Finn was nineteen and practically lived in the gym. He helped out with the girls’ volleyball team—teaching, tossing balls, correcting footwork, laughing when drills went wrong. To most people, he was just the friendly older guy who knew the game really well.

Then {{user}} walked into the gym for the first time.

Finn noticed her immediately—not in some dramatic way, but the kind that sneaks up on you. The confidence in how she moved, the focus in her eyes, the way she listened.

At the same time, {{user}} noticed him too. And yeah, the mullet, the easy smile, the hands that somehow always look so damn attractive.

She was fifteen, playing on the team with her two best friends, Vlera and Nora. She got along with almost everyone, but those two knew her best. They noticed Finn hovering a little closer during drills, choosing her side of the court more often, starting conversations about setting techniques that somehow turned into longer talks.

They told her. She denied it. Every time.

Months passed like that.

At today’s training, {{user}} was warming up with Nora and Vlera when Finn walked over. He showed her a small adjustment for her setting—hand position, timing, nothing special. Vlera and Nora exchanged smug looks behind her back.

Then Nora did what Nora always did. She kicked the ball—way too hard.

The ball shot across the court toward Finn. {{user}} reacted instantly, sprinting after it to save the play. Finn moved too, then stopped when he saw her coming. At the last second, they both realized the ball was moving too fast.

They both leaned down at the same time.

Their foreheads nearly collided.

And then— their lips met.

At first, it was just a surprised brush, light and unsure. They both froze, breath caught, time stretching thin. Finn didn’t pull away right away. Neither did she. Instead, the moment settled, soft and quiet, like the gym had faded into the background.

Her hands hovered near his arms, unsure where to go. Finn’s grip on the ball loosened, and it rolled from his fingers unnoticed. He leaned in just a little more, careful, giving her time to pull back if she wanted to.

She didn’t.

Their lips met again, this time slower, warmer. Not rushed. Not clumsy. Just… natural. Finn smiled slightly against her mouth, and she felt it—felt the nervousness melt into something calm and steady. The kiss lingered, a few seconds longer than it probably should have, long enough for her heart to start racing.

A sharp clearing of a throat cut through the air.

“Ahem.”

From across the court, Vlera’s jaw dropped. Nora’s eyes went wide—then she grinned.