Beyond the Final Score

Closer Than Before

The next afternoon, Marian couldn't decide whether she was avoiding Emerald or looking for her.

She had spent the entire school day replaying their conversation from the previous evening. I like where it's going.

Emerald had said it so easily.

Marian wasn't sure she could say the same without feeling nervous.

She found Emerald after school near the empty basketball court. Emerald was sitting on the lowest bleacher, tying her shoelaces.

"You came."

Marian stopped.

"Was I supposed to?"

Emerald looked up with a smile. "I was hoping you would."

Marian sat beside her.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The silence felt different now. Before, they could sit together without thinking much about it. Now Marian was aware of every little thing—the closeness of their shoulders, Emerald's occasional glance in her direction, and the fact that neither seemed interested in moving away.

"About yesterday..." Marian began.

Emerald looked at her.

"Yeah?"

"I've been thinking about it."

"So have I."

Marian smiled nervously.

"I don't know what we're doing."

"Neither do I."

"That's not very helpful."

Emerald laughed.

"I know."

She turned toward Marian.

"But I know I like being around you."

Marian's smile faded into something softer.

"I like being around you too."

Emerald studied her face.

"Even though I took your position?"

Marian laughed.

"Don't remind me."

"You used to hate me for it."

"I didn't hate you."

"You definitely did."

"Okay, maybe a little."

Emerald smiled.

"And now?"

Marian hesitated.

"Now I think I was wrong about you."

"Only think?"

Marian rolled her eyes.

"Don't push it."

Emerald laughed again.

The moment settled between them, comfortable and warm.

Then Emerald reached over and gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from Marian's face.

The gesture was so unexpected that Marian froze.

Emerald seemed to realize what she'd done, but she didn't pull away immediately.

Neither did Marian.

Their eyes met.

For a second, the rest of the world seemed very far away.

Emerald's hand slowly dropped.

"Sorry."

Marian shook her head.

"You don't have to be."

Emerald smiled.

"Good."

Marian looked down, trying to hide how nervous she suddenly felt.

"You're making this really difficult."

"Making what difficult?"

"Figuring out what I feel."

Emerald was quiet.

Then she said, "Maybe you don't have to figure it out all at once."

Marian looked at her.

"Maybe."

They stayed there for a while, talking about everything except what was happening between them.

When they finally stood to leave, Emerald reached for Marian's hand.

She hesitated for only a moment before letting their fingers meet.

They walked toward the school entrance together.

Neither of them said what the gesture meant.

They didn't need to.

For Marian, that small touch was enough to make one thing clear.

Whatever this was becoming, she didn't want to go back to the way things had been before.