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1136 Words
“Ethan,” Elena repeated.
Maya nodded, still watching the court.
“Ethan Calloway.”
“That's his full name?”
“I mean, yes.”
“You said it like you're introducing a celebrity.”
Maya laughed under her breath.
“Maybe he is.”
“To you?”
“Unfortunately.”
Elena smiled and looked back toward the game.
Ethan had moved toward the net.
One of his teammates said something to him. Ethan laughed, shook his head, and wiped his forehead with the bottom of his shirt before taking his position again.
Maya watched him for another second.
Then she sighed.
“I hate that he looks good while sweating.”
Elena turned toward her.
“That is a very specific problem.”
“It is a serious problem.”
“You should seek professional help.”
“I've considered it.”
Elena laughed.
The whistle blew.
The next serve came fast.
Ethan jumped.
The ball hit his hands and flew across the net.
The other team barely managed to return it.
Maya clapped once.
“Come on.”
Elena glanced at her.
“You really like him.”
Maya didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and watched the next play.
“Yeah.”
It was the first time she'd said it without joking.
Elena looked at her.
Maya smiled faintly.
“It's embarrassing.”
“A little.”
“Thank you for your support.”
“You're welcome.”
Maya nudged her shoulder.
Elena nudged her back.
They watched the game.
A few minutes passed.
Maya started explaining things about Ethan without being asked.
“He's been here since freshman year. He's twenty. He's studying business, I think.”
“You think?”
“I've never actually asked him.”
Elena looked at her.
Maya shrugged.
“I've spent most of my time trying to look normal around him.”
“You don't look normal.”
“I know.”
Another point ended.
Ethan's team won it.
His teammates shouted and bumped shoulders.
Maya smiled.
“There.”
“What?”
“That smile.”
Elena followed her gaze.
Ethan was laughing at something one of the guys had said.
“He seems happy.”
“He usually is.”
“You know him well?”
Maya shook her head.
“Not really.”
“So why do you like him?”
Maya opened her mouth, then paused.
“That's a horrible question.”
“Why?”
“Because now I actually have to think about it.”
Elena smiled.
Maya leaned back against the bleacher.
“I don't know. He's just...”
She stopped.
“Annoyingly nice.”
Elena laughed.
“That sounds terrible.”
“I know.”
“He's nice and that's a problem?”
“When you're trying to have a crush on someone, yes.”
Elena shook her head.
“You're strange.”
“And you're judging me.”
“A little.”
“Fair.”
The whistle sounded again.
Maya immediately turned back toward the court.
“Oh, shut up.”
“I didn't say anything.”
“You were about to.”
Elena smiled.
The game ended a few minutes later.
Ethan's team won by two points.
Maya applauded like she'd personally contributed.
Elena looked at her.
“You didn't do anything.”
“I provided emotional support.”
“From the bleachers.”
“Support is support.”
The players began gathering near the benches.
Someone tossed a towel toward Ethan.
He caught it without looking.
“Show-off,” Maya muttered.
Elena laughed.
Ethan said something to one of his teammates, and the two of them started laughing.
Then another player walked past and called out.
“Calloway, you're buying food.”
Ethan shook his head.
“I scored the winning point.”
“Exactly. You're rich.”
“That's not how that works.”
“That's how it works today.”
The guy walked away.
Ethan laughed and followed him toward the exit.
Maya watched him go.
“He's going to leave before I can say anything.”
“Maybe that's for the best.”
Maya turned slowly.
“Whose side are you on?”
“Yours.”
“You don't sound like it.”
“I've known you for one day. I'm protecting you from yourself.”
Maya stared at her.
“That's actually fair.”
They stood and started walking toward the exit.
Elena adjusted the strap of her bag.
Behind them, someone shouted.
“Maya!”
She turned.
A girl from the court was jogging toward them.
“Are you coming tonight?”
Maya hesitated.
“To what?”
“The welcome party.”
“Oh.”
Maya glanced at Elena.
The girl noticed.
“This her?”
“Yep.”
“New roommate?”
Maya nodded.
The girl smiled at Elena.
“Welcome to Westbridge.”
“Thank you.”
“You guys should come tonight.”
Maya opened her mouth.
Elena spoke first.
“We'll see.”
The girl grinned.
“That's what Maya always says.”
Then she ran back toward the others.
Maya looked at Elena.
“You're learning.”
“I've been here one day.”
“And you're already saying ‘we'll see.’”
“I panicked.”
“You did great.”
They stepped outside.
The afternoon sun hit them again, warmer after the cool gym.
Maya stretched her arms above her head.
“Okay. I officially need a shower.”
Elena laughed.
“That was fast.”
“I played emotional volleyball.”
“You watched volleyball.”
“Emotionally.”
They started back toward the residence halls.
For a while, neither spoke.
Campus had changed slightly since they first walked through it.
The afternoon rush was fading.
Students were heading back to their rooms, others gathering in small groups on the grass. Somewhere across campus, music had started playing again.
Elena looked around.
“This place changes quickly.”
Maya glanced at her.
“Yeah.”
“I thought college would be quieter.”
Maya laughed.
“Give it time.”
They walked a little farther.
Then Maya suddenly stopped.
Elena nearly walked into her.
“What?”
Maya pointed ahead.
“Coffee.”
Elena looked at the small café tucked between two campus buildings.
“You're getting coffee again?”
Maya looked offended.
“I don't like the way you said that.”
“You've already had two.”
“Three.”
Elena stared at her.
“You had three?”
Maya smiled.
“I'm having a productive day.”
Elena sighed.
“Fine.”
Maya grinned.
“That's my girl.”
“I am not your girl.”
“Give it three days.”
Elena laughed as they walked toward the café.
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