It was 8:00 on the dot when a man in a black suit had walked onto the stage and stood in front of the podium. 500,000 spectators below, all focused their eyes on him, anxiously waiting for him to give the announcement that they had been waiting so long for.

He tapped onto the microphone, in order to make sure that it was functioning correctly. After that, he began. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the NFL draft is now officially open." The League Commissioner had announced through the microphone.

The ocean of spectators had erupted into cheers, as this year's NFL draft was now set to begin. After making the announcement, the commissioner returned backstage, until it would be time to announce the first overall pick. For the meantime, the television broadcasters would take over.

"Yes, the time has finally come. The wait is over. The NFL draft has arrived. Over 4000 young men, whether at home or in the building with us, will patiently pray and wait for the blessing to hear their name be called tonight, or at least in the next two days. I am draft analyst, Rod McVay, and this is my broadcasting partner, Adam Schreiber." He said, introducing the man sitting beside him. "Tonight, we will be giving the insight on every single prospect and what is to come in tonight's draft." Rod then turned to his partner as he began to ask questions. "Now Adam, everyone has the same question on their mind. Who will be the #1 overall pick?"

"That is the top question of the night, Rod." Adam answered. "Some people think that it will be the star linebacker, Dantrell Wallace out of South Virginia State? After all, he comes in at 6'2" 240lbs, can run a 4.5 40 yard dash, and put up 35 reps in the bench press test. Not to mention what he's done on the field, leading the entire nation in tackles and winning the Bednarik award, which goes to the top defensive player."

"Some might disagree with you though, Adam. Ezekiel Harris, the Heisman semi-finalist running back from West Houston University. He weighed in at 6'3" 230 lbs. at the combine. And those size is not just for show either. In his three years at WHU, he set the school career record with 4,505 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns. Not to mention a stellar junior season with 1,849 yards and 23 touchdowns. And his combine stats blew the scouts out of the water as well after running a 4.43 40, along with a 36 inch vertical jump. The kid is a pure athlete."

"But I think there is one player that a lot of people seem to forget about." Adam added. "August Atari, out of Philadelphia State."

"I don't think it's that people are forgetting about him, Adam. I think it's more of the fact that he just doesn't seem to be 1st overall pick worthy."

"But why not, Rod?"

"Because he wasn't even invited to the NFL combine. He stands at 5'10" and weighs 190lbs. Philadelphia State is not a powerhouse school like WHU or SVS. It usually goes under the radar, along with schools like Villanova and Towson. And at Philly State's pro day, August Atari clocked in at 4.5 40. That may not sound horrible. But for a guy who plays defensive back, at that size, you have to be running a blazing 4.3, maybe even 4.2 in order to get picked even in the first round. So I see him falling down to maybe the 5th round."

"You're not giving him the credit he deserves Rod. Yes, he might be a little undersized and not as fast as you would want, but look at his college tape. He flat out dominated. Whether he was playing defense or returning kicks, he was the star on the field. He was the main reason that Philly State, even got over .500 this year."

"Well we will just have to see for ourselves, who will come first. Because right now, the commissioner is returning back to the podium."

The TV panned from the broadcaster and back to the ceremony stage. There, the commissioner had arrived, and stood before the sea of NFL fans. He grabbed the microphone and prepared to make the announcement that so many have anxious been waiting to here.

"The first pick of the NFL draft is..."

"August!" The Commissioner opened his mouth and spoke. But when he announced the name, it wasn't his voice that called out August's name. It was the voice of the woman that overshadowed his. A very familiar voice as well.

"August! Get your *** out of bed now!"

August's eyes snapped open and instantly woke up from his dream, due to the shouts of his mother calling him. He looked around his room, realizing that he was not standing in front of half a million fans. Instead, he was back in his plain old room.

"Damnit." August complained as he rolled over, burying himself deeper into his covers.

"I don't hear you getting out of bed!" His mother called out once more.

"Just 5 more minutes." He quietly groaned.

"And you better not be in there, thinking '5 more minutes'. Get up!"

"How did she even hear me?!"

He submitted and finally removed the covers to get out of bed.

The day was the first day of August Atari's senior year. To most, this is an exciting time, because it is their final year of high school. Which meant that they were only one year closer to becoming an adult and entering the real world. But for August, this only meant that he standing on his last leg when it came to accomplishing his goal.

