Hearts on the Court

Chapter 8: Touch Of Curiosity

Arriving at the massive, multi-story mall felt like stepping into another world. The building, just fifteen minutes from the gym, buzzed with life, shoppers darting between stores, and families strolling in and out of brand-name outlets. 

After the three intense games that we had, my stomach growled impatiently as we navigated the sprawling complex, searching for a place to eat. The neon-lit signs and the scent of food in the air led us to the Food Zone, a chaotic hub of cuisine from all around the globe. We all split up, each following our cravings.

I wandered through the aisles of food stalls, glancing at the options—Mexican, Italian, burgers—but my heart was set on Chinese. 

I could already imagine the savory aroma of stir-fried noodles and the tang of soy sauce.  After a few minutes of waiting, I walked away with a steaming box of General Tso's chicken and a cold bottle of iced tea. 

My tray in hand, I searched for a spot and noticed our group had started to assemble tables together near the back. I was the first to sit down, probably because the mall was packed. People bustled around us, bags in hand, laughter echoing from every direction.

I took a deep breath, appreciating the momentary silence. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw William approaching with a tray of food. He flashed his signature grin and casually sat next to me. I couldn't help but smile.

 I greeted him, and we dove into our food, exchanging comments about the day, the tournament, and random things that made us laugh. There was an easiness to our conversations, but something shifted that afternoon. 

As I was munching on a piece of chicken, I suddenly felt his leg brush against mine under the table. My heart skipped a beat. Maybe it was an accident?

I froze for a moment, unsure of what to do. Then curiosity got the best of me, and I subtly moved my leg closer, letting it gently press against his. He didn't move away. My heart pounded louder in my chest, the noise of the mall fading into the background. 

The atmosphere between us seemed to heat up with each passing second. 

I tried to focus on anything else—the food, the people, the noise—but the warmth of his leg against mine was all I could think about. I didn't know what I was feeling. Was it just admiration for a teammate? A friend? Or something more? I pushed the thoughts away and tried to concentrate on my meal.

Just then, William pulled out his phone and started snapping photos of me while I was mid-bite. I turned to him, half-amused, half-annoyed. "Hey, what are you doing?" I asked, trying to sound serious but failing to suppress a smile.

"Oh, come on, don't move! You look great!" he teased, snapping another picture.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Really? I'm eating, I probably look like a mess. And I'm exhausted after those three games," I complained, though the smile on my face betrayed me.

He chuckled, still clicking away. "I'm just documenting good memories," he said, shrugging as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I sighed in mock defeat. "Fine, fine. But don't show those to anyone," I warned.

He extended his pinky toward me, grinning mischievously. "Pinky promise. These are just between us."

With a laugh, I locked my pinky with his, and we sealed the deal with a playful shake. The moment felt light and carefree, a snapshot of a friendship that felt deeper than before.

As the rest of the team gathered around, the conversation shifted to the tournament's results. There was an air of triumph; everyone was celebrating, laughing, sharing inside jokes. It felt like a victory not just for the team, but for the bond we had built together. 

After we finished eating, people started heading to the restrooms and gathering their things to leave. But as we walked toward the mall's exit, William suddenly stopped in front of a sleek, modern-looking store.

"Wait, can we check this out before we go?" he asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Coach Martin glanced at the store, then back at William, his brow furrowed. "I don't think so. We've got to get back. Maybe next time," Coach said, clearly eager to stick to the schedule.

William didn't seem deterred. Instead, he grabbed me by the shoulder and, with a quick tug, pulled me along as he approached the coach again. "Hey, Coach, what if Jacob and I stay behind? We can catch an Uber back. We'll be fine," he suggested, the confidence in his voice surprising even me.

Coach gave him a long, questioning look. "Are you sure you don't want to head back with the team? You'll be alright getting back on your own?"

William nodded eagerly. "Yeah, we'll be fine. We'll return safe and sound, promise."

Coach Martin sighed, clearly not in the mood to argue. "Alright, but be safe. Jacob, keep an eye on William, and William, look out for Jacob. We'll see you both on Monday."

William practically bounced with excitement as he thanked Coach, and the rest of the team left us behind. As soon as they were out of earshot, I turned to William, bewildered. "Wait—what was that about? You didn't mention anything about staying longer!"

He flashed me a playful grin, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, come on! It'll be fun. I just needed a partner in crime."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help laughing. "Alright, alright. What's the plan then? What do you need help with?"

"Help? Oh, nothing specific," he replied with a childish smirk. "I just wanted to explore a bit, and I've been craving ice cream. You in?"

I stared at him, both amused and exasperated. "Seriously? This is what we're staying behind for?"

"Yup!" he said enthusiastically, grabbing my arm and pulling me in the direction of an ice cream shop. His infectious energy was impossible to resist.

And so, we wandered the mall together, a strange blend of excitement and something unspoken hanging in the air. It felt like an adventure, just the two of us. Maybe it wasn't just about the ice cream after all