𝙳𝚛𝚊𝚋𝚋𝚕𝚎
It was a late Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn, and the neighbourhood basketball court was basking in the warm hues of the setting sun. Y/N, a skilled player with a knack for making impossible shots, was dominating the game with her friends. Each time she scored, her friends cheered louder, and she couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm.
Miles Morales, running late after a last-minute errand for his mom, finally arrived at the court, slightly out of breath. He spotted the group immediately, their energy and laughter drawing him in. As he walked closer, he couldn't help but notice one player in particular. She moved with a grace and confidence that set her apart from the rest.
"Pass it to me!" Y/N waved and tried blocking the opposing team as she caught the ball from her teammate. She moved with precision, making a swift drive to the basket and scoring effortlessly.
Miles admired her talent from the sidelines, his competitive spirit sparked by her skill. As the game progressed, one of her friends noticed Miles watching with interest. "Heyoo, Miles! Why don't you come over here and show us what ya got? How about a one-on-one with Y/N?"
Miles grinned, bouncing the basketball with a confident rhythm. "I'd love to," he said, making his way over. "What do you say?"
Y/N hesitated, unsure if she wanted to turn her friendly game into a competition. "I don't know... I'm just here to have fun."
Her friends, however, saw an opportunity for some friendly mischief. "Come on, it'll be fun! How about a little bet to make it interesting?"
Miles raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, a bet huh? What kind of bet?"
"If she loses," one friend suggested with a mischievous grin, "she has to go on a date with you."
Y/N's eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head. "Wait, what? No way! What the fuck are you saying right now?" she mumbled to her friend beside her.
"And if Miles loses," another friend added, "he has to do your homework for a week."
Miles laughed, enjoying the playful stakes. "Aight, I'm in. What do you say?" He looked at her with a shit-eating grin, his eyes twinkling with excitement and a hint of a challenge.
Y/N sighed, knowing her friends wouldn't let this go. She looked at Miles, who was waiting patiently for her answer, his expression friendly and open. "Homework, huh…" she agreed dribbling the ball as she looked at it and up at him. "But don't think I'm going to make it easy for you."
With the terms set, they moved to the center of the court, ready for their one-on-one match. The crowd of friends formed a loose circle around them, cheering and jeering in equal measure.
The court was now cast in a golden glow, the sun dipping lower in the sky, creating long shadows. Miles started with the ball, his movements quick and calculated. He made a few impressive drives, but Y/N was a formidable opponent, blocking his shots and matching his speed. The game was pretty intense, both of them scoring back and forth, their competitive spirits pushing them to play their best.
Throughout the game, Y/N found herself getting unusually close to Miles, playfully stealing the ball with a quick swipes. Her touches were deliberate, attempting to throw him off balance, and Miles couldn't help but notice the slight smirk on her face each time she succeeded.
Their banter added an extra layer of fun and tension to the game. As the match neared its end, both players were giving it their all. The score was close, and every move became crucial. With seconds ticking away, Y/N managed to make a quick steal, dribbling past Miles. She gave him a playful nudge, just enough to throw him off balance, and scored the winning basket with a smooth layup.
Her friends erupted in cheers, surrounding her with high-fives and congratulations. Miles, though disappointed, couldn't help but laugh at her clever tactics. He had felt the nudge but knew no one else had seen it. "Nice move," he admitted, extending a hand. "You got me this time."
At one point, as they jostled for position under the basket, Miles teased her. "You're not too bad yourself for someone so tiny," he said, grinning.
Y/N shot him a mock glare, trying to hide her amusement. "And two, you're still going on that date with me."
"What?!" Y/N turned to him, feigning innocence.
Miles chuckled, shaking his head. "I know you cheated the last round. Cmon now, don't play stupid."
"I... don't know what you're talking about," she replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she dribbled the ball.
“Sure, sure keep that up….” He teased “I’ll get to you” he mumbled as offered to shake her hands.
Y/N grinned, shaking his hand firmly. "Whatever you say!" she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Miles raised an eyebrow, his expression playful. "And hey, about that date..."
Y/N chuckled as she rolled her eyes. "I dont know.." she replied, pretending to be reluctant. "Do my homework first" she teased "Guess we'll see if you can keep up off the court too."
Miles laughed, nodding. "Looking forward to it. But next time, no cheating."
"I didn’t cheat, you’re just too slow" Y/N teased again, making Miles smile.
As they walked off the court together, their friends cheering behind them, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over their growing ‘friendship’. Miles turned to Y/N, his expression thoughtful. "Can I walk you home?"
Y/N shook her head, smiling. "That's sweet, but I'm good. It's not far."
Miles, however, was determined. "I insist. Besides, I need to make sure you get home safe after all that cheating."
Y/N rolled her eyes playfully. "You're not going to let that go, are you?"
"Nope," Miles said, grinning. "Come on, let's go."
Despite her initial refusal, Y/N found herself enjoying the company as they walked through the neighborhood. Miles kept the conversation light and fun, and she appreciated his persistence. By the time they reached her house, she was glad he had walked with her.
"Thanks for walking me home," she said, pausing at her front gate.
Miles shrugged, a charming smile on his face. "Anytime. See you around, Y/N."
"See you, Miles," she replied, watching as he walked away. She felt a flutter in her stomach, knowing she might have caught some feelings.
As Miles disappeared down the street, Y/N couldn't help but smile, its only been a couple seconds be she's already missing him. Missing a stranger she just met.