While standing in the mirror, and changing into his outfit for the day, August stared deeply into his own eyes, as he was giving himself one of his personal pep talks.

"Today is the first day." He said. "This is your last chance. If you want to make it out, you need to exceed all expectations. In fact, you need to go beyond your own expectations. Even you don't know what you're capable of. It's okay to have a social life and have fun, but make sure that you keep your priorities straight. Make sure you never lose your way and never lose sight of the end goal. As long as you do that and trust the process, then in no time, Mom will never have to work another day in her life and you, and you're loved ones will make-"

"August do I have to come up there and drag your *** out of bed!?" His mother called once more.

"I'm coming!" August replied. "Damn, she needs to fucking calm down." He muttered.

"I'm sorry what was that last thing you said!?" She questioned.

"Nothing Mom." He answered. "I swear, she must have the ears of a bat." Even though he thought of that in his head, he still wasn't 100% sure if his mother didn't hear him.

In just a couple minutes, August emerged from his room with his outfit that he planned to wear on his last first day of school.

Because he was never a flashy kind of dresser, he kept it simple, with a plain white t-shirt and blue jeans, with a tear at the knee. And with all white shoes, to complete the outfit.

He stepped into the kitchen to find that his mother had prepared breakfast. In the middle of the table, lied a plate that was stacked with pancakes. With the amount that was on the plate itself, it could've fed an entire family of 6. But for now, it would only be feeding August, his mother, and the young girl that sat on the other side of the table. She was Dandria, August's younger sister.

"Ohhh look at my baby!" August's mother exclaimed as he entered into the kitchen.

She was a lovely mature woman with a shoulder length brown hair. The stress from raising children had added a few gray strands in there as well. But she still always had the energy to get up every day to make breakfast and get to work on time. She was currently dressed in her work uniform, which was the local package delivery services.

After seeing her son in his first-day outfit, she hustled over to her him and wrapped her arms tightly around him. While, at the same time, smothering him with loving kisses.

"Okay Mom, that's enough." August complained as he wiped the lip stick from his cheek. "It's no big deal. I'm just wearing a basic outfit. There's no reason to go crazy."

"Sweetheart, you could be wearing sweatpants and a torn up turtleneck sweater, and would still look like the most handsomest man in the world, in my eyes." His mother replied.

"Handsomer than Denzel?"

"Now, slow your roll. You handsome sweetie, but you ain't Denzel."

"Please mom. Don't gas his head up even more." Dandria, the little sister, commented as she was feasting on her breakfast.

"Right, because if she did, my head would end up as big as yours, Danny." August replied.

"You two stop it." Their mother ordered.

"Yes ma'am." They both said in unison. August walked over to the table and sat down. He then grabbed an empty plate and filled it with pancakes.

As he was just starting to chow down, his mother approached him with a question. "Oh, by the way August, you will be able to walk Dandria home from school today right?" His mother asked.

"Sure. I'll walk her after practice." August replied as he feasted on his breakfast.

"How long will that take?" Dandria questioned.

"I would say somewhere around an hour and a half, maybe two."

"Two hours?! I'm not trying to wait that long. I'll just walk home on my own."

"I don't think so." Mother interjected. "A young girl your age, walking alone in this town, is simply asking for trouble."

"Okay, then August is just going to have to miss his practice."

"I can't miss practice. Our first game of the season is this week. If I miss then, I won't play. And if I don't play, it means that you can kiss your luxurious future goodbye."

"But that's unfair for me to have to wait. Right mom?" Dandria she looked to her mother for support.

"Is it really though?" August asked. "It also means that I won't be able to buy Mom an expensive SUV either."

"That's so corny." Dandria said.

"What type of SUV are we talking about now?" Mother curiously wondered.

"A Rolls Royce. The Newest version." August answered.

"Don't tell me that you're falling for this, are you?" Dandria asked.

"Well you know your Mother got to have herself a Rolls Royce." She replied.

"This is so unfair." Dandria pouted. "Hey, what if I asked Jace to come pick-"

"Absolutely not."

"Why not?"'

"Dandria, you already know how I feel about you two being around Jace. You being around him is just as risky as you walking home alone. You're waiting for August's practice to end, and that's final. And as for you, August. You better excel, so I can get that Rolls Royce. Do I make myself clear, you two?"

"Yes ma'am." The two of them simultaneously replied.

