Sasquatch in the Paint by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

she returned to her reading.
    â€œI told you that park was dangerous,” Brian said. He looked at the others. “I told him. You never hang out where guys play sports. Their testosterone is already at dangerous levels. Add competitive sports into the mix? Recipe for violence.”
    â€œWe should Yelp the park,” Tunes said. “Warn people to stay away.”
    Theo wondered why he had bothered to tell them. At first, he’d been prepared to explain how he got his bruise, figuring they would ask him about it. But the bruise was hardly visible, so no one had. He went ahead and volunteered the story anyway while they waited for Mr. J. Which meant he was kind of proud of what had happened. He wanted them to know. Why? It’s not like he actually did anything. He didn’t confront Motorcycle Guy. He didn’t save Crazy Girl. He didn’t punch Asian Kid. But some thing had happened.
    Something unpredictable and scary.
    And he’d been there. In the middle of it.
    â€œI can’t believe you didn’t call or text me about it,” Brian said.
    Theo was surprised to see that Brian was hurt. Probably because they usually told each other everything as soon as it happened. They’d been doing that since they were old enough to speak (and exaggerate). But, for some reason, Theo had wanted this to be just his story for a while. He’d wanted to savor it, examine it, try it on and see how this new Theo—the one in the middle of danger and drama—suited him. The only other drama in his life had been his mom’s death, and after that everyone saw him as Poor Theo. He’d hated that. Bright eyes turning sad the moment he entered a room. This new Theo, taller and more daring, fit him better. Or at least he wanted it to.
    â€œIs that why you didn’t want to get together Sunday?” Brian asked.
    Partially. Plus, he’d spent several hours shooting baskets at the park. He’d gone there early, before anyone else showed up. As soon as he saw kids approaching on their bikes with basketballs under their arms, he’d taken off. But he couldn’t tell Brian that. “No, dude. I had homework to catch up on. The basketball team is taking up a lot of my time.”
    â€œWe have a basketball team?” Daryl asked.
    â€œThat’s debatable,” Brian said, turning away from Theo.
    Theo felt bad, but he promised himself he’d make it up to Brian later by telling him about his dad’s computer dating secret. Brian would have a lot to say about that.
    â€œHey, what’s this?” Tunes said. He’d picked up Gavin’s CD from the floor next to Theo’s open backpack.
    â€œNothing,” Theo said, grabbing for it. He’d forgotten it was in there.
    â€œNot so fast, Young Skywalker.” Tunes ran over to the computer on Mr. J’s desk. He slid the CD into the slot and tapped some keys.
    Theo stood up and walked to the desk. “Come on, Tunes. Give it back.”
    â€œI want to hear what kind of music is so important to you that you carry it around on this ancient disc.”
    Daryl said, “Maybe it’s a mix-tape for some girl.” He said “girl” like it was a foreign word he’d just learned. “Probably all songs by Disney chicks like Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato.”
    Theo looked to Brian for help, but Brian pretended not to notice. Punishment for not confiding in him about what had happened at the park.
    Suddenly Gavin’s voice blew through the tinny computer speakers. After the first verse, Tunes grabbed his phone and started recording the song. The only musical accompaniment was a few keyboard chords here and there. During the song, no one spoke. Even Brooke looked up for a few seconds before returning to her studies.
    When the first song was over, Theo ejected the CD and slid it back into the folded notebook paper.
    â€œHey, man,” a voice called from the doorway. Three students