Kwame passed the ball to Alex. Then he ran under the hoop just as Alex passed it back. Up and in – score! Kwame got the basket and Alex got the assist. They were great together.

The boys made a good team both on and off the court. They had been friends since third grade, when they both started playing rec basketball. They’d been on the same team all those years. Until now.

This year Kwame had been selected for the A team. Alex was still on the B team. Kwame was excited to be with the higher-level players, but he felt guilty about moving up without Alex. He really thought Alex would make it the A team too, but he didn’t. Alex said he didn’t mind, and that he was happy for Kwame. But Kwame wondered if that were really true. He wasn’t sure if he would be happy for Alex if the situation were reversed.

At least they still got to play together at the park on Sundays. That was the best. Then it didn’t matter who was on what team. It was just the two of them hanging out and shooting hoops.

After Kwame scored, he took a break and got some water. “We have a game tomorrow night,” he told Alex. “Want to come?”

“Yeah, sure,” said Alex. “I’ll see if my mom can drive me.”

But the next night he didn’t show. Kwame hoped it was because Alex’s mom couldn’t drive him, and not because he was upset about the whole team thing. But the same thing happened the next week. And the next.

On Sunday, when they were running drills at the park again, Kwame asked if Alex’s team had played any games lately. “Oh sure,” said Alex. “We play every week.”

“You’ve never invited me,” said Kwame.

“I figured you wouldn’t care about the B team,” said Alex.

“I do care,” said Kwame.

Kwame was in the bleachers at Alex’s next game, cheering until his throat was sore. And the next time Kwame had a game, Alex was there too. He clapped and stomped his feet when Kwame scored. They still made a great team.