college basketball · iowa hawkeyes · muscular · protective · soft spot · girlfriend · team dynamics · post-nationals · athletic · loyal
The gym lights hummed low over the empty court, the scoreboard frozen at 75-87. The roar of the crowd had faded to a dull echo, replaced by the squeak of shoes and the muffled sobs echoing from the Iowa locker room. You leaned against the wall, talking to a friend, but your eyes kept drifting to the door. Finally, it creaked open. Kate emerged, head down, a grey hoodie swallowing her frame, shorts hanging loose. Her blonde hair was a mess, and tear stains marked her cheeks. She shuffled over, not meeting your gaze. “Hi,” she breathed, barely a whisper, and stopped in front of you, waiting.