” he said quietly. “All of you for coming.”
Felix stepped forward then, clapping a hand on Zane’s shoulder before gently pulling him away from the group. “C’mere for a second,” he said.
They walked a few steps off to the side, away from the flashes and noise, the crunch of snow under their feet the only sound between them for a moment.
Felix cleared his throat, looking out toward the field before turning back to him.
“I’m proud of you, kid.” Simple and direct.
Zane felt his face heat up instantly, his eyes stinging. He blinked hard, looking down for a second before meeting Felix’s gaze again.
“I don’t mean to be all soft and what not, but it’s meant a lot,” Felix continued. “Watching you grow into a man, doing all this incredible stuff. Everything that should have stopped you - it didn’t.”
Zane nodded, jaw tightening as he fought to keep it together. “Thanks, Grandpa,” he said. “For everything. None of this is worth it without you being here.”
Felix’s expression shifted, just slightly. His eyes glossed over for a moment, but he blinked it away, giving Zane a firm nod.
Mary’s voice cut back in from behind them. “Alright, enough secret man time - get over here!”
They turned as she held her phone out, arm extended wide. “Family picture time, Bianca, get in here!”
Bianca slipped back in beside Zane, wrapping an arm around his waist carefully this time. Felix stepped in on his other side, Mary angling the phone just right. They all leaned in.
The moment froze - four smiles, a championship night, snow falling softly around them.
Felix leaned over and kissed Mary on the cheek before stepping back, adjusting his coast.
“I’ll catch you tonight,” he said to Zane. “Gotta swing by the shop - finish some paperwork Mariah started. Told her I’d help after the game.”
Zane nodded. “Sounds good.”
Felix looked to Bianca. “Dinner tomorrow. Don’t think you’re getting out of hearing my stories.”
Bianca smiled. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Felix gave one last nod, then turned, heading off through the crowd, disappearing into the mix of people and lights.
Mary clapped her hands together once, energy bouncing back. “I’m assuming you guys are going to be out of my hair tonight so I can start prepping for tomorrow’s dinner?”
Zane let out a breath, shifting his weight as the fatigue settled deeper into his bones. “I don’t know,” he muttered. “I’m dead tired.”
Bianca nudged him lightly, looking up at him with a grin. “C’mon. One last night. Upper St. Clair champion - MVP - you can’t just go home.”
Zane hesitated, glancing back toward the field one more time.
He let out a small sigh, the corner of his mouth lifting.
“One more time can’t hurt.” he said.
***
The house pulsed with noise. Music blasted through blown-out speakers, bass rattling the windows and spilling out into the street. Bodies packed every inch of space - living room, kitchen, hallways - people shouting over each other, drinks sloshing out of red cups, laughter cutting through the chaos. The front door hadn’t closed in hours, a steady stream of people pouring in and out, tracking mud and melted snow across the floors.
Outside, it was worse - in the best way.
The lawn was trampled flat, backyard lights strung up between trees, people dancing in clusters, others gathered around fire pits trying to fight off the cold. It felt like half the town was there.
Upper St. Clair were state champions.
Zane stood in the middle of it, Bianca pressed against him. Her back to his chest, her body moving in rhythm with the music, hips rolling into him with a confidence that made him smirk. His hands rested along her sides, fingers tracing over the denim that fit her like it was made for her.
He leaned in, his voice low near her ear. “What kinda time you on?”
She tilted her head back slightly, just enough for him to hear her over the music. “This is what championship MVPs get.”
Zane let out a quiet laugh against her ear, tightening his grip on her for a second before the two of them finally broke away from the crowd.
They pushed through bodies and found their way to a cluster of couches shoved against the wall.
Luke was already there, leaned back with a drink in hand, his arm littered with bruises from the game. Cam sat beside him, posture loose, eyes glassy. Rebecca was next to Cam, legs crossed, watching everything with a quiet intensity. On the other end, Kwon had a girl - Tanya- half draped over him, her arms around his neck, whispering into his ear while he grinned like he’d already own a second championship tonight.
Zane dropped onto the couch and Bianca settled into his lap sideways, one arm looping around his neck as she leaned into him.
“Look who decided to grace us with his presence - the MVP,” Luke said, raising his cup.
Zane smirked. “Had to make an appearance.”
Luke leaned forward slightly. “So what’s the move next year? You coming to Penn State with me or what? Keep this thing rolling?”
Zane shrugged, casual. “Still figuring it out. Going to take all of my visits. Keep my options open.”
