Could this be real?

Practices

I put my hands on my knees trying to steady my breathing. We had been running KK's for close to 30 minutes. Some of the girls had been slacking off and then last night Preston found them sneaking around campus and we are only a couple weeks into the season.

It had been 2 weeks since Rob and I had eaten together at the diner. Since then practices had started for both of us and school. We saw each other often passing smiles and a couple of times some notes. Each week we had one conditioning and strength workout together.

Preston finally blew his whistle and told us to grab some water and go in the corner. Over the past week I had gotten to know my new teammates really well.

"Man I hope we NEVER do that again." Desha eased herself down the wall. Several of the other players nodded in agreement.

"Hey. D what do you think about those girls who were caught?" the girls nodded and looked at me.

"I think that if you love the game enough you wouldn't do something stupid enough to get kicked off. I feel like those girls knew what they were doing, and they just believe they wouldn't get caught. But they truly didn't love the game and now we know that." I nodded to myself and looked towards the ground. I got several "yeahs" in response.

"Alright, just so you know and no rumors start the girls who broke the rules have been kicked of the team." Preston spoke in a calm tone much different then a couple minutes ago. "Now girls have you figured out what I asked you?"

"Yep." Almost everyone answered. I was completely lost. "And we've decided on Dylan" everyone turn to me.

"Awesome! Congrats Dylan on becoming the Wildcats girls basketball captain!" Preston smiled.

"What- oh my." I slapped a hand over my mouth. Everyone crowded around me hugging me.

Everyone hit the locker room to shower and change. Once I reached my locker I unlocked my phone. I had a couple texts. Some from Zoe saying she and Chris were going to dinner, my parents asking how basketball was, and then there was one from Rob.

Hey after your practice is done swing by the football field.. we should just be finishing up. -Rob.

I decided not to text him back because I was sure he was still in practice. I put my practice jersey, shorts, shoes, socks into my locker. I pulled on some sweats over my nike pro spandex and threw a UA sweatshirt on. I grabbed a protein bar from the vending machine and headed towards the football fields.

I took a seat in the bleachers, there were several people scattered through out the bleachers. I pulled out my phone to text Zoe where I was. As I looked up I saw Rob. He waved to me and I smiled and waved back. About 10 minutes later Rob ran up to the bottom of the bleachers gesturing for me to come down.

"You stay right here. I'll be back in about 10-15 minutes." Then he sprinted off. Chuckling to myself I did as I was told and stayed right were I was. Almost everyone had left and they started to turn the stadium lights off when Rob returned.

"Would you go on a walk with me?"

"Sure" I smiled and we started walking off towards the sidewalk. Rob and I walked around the campus on the lighted sidewalks. Suddenly Rob stopped, he turned toward me.

"Dylan?"

"Yeah?"

"Um I don't know how to put this but these past couple of weeks have been hard." I looked at him semi-confused. "Since we are at the diner, I haven't been able to get you off my mind. So I was wondering if you'd be my girl-"

"Friend?" I looked deep into his big brown eyes. He nodded slowly. A smile tugged at the ends of my lips as I nodded my head yes. Then just like that Rob picked me up and engulfed me in a hug.