BETWEEN WORLDS: BEHIND THE SCENES (CHAPTER 12)
Taking a look back at Chapter 12
This was always planned as Azeil's arrival game. After weeks of integration and his decision to come off the bench, I wanted to show how his confidence from that championship game against Langston would translate to playing for them. It's one thing to fit in at practice—it's another to prove yourself when the lights are on and the crowd is watching.
The sixth man role felt perfect for Azeil. He played the same position at Highland but was limited to one thing. Come in and score. They saw him as single-faceted, a weapon to deploy when they needed points. At Langston, he gets to define his role. He's embracing being a facilitator and becoming the floor general this team needs, using his basketball IQ. It shows how adaptable he really is when given the freedom.
Jackson showing up was critical. Azeil's mom never missed a game, and Jackson knows he needs to fill that role now. It's not just about supporting his son, it's about understanding what Elise would have done and trying to be present in the same way. Seeing his father in those work clothes, coming straight from the garage, means everything to Azeil, even if he doesn't say it.
The halftime scene where Coach asks Azeil to diagram plays on the whiteboard was a huge step for him, going back to him defining his role and being looked at as more than a scorer. This is public recognition of his basketball IQ in front of the whole team. It's not just about including him, it's showing everyone that his perspective has value. These guys have never seen someone read the game the way Azeil does. His early morning practices show his work ethic, but this shows how he actually sees basketball.
Zahair's evolution was tricky to write. He's not suddenly respecting Azeil or becoming his friend. But with Azeil coming off the bench, Zahair isn't threatened for his starting spot anymore. That lets him relax enough to acknowledge Azeil's basketball skills. They can share the game without sharing trust yet. There's still tension between them, but it's not all hostility anymore.
I had to split this into two chapters during the writing process. The story became too long to handle as one piece, and I realized this chapter tells its own complete story, Azeil finding his place on the court and showing his skills to his teammates. The next chapter will focus on him rising to meet the moment when the game gets tight and they really need him.
I love how this chapter shows Azeil's growth naturally. He isn't suddenly a hero; he's just a kid who now gets the chance to show what he's good at. The respect he earns feels real because it's based on his contributions to the team, not on his past successes.
See you Monday for Chapter 13.
Hope you enjoyed this insight into Chapter 12. 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.