Anvaila Emerson, a vibrant party lover, juggles her crush on Kevin Diaz, the basketball team captain, and the return of mysterious Austin Smith to senior year. Caught in a high school drama, Anvaila faces the complexities of emotions, friendships, a...
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It was one of those grey afternoons, where the sky seems to hang heavy over everything, casting everything in a dull light. I’d just finished school and, instead of going home like I should have, I found myself heading toward the soccer field. I knew Kevin would be there with Selene. They’d probably be all over each other, whispering sweet things and laughing likethey were the only two people in the world. And, frankly, I couldn’t bear it. Not today. Not after everything.
So, I kept walking, past the field where they usually hung out, and instead headed toward the farthest end of the park. I wasn’t even sure why I was there, but somehow, my feet led me toward the space where the trees lined the edge of the field. I found myself stopping when I saw Austin, casually leaning against the goalpost. He was alone, which was rare, and he looked... distracted. The sound of the ball being kicked around on the field echoed through the empty air, and I had to admit—there was something peaceful about it.
“You’ve got the stealth of an elephant, Anvaila,” Austin’s voice broke the silence, as he casually turned his head to look at me. “You wanna stand there glaring all day, or are you gonna say something?”
I rolled my eyes, but I could feel the corners of my mouth twitching. “I wasn’t glaring,” I muttered. “Just observing. Not a crime.”
“Not yet,” he shot back, spinning the ball on his foot before tossing it in my direction. “Catch.”
I wasn’t ready for it. The ball hit me square in the chest, and I stumbled back a little, clutching at it like it had just betrayed me.
“Ow. Seriously?” I grimaced, glaring at him as I held the ball in my arms. “You trying to break my ribs or something?”
Austin didn’t seem sorry. Instead, he leaned against the goalpost, crossing his arms with that infuriating smirk of his. “You’re supposed to catch it, not let it knock the wind out of you.”
I could feel my cheeks heating, and I shot back quickly, “Maybe I don’t want to catch it, then.”
“Alright, alright.” Austin chuckled. “But you do know I’m a professional, right?”
