𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫? - 𝐓𝐌𝐑 𝐀𝐔, 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐨

009 - bouncing balls ;)

The sun shines over the basketball court, a patch of cracked asphalt near the main hall. There are two rickety hoops on the court, one at each end. The heat burns into our skin as we warm up for our second day of sports.

"Alright, everyone," Mr Vince starts, blowing his yellow whistle. "I'll divide you into two teams. Whoever I say is in team one, go get a red bib to put over your clothes."

All ten of us listen attentively, waiting to see what teams we are in. Secretly, I'm hoping I'm going to be with Minho; I know we'd dominate everyone.

Mr Vince begins pointing out our teams. "Team one—Thomas, Braedyn, Sonya, Whitley, Frypan, and Alby."

Hearing our names get called, the six of us walk towards the bibs and pull them over our heads, letting them cover our torsos.

"Team two—Teresa, Logan, Newt, Minho, Astrid, and Harriet." Mr Vince nods towards each of them as they shuffle together, grinning with confidence. "As you may have already figured out, everyone is against their partner for the race."

I groan under my breath, frustrated knowing that Minho is about to kick all of our asses.

"Now, everyone get in position," Mr Vince orders, getting ready to blow his whistle.

"Don't worry, Ley," Minho calls from across the court, giving me a smirk that screams confidence. "I'll go easy on you."

I roll my eyes, but can't help the smile forming on my lips. "You sure you don't want me to go easy on you instead?"

"Like I said," he begins, catching the basketball Mr Vince throws at him. "You're funny."

"Ha–ha," I mock, getting into position. "Good luck, Minho."

Mr Vince blows air into his whistle, and the game starts.

Minho and Alby line up in the middle for the tip–off, to which Minho wins with ease. He snatches the ball and begins to dribble it down the court, his ego probably blowing his head off.

I sprint after him, but he's too fast. He reaches the hoop with Thomas right on his tail. Being taller, Thomas manages to block Minho from shooting, but Minho fakes him out, sending Thomas stumbling in the wrong direction. With a quick step to the left, Minho lines up his shot and sinks the basketball.

The other team cheers, and Minho runs backward to the middle, shooting me the same smirk as before.

"That was pure luck," I tell him, rolling my eyes at his confidence. "Just wait and see how good I am."

I'm not good. At all.

With some murmurs of strategies, we all walk back to our starting positions.

This time, Alby tips the ball, and he manages to grab it before Minho can. Alby passes to Frypan, who bounces the basketball a couple of times before throwing it towards Sonya.

"Dammit," she curses as Minho intercepts it.

Grinning, he dribbles the ball, weaving past Braedyn. As he runs, he doesn't pay attention to me; I cut in front of him, taking the ball into my possession.

"Watch this," I say, chuckling as I pass the ball to Thomas. He quickly returns it once I've made my way to the hoop. And I shoot it in.

I grin as I run back to start again. Feeling Minho's eyes on me as I receive high-fives from my teammates only makes my smile widen.

We start the line up again, and Alby gets the ball for the second time. He immediately passes to Thomas, who holds the ball, waiting for the opposing team to surround him. Once they close in, he passes to Sonya, who is positioned by the hoop.

She grins as everyone sprints towards her, then she turns to the hoop and shoots the ball.

Our team erupts into cheers as the ball passes through the net, dropping onto the concrete.

"Good job, Sonya," I congratulate her. "You did great."

"Thanks, Whit." She high–fives me. "Just saying, Minho is giving us death glares."

Following her gaze, I glance behind me, and I see Minho staring at us.

"If looks could kill," I mutter, trying to contain my laughter. "We'd be dead."

Sonya breaks out into the laughter I'm concealing, and together we walk back to the middle of the court, hoping to beat Minho.

"Alright, you guys have done great so far. We can have a break now," Mr Vince announces. "And if Alby's team shoots an immediate hoop afterwards, then they win."

I walk towards the bench, wiping sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand.

"I underestimated you," a voice says behind me. I spin around to reveal Minho standing there, his arms crossed. "Again."

"I know," I say, grinning at him. "Impressed?"

"Honestly, I am."

"You should be." I give a twirl. "But you weren't too bad yourself."

"Well, thank you very much, Ley," Minho says, his voice dripping with mock gratitude.

The whistle blows, signalling the end of our break. As we huddle together, Alby gives us a quick pep talk, his voice barely audible over the opposing team. My teammates are buzzing with energy, and the lead we've built is something we're hoping to keep.

"Alright, let's keep this up," I say, trying to maintain our confidence. "We're doing well so far; if we can get this goal, then we win."

As we take the court again, I can feel the heat from the sun intensify, making the asphalt even hotter underfoot. Minho's team comes back with renewed hope, clearly fired up and eager to win the game they're currently losing. Minho's eyes lock on mine, and he grins, a challenge glistening in his gaze.

The game starts, and yet again, Alby gets the ball. He passes it to me, and I dribble down the court, scanning for an open teammate. Thomas makes a quick step toward the hoop, and I send him a perfect pass. He catches it, and aims towards the hoop, his arms pushing forward as the ball makes contact with the net.

And we win.