Basketball Baby

• Chapter Twenty-Two •

Love Is A Mysterious Thing
~ DIANA ~

I sighed as I walked over to another a teenage girl sitting in the emergency room and she was smiling at me. Her smile was warm and friendly and I had a feeling that I had seen that smile before, but I couldn't put my mind on it. I couldn't help but smile back at her and continue to walk towards her. "Hi there, can I help you with anything?" I asked and she shook her head as she started to sit up.

"No, I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Gracie, Gracie Bryant." She announced and I felt my heart stop dead in its tracks. She chuckled as she bit her lip nervously. "Yes, I'm Colton's baby sister." She confirmed my thoughts and I stared at her in disbelief.

  "H-hi Gracie, you have grown up so much! You look beautiful." I commented once I finally snapped out of it and she giggled as she waved off my compliment.

  "You're too kind, but you!" She exclaimed as she looked at me. "Are absolutely gorgeous! My brother was even more dumb than I thought." She sighed and I giggled as I rolled my eyes.

  "What're you doing out in Miami? If you don't mind my asking."

  "I go to school at the University of Miami, got a full ride to come here, so here we are." She announced proudly and I grinned at her, wishing I was eighteen again. But then I looked at her confused once she said 'we'.

  "What do you mean-"

  "Excuse me, Diana can I borrow you for a second?" My friend, Matthew, asked as he interrupted our conversation and Gracie nodded at me to let me know it was fine.

  "I'll be right back," I assured her and walked over to Matthew. "What's up?" I asked him once I was in front of him. He smiled at me briefly then looked down at the ground nervously.

  "I know we've been really good friends since you started here and you've really been great with all my patients, I just wanted to thank you by taking you out to dinner after our shifts end." He said as he looked up at me and I felt my heart race as I stared at him in surprise.

  "A-are you asking me on a date?" I asked and he chuckled as he nodded his head and a smile started to appear on my face.

  "It doesn't have to be if that makes you nervous, we could just go as friends and-"

  "Hi Colton!" I heard Gracie say loudly from behind me and I felt my heart literally stop dead in it it's tracks at the sound of his name. Was he really here?

  "Gracie, have you figured out how to get to your college from here?" I heard someone ask from behind me and instantly froze when I heard his voice. It was a bit deeper than before and not as soft as it used to be. I hadn't talked to him since we were eighteen years old and I instantly felt my chest ache. I took in a deep breath as I looked over at Gracie and she grinned at me and I slowly turned all the way around.

  "Yeah, you just drive north for six blocks and then turn down..." I trailed off slowly as I lost my train of thought once I looked at him and his eyes widened in disbelief when he realized it was me.

  "Diana?" He asked softly and his voice sounded like the old Colton who I had loved. I felt tears start to sting at my eyes and I gave him a brief smile.

  "Hello Colton." I sighed and he continued to stare at me in shock. "It was lovely meeting you, Gracie, but I've got to get back to work." I said as I turned my attention towards her and she nodded here head in understanding.