Swimming back to you

chapter 6.

As I stepped into the basketball court, the lively sounds of sneakers squeaking against the polished wood floor and the echoing thud of basketballs filled the air. But my focus was entirely on Ryan. He stood out amidst the chaos, his movements smooth and effortless as he dribbled the ball, his eyes locked on the hoop with unwavering concentration.

There was something about the way he moved—every step purposeful, every gesture controlled. His red and black shorts clung to his toned legs, and the muscles in his arms flexed subtly as he passed the ball to a teammate. 

It was as if he were glowing, standing out against everything else.

My heart fluttered unexpectedly, a feeling I hadn't experienced in so long that it caught me off guard. He was just so... magnetic. I could see the intensity in his dark eyes, the way his brows furrowed in concentration, and the faint smile that played on his lips when he made a particularly good shot. It wasn't just his looks, though they were undeniably striking—it was his aura, a mix of confidence and kindness, that drew me in.

I hadn't felt this kind of giddy excitement in years—the thrill of a crush, the dizzying sensation of butterflies in my stomach. It was as if I were a teenager again, experiencing that heady rush of a crush.

And then I realized—I was still holding his bracelet. My hand tightened around it as I walked up to the court's edge, hoping to get his attention without making a fool of myself. My heart pounded in my chest, louder than the dribbling basketballs and the shouts of players around me.

Ryan was practicing shots, his form smooth and practiced. He made an impressive basket and then glanced up, his gaze meeting mine. I gave him a sheepish smile, hoping he'd recognize me.

He approached with a confident stride, his expression brightening when he saw me. "Hey, you!" he called out, a friendly grin spreading across his face. "What's up?"

I lifted the bracelet in my hand. "Hey, Ryan. You dropped this."

He took the bracelet with a look of genuine relief. "Oh, wow, thanks! This is really special to me. My grandfather gave it to me."

I smiled, feeling a bit of pride in returning something so important. "I'm glad I could help. I saw you drop it and figured I'd return it before it got lost."

His eyes sparkled with gratitude. "I really appreciate that."

As we talked about the sports academy, Ryan casually mentioned, "I've been really into rock climbing lately. It's such a rush. Have you ever tried it?"

My heart skipped a beat. Rock climbing? I had never tried it, but I didn't want to seem uninterested. "Oh, rock climbing!" I said, forcing enthusiasm into my voice. "Yeah, I've done it a few times. It's such a thrilling experience, right?"

His eyes brightened with interest. "Really? That's awesome! What do you like most about it?"

I struggled to come up with an answer that wouldn't reveal my lack of experience. "Well, the challenge is definitely the best part. I love pushing myself to new heights and overcoming my fears. It's exhilarating."

Ryan nodded, clearly impressed. "Sounds like you've had some great experiences with it. You should join me sometime. It's always more fun with someone who's into it."

I felt a pang of anxiety. "Sure, that sounds great. I'd love to try it again," I said, forcing a smile. "Maybe you could give me some tips?"

Ryan's enthusiasm was contagious. "Absolutely! We could go to the climbing gym on Saturday. The basketball team usually goes there every weekend, you could join us too. I'll show you some techniques, and we can climb together."