Boys Like Him

The absurdity

"What... what are you doing?" I whispered, a flush rising to my cheeks.

"Relax, babe. I've got you." She pulled out a folded dress, slightly flirty, but classy enough that it felt like me, but somehow better. She tossed it at me, hair swinging wildly, and I caught it, frowning at the fabric.

"Uh... Mariah, I..."

"Stop talking!" she snapped playfully, shoving me into the corner of the stall. "I do not negotiate fashion. Strip and try it on. And Nyelle?" She leaned in, voice suddenly softer, almost conspiratorial. "You'd better trust me on this. You're going to slay."

I hesitated, flushed, and then reluctantly slipped out of my school clothes, ignoring the judgmental stares I imagined echoing from the other stalls.

Mariah was buzzing beside me, already pulling her own dress from the bag and humming along to a song playing faintly from a phone propped on the counter. The rhythm bounced through the tiles, catching my toes. The fabric slipped over my skin like water, almost calming the nervous flutter in my chest.

"You know, you're gonna have all eyes on you today. I hope you're ready for that, because Lloyd's probably already thinking about you like crazy."

I blushed, tightening the hem around my waist. My fingers trembled slightly as I tugged the straps over my shoulders, adjusting the neckline just so. I caught my reflection again, and for a fleeting moment, I almost didn't recognize the confident girl staring back. Almost.

Mariah poked her head into the stall, smirking.

"Now we put you through a do-over!" she hissed, spinning me into the nearest stall like she owned the place.

I blinked at her, trying not to giggle at the absurdity. She had a way of taking over a space without even trying, and right now, the bathroom stall seemed impossibly smaller just because of her presence.

"Is this prep not too much for a basketball game?" I whispered, mostly to myself, watching her rummage through the bag she'd brought.

"NO, obviously!" she replied, ignoring my question. "Do you want to blend into the crowd like some invisible wallflower, or do you want to make them remember you? Because I vote for the second one. You're with me now, and we don't do basic."

I laughed softly, biting my lip, feeling the nervous excitement coil tight in my stomach. Mariah didn't miss a beat, holding up a hand mirror like a pro stylist and adjusting my hair while chattering nonstop.

"Okay, okay, let's see..." she muttered, tilting my head this way and that. "Yes, yes! Oh my god, look at you! The brown eyes! The brows! That subtle smile! You... stop frowning! You're adorable! People are going to lose their minds. This is me saying that before anyone else gets a chance."

I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped. She was relentless, over-the-top, and completely infectious.

"There," she mumbled finally, stepping back with her hands on her hips. "You're done. You're a masterpiece, Nyelle."

I barely recognized myself. My hair cascaded over my shoulders in soft waves, and the subtle shimmer on my eyelids made my brown eyes sparkle in a way that made me want to blink repeatedly just to see it.

I nodded, breathing a little faster than usual, feeling her excitement seep into me. Mariah grabbed my hand again, tugging me toward the door. "Now let's hit the court."

I just smiled, letting myself be carried along by her energy, thinking how ridiculous and wonderful it was to have someone like her in my corner.

The air outside the bathroom felt different. Mariah hooked her arm through mine and steered me down the corridor. The closer we got, the louder everything became. The court doors were already propped open.

Heat spilled out first, followed by noise, and then movement.

Lloyd stood just inside the entrance, hands braced on his hips, shoulders rising and falling like he'd been pacing for a while. Sweat darkened the collar of his shirt. His jaw was tight, eyes scanning every face that passed through the doors.

When his gaze landed on me, the world stuttered.

I hadn't realized how tightly wound I'd been until that look unraveled me. Heat bloomed low in my belly, spreading outward, dizzying. I felt... seen.

Mariah squeezed my arm and leaned in. " Go ahead," she murmured, already backing away with a knowing grin.

Lloyd crossed the distance in long strides, stopping just short of me.

"You came," he whispered.

I swallowed. "I did."

He ran a hand through his hair, then dropped it.

"I've been..." He exhaled through a crooked smile. "I haven't had my phone all day. Coach confiscated it because of meetings, practice, and more meetings." His eyes stayed locked on mine as he spoke.

I shifted my weight, the noise of the court rushing back in around us. A cheer erupted somewhere behind him. A whistle cut through it again.

"I was hoping you'd come early," he added, quieter now. "I'm... really glad you did."

The tight knot I hadn't known I was carrying loosened just a fraction.

"I almost turned around," I admitted. "It's... a lot."

His mouth curved. "Yeah. It is."

Another whistle.

"Luxen!" someone shouted from the court. "You're up!"

He glanced over his shoulder, then back at me. He lifted his fingers, hesitated, then dropped back to his side.

"Seats," he mumbled, nodding toward the bleachers. "Second row. Center. You'll have a perfect view."

"Of the game?" I asked.

His gaze dipped again. "Of me."

My breath caught. I hated how easily that worked on me.

The crowd roared as his teammates began jogging onto the court.

Lloyd stepped backward, eyes never leaving mine. "You look..." He stopped himself, huffed a small laugh. "You look beautiful."

Before I could respond, he turned and jogged onto the court, clapping his hands. The noise surged instantly, chants rising, sneakers squealing against polished wood.

I stood there for a moment longer, heart racing, skin buzzing, watching him move.

And when he glanced back, and caught my eye from the center of it all...

My knees almost gave out.

I made my way to the seats he'd pointed out, the cheers swelling around me, the whistle blowing again.

The game hadn't even started yet.

And already, I felt like I was in deep.