Others avoided him because they did not know what to say.
Jamal never wanted to become famous.
He never wanted to be part of a national conversation.
One evening, Olivia sat beside him at home.
"I know this has been difficult," she told him.
Jamal looked down.
"I just wanted to come home from basketball practice. I didn't want all of this."
His mother understood.
"I know. But sometimes when something unfair happens, telling the truth matters."
Jamal was quiet for a moment.
"What if nothing changes?"