Night Hoops

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussions of animal cruelty and death, physical abuse, and bullying. 

Nick hears Mom talking about her retirement account and getting more hours at work. He mostly focuses on basketball, and his grades suffer. He’s doing as badly as Trent, though Nick points out that Trent isn’t “stupid.” Occasionally, he’ll raise his hand and say something insightful.

The gym class plays touch football, and instead of tagging Trent, Nick pushes him. Trent loses his balance and falls into a drainage ditch. The class laughs, and Trent hits Nick until the gym teacher breaks it up. Nick apologizes, and they gingerly shake hands. Nick remembers when Zack beat up two kids. The parents didn’t press charges because they didn’t want to provoke Zack.

After school, Nick’s geometry teacher lectures him about his failing work. Out of school, Zack and Trent attack Nick and try to drown him in a drainage ditch. Luke Jackson stops the assault. Luke attends Bothell High. He’s Black, and he lives in the “fanciest” part of the area.

At home, Nick’s appearance startles Scott and Katya. She makes him take a hot bath, and she washes his clothes. She wants Nick to involve the police, but Nick thinks the police will only worsen the situation.