Khalil felt like life had stamped “expired” on his dreams. Dad gone, grades slipping, little brothers watching him struggle. Faith had become just a word other people used. One day, riding the bus after another bad test, he slumped into a seat and noticed something scratched into the plastic in front of him: “You’re not […]
D’Andre was known for “snapping fast.” One wrong word and he’d swing, no questions asked. To him, anger meant respect; backing down felt like losing. At an IDW meetup, a coach asked him, “Which is harder: swinging or walking away?” D’Andre smirked, “Walking away.” The coach nodded. “Then the real warriors pick the harder thing.” […]
Zay always quit at “almost.” Almost finished the workout. Almost stayed out of trouble. Almost kept his temper. “I’m just not built like that,” he’d say. Then his uncle, a former Marine, invited him to the park. No speeches, just a workout. Push-ups, squats, sprints. Every time Zay slowed, his uncle counted out loud, “One […]
