The basketball player

Shadows of Us

The morning had started in a way I never expected. My sweet boy, Cooper, passed away unexpectedly. He was just five years old, full of life and energy, and then suddenly, he was gone. My heart ached as we buried him, my loyal companion, leaving me feeling hollow. I knew Aiden had a badminton match at St. Joseph's School that morning, and my best friend Ashley's birthday was later that day. Originally, I planned to see Aiden first and then head over to celebrate with Ashley, but now everything felt so off. I wanted to crawl into bed and never leave.

But Aiden, being the caring person he was, told me it was fine if I didn't come. I knew he'd understand, but the thought of being alone in the house was unbearable. I needed to get out, to distract myself from the grief that was threatening to consume me. With a deep breath, I decided to go see Aiden. Maybe being around him would help ease the pain, even if just a little.

He asked me to call him once I got there, so I did, my heart racing with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy. As I walked through the school grounds, the early morning sun casting a warm glow across the field, my eyes searched for him. And then, there he was—walking toward me with that familiar, irresistible grin that made my heart skip a beat. He looked so effortlessly handsome, like he had stepped right out of a dream and into my reality.

The moment our eyes met, I felt a surge of warmth rush through me. I couldn't help but smile back, my lips curving up in an involuntary response to his presence. He had this way of lighting up a room—or in this case, an entire field—just by being there. In that instant, all I wanted to do was drop everything, run up to him, and wrap my arms around him in the tightest hug. But we were just friends, after all. Friends with a flurry of unspoken feelings bubbling beneath the surface. So I held back, trying to keep my cool, even though every fiber of my being was screaming to close the distance between us.

He didn't hesitate, though. As soon as he reached me, he pulled me into a warm embrace. It was so natural, so easy, like it was the most ordinary thing in the world for us to be this close. His arms wrapped around me with a gentle firmness that made me feel safe, like he was silently promising to protect me from anything that might come our way. I could feel the steady beat of his heart against my chest, a rhythm that seemed to sync with my own racing pulse.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes. There was genuine concern in his gaze, a kind of protective warmth that made my heart flutter. His voice was low, filled with a softness that sent shivers down my spine.

I nodded, unable to trust my voice at that moment. "Yeah, I'm okay," I managed to say, though my voice came out more breathless than I intended. He gave me that little head pat he always did, a gesture that had become his way of showing affection. It was such a simple thing, but it always made me feel like a cherished little kid, special and cared for.

Then, without a word, he slipped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer as we started walking toward the indoor badminton court. It was such a casual move, but it made my heart race. The feel of his arm around me, the warmth of his body next to mine—it was intoxicating. He held me as if I were the most precious thing in the world, his touch a silent promise of protection and care.

As we walked, I couldn't help but steal glances at him, admiring the way his eyes lit up when he looked at me, the way his smile never seemed to fade. He was everything I didn't know I needed, and in that moment, with his arm around my shoulder, guiding me through the unfamiliar school grounds, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

"Thanks for coming," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper, but loud enough to send a ripple of warmth through me.

"Of course," I replied, trying to keep my tone light and steady. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."