Max got back to school with full confidence.

He asked Allan, who had shared both weal and woe with him, to be a witness.

But the next day, Max’s confidence faltered a little when he saw Tristan walking into LACC’s basketball court. It was like a wind blowing across the smooth surface of the lake, a flaw in the water suddenly appeared.

Allan served, and Max jumped up and grabbed the ball. Allan cheered for his quickness. Tristan didn’t change his face.

Even when Max stole the ball and scored several times in a row, he didn’t frown once. Max was happy with his performance, but he was surprised at...