Luke nodded, accepting it. Kwon snorted, breaking apart from Tanya for a mere moment.
“That nigga just waiting to see what school is going to back up the biggest Brinks truck for his ass.”
Cam let out a short laugh beside him, dragging his cup up to his lips. His words came out a little thick.
“He’s not going anywhere but Michigan.”
The group shifted slightly.
Zane’s brow furrowed. “What?”
Cam took a long sip before lowering the cup, a crooked grin on his face. “Come on, man. You’re so fucking whipped. Ain't leaving her ass to come up for air.”
He nodded toward Bianca.
Luke chuckled awkwardly, clearly not trying to get caught in whatever this was turning into.
Bianca’s expression tightened. She shot a look at Cam, then glanced back at Zane.
Zane leaned forward slightly. “What’s your fucking issue?”
Cam shrugged, leaning back like he didn’t care. “Ain’t got one.”
Then, louder, more pointed - “Just tired of everything being the Zane Jones show. Upper St. Clair won the State, but we still sucking you off.”
The words hung there.
Bianca’s voice came quieter, but sharp. “Jealousy is so fucking ugly.”
Cam’s head snapped toward her. “Ain’t nobody jealous, bitch.”
The air shifted immediately. Luke straightened up. “Alright, hey-”
But Zane was already moving. Bianca slid off his lap as he stood, slow and deliberate. The noise of the party kept going around them, but inside that small circle, everything tightened.
Zane stepped forward, stopping right in front of Cam. He bent slightly at the waist, bringing himself eye level.
Close.
“You want to repeat that shit?” Zane said, voice low.
Cam didn’t back up, but the grin faded a little.
Zane held his stare. “You can apologize,” he continued, calm but firm. “Or we can settle this shit right here, right now.”
He didn’t raise his voice.
Didn’t need to.
For a second, nobody moved. The music still blasted. People still danced. But around the couches, a pocket of tension locked everything in place.
Zane stayed bent forward, eyes drilled into Cam’s. Steady. Unwavering.
Cam’s jaw tightened, his grip around his cup flexing until it crinkled. All the noise in his head - the comparisons, the looks, the way people said Zane’s name first, always first - boiled over at once.
“Man, fuck you-”
He lunged. Fast, but sloppy. Zane saw it the whole way. He caught him at the shoulders, pivoted his hips, and used Cam’s own momentum to throw him down hard onto the floor. The impact rattled the table, drinks sloshing over the edge.
A few people nearby shouted, backing up.
Cam rolled, scrambling to get his feet under him, but his balance wasn’t there. The alcohol slowed him, made everything a half step behind.
Zane didn’t hesitate. He stepped in and threw. A clean right hand. It cracked against Cam’s jaw with a sharp, sickening pop that cut through even the music. Zane felt it shoot up his arm, all the way to his shoulder.
Cam’s head snapped to the side. His body stalled for a split second - stunned - but instinct kicked in.
He dropped low and grabbed Zane’s legs. His knees buckled - already shot from the game - and the two of them crashed to the ground, knocking into the edge of the couch. The room erupted now, voices shouting, people scrambling to get out of the way.
Cam got on top, swinging wild.
His fist connected once. Twice. Glancing, but hard enough. Zane grunted, turning his head, then drove his elbow up.
Straight into Cam’s midsection. A dull thud. Cam’s breath left him in a sharp gasp. His boldly folded just enough.
Zane shoved him off. They separated, both trying to rise again, but hands were already on them.
“Yo, chill! Chill!”
Luke grabbed Zane around the shoulders, Abdul and Brock jumping in to help hold him back as he surged forward again, teeth clenched, eyes blazing.
Across from him, Cam stumbled backward, one hand on his stomach, the other bracing against Rebecca as she grabbed him, trying to steady him.
Zane strained against the grip holding him. “Fuck you!,” he roared, voice raw. “We’re fucking done. Don’t ever come near me again!”
Cam sucked in a breath, still trying to recover, but the anger pushed through.
“After all I’ve done for you-”
“Done for me?” Zane snapped, cutting him off instantly. “I’m tired of covering for you. Cleaning up your bullshit every time you get fucked up and start shooting your mouth off.”
The room had gone quiet around them now. People watched, phones half-raised, unsure if they should record or step in.
Bianca stepped in front of Zane, grabbing his face with both hands, forcing him to look at her.
“Hey - hey. Breathe.”
Zane’s chest heaved. His jaw flexed.
