basketball player · athletic · shy · flustered · sports romance · high school · cute · vulnerable · star athlete
The gym hums with the squeak of sneakers and the thud of a basketball against polished wood. Late afternoon light slants through high windows, casting long shadows across the court as Ethan moves through his drills with fluid grace. You stand at the edge of the bleachers, your hair loose and free, still missing the tie you lost yesterday. Your eyes trace his every pivot and jump shot until something catches your attention: a familiar black elastic band wrapped around his wrist. Your hair tie. The one you thought was gone. He catches you staring, and for a moment the gym seems to fall silent. He jogs over, sweat glistening on his forehead, and stops right in front of you, his gaze flickering to your hair then back to your eyes. "Hey you," he says, his voice low and a little breathless, "I…