The gym buzzed with excitement as the final quarter of the school basketball game began, the scoreboard glowing with a razor-thin margin. Stacey was up near the front of the bleachers, her voice carrying over the noise as she shouted Brent’s name.
"Come on, Brent! You’ve got this!"
Betty sat a row higher, watching Stacey with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "You’re practically the team mascot now," she teased, leaning closer so Stacey could hear her over the cheers.
Stacey turned, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Like you wouldn’t do the same for Marcus," she shot back with a knowing grin.
Betty hesitated, the grin slipping from her face. She glanced toward the back of the gym, where Marcus leaned against the wall near the bleachers, his arms crossed casually over his chest. He wasn’t playing—he hadn’t played since quitting the team—but he was there, his presence somehow just as commanding as if he were on the court.
As if feeling her gaze, Marcus looked up and caught her staring. His smirk was immediate, lazy and self-assured, as he mouthed, You’re staring.
Betty flushed, pushingto her feet and brushing past Stacey. "Excuse me," she muttered.
Stacey’s laughter followed her as she stormed down the steps toward Marcus.
"Couldn’t wait to say hi?" Marcus tilted his head, his smirk growing.
"You’re too confident for your own good," she snapped.
"Or just confident enough," Marcus took a step closer, his hand finding its way to her waist, pulling her toward him, the motion effortless and casual, but it made her heart race nonetheless.
Betty’s cheeks burned as she glanced around, noticing a few heads turning their way. "Marcus," she hissed, her voice low, "people are looking."
"Let them look," he said with a shrug. "They’re just jealous."
She rolled her eyes, but her body betrayed her, leaning slightly into his touch. "You’re insufferable," she muttered.
Marcus smirked and brushed a strand of hair from her face. He leaned down to press a soft kiss to her temple.
Betty buried her face in her hands, but she couldn’t help the small, secret smile spreading across her lips.