Against the Edge

A Quiet Moment on the Road

Miguel's fingers gripped the steering wheel as they drove through the quiet streets. The glow of passing streetlights cast fleeting shadows across his face, his usual easygoing expression replaced by something more subdued. Blanca, engrossed in her documents, noticed his silence only after a few minutes.

She closed her folder, looking at him with a soft smile. "You know, you don't have to worry about Nick," she said gently, reaching out to rest her hand on his arm.

Miguel sighed, glancing at her with a faint smile. "It's not just him," he admitted, pausing to gather his thoughts. "It's everything... Balancing law classes, practice for the tournament, sometimes it feels like I'm being pulled in a hundred directions. And then seeing Nick around you all the time, acting so smug... doesn't help."

Blanca smiled reassuringly, her hand squeezing his arm. "You're not in this alone, you know. I'm here too, for whatever you need." She leaned over, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. "We'll get through it. Together."

Miguel relaxed a little, but still, something in his eyes lingered a hint of jealousy, but also a vulnerability he usually kept hidden. He took her hand, holding it firmly as he slowed the car at a red light. He gazed at her, eyes softening, almost as if he was trying to memorize her face.

"Maybe I just need a little distraction," he said with a small grin, his tone shifting as he lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it playfully. "What do you say? You, me, an entire Saturday to do absolutely nothing?"

Blanca laughed, her eyes lighting up. "I'd say that sounds perfect. We both deserve it."

The light turned green, and Miguel returned his focus to the road, his thumb absent mindedly tracing circles over her hand. "I know I can take on everything, Blanca. I just need a reminder now and then... and maybe a little of your attention," he added, shooting her a teasing smile.

Blanca smirked, leaning over to kiss his cheek again. "You're never short on that."

Miguel chuckled, finally relaxing, letting the weight of his worries fade just a little.

--

As they approached Blanca's apartment, she glanced over at Miguel, her curiosity sparking. "So, how are preparations going for the tournament tomorrow? You've been putting in a lot of hours at the court lately."

Miguel's face lit up instantly, his enthusiasm breaking through the earlier tension. "Oh, it's been intense, but it's worth it," he replied, his voice animated. "We've been working on some new plays, especially ones to catch the other team off guard. Coach has been really pushing us, and I think it's all coming together. Honestly, I can't wait to get out there."

Blanca smiled, seeing the passion in his eyes. "I love seeing you like this, you always look so alive when you talk about basketball."

He grinned, his gaze flickering over to her with a mixture of pride and affection. "It's one of the only places where everything just... makes sense, you know?"

Before they knew it, they'd arrived at her apartment complex. Miguel pulled into a spot and turned off the engine, glancing at Blanca with a gentle smile. He got out and circled around to open her door, escorting her up the steps to the lobby.

Blanca looked at him, a small laugh escaping her. "You're always so formal, even though I could make it up on my own."

Miguel shrugged with a smirk. "Can't help it. Plus, if I don't walk you up, I don't get a proper goodbye."

She rolled her eyes playfully but reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Well, I wouldn't want to deprive you of that," she whispered, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him softly.

Miguel sighed, savoring the moment. "Goodnight, Blanca," he murmured, his voice low. "Wish me luck tomorrow?"

"Always," she replied, watching as he reluctantly stepped back.

He gave her one last smile, then turned and headed back to his car, feeling the warmth of her touch linger as he drove through the quiet streets toward his own apartment. His mind buzzed with thoughts of the tournament, but most of all, he felt a renewed strength from Blanca's encouragement, a reminder that whatever challenges awaited, he'd always have her beside him.

--

The soft hum of the engine barely registered in Miguel's mind as he drove down the dimly lit street. His hands gripped the wheel, but his focus wavered, his thoughts slipping into a tangle he couldn't quite unravel. Everything felt too loud, too heavy, even in the silence.

Unable to shake the feeling, he pulled the car over to the side of the road and parked, resting his head back against the seat as he closed his eyes. He breathed deeply, trying to calm the storm brewing inside. But the noise wouldn't settle, it only grew, as if something buried deep within him was fighting to resurface.

Slowly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Opening his gallery, he navigated to a photo he hadn't looked at in months. It was one of the few family pictures he kept, taken when he was seven. In it, he stood grinning between his parents, his mother's arm around his shoulders, his father's hand resting proudly on his head. He looked carefree and safe, held close by the two people who had meant the world to him.

The smile that had once brought him joy now brought a pang of loss that clenched at his heart. As he stared at the photo, his eyes blurred, and before he could stop it, a tear slipped down his cheek, silent and unexpected. He closed his eyes again, clinging to the memory, but it only made the ache worse.

"Mom..." he whispered softly, the word barely audible in the empty car. The longing in his chest felt endless, as if he could reach out and touch her, only to have her slip further away.

He took a shaky breath, wiping his face with his hand, trying to compose himself. A part of him felt frustrated, he was the strong one, the one who always kept it together. But here, alone and hidden in the shadows, he could finally let his guard down, even if just for a moment.

Eventually, he took one last look at the photo, his hand trembling as he locked the phone and placed it on the passenger seat. After a few more steadying breaths, he returned his focus to the road, the weight of his memories both comforting and painful.