Mary Mae and the Boys

Chapter 1

10 years ago...

"Mary Mae! Pass the ball!" Zach shouted as the red headed girl stood in the middle of the basketball court with a ball the size of her head barely held up. Her emerald eyes gazed at the basketball hoop, which in reality was no larger than four feet tall, but looked a thousand miles away to Mary Mae's eyes.

"I'm trying Zach!" She exclaimed in her high-pitched squeaky voice as she bounced the ball over to him, it was snatched up by Luka, a sly grin on his 6-year-old face as the other team now possessed the ball. Mary Mae stood helpless as Luka ran circles around her, laughing as he passed the ball to Brian.

"I'm sorry!" Mary Mae shouted to Zach, sad that she'd disappointed her best friend. She watched him run up to her and smile, his golden brown eyes shimmering in the sunlight.

"It's okay, Mary Mae! We can get the ball back! We can win!" Zach ran beside her, howling as he charged for Luka, any attempt to win.

"Catch me if you can," Luka laughed, the boys tackled each other for the fun of it as Brian joined in. They laughed, struggling on the ground until Zachary emerged with the ball in his hand.

He tossed it easily into the net and Mary Mae squealed with excitement.

"Didn't I tell you I wouldn't give up Mary Mae?" He grinned as Mary Mae ran up to hug him. Zach was kind, he had a good heart and a strong moral compass. Zach was also a champion, he was determined to succeed.

And perhaps that's why Mary Mae liked him so much.

Present Day...

"Zach! You were supposed to be here ten minutes ago! We're going to be late!" Mary Mae exclaimed as she hopped into Zach's car. It would be the first day of their junior year of high school and she was excited. She'd get to start her second-to-last year with her best friend by her side.

Mary Mae had grown into a beautiful young woman, her dazzling green eyes and thin figure allowed her to be a heartbreaker, but her addiction to Zach's friendship was what stopped her from breaking hearts to begin with.

"I know, I know, sorry Mary, but look." He said, she met his beautiful brown gaze as he held two cups of coffee in his hand. "I got your favorite." He smiled as she tried to stop a blush from appearing. She'd always been attracted to Zachary's heart, he was an incredible person. The butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she struggled to contain them.

"Zach! We're going to be late!" Mary Mae exclaimed, looking at the time on the dashboard.

"Here, Mary Mae take your coffee, I'll get us there in time, don't worry." Zachary grinned, his teeth sparkling. Mary Mae recalled a time when his shiny white teeth were coated by the metal of braces. She smiled at the thought, he'd always been attractive, but Zach had truly grown into a stud.

"Are you excited Zach?" Mary Mae asked as he pulled out of her driveway. "I mean, we're almost done with high school, just one more year after this one! Then we'll be off to college and then to our jobs and whatever else life has for us." Mary sipped her caramel macchiato as Zach glanced at her.

"Mary Mae, have you ever thought about what would happen after we graduate? I don't like to think about it." Zach said.

"Why? Because we won't see each other much after?"

"That and I'll miss your annoying face too much." Zach smirked, turning right and driving toward the school at an illegally fast speed.

"You're my best friend Zach, I'm sure we'll keep in touch." Mary Mae suggested just as flashing blue and red lights appeared behind Zach's car. He hadn't noticed it as he continued to talk.