The gym smelled of polished wood and sweat . The echo of bouncing basketballs and sneakers squeaking filled the air. Raye tugged at her jersey nervously, standing beside Jane as the rest of the girls gathered on the court.
Coach Matthews blew the whistle sharply. "Alright, everyone! Today, we're going to mix skill levels. Seniors, you help the newbies. I want guidance, not showboating."
Raye swallowed.
She and Jane were definitely newbies.
Not like they didn't know their way on the court _ but to coach Matthew they were still amateur .
Kyle and Rod, the seniors, were legends of the school court—fast, precise, and intimidatingly good-looking.
"Let's pair up," Coach said. "Kyle, Rod—you'll be mentors. Raye, Jane—you two will assist."
Raye stared at coach Matthew wondering if he was sent to her by her enemy .
He couldn't pick someone else she thought dragging her eyes slowly from the coach to stare at the floor before letting out a long deep breath .
Kyle leaned against the wall, casual as ever, spinning a ball on his finger. His dark eyes scanned the court, landing on Raye with that unreadable expression she was still trying to decode.
Raye felt heat crawl up her neck. "Why do I feel like he's about to make me trip just to watch me fall?" she muttered under her breath.
Jane nudged her. "Probably. Don't give him the satisfaction."
Coach clapped his hands. "Alright! Raye, Jane, start with basic dribbling drills. Seniors, give pointers."
Raye jogged to the line with Jane, bouncing the ball nervously. Kyle and Rod positioned themselves nearby, arms crossed, observing.
"Eyes up, cupcake," Kyle murmured quietly, just loud enough for her to hear.
She froze mid-dribble. "…Stop calling me that!"
Kyle smirked but didn't argue, spinning the ball expertly.
Rod shook his head with a grin. "Classic."
Raye turned back to her fellow newbies, showing them how to bounce the ball.
Jane chimed in, demonstrating a pivot. "Keep your balance! Don't just flail around!"
Kyle's gaze lingered on Raye as she moved. He didn't intervene, didn't tease—just watched. There was an intensity to it, like he was cataloging every motion, every flinch, every subtle reaction.
One of the first-years fumbled the ball, and it bounced toward Raye. She lunged to catch it, but Kyle's long arms were already there, steadying her grip.
"Careful," he said softly, just behind her ear. The warmth of his presence made her freeze mid-step.
"Th-thanks," she stammered, heart hammering.
"Good. Now show them the pivot again," Kyle murmured, stepping back. His serious aura was impossible to ignore.
Jane, ever the talker, whispered, "Raye… you're basically melting every time he touches you."
Raye shot her a glare. "Shhh! Focus!"
The coach blew the whistle. "Alright! Now pair up for passing drills. Seniors, give pointers but don't take over. I want teamwork."
Raye was paired with one of the newbies, a tall, clumsy freshman who kept missing passes. Kyle moved alongside them, correcting posture, hands hovering just close enough to guide when necessary.
"Step forward, don't just reach," Kyle said quietly, brushing his fingers against hers briefly as he adjusted her grip. "You've got it."
Raye's knees went weak. "I… okay," she muttered.
Meanwhile, Jane was demonstrating a dribble-pass combo with another girl, Rod kneeling beside them, giving tips in a soft, commanding tone.
"Use your legs. Eyes forward. Don't look down."
Jane stopped in her track , staring at the guy who ran passed them as his dark blue hair bounced slightly.
Someone pushed her a little snapping her out of trance as she looked forward to see Raye running ahead ..
"Focus , funny and stop drooling "..
Jane grinned widely before shouting .
"I wasn't drooling , I was appreciating nature and it's beauty " .
Raye who heard this as she ran, rolled her eyes with a small smile ..
Time passed in a blur of sneakers, bouncing balls, and coach whistles.
Kyle occasionally moved over to Raye, demonstrating techniques, his hand brushing hers just enough to make her pulse race.
At one point, a freshman accidentally tossed a ball too high. Kyle caught it mid-air effortlessly, landing perfectly in front of Raye. "Careful. Control the ball, not the ball controlling you Jacob , come over here , give me a bounce round the court "
Jacob blinked at him, trying not to notice how the gym felt warmer around him. "I… I'm trying," he admitted, voice small ,breathing heavily as he clumsily catched the ball before moving round the court .
Coach called for a water break. Raye and Jane jogged to the bench, gulping water.
"You okay?" Jane asked, eyebrows raised. "You've been… quiet around him."
Raye groaned. "I'm trying not to melt into a puddle on the court. It's… impossible." she glanced at Jane with a sneer before saying . " Beside you aren't different from me , look at the way you are staring at Rod , it's like you have imagined how your grand kids will be "..
"Wow are you in my head , they were so cute ...even our kids too " Jane said laughing at Raye shocked face before she let out a long sigh. "The guy is too busy playing perfect senior to notice ".
" Well , I don't want to say this but heavens help his poor soul ...and also I wish you good luck too " .
"Thanks " Jane said before they both gave a loud high five giggling softly .
They paused when they saw Kyle jog close to them, leaning casually against the wall nearby. He looked over, voice low but audible only to her. "You're doing fine. Relax a little. You're better than you think."
Raye's cheeks burned. "…Thanks," she muttered, trying not to stare.
Jane looked between the both of them clearing her throat she turned to stare at the court .
Coach blew the whistle again. "Last drill! Scrimmage. Show me teamwork!"
The seniors took charge, but instead of dominating, Kyle guided the newbies carefully, subtly correcting Raye and Jane, letting them lead where possible.
He even passed to Raye twice mid-drill, his eyes locking with hers each time, a silent question in his glance.
By the end, everyone was exhausted, sweaty, but exhilarated. Raye collapsed onto the bench, wiping her forehead. Jane flopped next to her, grinning.
"Kyle… he's… I don't even…" Raye whispered, utterly flustered.
Jane laughed. "Yes, you do. You're completely hooked."
Kyle passed by, nodding lightly. "Good work today. You both improved , Jacob and Helen keep practicing your throws are still clumsy " His tone was serious, warm, just enough to make Raye's stomach flip.
As the team started packing up, Raye realized the gym wasn't just about basketball. It was about watching Kyle: focused, calm, commanding, and subtly flirty—the kind of senior who didn't have to try, but made everything around him feel charged.
Raye sighed, brushing her hair from her face. "I'm doomed," she muttered under her breath.
Jane smirked. "Welcome to my world. Now, ready for next week?"
Raye groaned. "I don't think I can survive another one… but yes. I'll try."
Raye swallowed, heart racing, as the gym echoed with the bounce of basketballs fading into the afternoon.