A normal day..

The sun had long dipped below the horizon, and the moonlight streamed softly through the curtains of her bedroom. She lay on her bed, hugging a pillow, her thoughts replaying the moments they had shared. The laughter, the casual brushes of hands, and the warm smiles—they all felt like a movie stuck on repeat. She smiled, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.

somewhere, Elijah tossed and turned. Sleep eluded him as well. The image of her laughing at his lame jokes, her sparkling eyes fixed on him, was etched in his mind. He sighed and stared at the ceiling, a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

---

**The Next Day**

The school buzzed with its usual energy. Students filled the halls, chatting and rushing to their classes. She stood by her locker, fixing her hair as her friend whispered something teasing in her ear.

"He's looking at you," her friend said, nudging her with a knowing smile.

"Who?" she asked, feigning innocence though her heart skipped a beat.

"Elijah," her friend teased, "The boy everyone here is obsessed with. Except, he seems obsessed with you."

She rolled her eyes, trying to act nonchalant, but her heart was doing flips.

Across the hallway, Elijah leaned against a wall, his eyes solely on her. His friends were joking around, but his focus was elsewhere. The moment she caught his gaze, he smirked, giving a small nod before heading to the gym.

---

**The Basketball Game**

The gym was alive with energy. Students filled the bleachers, cheering as the basketball team practiced for their upcoming game. She sat in the corner with her friends, pretending to focus on her book, though her eyes kept darting toward Elijah.

He was in his element—confident, agile, and completely at ease. The crowd was loud, especially the girls who couldn’t stop screaming his name.

"Elijah! Over here!" a particularly bold girl shouted, waving her hand dramatically.

She clenched her jaw, feeling a pang of jealousy she couldn’t quite explain.

As the practice ended, Elijah jogged over to the water station. Ignoring the swarm of girls trying to get his attention, he walked straight to her.

"You’re not watching the game?" he teased, holding out his water bottle.

"I was reading," she replied, lifting her book slightly.

"Sure you were," he said with a playful smirk.

He took a long sip from his water bottle before handing it to her. "Here, hold this for a second."

She hesitated, her fingers brushing against his bottle as she took the bottle. Her heart raced.

"Are you serious? You just drank from this," she said, raising an eyebrow.

"Afraid of an indirect kiss?" he teased, his grin widening.

Her cheeks turned crimson. "Shut up, Elijah."

But as he walked back to his team, she couldn’t help but take a small sip, her lips curling into a smile.

---

Unbeknownst to them, a figure stood in the far corner of the gym, their eyes fixed on the duo. Their expression was unreadable, a mix of curiosity and something darker.

As Elijah returned to the court, his eyes caught hers once again. He waved subtly, and she returned the gesture, her heart light as a feather.

But that shadow in the crowd? They were not there for the game.

---

**Conversations After Practice**

After practice, Elijah found her waiting by the lockers.

"Did you enjoy the game?" he asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

"I wasn’t watching, remember?" she retorted, though the twinkle in her eyes betrayed her teasing tone.

"Right, you were reading… about basketball strategies, I’m sure," he said, laughing.

She rolled her eyes. "You’re so full of yourself."

"And yet, you’re here," he countered, leaning against the lockers.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she masked it with a shrug. "I’m here because my ride’s late, not for you."

"Sure," he said, grinning. "Want me to walk you home?"

She hesitated. "No, it’s fine."

"Too bad," he said, starting to walk. "Because I’m going that way anyway."

She laughed, falling into step beside him. Their conversation flowed easily, ranging from school gossip to their favorite books and shows. Every word, every laugh felt like another thread tying them closer together.

---

**The Mystery Lingers**

As they walked away from the school, that shadowy figure from the gym watched them. Their expression darkened, and they slipped into the shadows, muttering under their breath.

"Let’s see how long this lasts."

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