Say I love you

04

~Kimberly Moor~ [the next morning, in high school] Our shoe soles clack on the floor with a frantic rhythm as we both make our way through the hectic school corridors, heading for the basketball court. Excitement builds inside us at the thought of joining the game that has already started barely five minutes ago, but I'm convinced the bleachers are already packed."Come on, hurry up, we're going to miss the game!" I hurl at Anna, forcing her to press on. In response to my urgency, Anna rolls her eyes exaggeratedly and lets out an exasperated sigh, before starting to run alongside me down the high school corridors. We take the direction that leads to the outfield, and just as I'd imagined, the stands are already packed. I wonder if we'll even be able to find a seat, but Anna quickly reassures me by informing me that one of her friends has reserved two places for us.We're a bit of a nuisance as we make our way over to Anna's friend Sarah, who just happens to have saved seats for us. She's sitting next to Stacy, who's her best friend herself. "What took you so long?" she says when she sees us. I sit next to her and Anna takes a seat next to me. Our gazes immediately turn to the basketball court, where Jordan makes a perfect pass to Steward, who drives to the opposing basket and scores the team's thirty-third goal. Excitement fills the crowd as the fans rise to their feet, roaring with joy. The sound of applause echoes through the gymnasium, creating an electric atmosphere. Sarah and Stacy stand up to cheer on the team, while we get caught up in the excitement of the match.My gaze is irresistibly drawn to Jordan, who takes to the court with grace and power. His long, muscular legs propel him with feline agility, and his powerful arms reach out with determination to catch the orange ball as it flies through the air. His ash-blond hair, slightly ruffled by his rapid movements, reveals rebellious strands that fall delicately to his concentrated forehead. His captivating blue eyes, filled with fierce determination, scan the court with raptor-like precision in search of the best pass to make.When he scores a basket, his face lights up with a dazzling smile, revealing perfectly aligned teeth that melt me. My heart starts to race, as if electrified by his aura of an accomplished and seductive sportsman. His every move is a symphony of grace and power, captivating my attention to the point where I'm totally absorbed by his presence on the court.For a brief moment, our gazes meet and I think I detect a glint of connivance in his ocean-blue eyes. A charming smile, at once mischievous and self-assured, stretches his full, sensual lips before he turns his attention back to the match. I'm completely taken in by his magnetic presence, almost forgetting the other players and fans around me, hypnotized by his athletic figure and fluid gestures.Suddenly, I notice several of the basketball players glaring at me, their eyes burning with interest. Even that bastard Steward seems to have spotted me, detailing me with undisguised interest. I frown with incomprehension as I turn to Anna, seated beside me. That's when I discover that she's proudly holding up a sign that reads: "The girl on my right is single and loves talented, muscular basketball players! My cheeks flush red, torn between intense embarrassment and surprise at this sudden attention.As everything takes shape in my head and I realize to my horror that I'm standing right next to her, my face turns a beautiful peony red. I suddenly feel like a deer caught in the headlights of a car, both flattered and terribly embarrassed by this unexpected situation.- What the hell are you doing? I panicked, glaring at her.- I'm giving you a boost," she announced, flashing me a mocking smile.