One-on-One

Chapter 4: The Choice Game

The week passed in a blur of classes and camera clicks, but Amira couldn't shake the weight of her indecision. Every time she stepped onto the court or picked up her camera, thoughts of Zyair and Jordan danced in her mind, pulling her in different directions.

Saturday rolled around, and Amira found herself at the gym again, this time for a casual scrimmage with Zyair and his teammates. The gym buzzed with energy as laughter and sneakers squeaked against the polished wood floors. As she entered, the scent of sweat and determination filled the air, reminding her why she loved this place.

"Yo, Amira!" Zyair called out, his grin infectious as he waved her over. "You ready to show these boys how it's done?"

"Always! Just try not to cry when I steal the ball from you," she shot back playfully, feeling her nerves ease.

As they warmed up, Zyair dribbled past her, the confidence radiating from him making her heart race. She couldn't help but admire the way he moved—his strength, agility, and that spark of joy that lit up his face when he played. It reminded her of everything she used to love about the game.

"Okay, let's run some drills!" Zyair instructed, rallying his teammates. They quickly split into two teams, and Amira found herself on Zyair's side, a thrill of excitement coursing through her.

Throughout the game, Zyair was a natural leader, directing plays and cheering on his teammates. Amira tried to keep her focus on the game, but every time she caught a glimpse of him—whether he was making a shot or strategizing with the guys—she felt those familiar butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

"Let's go, Amira! Show 'em what you got!" he shouted, and for a moment, the world around her faded. All she could hear was his voice urging her on.

After a few intense plays, she made a perfect layup, and the gym erupted in cheers. Zyair was the loudest, his excitement spilling over as he high-fived her. "That's what I'm talking about! You're a beast out here!"

Amira beamed, feeling a rush of pride. But just as she began to bask in the moment, she spotted Jordan entering the gym, camera in hand. He looked around, a smile breaking across his face when he saw her.

"Amira! You look like you're having fun!" he called out, making his way over.

"Yeah, it's a blast! Just trying to keep up with these guys," she replied, trying to hide her mixed feelings.

As the scrimmage continued, Amira noticed Jordan snapping photos, capturing the energy of the game. Each click of the camera pulled her attention, reminding her of their earlier connection. It was hard not to feel a spark with him, especially as he cheered for her from the sidelines.

After the game wrapped up, Zyair and his teammates huddled together, laughing and joking about plays. Amira felt a pang of longing watching them, the camaraderie palpable. She had missed this sense of community since stepping away from basketball.

Jordan approached her, his camera slung over his shoulder. "You killed it out there! I got some great shots of you. Mind if I send them to you later?"

"Sure! I can't wait to see them," Amira said, trying to keep her excitement in check. "Thanks for coming out."

"No problem! I thought it'd be cool to see you in action. Plus, I can give you some pointers on your shots if you want." He grinned, leaning casually against the wall.

Amira chuckled, feeling comfortable with him. "I'm sure you have a lot to teach me."

Just then, Jada walked in with a few friends, spotting Amira from across the gym. "Look at you, superstar! Caught in the middle of two cute boys. What's good?" she teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

Amira laughed nervously, glancing between Zyair and Jordan. "I'm just trying to figure things out, you know?"

"Girl, you gotta make a choice! You can't keep playing both sides forever. They're both good catches, but you need to see who's gonna bring you the most happiness," Jada pressed, her tone light but serious.

At Jada's words, Amira felt a wave of frustration. "Jada, come on! It's not that simple. I'm just trying to figure it out for myself!" Her voice came out sharper than she intended, and she noticed Jordan's expression falter.

"Whoa, no need to bite my head off. I'm just sayin'," Jada replied, taken aback. "You're the one who's always talkin' about how you want to be real with your feelings. So, be real!"

Amira felt her cheeks flush, the heat of her annoyance mixing with embarrassment. "I know, I know! But I just need time, okay? This isn't easy for me!"

The air hung thick with tension, and Jordan shifted awkwardly, clearly sensing the strain in their conversation. He shot a quick glance at Zyair, who was still laughing with his teammates, and a flicker of jealousy crossed his face. The idea that Amira might lean more toward Zyair, even for a moment, unsettled him.

"Uh, maybe we should just enjoy the game, right?" he suggested, attempting to ease the mood but feeling a tinge of competitiveness.

"Yeah, right," Jada said, holding up her hands. "I didn't mean to push. Just looking out for you, that's all."

Amira sighed, feeling guilty for snapping at her friend. "I'm sorry, Jada. I didn't mean to..."

"It's cool," Jada said, though her expression showed she was still a bit hurt. "Just remember, I'm here for you. No matter what you choose."

As Amira watched Jada walk away with a few of her friends, she felt a mix of regret and confusion. She didn't want to rush into a decision about Zyair or Jordan, but Jada's words lingered in her mind.

Jordan, sensing the awkwardness, attempted to ease the tension but couldn't shake the jealousy gnawing at him. "You wanna go take some shots together? I think there's a perfect light by the windows," he suggested, forcing a smile.

"Sure, let's do it," Amira replied, trying to shake off the lingering awkwardness.

As they walked over to the light, Amira glanced back at Zyair, who was still chatting with his teammates. She felt torn—Jordan was sweet and supportive, clearly interested in her, but Zyair lit a fire in her she couldn't ignore.

Caught in a beautiful mess of emotions, Amira was still trying to decipher the signs and signals of her own heart.

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words: 1054

oof.. what yall thinking?

Jordan now knows her feelings for Zyair and he's not feeling too good about that. What do you think he's gonna do?

Thanksss again for reading. You are soo awesomeeee! 💗💗💗💗

Please advise any suggestions you think I should consider here>>>>>