After the Shot Drops

Wallace trudges up to Nasir’s room. Nasir is aware that Wallace is in big trouble because St. Sebastian’s beat Oak Hill 55-53, even without Bunny playing. Wallace lost a lot of money on this bet, which he owes to dangerous people. Nasir tries to convince him that everything will be okay, but Wallace insists it won’t. He and Wallace argue, and Wallace claims they are from two different worlds due to Nasir’s advantages like two loving parents and a stable household. Wallace leaves angrily.

Nasir’s dad comes in to tell him that he knows he wants to help Wallace, but Wallace is beyond help. His dad also encourages him to go congratulate Bunny on his team’s big win and provide moral support given the strain of the investigation. Nasir wonders if his dad would still love him if he knew what he had done to Bunny.

Since their team won the game, Bunny is attending a victory party. He feels out of place. He drinks a beer, and, although he doesn’t like the taste, he admits it makes him feel good. The party is loud, so he goes with Brooke into a bedroom so they can talk privately. She tries to get him to open up. He says that because she and the other students at St. Sebastian’s are all white and rich, they can’t understand his problems. She says he is being unfair and that their problems aren’t all that different. Bunny leaves to go back downstairs, and when Brooke grabs his arm, he leans down and tries to kiss her. Brooke tells him that she is not romantically interested in him and reminds him he has a girlfriend. He feels guilty about trying to kiss her and decides to walk home. As he does so, he takes in the sight of the rich neighborhood. He recalls one of his first times walking in a neighborhood close to St. Sebastian’s and getting hassled by the police. He remembers feeling ashamed, angry, and powerless.

Nasir heads over to Wallace’s apartment. He is concerned because Wallace hasn’t been in school and hasn’t been responding to his texts. Wallace’s grandmother says he is at the library, so Nasir goes there and finds him. He has been beaten up and has several injuries on his face. Nasir realizes that he was beaten by the people to whom he owes money. They leave the library, and Nasir tells him that his strategy of betting against Bunny clearly isn’t working. He tries to talk Wallace into admitting that he was behind the fake email.

Wallace explains what deep trouble he is in. He implies that Gabe, the student who was murdered in Chapter 1, was killed by the same people who are out to get Wallace. He says that the only way he can get out of this predicament is if St. Sebastian’s loses the championship game on Sunday. Nasir pities him.

Bunny receives a phone call from Coach Baum at St. Sebastian’s, who informs him that the investigation has cleared him of all wrongdoing and he is clear to play in the championship. Bunny is relieved and overjoyed.

Nasir receives a text from Keyona with a link to an article stating that Bunny and St. Sebastian’s have been vindicated. Nasir is happy for Bunny but is still tormented by Wallace’s fate if St. Sebastian’s wins. He goes to Bunny’s house and apologizes for stealing his phone. Then, he asks Bunny to deliberately throw the game to save Wallace’s life. He tries to convince him that Wallace’s life is more important than winning a game. Bunny says that Wallace brought all of this on himself and he doesn’t owe him anything. He claims a real friend wouldn’t be asking him to do this. Nasir insists it’s the only way to save Wallace.

While considering Nasir’s request, Bunny walks over to Keyona’s house. He asks her if she thinks he is selfish and only cares about basketball. She tells him that when he has a goal in mind, he becomes hyper-focused and makes decisions without asking others for help. Bunny tells Keyona that while he was at the party, he tried to kiss Brooke. She tells him to leave. He asks if they are over, and she says she has to think about it.

Bunny is spending the night at Nasir’s house. He tells him that because of his loyalty to Nasir, he will make sure that St. Sebastian’s loses. They spend the rest of the night doing all the things they always used to do: talking late into the night, laughing, and playing video games and Pokémon. Nasir reflects that he and Bunny are true friends.

Bunny wakes Nasir and asks if he thinks he made a mistake by transferring. Bunny apologizes for not talking to Nasir about his decision before making it. Nasir accepts his apology and apologizes in turn for cutting off their friendship. He explains that he thought Bunny didn’t care about him or the people of Whitman. Bunny says that was never true because Whitman is his home. He tells Nasir about his dad having to sell Word Up. They discuss possible future plans, including reopening Word Up once Bunny has made millions from his basketball career. Nasir says that he is still considering becoming a doctor, but maybe he will be a teacher or join the military. He expresses a desire to help others, not just his family. Bunny reminds him that since the investigation is over, the offer for Nasir to transfer to St. Sebastian’s probably still stands. Nasir says he will think about it. Bunny falls asleep feeling peaceful for the first time in a long time.

Nasir wakes up to find Bunny gone. He thinks about Bunny’s game that evening and then goes back to bed.

Bunny gets ready for the big game. Although he is disappointed that he has to lose, he feels content knowing it is worth it to help out Nasir and save their friendship. He imagines a future in which he and Nasir are both playing for St. Sebastian’s and feels excited about it.

Nasir is sitting with Bunny’s family at the game, waiting for it to start. He feels proud to be Bunny’s best friend, even though he struggles with guilt over asking Bunny to throw the game. He justifies his decision by reminding himself that while Bunny is worshipped as a hero, no one except him and Bunny are helping Wallace. As the game is about to begin, Nasir admits to himself that he is feeling nervous, even though he knows how the game is going to end. The game begins.

During the game, Bunny plays more aggressively than usual and commits several fouls. His coach temporarily benches him and reminds him to play smarter; if he gets called on two more fouls, he is out of the game. At the end of the first half, the score is 19-37 in favor of Fairview.

During the half-time break, Nasir talks to Jess. She tells him that she is studying to be a social worker. Nasir recalls how he used to have a crush on her, and he still finds her beautiful. They watch as the teams jog back onto the court and the second half begins.

During the game, Bunny gets elbowed in the nose by a player on the opposing team, Fairview. He bleeds profusely, but after a brief break, he tells the coach and trainer that he is ready to go back in. The score is 44-49 Fairview with two minutes left to go. Bunny manages to get the score to 57-55, putting St. Sebastian’s in the lead for the first time in the game. He knows they still have to lose, but he feels good about beating Fairview for a few minutes. Fairview manages to take the lead again. Bunny passes the ball to his teammate, Drew, who shoots a two-pointer in the last second. St. Sebastian’s wins 59-58, making them state champions. Bunny is thrilled to have won but also devastated because he didn’t mean to.

Nasir watches the crowd go wild when St. Sebastian’s wins. He has a terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach because he knows what this means for Wallace.