Classes as you can imagine took a majority of Christian Travis's day, major reason he hated Mondays. BUT, it wasn't that he hated his classes or professors, in fact he loved everything about his ongoing situation as a freshman at the University of Kentucky. He was getting used once again to that Southern Hospitality having been born a South Carolina kid, he wasn't used to the overwhelming friendliness and employment of manners the Bluegrass State was known for. He was in a rush to get to nearby Joe Craft Center from his last class of the day as he like the rest of his teammates were about to find out where they stood in relation to the pecking order of the roster, where their minutes laid and whether or not they did enough to crack the starting lineup this rapidly approaching season. He ran into a few fast friends who helped acclimate Chris quickly before he profusely apologizes as he within eyes length of the basketball facility. He sports a pair of Hollister jeans, a Hollister Polo with a cross pendant with a pair of Kobes strapped to his feet.

Christian: Shit, shit, shit. I pray I'm not late, hate when professors keep you in longer than what the release time is!

The athletic center was lively, moreso as basketball players from both teams as well volleyball players were running around ready to meet the coaches for the first time as seasons were kicking off in less than two weeks.

Christian: Alright, let's see they said there'd be a sign showing everyone where to go.... BINGO!

Sign: All Men's Basketball Players, report to practice gym 1. Change into your practice gear beforehand.

Christian abides as he rushes to the men's locker room, seeing all of his teammates also getting changed out.

Andrew Harrison: FRESHMAN!

Christian: Do you really have to be so loud, Drew? I've been up since eight in the morning dude.

Andrew: We're less than a week away from the season, of course I'm gonna be loud! I don't know, slap some coffee into you. We gotta hit the ground running starting today.

He screams in excitement as the sophomore and twin brother of Aaron Harrison races out of the locker room just as the aformentioned twin Aaron shakes his head and checks on his underclassmen and potential NBA Draft lottery pick.

Aaron: Ignore Drew, he always gets hyped around this part of the schedule, moreso than even conference play. How are you holding up, how's the family?

Christian: They're doing alright, mom and dad won't stop badgering me every twenty minutes to make sure I haven't keeled over from homesickness, Zendaya's kicking ass in Hollywood thought that doesn't surprise me. Pops still dealing with a lingering elbow issue though he's on the mend. Just awaiting my fate to see where I stand on this loaded roster.

Aaron: Something tells me you're going to be very satisfied kid, your hard work all practice long it would surprise us all if none of you freshmen crack the starting five or get meaningful minutes.

Christian throws on his practice jersey, pursing his lips as he thought it over. Every time he got an evaluation sheet from his coaches, he had way more positives than he did negatives. So in his mind, minutes were guaranteed but just how many was the question. Before he could talk, assistant coach John Robic with clipboard in hand claps them up.

John Robic: What're we standing around for men?! If you're already in gear, move your asses to the court!

Everyone motions to grab a basketball from the stationary rack but as Chris grabbed one, the man, the myth, the legend most commonly associated with Big Blue Basketball, John Calipari stands in the threshold that connected his office to the beauty of the Kentucky locker room.

John Calipari: John, go ahead and start practice, I've been looking for Christian. Son, come on in here.

He nods as he off handed wishes the freshman student athlete luck. Christian gulps as he approaches the office.

John Calipari: Close the door, young sir.

He does as he told as Christian then takes a look around the multiple trophies and awards locked behind glass cases.

John Calipari: How are classes going? I figured you were running late due to one of your professors holding a class late so don't worry if you're thinking I'm going to hold that against you.

Christian: Classes are all good, sir. If I could do something about the traveling distance, I would.

John takes a look at the intensity and worried look on his prospect's face as he laughs.

John Calipari: Christian, son relax! You're too intense, you act like we're doing the whole drill sergeant and rookie routine. Only time I want you locked like this is when you're on a hot streak or on the defensive end. I'm sure you're eager and know today's the final day for the coaching staff and I to finalize this roster and its starting core. It's with great anticipation that I tell you.

The South Carolina born native hangs on each word as Calipari completes his sentence.

John Calipari: You're the new starting small forward. Congratulations.

Christian: You're not... yanking my chain, are you?

John Calipari: 'Fraid not kid, you and this new crop of freshmen have been showing up and showing out. Obviously, you'll be running with some the upperclassmen but you displayed more than enough to crack the lineup and get meaningful minutes. First game will be against Grand Canyon in the upcoming Cawood Ledford Classic. Now go on, get outta here and prove why you're starting Chief.

Christian: Yes, Sir!

He walks out of the coaches' office and as soon as he was out of view and earshot of coach Cal, he does a dance eerily reminiscent of that of Tobey Maguire from Spider-Man 3. He knew now his NBA prospects would continue to rise with the revelation he'd be starting on one of the most stacked teams in college basketball this coming season.

Practice went smoothly as he could have hoped for as a first time college starter. After the team photo had been snapped, he was on his way back to his dorm just as his phone began to blare loudly. Seeing it was his mother's number, he quickly swipes right as he listens to her voice.

Sabrina: So.... how did everything go? Do I have to come down there and have some choice words for a certain coaching staff?

Christian: Well hello to you too, mom. And... God no. Last thing I need you or dad doing is jeopardizing the.... new starting small forward!

There's a terse silence hanging on the other line as she screams.

Sabrina: CUBBY, DO NOT JOKE WITH ME! YOU'RE A STARTER?! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Prince: Way to go kid, proud of you.

Christian: Dad?! How long have you been there, I thought you had a game tonight!

Prince: Can't a doting dad be proud of his baby boy every once in a while? And yes I do, I'm just packing up my bags and doing a final check before I leave the house. Your mom practically wouldn't stop screaming I thought there was a snake in the house.

