Beyond the Final Score

After Practice

The school was quieter than usual by the time Marian and Emerald reached the front gate. Most of the students had already left, and the afternoon rush had settled into the ordinary sounds of buses pulling away and people calling goodbye to one another.

They didn't head home immediately.

Instead, they walked along the sidewalk beside the school, talking about things that had nothing to do with basketball. Emerald told Marian about the school she had attended before Westbridge and how strange it had been starting over somewhere new. Marian admitted that she hadn't made it easy for her when she first arrived.

"You really didn't," Emerald said, laughing.

Marian smiled. "I was trying to protect my place."

"I know."

"I thought if I let you get comfortable, you'd take everything from me."

Emerald looked at her. "And now?"

Marian thought about it for a moment. "Now I don't think you took anything from me."

"Really?"

"You earned your position. I just didn't want to admit that."

Emerald nodded, seeming satisfied with the answer. She didn't bring up the question she had asked several times before. Instead, she kicked a small stone off the sidewalk and said, "I'm glad you finally did."

They continued walking until they reached a small café near the school. Emerald slowed down.

"Have you ever been here?"

Marian shook her head.

"Me neither. Want to try it?"

Marian looked through the window at the few students sitting inside.

"Is this your way of asking me out?"

Emerald's eyebrows lifted. "Maybe."

Marian laughed, surprised by how easily the word made her nervous.

"Then I guess my answer is yes."

They went inside and ordered drinks and something small to eat. Sitting across from Emerald felt different from sitting beside her on the court. There was no Coach Daniels watching them, no teammates calling for a pass, and no reason to pretend their conversations were only about basketball.

Emerald rested her elbows on the table.

"So, Captain Ken."

Marian smiled. "That sounds dangerous."

"I have a question."

"Go ahead."

"What's something I don't know about you?"

Marian considered it. "I hate losing."

"I already know that."

"I like quiet places."

"I didn't know that."

"I also hate when people think they understand me before actually talking to me."

Emerald smiled. "That one probably applies to me."

"Definitely."

They both laughed.

"What about you?" Marian asked.

Emerald looked thoughtful. "I don't like starting over."

Marian's expression softened.

"That's why you were so confident when you came here?"

"No. I was confident because I didn't want anyone to know I was nervous."

Marian hadn't expected that.

"You were nervous?"

"Of course."

"You didn't look nervous."

"I was trying very hard not to."

Marian smiled. "You fooled me."

They sat quietly for a moment, comfortable enough that the silence didn't need to be filled.

Then Emerald reached across the table and placed her hand near Marian's.

Not quite touching.

Just close enough.

Marian looked at it before meeting Emerald's eyes.

Neither of them said anything.

After a moment, Marian moved her hand the short distance between them.

Their fingers touched, and Emerald gently intertwined them.

This time, Marian didn't hesitate.

When they finally left the café, the sun was beginning to disappear behind the buildings. They walked back toward the school gate to collect their things, still holding hands.

Neither of them called it a date.

Neither seemed to need to.

For now, this was enough.