offsides | c. clark

six.

2020
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

"Stop moving," Alex orders as she kicks Caitlin, causing the basketball player to squirm even more. Alex looks up from her sketchpad at Caitlin who was grinning widely at her like the annoying little shit she is.

"I guess you don't want this portrait," Alex says as she closes her sketchbook and Caitlin reaches out as she places her hand on the sketchbook.

"I'm sorry," Caitlin apologizes. Alex looks at her and Caitlin's expression is genuine, "Keep drawing me?"

Alex sighs as she opens her sketchbook and resumes her drawing of Caitlin. She looks down at the notebook, her eyes flickering back up to Caitlin every once in a while.

"Nervous?" Caitlin asks.

"About what?" Alex wonders.

"Big Ten Championship," Caitlin responds.

"A little," Alex says, "But I think we have a chance at winning."

"With you there of course they do," Caitlin says.

Alex smiles sheepishly at the words as she continues drawing, "Are you nervous?"

"About?" Caitlin asks.

"Your first college basketball game," Alex responds.

"No," Caitlin answers. Alex pauses as she looks up at Caitlin.

"Really?"

Caitlin nods her head, "Really, it's just basketball."

"Hm," Alex says as she looks back down and continues drawing Caitlin.

Caitlin watches Alex carefully, "Are you coming to the game?"

Alex blinks surprised by the question, "Do you want me there?"

"Duh," Caitlin replies, a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Alex laughs softly, her gaze dropping back to the sketchpad for a moment before returning to Caitlin, "I'll be there."

Caitlin's eyes softened, and she nudged Alex's leg with her foot, "There's going to be a bonfire afterward. You know, tradition and all. You coming to that too?"

Alex raises an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly, "Will you be there?"

"Of course."

Alex's lips curved into a smile, her voice soft and sincere, "Then I'll go."

Caitlin leaned back, a comfortable warmth settling over her as she watched Alex return to her drawing. She glances at the sketchpad, curious.

"Can I see?" Caitlin asks, nodding toward the drawing.

Alex hesitates for a moment before flipping the sketchpad around, revealing the half-finished portrait of Caitlin. The details were already coming to life—the sharpness of her jawline, the softness around her eyes. It was unmistakably her.

Caitlin's breath caught in her throat as she took it in, "Alex, this is incredible."

Alex smiles, her eyes flickering with a mix of pride and shyness, "It's not done yet."

"It's already amazing," Caitlin says softly, her gaze lifting from the drawing to Alex, "Thank you."

Alex's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave a small shrug, her eyes dipping back to the sketch, "I like drawing you," she admits quietly. "There's... a lot to capture."

Caitlin's heart raced at the honesty in Alex's words, the way they seemed to talk about more than just art. She wanted to say something, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she just smiled, letting the moment linger between them, letting it say what neither of them could quite put into words yet.