[center][hr][url=http://fontmeme.com/fonts/still-time-font/][img]http://fontmeme.com/permalink/170223/c67f7f1323609b80383d35fe9958bd2b.png[/img][/url][hr][img]http://68.media.tumblr.com/5009e323d035455e0706b61b46133a38/tumblr_inline_nlv19oZM4w1sbz0cb.gif[/img][img]http://68.media.tumblr.com/45568bf38fda87bfb33a4d02c4f4d95f/tumblr_inline_nlv19sSaXq1sbz0cb.gif[/img][img]http://68.media.tumblr.com/3b50b5770d2122ca767e688ba2b4c8d5/tumblr_inline_nlv19xA47r1sbz0cb.gif[/img][hr][color=9966CC][b][i]"You may write me down in history,
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt,
But still, like dust, I rise."[/i][/b][/color]
- The First Stanza of [i]Still I Rise[/i] by Maya Angelou[hr][/center]
Following the white lines painted on the rugby pitch, Jean sighed quietly as he tried to retrace his steps. The last year had been somewhat successful than the years before, and for that, the Ivoirian was thankful. His life had been a mess of twists and turns, uncertainty about his future was always a factor for him. Now though, he was stable. He had no need to worry about Dom or his mother, both far away from him now but still keeping in contact. 

It appeared as though that his younger brother had proposed to an old high school friend and invited his older brother to be the best man. Life as a rugby player in the Canadian regionals gave little time for vacation but Jean always had time for his little bro. He was happy for him and in four months, he would watch his wedding with the rare grin on his face. It was unfortunate though, that his brother was so far away from him, his little bundle of joy...

Jean shook away such thoughts, confident that his brother would be okay without him. He called the other day, looking alive and happy with Yevenia, their mother. They would be okay without his support, he assured himself, they would be okay. Reverting his focus to the task at hand, he gazed at the damp grounds underneath his feet. [color=660099]"Now where did I put that necklace..."[/color] Receiving a particularly nasty dive tackle during a hospital pass, his necklace had fallen off during the fall and now he had to find it

The sound of roaring engines and excited whooping exploded from the background, making Jean smile a little. The boys were heading out to the bar after practice, going for a night out before the big game tomorrow. They were going to have a friendly, pre-season match with the Eastern Ontario club, their rivals in the league. It was going to be a simple affair, not as many people attending as there would be in big league games but the atmosphere was going to be excitable despite this. Many friendly insults would be thrown and the hardcore fans that would attend would get to have a close look at their favourite teams. His relatively short career of three years had been a list of successes and memorable moments, a rising star in Canadian rugby, many saying that he would be a definite pick for the team sent to the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Although old compared to other players, his past in both High School and College football gave him both the mentality and professional experience.

A glint in the wet grass caught Jean's eye and he walked towards it, picking up a small copper cross on a rusted chain. It was his birth mother's cross and as he stared at it, he tried to bring memories of her to the forefront of his mind. A kind, caring face. Bright eyes, full of hope and love. Blood streaking down the side of her head, the sound of a body going thump on the floor. He shook his head and put it on. There was no need for such thoughts in his mind, the haze of flashbacks and emotions receding back to the inner depths.

As he walked back to his car, Jean's thoughts brought up another event that would happen in the near future. Samantha, an old friend from high school, was coming to town to meet him in a few months. He smiled brightly at the thought of her, taking the alone time to express some emotions. She was always a person of great importance to him and admittedly, interest. Despite the four year gap, they had both attended the same school together and through his younger brother, developed an unlikely friendship. Never doubt the old phrase that opposites attract. Him, the lonely tough jock and her, the ever-positive normal nerd. He scratched his head, thinking of the many [i]interesting[/i] things he wanted to happen when she visited as he approached his car. Opting to send a text before he left drinking, the rugby player sent a message to his old friend on Skype. 

[center][color=660099]--[u] Ur coming 3 months from now. You excited? I am XD [/u]--[/color][/center]
Jean revved the Ford Mustang loud and proud, whooping his own cheer of excitement as blasted off to catch up to his friends. Blasting [i]Ridin by Chamillionaire[/i] in the inside of his car, he grinned another time. The great events to come would give the man a chance to relax after a truly troubled past. However this would not be the case, for Lady Luck was not on his side.