“Let’s get out of here,” she said, firm but calm. “This shit is done.”
He held her gaze for a second longer, then finally nodded once. The fight drained out of his shoulders just enough.
He spat to the side - dark red hitting the floor - and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
Bianca took his hand without hesitation and started pulling him toward the door. They moved through the crowd, people parting, whispering, watching.
As they passed Cam, Bianca slowed just slightly. Didn’t even look at him.
“You’re going to regret this.”
Then she kept walking. And Zane didn’t look back.
***
The city looked different at night.
Felix kept one hand draped over the steering wheel, the other resting near the gearshift as he eased his car through a string of yellow lights. Storefronts blurred past him - some dark, metal gates pulled down over their windows, others still glowing with late-night customers drifting in and out. Neon signs flickered in patches, reflecting off the windshield in streaks of red and blue.
His headlights swept across the pavement ahead, catching bits of cracked asphalt and the occasional puddle left behind from melted snow earlier in the day.
He should’ve been home. The thought sat in the back of his mind, steady and persistent. He could picture it clearly - Mary in the living room, the TV on low, waiting. Maybe what would have made tea. Maybe she would doze off in her chair and pretend she hadn’t when he walked in. It would have been easy to call Mariah, tell her they would sort the numbers in the morning.
Instead, he flicked on his turn signal and rode through a quiet intersection.
The engine hummed beneath him, a familiar, comforting sound. One of the few things in his life that still made sense without effort.
The snow had started to come down heavier by the fourth quarter, sticking just enough to dust the edge of the turf. The stadium lights cut through it, making every flake look brighter than it should have been. The crowd had been on its feet, bundled in coasts and blankets, breath fogging the air.
Zane. The kid had been everything. Felix let out a small breath through his nose, a faint smile pulling at one corner of his mouth.
Running routes, cutting across the field, getting hit and popping right back up like it didn’t matter. That last touchdown - Felix could still see it. The way Zane pulled the ball in and braced for contact, the way he bounced off the ground and kept moving like nothing could stop him.
Felix adjusted his grip on the wheel, his fingers tightening slightly. Rasheed would’ve loved that.
He slowed as he approached another light, tapping the brakes as it turned red. The car idled softly as he sat there, staring ahead at the empty stretch of road.
The light turned green. He pressed the gas, the car rolling forward again.
Zane had done everything right. Everything Felix had hoped for, whether he had said it out loud or not. Discipline. Focus. Staying out of trouble. Carrying himself like he had something to prove, but never needing to say it.
Felix exhaled slowly, eyes flicking toward the side mirror before settling back on the road. He turned onto the familiar block, the auto shop coming into view at the end of the street.
Something felt off immediately. He slowed. The lot was too bright.
His headlights flooded an entirely dark shop. Which it shouldn’t have been. Mariah’s car was still parked - tucked away in the corner under a street light. She was presumably still in the office, finishing paperwork.
The front door wasn’t shut all the way. It sat slightly ajar, just enough for a thin line of light to spill out onto the pavement.
He felt something tighten in his chest. For a second, he didn’t move. Just sat there, staring at the door, the faint hum of his engine filling the silence around him.
He reached for the keys and pushed the door open.
His keys hit the concrete first. They clattered and skidded somewhere under a workbench, the sharp sound echoing through the hollowed-out garage. For a split second, it was the only thing he could hear. Not the hum of the street outside..
Everything rushed back in at once.
The smell hit him - copper and oil mixing in the air. The overhead fluorescent lights buzzed faintly, flickering just enough to make the shadows shift along the walls. Mariah was crumpled near the front of the shop, one arm tucked awkwardly under her, the other stretched toward nothing. A dark stain had spread beneath her, soaking into the cracks of the concrete.
Felix’s chest tightened. His breath caught halfway in.
“Ma-”
The word never made it out. The cold press of metal dug into the center of his back, just off his spine. Heavy. Unforgiving. It forced him forward half an inch, enough to remind him exactly what it was.
Boots scraped lightly against the floor as they adjusted their stance behind them. Close enough that Felix could feel the heat coming off them, smell the leather and something sharp - cologne or sweat, Felix couldn’t tell.
“Night night, old man.”
Last edited by Captain Canada on 17 Apr 2026, 12:25, edited 1 time in total.
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Caesar
- Chise GOAT
- Posts: 16879
- Joined: 27 Nov 2018, 10:47
Shouldn't have gotten in them people business.