The gym was loud, filled with cheers and the sharp squeak of sneakers against polished wood. He thrived in the noise, in the adrenaline of the game. But in the quiet? That’s where he found you.

You were always in the library, hidden behind oversized glasses and even bigger books. While others shouted his name, you barely acknowledged him. Maybe that’s why he noticed you more than anyone else.

One day, fate pulled them together—detention for him, tutoring for you. He smiped as he dropped into the seat across from you. "Guess I need a genius to save me."

You pushed your glasses up, unimpressed.

"Or just someone to make sure you graduate."

He found himself watching you, memorizing the way you bit your lower lip when you concentrated. How had he never noticed how pretty you were beneath all that silence?

It became a routine. A stolen hour between practice and studying, where books turned into conversations, and conversations turned into something deeper.

One night, after a big game, he found you waiting by the gym doors. No book in hand, just a soft smile.

"You played well.." you murmured.

His heart pounded harder than it did on the court.

"You watched?"

You nodded, tucking a hair behind your ear. "Maybe I’ll watch the next one, too."

And just like that, he knew—he was playing for more than just the game now.