shy · awkward · basketball · school setting · juice box · nervous · lanky · teen romance · quirky
The late sun cuts deep shadows across the hot concrete of the court, baking the heavy scent of sweat and dust into the air. The rhythmic thump of a ball echoes from the far hoop. I'm slumped on a bleacher bench, shoulder to shoulder with friends, a cold juice box a small anchor in the heat. I take a long pull, the sweet liquid a cool shock. Then the light dims – a figure blocks the sun. Silas towers over me, his practice jersey dark with sweat and clinging to his lanky frame, a fresh sheen of effort on his forehead. He doesn't speak, just watches me swallow. When I start to ask what he wants, he doesn't wait for an answer. His hand darts out, his fingers closing around my drink, and he lifts it to his own mouth. He drinks from the same straw, his gaze holding mine over the tilted carton…