Hoops and Heartstrings

Chapter 6: His pov

Ethan's pov

I entered my room and headed straight for the shower. As the water cascaded down on me, my mind wandered back to Ava and our earlier conversation. I couldn't shake off the feeling of frustration with myself. I leaned my head against the wall, the water still pouring down, and muttered to myself, "Was I too obvious? What will she even think?"

I groaned, covering my face with my hand. How did I even sound? Desperate? Clingy? The thought made me cringe. Ugh, it was nauseating. Will she start avoiding me? The thought of losing her was unbearable.

I turned off the shower, grabbed a towel, and headed to my room. I changed into pajamas and lay down on my bed, closing my eyes. And there she was, in my memories.

Flashback to 3 years ago:

I was on the basketball court, screaming at my friends to pass the ball to me. "Take it, Ethan!" Lucas yelled. As I caught the ball, I dribbled it swiftly, weaving through two defenders without breaking a sweat. The crowd was cheering, and I jumped, shooting the ball into the basket, a dunk. My specialty!!!!

"The coward cheered hard for us, and that's how we won!" I said, beaming with pride. "That was a good one, Ethan," our team captain said with a smile. "No worries, captain," i replied, grinning.

Lucas chimed in, "Guys, let's go celebrate!" Lucas said enthusiastically and we all agreed, but then I remembered Jason's swimming competition was in two hours. I decided to hang out with my friends for a bit before heading out to cheer him on.

As we indulged in delicious food, I couldn't help but feel happy and proud of our team's hard work. We had practiced tirelessly for this tournament since a month it was tough but in the end it all  paid off.

AFTER A WHILE

Lucas and I were walking  towards the stadium where Jason's competition was being held, it was still far tough. "Dude, wait here, I'll just go and come back," Lucas said, darting off. "Where?" I asked, but he just laughed and said, "Nature's call, Ethan, don't blame me!"

I stood there, grumbling, and took out my phone to pass the time. As I glanced in the other direction, everything seemed to fall silent fir a moment. That's when I saw her, it felt every single thing about her is gonna remain in my head forever those beautiful green eyes, her long brown cascade hair reaching her waist. Her uniform black and white with sneakers and her black bag.

Her hand stretched towards the sky, as if trying to grasp the moon, lost in thought. The soft moonlight danced across her face, and my heart just skipped a beat. Her innocence and beauty were mesmerizing. Before I knew it, I had taken my phone and clicked a photo. I knew it was wrong, but... I couldn't help myself, but why? Who was she? And why did I felt I could just look at her whole day without any worry?

Just then, Lucas jumped out from behind me, and I stumbled. "Omg, why do you have such bad timing?!" I stared at him, exasperated. "Why?! Did something happen? Stop blaming me, I'm an innocent child, Ethaan!" Lucas protested, feigning innocence.

I rolled my eyes tried by his dramatic behavior as I  turned back, to see her but the girl was gone, as if she had never been there. I placed my hand on my heart, wondering why it was beating so fast. Who was she? The memory of her lingered, leaving me with a sense of longing and curiosity.

"What are you searching for?" Lucas asked, curiosity etched on his face."Nothing, let's go to the stadium," I replied, trying to brush it off.

" Yeah, but let's grab something to eat first" Lucas suggested, his eyes scanning the surroundings for food stalls.

I stared at him, urgency creeping into my voice, "We're going to be late, the competition is about to start in a few minutes!"

Lucas grinned mischievously, "No problem, I've got this." He dragged me to a nearby stall and ordered a plate of momos. After devouring the snack as if he hadn't eaten for months, I dragged him towards the stadium, knowing we were running behind schedule but Lucas has decided that his soul purpose was to irrate me.

We arrived just in time, mere minutes before Jason's match. I waved at Jason, who was sitting stiffly on the benches, his nerves palpable. Our presence seemed to ease his tension slightly, and he offered a faint smile when he saw us. I gave him a reassuring thumbs-up, and Lucas proudly displayed a large board that read "We support you my dear Jason, my one and only lover" with big hearts, borrowed from some enthusiastic spectators or his some crazy fans. he looked a bit more at ease, after reading it.

Wow, what an exciting swimming competition! Reportor said The crowd is on the edge of their seats as the competitors dove into the pool, and the tension is palpable. The reporter was shouting out the word-by-word of the game, "And Ash is taking the lead, with Jason right behind him!" But then, in a stunning turn of events, Jason surged forward, passing Ash and taking the top spot. The crowd went wild as Jason crossed the finish line, claiming victory in tdy's game.

"Oh my god, the crowd was cheering wildly for Jason! I beamed with pride, and Lucas well, he lost it. He jumped from his seat screaming like a maniac, and then started hugging random people in excitement. I was thrilled for Jason, knowing how much this competition meant to him. But Lucas was acting like he was Jason's biggest fan or maybe even his boyfriend! 'Lucas, calm down!' I exclaimed but he just poured a big burgger inside my mouth and gave a big hug nearly squeezing the breath out of me. I swear, this dumbass was planning on killing me with his over-the-top celebration!"

"After a minute, I was still trying to catch my breath from Lucas's bear hug. I glared at him, but he was too busy busting in the excitement to notice. Once the crowd dispersed, we met up with Jason.

We all were in the lockers taking and congratulated him on his win. "Dude, congrats!" I said, beaming with pride. Jason repiled, "Same goes for you, buddy! You've won the competition too. He said smirking. I exist too, you know!" Lucss said, Jason laughed and started  teasing Lucas.

"Oh wait! U were busy flirting to the Sushan, while claiming to be my lover?" ahhh actually no were just taking uk. Yeah it coukd Cleary be seen, I said. Ethab not you too, Lucas said pouting we both couldn't stop laughing.

"Hey guys y don't u wait outside, I will just pack my stuff and come". I agreed, I just remembered I hv forgotten my some stuff Jason said again. "no prob I will just wait outside the gate"I said. Lucas offered to tag along, and they headed back inside.

I stood outside near the gate for a bit, but boredom got the better of me, and I decided to Roam around. I went around and I saw saw cate near the dustbin it wax white furred cat. I approached it and I csrreid it in my arm, "omg u are so cute" I siad to myslef.

I took some food out of my bag and tried to feed it, but then someone screamed get side i saw up and a girl just jumped down form the 1st floor, from the window. Wait! I do agree it was not that height but whi would wanna jump from there. The cat ran away and the girl fell upon me and we both landed of ground.

She landed on top of me, dman! Omg are u nuts? I questioned and as I opened my eyes, I was stunned to see... the girl from earlier! "Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, looking flustered. "I was just... I'm sorry" she repeated, before scrambling to her feet but then she remembered and she got up and even I did, she pulled me to the side. And kept a hand on my mouth.

Telling me to shush, wt are u even planning ninja! I said. Stop with that weird nickname and just be quiet, the guards they will catch me. But y? Cuz I am not allowed to be her you genius and stop asking Me more questions.

Then a guard screamed from up, "the girl is gone ig she ran away. If next time she comes, I am definitely gonna catch her" the first guard said to another one, we both could hear it clearly but after a while there both voice faded away.

She took a step back and then ran off from there, "dude I am sorry! Plz just act that this never happened and plz don't tell anyone about it I owe u". And then she just ran off leaving me there.