Ken dribbled the ball with fierce determination, his heart racing as he leaped for a dunk, only to miss the rim on his first attempt. Undeterred, he launched himself into the air once more, and this time, the ball swished beautifully through the net, the sound ringing triumphantly in his ears. He spun around, buoyed by the cheers he thought were directed at him, but reality came crashing down as he registered the real reason for the uproar. It was her—his girl—capturing the attention of every gaze in the vicinity, her presence magnetic and undeniable.
In a rush of adrenaline, he sprinted across the cracked blacktop, his eyes locked on her, oblivious to the obstacles in his path. He vaulted over the low fence, landing gracefully in front of her, abruptly halting her steps and cutting through her moment of basking in admiration. Before she could utter a protest, he caught sight of his friend exiting the park from another entrance, a primal instinct kicking in as he closed the distance, trapping her against the soft, emerald grass below him, pinning her arms down gently but firmly.
"So, what's your excuse today?" he demanded, frustration simmering just below the surface as her head swiveled away from him, igniting a spark of anger inside him.
"Huh?! What the hell is the excuse today?" His voice was intense, almost a whisper as he tried to keep her attention focused on him. The warmth of her delicate skin beneath his fingertips sent a rush of conflicting emotions through him, yet she didn't try to free herself.
"Ugh, just answer me," he murmured, his voice barely above a breath as she continued to evade his gaze. After a final, desperate attempt to twist free, he pulled away, balancing on the balls of his feet, a mix of impatience and desire coursing through him. With a flick of her wrist, she pulled her long dress back down, the fabric settling against her skin after being twisted in their struggle.
Sitting there, the grass cradling her, she held the hem of her dress down against her ankles, her eyes quietly observing him. Her chest rose and fell slowly, each breath a dance between unease and curiosity as her gaze flicked from his hands to his face, searching for something unspoken. They were alone now, the park around them deserted, leaving only the weight of their silence.
He followed her gaze, his eyes drifting to his wrists where his bracelets had settled, and with a sudden rush of affection, he shimmied them off. He took her hand and pulled her closer, sliding the heavy jewelry onto her slender wrist, encasing her slightly puffy skin in the cool metal.
"Here, don't ever take these off," he whispered, a promise wrapped in sincerity.
Once the bracelets were secured, he marveled at her as she suddenly sprang to her feet, dashing away through the field like a fleeting dream. Her dress billowed behind her, a whispered echo of elegance as she raced beyond the park's boundaries, and he couldn't shake the image of her—a vision of grace and beauty—darting away, leaving him in a daze.
