Flash

"Yearbook committee would like to take pictures of the girls varsity basketball team." A freshman girl said while she mercilessly snapped photos of me during a practice drill. I was going for a layup and was startled by the flash which made me miss the basket.

I glared at the girl with hands on my hips, while she nonchalantly lifted her camera to snap another picture.

Flash

"Ugh." Now groaning in complaint while passing Gina the basketball. "Delete that." I said, my voice surprisingly cold. I was in a sour mood today, and I was easily irritated. I've also been missing my baskets lately, and it was really frustrating. My focus wasn't there, and it's been bugging me the whole day trying to figure out what it was.

Wiping my sweat on my forehead with the back of my hand, I approached the girl and asked her again to delete it.

"Nah." Said the girl, now grinning and snapping another picture.

Flash

My nose flared, and I stopped myself from barking out profanities that would likely make this girl cry.

"Get her good side." Gina said, and took hold of my shoulders to urning me sideways.

Flash

"Okay, now don't drop me." Gina said, laughing at my puzzled face before abruptly jumping on me. I narrowed my eyes and next thing I know I was carrying her bridal style.

"Let's see that smile, Maverick!" I heard Dani say, who was now beside the camera girl and grinning.

Flash

"What the fuck is going on?" I asked in confusion and dropped Gina. She fell on her butt, and crawled away, laughing.

Dani said something to the camera girl, and she nodded. She jogged towards me and said,

"Try to smile at the camera, Mave." She said before squatting low, and shoving me with her bum which made me lunge forward. Next thing I know, she was grabbing my legs and I was holding on to her shoulders. Dani was giving me a piggyback. She quickly pushed me upwards more and turned to look at me. Her strength surprised me a little, and I gave out a little yelp from how quickly she adjusted my position.

"You okay, up there?" She asked, smiling at me softly.

I couldn't help it, I leaned my head on her shoulder and smiled back at her. My little rage left me from earlier, and I was now preoccupied with her closeness.

Flash

"Okay, now I need a picture of the whole team." The girl said, looking bored in our direction. She saw Mrs. Russ and quickly approached her.

"I hate picture day." I mumbled, which made Dani chuckle.

"It's not that bad. It'll be over quickly." She said, not letting go of me yet. I didn't mind, I was actually enjoying the piggyback ride.

Mrs. Russ was immediately trying to gather the girls in the middle of the court. They were trying to fix themselves to look presentable. All of us were sweaty and gross, but Mrs. Russ was handing out towels to dry ourselves. She was also handing out new jerseys for everyone to wear. The girls excitedly ran to the changerooms to change.

Dani finally let me down, while she went to a different changeroom to change.

Mrs. Russ gave me mine, and it had the C on the front of it. I can't help but smile and remembering how nervous I was when they told me that I was going to be captain. I looked at the door to the change rooms and frowned at how busy it was. I quickly followed Dani to the other one.

When I entered, Dani was in there in her sports bra, basketball shorts, and her jersey in hand.

"Hello." She greeted, blinking at me.

I stood there dumbfounded while staring at her chest then down to her bare and muscular midriff.

"Jesus Christ..." I said distractedly.

Dani quickly put on her jersey, shaking her head at me and smirking.

"Normally you would hide that desperate look of yours, but lately you've been so... bold." She said and looking at me shyly almost. I gulped.

"I can't help it." I replied, debating if I should change in the stall. "No sense in hiding it, really."

Dani took a step closer.

"Do you need help changing?" She asked, the smirk still on her lips. I was in a sort of daze because I didn't say anything. I didn't know what to say, and I think I was overheating because my shoulders and face felt way too hot. "Well?" She asked again, now raising an eyebrow.

"Fuck this." I mumbled to myself. I immediately took hold of her hand and led her in a stall. Dani locked the stall behind her, and I wasted no time to pull her in for a kiss. I was so lost, and wild. My lips were on hers, then down her neck while hands were on her hips gripping her jersey and wrinkling it.

Dani seemed to be in the same state as I am. She was just as aggressive. She even pushed me against the other side of the stall wall and towered over me. Dani wasted no time pressing her soft lips with mine, her hand trailing down to my breast.

I wanted this. I knew I've wanted this for so long but never really acted on it. Her touch sent a shiver down my whole body, and warmth between my legs. Her tongue ever so slightly touched mine, and I knew she was testing the waters when she pulled at the hem of my jersey. Out of breath at this point, I raised both my arms up and Dani helped me take the jersey off. She then pressed her lips in between my breasts which made me whimper.

I held on to Dani's lower back for support because I feel like I was going to crumbled down on the floor. I felt feverish, my legs are turning jello and I knew I wouldn't stop Dani even if I wanted to. But she did for the both of us. She was trailing wet kisses under my jaw, and up on the back of my ear.

