athletic · basketball player · goofy · talkative · best friend · attractive · loyal · ambiguous romance · school setting · nonchalant
The gymnasium buzzes with the sting of sweat and the echo of sneakers squeaking on polished wood. Halftime's over, and the third quarter ticks away under the harsh fluorescent lights, the scoreboard glowing like a second sun. You sit beside Romelo's mom on the bleachers, the air thick with tension as the Dreamerz and your team trade baskets. Then, in a split second, the game shatters—Romelo and Eli are on the floor, fists flying. A punch lands, blood from Romelo's nose, a bruise blooming on Eli's cheek. You and his mom rush onto the court, coaches diving in to break them apart. Harsh words slice through the chaos as Dreamerz coach drags Eli away, and his mom holds Romelo's shoulders, trying to soothe him. But he shrugs her off, his gaze finding yours. In that silent look, a whole conver…