A few minutes later, both August and Dandria finally finished the wonderful breakfast that their mother had made. After that, they both went to grab their bookbags and head to the door.

"You two enjoy your first day." Their mother said as they were leaving. "And August, make sure you look out for your sister at all times."

"I got it mom. We'll be all good." August responded, before walking out the door and shutting it behind them. They walked down the steps of their apartment and out the front door of the building.

The very moment they had set foot outside, they were, once again, reminded what had driven August's ambitions. A perfect example of Bolidsville, lied right on the sidewalk in front of them.

The sound of hip hop music blasted through the stereo of the red car parked up against the curb. The stench of marijuana filled the air. Multiple men, all dressed in red colors, were standing right up against the car, while a few more were seated inside. They were loudly chatting and laughing amongst themselves and passed around the blunt of marijuana.

Their conversation ceased as their focus shifted to the two adolescents who had just stepped out of the apartment.

The eyes of the thuggish men gazing upon Dandria, had petrified her deeply. As she looked back at them, she ended up meeting eyes with the man who was seated on the hood of the car. He wore nothing but a tank top and black jeans, along with the red backwards cap on his head. As he gazed back at Dandria, his eyes had the same look as a how a lion would gawk at an antelope.

"Look down." August muttered to Dandria as he nudged her with his elbow.

She did exactly what he had ordered her to do, and immediately pointed her eyes down at her shoes.

The two of them carried on and walked past the group of loiters like they weren't even there. This was all to avoid having to confront them in any way. At first, it seemed like that they were going to get by without having a word said. That is, until one of them spoke up.

"Ayo, where you off to girl?" The man seated on the hood exclaimed. His buddies began to laugh and tease as well.

"You blind or something?" His friend inside the car asked. "She got a bookbag on. She obviously going to school."

"Hell, she probably too young for you B.D." His other friend who was leaning up against the car had commented.

"You got a point. Ayo, you 18 yet? If so, let me holla at you real quick."

Even though August and Dandria had already walked past them, August couldn't stand one word that the men were saying to Dandria. Out of sheer dumb boldness, he stopped in his tracks and turned to face them.

"What you staring at youngin?" The man with the backwards cap asked August. "Ain't nobody talking to you."

"Well I hope you wasn't talking to her. If so I-"

August was cut off when Dandria grabbed his sleeve and pulled him away before he continued. She had a look of worry in her eyes. The fear that August would be getting himself into deep trouble if he had said another word to them.

"Fine." He said as he submitted to his sister and went back to walking away with her.

"You smart to listen to your sister." The man exclaimed as they walked off. "If you said whatever you was bout to say, I would've had to put you in your place real quick." The three of them then went back to conversing among one another, as they paid no attention to the two adolescent's wandering off.

"August don't do something like that." Dandria scolded. "That was too close of a call."

"I'm sorry. I just can't sit around and let those jerks say that shit." August replied. "If I do, then I gives them the idea that they got me whipped."

"Or maybe, it shows that you don't want any trouble." She suggested.

Anger had been boiling up inside August's head. It had risen to the point, where he could no longer hold it in, and had to take it out on something.

"Damnit!" He exclaimed as he kicked over a trashcan in a nearby alley. "I hate this fucking place. I got to get us out of here, Danny."

"It'll be alright." Danny said as she placed her hand on her brother's back. "It's just like you always say. 'Come time in July, we'll be living the peaceful life"."

"August." He corrected. "Come time in August. If you're going to quote me, then do it right, Danny."

"Shut up. You know what I mean." Danny replied. "Either way, we'll be out of Bolidsville in no time."

Bolidsville, the name of the city that they lived in, was one of the worst areas in the entire state to reside. It is loaded with tons of drug use and gang violence. The violence had grown so much to a point to where Bolidsville developed the nickname, 'Bulletsville'.

For August, being alive to see another day, and his sister being left unharmed, was a blessing. Yet, at the same time, it was also something to be disappointed of.

To have to live each day with the thought that you might not live to see tomorrow, or that your own mother could be robbed while she is out on her delivery duty, or that your little sister could be harassed or even worse, was truly frightening.

The environment of this town is what fuels the fire that pushes August to get him and his family out of there as soon as possible. But for the time being, August was going to have to be patient, and pray that his training will eventually be enough of a ticket for them to get out.