The gym smelled like polished wood and old sweat. Enzo dribbled the basketball across the shiny floor. Squeak, squeak, squeak went the ball.
He aimed at the hoop and launched the ball. It bounced hard off the rim and rolled away. Enzo dove after it, nose nearly touching the dusty floor under the bleachers.
Clang. Clang. Clang. Three shots, three misses. The ball bounced away each time. Enzo stamped his foot in frustration.
The ball rolled toward two kids walking in with backpacks. One of them said, Want to play? Enzo nodded and started dribbling past them.
Enzo drove for a shot, but the kid in yellow blocked it. The ball went flying out of bounds. Enzo stared at his scuffed sneakers.
Enzo tossed the ball to his friend. The friend stumbled, but the ball hit a water bottle on the sideline and bounced right into the hoop. Swish.
Enzo's eyes went wide. Then a huge grin spread across his face. That was the luckiest bounce he had ever seen.
Enzo passed the ball back. His friend caught it and smiled. They kept passing, back and forth, back and forth.
The gym filled with the sound of bouncing balls and laughing kids. Enzo passed and passed and passed, smiling the whole time.
The gym was alive with bouncing balls and loud happy laughter. Enzo spotted his new friend near the hoop and winked. The friend laughed and tossed the ball back.
Enzo passed the ball again and again, each pass better than the last. His friend kept it coming right back. They were a great team.
High five! Their hands slapped together with a loud crack. Enzo looked at his friend and laughed. This was the best gym day ever.