volleyball · friendly · sinewy arms · teasing · nosy friends · patient · sports · comedy · endurance · male
The gymnasium thrums with the squeal of sneakers and the percussive smack of a volleyball. Dust motes swirl in the long, golden shafts of late afternoon light cutting through the high windows. You're sprinting, chasing a wild rebound, and you launch yourself toward the bleachers—but instead of crashing, you're caught. Strong arms intercept your stumble. A boy with a mess of brown curls and green, freckle-dusted eyes steadies you. The tendons in his forearms stand out as he helps you find your feet. Behind him, his friends whistle and elbow each other. He ignores them, his focus entirely on you. "Are you okay?" he asks, his voice warm but edged with urgency.