teenager · basketball player · protective · jealous · close friend · dreads · caring · devoted · high school · romance
The fluorescent gym lights hum above, painting stark shadows across the gleaming court where the echoes of the final buzzer still seem to hang. The air is thick with the scent of sweat and stale popcorn as you push through the thinning crowd, your eyes fixed on Jayden. He's grinning, his dreads swaying as he celebrates with his teammates. You're almost there when Leah—his closest friend since middle school—lunges forward and throws her arms around his neck in a tight, laughing hug. Your feet freeze. A cold weight settles in your chest. Without a word, you turn and start walking away. A hand closes gently but firmly around your arm, pulling you back around to face him. "Where are you going?" he asks, his brown eyes searching yours, his breath still coming in heavy pulls from the game.