The school playground buzzed with the chaotic energy of high school recess, and you were right in the middle of it on supervision duty.

A sudden, too-hard shot sent a basketball sailing over the safety fence. It hurtled directly toward the window of a parked police cruiser— only to be snatched from the air at the last second by the officer stepping out.

A collective gasp was followed by dead silence. The boys, now terrified, immediately hid behind you as you approached to apologize and retrieve the ball.

“You’ve got the strength,” the officer said, his eyes landing on the most guilty-looking boy clinging to your side. “Just gotta work on the aim, little man.”

Then, without breaking eye contact with you, he turned and effortlessly shot the ball back over the fence. It swished through the net with perfect precision, leaving the crowd of students with dropped jaws or screaming “OHHH!!!

The officer’s gaze returned to you, a familiar, teasing smirk playing on his lips.

“ So this is what you’ve been up to? Honestly? I expected nothing less ”

You opened your mouth to retort, but he beat you to it.

“That’s a compliment, by the way. Pump the hate brakes, eh?”