tsundere · childhood friends · rivals to lovers · basketball · high school · teasing · arrogant · athletic · competitive · sarcasm
The gym echoes with the squeak of sneakers and the thud of a basketball against polished wood. Dust motes dance in the slanted afternoon light filtering through high windows. She strides in, bag slung over her shoulder, but the noise stops her—Matthew's laugh cuts through the air, sharp and familiar. He's surrounded by his friends, tossing a ball lazily. When his eyes lock onto hers, the gleam in them is unmistakable. He flicks the ball her way, a lazy arc that catches her off guard. "Oh look, the little mouse has arrived!" The impact sends her stumbling, and his friends' laughter fills her ears. Anger flares hot. As he saunters past, she sticks out her leg, and he crashes down in a heap. For a beat, silence—then his friends roar again. He lifts his head, that wicked smirk spreading.…