¶ Unusual Behavior and Shared Struggles
Hey, I didn't think you'd still be here. What's going on? Waiting for the bus? Seriously? What happened to your car? Yeah. You're gonna be here a while. That bus is always late. I know because I take it every week. No car for me either, and don't even get me started. Last Thursday, I swear, I could have walked home faster. I was standing out there freezing, looking ridiculous, with my racket bag digging into my shoulder. Some random guy even tried to offer me a protein bar.
Like no thanks. I'm not taking snacks from strangers at a bus stop. Anyway, want some gum? I've got spearmint and this other flavor that claims it's peach, but honestly, just tastes like an overripe banana. What? You don't take stuff from strangers? I'm not a stranger idiot. We've been training together for what six months now? And yeah, I look tired. I am tired. Too much happening at once. Practice, a stats quiz, and my group project is falling apart because someone forgot to upload the slides.
I'm about two meals away from completely losing it. What about you? Because if I look exhausted, you look wiped out. Sorry, that came out harsh. I just mean you weren't yourself today. You were smiling like always, joking around. But something was off. Like your mind was somewhere else. I've noticed it before too. So tell me, what's been going on with you lately? And don't say nothing. That's not an answer.
You've been playing differently, still trying hard, but something's missing. Your serves are off, your angles aren't as sharp. I'm not spying on you. We're teammates. That's literally my job to notice. I mean, it's kind of entertaining watching you struggle when we're on opposite sides of the court. But when we play together, it's like you lose all your confidence. And I can't help wondering what's going on in that cute head of yours. You seem distracted by something or someone.
¶ Confession, Jealousy, and Team Rules
Oh my god. Is it me? Am I the one throwing you off? Is it the skirt? I know it's short, but the pale pink looked cute, okay? Wow. You're flustered. That's interesting. But then again, I did see you talking to that girl earlier, the brunette, No, not that one. The one with glasses. Sarah. Is it her? Is there something going on between you two? Hey, don't turn this around on me. I'm not flustered. I'm just curious.
and concerned about your game. That's all. So are you two dating? No? Huh. That's funny. Because from where I was standing, She definitely looked into you. And you had that smile. You know the one you get when you're nervous. I mean, whatever. You can date whoever you want. I'd just rather know. I just think it's a little strange. After everything, the late practices The dumb inside jokes. That night you let me wear your jacket because it was freezing after regionals.
What? Now you're looking at me like I'm confessing my soul or something. Relax. I'm not. Don't smirk like that. You still haven't answered me. If you're not into her, Then who are you into? Because something is messing with your head. and your game, and as your teammate, I feel like I deserve to know. You're impossible, Fine. You don't have to say anything. I was kind of hoping it was me doing that to you, though. Oops. Okay. Before you say anything, I know.
We agreed. No dating teammates. We all remember what happened last year with Joe and Wendy. The whole team was awkward for months. Coach practically turned practice into couples therapy. So yeah, no feelings. Keep it professional. Easy rule until it isn't. I didn't plan on this. One day you were just this annoying overachiever who could somehow hit a better forehand than me.
And the next thing I know, I'm checking the schedule to see if we're paired for doubles again. I catch myself watching you. getting jealous when other girls talk to you. And now we're here, standing outside the locker rooms, waiting for a bus that's probably still nowhere near us. I couldn't stop thinking about how you looked at Sarah today. I know. It's none of my business. You can flirt with whoever you want.
But part of me hoped maybe you were distracted for the same reason I am. We've been clicking on the court lately, haven't we? Covering each other's lines, moving without even looking. Like we're in sync. We had a rhythm. Until you started getting stuck in your head. What? It might be because of me? In a good way? Okay. You're gonna have to be clear. Fine. I'm listening. Yeah. I've been distracted too. Every time you look at me there's this feeling. I can feel it.
It makes me want to be closer to you, I know. We shouldn't. It could get messy. And with the season starting, we can't afford distractions. But God, it's hard. There's this tension between us every time we're together. You feel it too. I know you do. We keep pretending it's not there, but how long can we really ignore it? I don't want things to get weird with the team, but every time I look at you, I wonder what it would be like to kiss you.
No. Bad idea. No kissing teammates. No thinking about teammates in the shower. Definitely not. So distance, yeah. That's smarter. Or
¶ Giving In: A Locker Room Secret
We could keep standing here awkwardly waiting for the bus. Or the locker rooms are empty right now. I'm just saying, if we wanted to sneak in and see what giving in feels like, Just a little we could. Just this once no one has to know. You've thought about it too, haven't you? I can see it in your eyes. We don't have to make it complicated. Just a taste. No rules. No pressure. Just us. Come on, give me your hand.
I just want to show you how long I've wanted this. Follow me. Don't worry. No one's around. We've got time. I checked. Okay? Maybe I did think this through a little, but that's because you've been driving me crazy. The way you laugh when I miss a shot. The way your shirt sticks to your back when you serve. Honestly, how is anyone supposed to focus? Just the two of us now. You're a really good kisser. What if I leave a small mark? Not your neck, your shoulder. No one will see it. Just you.
Something to remember, something to think about next time you're pretending you're totally focused on your serve. You're stuttering. That's adorable. Relax. You won't regret this, I promise. You smell really good. It won't hurt. Just a little mark. There. See? It suits you. Almost like I signed my name on you. Something to think about later. When you're lying in bed thinking about me. Wait. I think I hear the bus. So do we go back now? Or wait for the next one? Your call babe.