My Nerf Neighbour

🔫14🔫

Heeseung's POV

"So what do you wanna do?"

I glanced down at the innocent puppy beside me, his little voice softly making its way to my ears. I smiled, liking how shy he was.

"I was thinking...something sporty? Would you mind?" I asked, meeting his eyes as he lifted his head. He blinked once, then shrugged. "Sure."

"Cool! Actually, I wanted to play basketball-do you know how to play?"

The question made him glance thoughtfully at me, and I almost cooed at how cute he looked, pouting his lips in thought. If anything, I wanted to keep him by my side forever, not wanting to let him go.

I was planning on confessing soon. I really liked Jake, he was someone I wanted to be around more. I had been single my whole life, the only few times I've been with people were little flings-but that was it.

This time, I wanted to make it real.

"I can play-probably not as well as you," he replied sheepishly after a while, and I chuckled softly.

"Don't worry! I can teach you, then we can play one day with the others and you can show off your skills!" He laughed at me comment, and I felt pride coursing through me.

Jake seemed really down that day, when he came over to my place. I knew that phone call was something, but I didn't want to pressure him into telling me.

"Ah, there's the court! Race you!" Jake yelled, and before I could process his words he was off, sprinting across the road and into the park. I shouted his name in frustration before running after him, a grin taking over my lips.
_____
I jumped up, tossed the ball and it slid into the hoop with ease.

"Damn, that's your 5th shot in a row. Why are you so good at everything?" Jake questioned, handing me a bottle of water he bought from the convenience store nearby.

"Practice. And I'm not good at everything. You're better at me in some things too! Like smiling-"

I halted my words as he jerked his head up to face me. "What?"

"N-nothing! I meant that maybe you'll be good at basketball too! Come on, let's start!" I tugged at his hand the moment he put down his bottle on the bench, and dragged him to the middle of the court.

Once I thought him how to stance properly, I tried teaching him how to dribble while moving. (He wasn't as good as he thought)
But no matter how many times I tried to show him, or even guide him with words, he was still tripping over his feet, once almost falling face-flat on the ground.

"Okay, stop. Why not we try this?" I caught the ball that bounced off the court as he balanced himself back onto his feet.

"Try what?"

I didn't answer and swooped behind him, my chest almost pressed against his back. I could feel him tense slightly as his breath hitched, and I lowered my head next to his ear.

"Are you comfortable with me doing this?"

He nodded slowly, and I stepped an inch closer, took his hand with my free one, and directed it on how to move to dribble the ball properly.

"Get it? Keep doing this, imagine a ball in your hands. Then pretend your moving in your head...do you get the image?" I asked, and he whispered out a soft hum.

While he tried to get the hang of it, I couldn't help but notice how soft his hair was, the sweet, rosey-ocean like scent wafting into my nose. It wasn't a hot summer evening, but more of a near winter day, cool breezes and clearer skies. The wind only increased his smell, and I tried my best not to sniff his neck.