Sabrina: Oh, shut up. We're proud of you baby, when's your first game?

Christian: Uh... they said something about the Cadwood Classic, whatever that entails that's more or less a showcase for the team but our first actual game is the Champions Classic against Kansas. Going to Indy for that.

Sabrina: That actually works for us Chris, we can have a family get together before you play since your father is playing Indiana the day after that.

Christian: I really wish I could, but the schedule is going to be air clad tight honestly mom.

He pays a vendor for a burrito and sparkling water as he switches his phone to the opposite ear.

Christian: Enough about me guys, how's my stardusted celebrity sister doing? Have the moolah and Academy Awards started rolling in yet?

Sabrina: Honey... that's not how it works. Zendaya has to put in countless years of hard work, not that she's not capable of it. She's in Hollywood now doing some casting work but we'll be sure to tell her about your upcoming game, see if she can make room to see you.

Christian: Alright, I gotta go. Homework and all that jazz. Love you guys.

Sabrina: Bye Christian, take care baby!

Prince: See you soon kid, light the world up like only you can.

(Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Champions Classic.)

Team Buses pulled into the home of the Indiana Pacers which had undergone a transformation from NBA Basketball to the Champions Classic as the Kentucky Wildcats were set to join the Duke Blue Devils, Michigan State Spartans and Kansas Jayhawks in the exhibition tip off. The annual event which was more or less a showcase to display to new talent that had committed to the basketball fraternities each and every year while also maintaining the very reasons these four athletic juggernauts were always at the top of the consensus rankings and betting favorites to not only make the Final Four but also win the National Championship come March Madness. John Calipari made sure to settle his freshman core down. As everyone stepped off the bus, Christian takes a look at his surroundings as coaches and teammates alike pass him as he looks at the giant banner welcoming all the squads.

Christian: We really made it, huh? No going back, it's time for the world to witness the third coming of Milano Basketball Greatness.

(Some time later...)

Christian grabs a rebound in transition off of Frank Mason the Third missing a wide open three.

John Calipari: Towns! He's wide open Christian!

Christian acknowledges the demands as he crosses over Perry Ellis, earning ooh's and aah's from the Kentucky student section as he would then lob up an alley oop to the consensus No. 1 Overall Pick in the future draft. He looks up the jumbotron to see his rather respectable statline of 11 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists as five minutes loomed until the end of the first half as his new squad had been up by ten on the Jayhawks.

John Calipari: Alright, alright. Listen up guys, hey! We've got them right where we want them! Let's keep running in transition, I'm talking as SOON as the ball careens off of the rim or backboard. WE GUN IT AND GO! Starters get some rest, I want y'all re-energized when we kick off second half. Cats on three. One, two, three!

CATS!

The reserves check into the game as Calipari hollers for Christian.

Christian: Yeah, coach?

John Calipari: Is it what you imagined, I know this type can be overwhelming for freshmen like you, Devin, Karl and Tyler. You holding up alright kid?

Christian: I'm good, took a little adjusting to their defense but I can read them like a book. Get me some Gatorade and a heating pad, I'll shred them even worse than what I was doing.

John smirks, clearly he loved this kid's fire. He hadn't seen someone like this since one of his greatest players in Anthony Davis who in his time after being in the NBA with the Pelicans.

John Calipari: I love to hear it kid. Get some rest, we're leaning on you and the other freshmen heavy.

He nods as the team's equipment manager hands him a towel and aforementioned sports drink, looking on as the backups got some run and experience. The buzzer sounds after the five minute sprint which felt like a breeze, with Kansas trailing the Wildcats big at the intermission by a score of 45-18. Christian walks to the tunnel as he sees his mother, father and sister surprisingly shocked she had the time to come out to see him as Zendaya snapped a photo of him wiping his face. After the necessary adjustments were made, the Wildcats stormed out of the locker room, Christian adjusts his Kobe 9's, personally gifted to him by the Black Mamba as a gift during his dad's tenure with Lakers before he bumped into someone.

??: Oh my God I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention- Christian?

He looks down to see a beautiful young woman of Caucasian descent with dirty blonde hair, athletic, slender frame with red clay color lipstick. She wears a business casual outfit with some Air Jordans but her face immediately registers with the freshman Wildcat.

Christian: Madelyn? Christ, it's been too long! How are you, I haven't seen you since-

Madelyn: Middle school, seventh grade! I know dude, you got so tall!

Christian: Please, I've been over 6'5 for years now! It's not gonna be surprising if I'm still growing.

Madelyn: And you're playing basketball? Not surprising, it's always been your one true love as a sports maniac.

Christian: So what're you doing here, surely it's not to see little old me. Getting some drinks and food after the half?

Madelyn: You know my family, they love basketball. And they just happened to have tickets to catch this Champions Classic or whatever they call it, I didn't think I wouldn't have wagered seeing you. So Kentucky, what prompted that. The Travis family always struck me as tight-knit.

Christian: Wanted to spread my wings. Plus it's my mom's alma mater, wanted to surprise her on National Signing Day.

Devin: COME ON, CHRIS! LOCK IN, LET'S PUT THIS THING AWAY!

Christian: Right! So... I uh.

Madelyn: No, no it's okay! Go ahead, we can catch up later. I was on my way to getting some food anyhow. See you on the flipside... Nova.

Christian watches as she leaves as she flips hair to the side as she departs for a near in-arena restaurant as he looks at who he once described as the one that got away from him when he moved to California.

Christian: Yeah. See ya.

End of Chapter Two! Christ everyone, sorry it took me so long. Writer's Block is a hell of a thing. But no more, I'm gonna start focusing on a quartet of books that being this one, Little Slice of Heaven, Killer Ice and Liv or Let Die. We back baby.