"Mave, as much as I want to continue this- They'll wonder where we are." She whispered low, now pulling back a little. "Also, a stall isn't what I had planned to be doing this with you."

"You have something planned?" I asked, still catching my breath.

"Sort of." She replied, and now fixing her jersey. "I should at least buy you dinner first."

I can't help but giggle and blush at her.

"Ready to head back?"

"Not really. I'm weak all over." I blurted truthfully, while putting on the captain jersey.

"Oh?"

"Wipe that smirk off your face. You did this." I said, still feeling flustered.

"You started it." She replied.

"Yeah, well I-" I started, but didn't really know what to say.

When Dani exited the stall, I watched her from the mirror and saw that she looked just as red as me.

"Oh my god, I need to calm down." She said, and letting the tap run to wash her face, and wetting the back of her neck a little.

"Same here." I said and leaning my back on the sink. "I wanted to tell you that... I've never really done this before- With anyone."

Me, Maverick Bridge has never once in my life thought about these things with someone other than this girl before me. I'm learning so much more about myself than ever before, and I felt curious.

"I've never really thought about sex with anyone until you know... You." I continued, my gaze now on my shoes. I'm not really sure what I wanted to say. Surely Dani was more experienced than I was, and I guess I felt a little nervous. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't... I don't know how to do it? I'm a little worried that I might be awkward or not make you feel good. I'm also worried that I might do the wrong thing or-" I stopped myself and took a deep breath. God, I'm just blabbering now.

I finally looked up and saw Dani smiling at me in a comforting way.

"I just want to do it right." I said staring at her and my eyebrows furrowed.

"Maverick, I want to let you know that I won't do anything that makes you uncomfortable." She said. "If you feel rushed about this whole thing then maybe we should keep it slow-"

"Slow is not the problem, Dani." I said, cutting her off. "I've waited so long for this." I can't believe I just said that. My eyes narrowed at my bluntness and Dani stifled a laugh.

"If you're worried about doing anything wrong or not knowing what to do, just know that I'll be there to guide you." Dani said. "I guess I shouldn't say guide, well- rather I'll help you explore. Does that make sense?"

I shrugged.

"Promise me, you won't laugh when you see me naked?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Why would I laugh?" Dani asked. "That's just rude and disrespectful."

"Okay, good." I said, now smiling.

"I don't think you know how much you turn me on just by existing." She said, her hand running through her hair. "And I think we should head back before I lose control."

I opened my mouth and wanting to say, I want to see you lose control. But I didn't, because I honestly don't know what I would do if she does. I better be smart about this. I don't want to get caught in school and have rumors spread about me and Dani. That kind of attention is something that I would really hate. I closed my mouth shut and just nodded.

***

Dani was supposed to come over after practice, but she said that she forgot that she was going to run errands with her grandma. I told her that it's cool because I was rereading Death of a Salesman anyways.

Winter break officially started, and I was yet again alone in my household. I didn't mind, mostly because I was used to it. My mom left supper in the fridge so at least I wouldn't starve, and my dad left money in my room just in case I wanted to eat something else.

There's beef stew in the fridge, but I wanted pizza. I texted Nat and Dennis if they'd like to come over for pizza but both are busy with family right now. Dennis I feel still need some alone time, but there's something odd about Natasha lately. It was almost like she's evading me or some sort. With a shrug, I texted Gina if she wanted to come over. She said,

Sorry Mave, I'm currently on a date right now.

I raised an eyebrow, and asked her a bunch of questions about who it would be. She replied with,

My mom set me up with this dude. I would really love to ditch this date right now, but my mom is here thirdwheeling.

I burst out laughing at her situation, and sent my condolences. I then texted Margo if she would like to come over for pizza, mainly because I wanted to ask her for advice about bodies coliding at each other. It didn't even cross my mind how awkward that conversation would be. I honestly didn't care anymore.

At work rn. Come visit?

My stomach grumbled. I was hungry, and I needed to eat something. I asked if the café served any good food, and Margo replied with,

I just pulled out fresh blueberry lemon muffins from the oven. Come get one while they're hot.

The thought of Margo calling me her friend back when she told us about her past made me smile. It was like only yesterday when I was stressing out about making Dani my friend, and now I realized how much different I've been lately.

A good different, in my opinion.

_____

Author's note:

It's another short chapter but I swear the next one would be worth it.

Someone mentioned that Maverick was wearing wireless earbuds back in the recent chapters. I wouldn't have used the word earbuds if I continued writing this story a few years back because earbuds did not exist back then. I thought that was interesting. Anyways, somehow that comment made me feel old. I just (edit: recently turned 23. It's not my bday 😂) I'm slowly getting there.

Anyways, leave a comment. I read them all :)

-Jean

Unedited