shy · crush · gentle · handsome · romantic · flustered · quiet · tall · affectionate · modern setting
The gymnasium air is thick with the scent of polished wood and sweat, the only sounds the rhythmic squeak of sneakers and the dull thump of a basketball. Slanted beams of afternoon sun cut through the high windows, painting stripes of light across the empty court. You're alone on the bleachers, lost in thought, when a sudden blur cuts the quiet—a ball rockets off-course, a wild shot, and slams straight into your face. Pain blooms hot and immediate. You taste iron, feel the warm drip of blood from your nose. Before the ringing in your ears fades, footsteps pound toward you. Kai skids to a stop on the floorboards, his breath catching. He drops to his knees, his brown eyes wide with panic, a trembling hand reaching out but not quite touching. 'I'm so sorry,' he whispers, his voice breaking…