Lolita 𐐪𐑂 Dick Grayson

f o u r t e e n

I laid flat on my back, my shirt rising letting the cold glazed floor cool my back down. It was the third and final day of tryouts. So far, seven girls have been cut off. And none of them being me or Sophie. My eyes shut closed hearing the squeaking of shoes and the bounces of balls.

"Get up" Sophie panted, her feet making loud stomps near me. I told her no and snatched her hand from mine. I had just finished 20 burpees and was feeling immense burning around my ribs.

"Come on, Lo. You can't seriously be tired" I heard Dick laugh, his hands making a large clap. I sat up and saw him overlooking both me and Sophie. I groaned and got up with my shoulders sagging.

"There's no reason we should be doing burpees as punishment" I whined rolling my shoulders back. We had been playing scrimmages all day and for the losing teams they were forced into doing exercises. I had failed to block the shot that held us at a tie, making my group do burpees.

Dick shook his head, coming closer to me. A shout came from our right about a loose basketball heading towards me. I had been so tired I didn't register it at first but I soon saw a basketball fly into the air coming near my face. I closed my eyes, placing my hands in front of me.

I heard a loud smack and wondered if it hit me. I soon saw Dick's palm held out, turning pink as the ball rolled away from us. Dick grimaced and shook his hand. Thumb tacks stabbed my heart seeing him hurt. I wanted to grab his hand and caress it, smooth the pain away but sadly I had tryouts to finish.

An hour later and our names were being called out as if being recruited into the army.

"Lolita"

My hands that were in a fists unclenches hearing my name called out. Saved.

"Varsity" Coach Moore added pointing to his left side. I walked towards the group of seniors and juniors where Sophie waited for me, she had been in junior varsity last year so the excitement her face failed to hide reassured me.

Dick clapped for me, as he has for the rest of the girls. His eyes folding as the corner of them wrinkled, right beneath them his dimples dug deep into his skin.

Varsity remained untouched and the rest either were sent back home or joined junior varsity. Coach Moore once again emphasized how excited he was to start a very long basketball season. The girls all thanked him and headed into the locker room. One by one the shower stalls filled, the locker room becoming steamer the minute.

I stared at my phone, still in my practice clothes.

Matteo
I can pick you up around 8

My hands removed my ponytail, letting my hair fall onto my face. The sweat around my neck had caused my once straight hair to re-curl. It was 6:46 and my uncle wouldn't be here until another hour or so. I had already denied Sophie a ride home thinking he would be outside waiting for me. Slowly the locker room empties itself, Sophie now gone.

I walked outside to go buy myself a vitamin water from one of the vending machines as Coach Moore came out.

"No ride?" He asked, already used to me having troubles with them. I shook my head and told him I'd be leaving late. He nodded and said goodbye saying coach Grayson could stay to watch over me as he was closing the gym. I grinned forcefully and bought myself the drink. I chugged it in less than a few seconds, feeling my throat burn.

"What, you're still here?" I choked on my drink when Dick came out holding a basketball. I coughed and threw out my drink, holding the trash can for support from his sudden attack.

"My ride is late" I squeaked still feeling the liquid run down the wrong pipe. I hit my chest and began walking to the locker room.

"No, I don't need a ride. I'm just going to change" I told him, slightly muttering the last part. I entered the locker room again and made it to my bag. There I took out my phone and turned on a random playlist. I walked towards the showers and saw a opened cabinet. Rows of fresh towels were folded. God, I love this rich school. I grabbed two towels and walked to a shower that had been untouched in the very corner, it had been for the handicapped but since no one was here I could use it.

The shower held a small seating area and a grab bar under the shower head. Quickly, I turned the shower on and ran out before the cold water could touch me. I laid my towels on a near by bench and began undressing as the water warmed up. I sang lightly to the lana del rey sang in the background.

I wrapped a towel around my naked body and went to the shower. It had began warming up. I stepped in, closing the curtain with a hook behind me and hung the towel onto the shower wall. The warm water ran across my skin, loosening up the tension building on my shoulders.

I wet my hair completely and stood still beneath the water that soon began getting hotter. I looked down to see two mini bottles, one labeled body wash and another shampoo. I picked up the body wash and went to open it until I heard the door open from all the way to my shower.

"I'm so sorry, I'll be out real quick" I shouted thinking it was just a custodian. When the door opened again and a locking sound rang through out, I sighed hoping they'd come back later.

I went back to opening the body wash as the artic monkeys began playing. I rubbed some of the wash onto my body, enjoying the company of myself and my music. I sang a little louder letting the soap wash off my body.

A rustling to the curtains from behind me, made me jump and go onto the shower wall. It opened and I covered myself as much as I could. I wanted to scream but when I saw Dick standing there, my knees get weak. His hand unzipped his sweater that held nothing beneath it. His basketball shorts now laid on the ground.

I stepped further into the shower as he entered now with nothing on. The shower head got to his body, wetting his chest that was much more sculpted than last time I'd seen it. His hand rose grabbing onto my wrist that had been touching my chin.