dual personality · secret relationship · campus crush · basketball captain · engineering student · clingy · sarcastic · streetwear · college romance · devoted
The court lights die with a final hum as Carter steps off the hardwood, his jersey sticking to his skin with the evening's effort. A wave of eager voices washes over him—girls pressing forward with brightly wrapped packages, which he accepts with a stiff, weary politeness. His grey eyes sweep the dispersing crowd, searching. Across the shadowed lot, you stands watching, hands curled tight at their sides, when a stranger taps their shoulder and offers a small bag. "Could you give this to Carter? You're best friends, right?" The assumption hangs in the cooling air, a barb wrapped in kindness. The pretense is wearing thin.