BETWEEN WORLDS: BEHIND THE SCENES (CHAPTER 13)
Taking a look back at Chapter 13
When writing Chapters 12 + 13, I didn’t have a bunch of notes on how I wanted the game to go outside of the idea that they would have to continually battle back. While this team reached the Championship game just months prior, I wanted to highlight two things: that game changed them, and how to fit Azeil in would change the dynamics, which they needed to figure out.
I didn’t want them to completely figure it out in game one, but I also didn’t want them to lose the game, so having them battle back in this way was an interesting parallel to how they had the lead against Highland Prep and ended up losing the game. I wanted them to have to fight for it, to know how it felt to move together one step at a time to overcome adversity.
I also wanted to showcase Azeil’s mind for the game. I didn't plan for Azeil to suggest the zone defense—it just happened as I was writing. Westbrook was killing them inside, and I thought, what would someone like Azeil do? He's logical like his mother, always thinking. So his brain just went to work figuring out how to stop what he saw.
One aspect that has come up is the idea, at both Langston Hughes and now with Westbrook, that because Azeil went to a private school, it makes him soft. That charge Azeil takes on Flash shows who he really is as a player. He's not just about looking good or putting up stats. He'll throw his body in front of someone to help his team win. That's the kind of player I wanted him to be—hard-nosed, not just flashy.
The free throws at the end were the complete opposite of his Highland championship shot. I kept thinking about how different the pressure was and how it shows the same thing about Azeil's character. Free throws to ice a game can break anyone. I think about all those NBA players who've missed crucial ones over the years. Orlando Magic 1995 will always stick in my mind. But Azeil stays calm and knocks them down.
At the end of it all, this is Azeil's first game without his mom. He's trying to figure out how to move forward instead of just surviving each day. The grief is still there, but for the first time, he's thinking about what's possible tomorrow instead of what he lost yesterday.
I love how this chapter shows Azeil earning respect the right way—through his play and character when the pressure is on. Nothing feels forced or fake about it.
See you tomorrow for Chapter 14.
Hope you enjoyed this insight into Chapter 13. If you want to catch-up on BETWEEN WORLDS please check out the chapter index. In addition, be notified on the next post by subscribing below.