I scanned the crowd in a short few moments.
I could barely hear myself think over the roaring crowd.
Stamps and claps could be heard over the bounce of the ball on the wooden floor and the squeaking rubber of sneakers.
Sweat mixed with anticipation increased the mood to an exhilarated, yet nervous one.
There was thirty seconds on the clock.
It was like every cliched movie in history.
Down by two points.
Time running down.
My defender was close to me, but not close enough so that I did not have space to move around.
Number seven, Alex, was dribbling up the court.
My mind wandered to him again.
I couldn't risk to look into the crowd once more.
She began to sprint towards the basket, immediately closed in upon, and she struggled to get around them.
To calm my nerves, I repeated a song over and over in my head.
Bury me standing under your window with the cinder block in hand
Yeah cause no one will ever feel like this again
And if I could move I'm sure it would only be to crawl back to you
I could almost hear Patrick's smooth, beautiful voice in my ears.
Getting my mind back on track I realized this was my chance.
I made a quick pivet to Alex, and in a risky pass she managed to throw the ball my way.
I grasped the basketball in my hands.
The rough texture could be felt in my smooth palms as I stationed myself at the three point line.
There were fifteen seconds left.
I took a deep breath.
...And jumped.
I let out the breath the minute the ball left the pads of my fingertips.
Time seemed to be frozen as the ball traveled through the air, piercing the stillness and gathering speed.
It hit the rim, twirling around in an invisible circle, tittering on the edge.
Out or in.
Those were the only options, each as dramatic as the last.
The crowd turned silent, all the players watching the movements.
And it slowly swished through the net.
I don't remember ever being so relived.
People clapped, cheered, and came over to lift me up.
I smiled at them.
But something was still missing.
_______________________________
I sat outside, the chill of the air causing my white puffs of breath to escape my lips and disappear into the darkness.
I watched the stars glint above me, the moon shining on me and bathing the entire place in a dim light.
I felt lonely.
I looked lonely.
I was lonely.
Every inch of me ached for him.
And every inch of me knew I couldn't have him.
He didn't even go.
Not to my big game.
He knew how much it meant to me.
You know what he didn't know?
How much he meant to me.
_________________________
"He was there, you know."
"What?" I asked, looking at Andy.
I wasn't surprised he dropped by, he normally did at this time.
"Patrick. He was there, in the corner. He wouldn't miss it."
I found my heart lifting and a smile forming on my face.
"Why didn't he come talk to me after?"
"He didn't want to ruin your moment."
"He wouldn't have."
"That's what I told him. But that boy is stubborn. He won't believe anything I say...."
I wondered what he meant.
We sat in a few seconds of silence.
Bert appeared to be savoring it, but I found curiosity gnawing at me.
"What doesn't he believe?"
"That you love him." Andy said simply, not even looking me in the eye.
"I-"
I started to speak but found myself not wanting to hide it anymore.
"I do." I said quietly, almost a whisper.
"You do?"
I turned around to the direction of the voice.
Speak of the devil.
___________________________
"I do." I said, looking away almost immediately.
I didn't want him to see the fear in my eyes.
And I didn't want to see the sympathy in his.
I felt Andy leave from beside me, winking as he passed.
A new, warm body took his place, an arm wrapping around my shoulders.
His touch sent ripples through my body, the sensation of fire burning throughout me.
It was strange, but I savored it.
I wanted this feeling to last forever.
Sure, there was doubt.
But there was still hope.
At least for the next few seconds.
_______________________
"You see that star?" Patrick asked.
I nodded at him, seeing the direction his finger pointed.
"That's for the way I love how passionate you are. You always pour yourself into things you do."
I smiled a bit, looking at him sideways.
"And that one." he said, gesturing to another.
"Is how kind you are. You never let anyone treat anyone else badly. I swear sometimes you're an angel."
My ears flushed pink at this.
"That one...the one really shining..."
I looked up to see one burning brightly.
"...Is for how you protect your friends, no matter what. You trust them through everything. You stick up for them. You care for them so much, and you don't ask for anything in return."
I turned to face him, finally.
"But I'm giving you something in return this time. After all these years."
Rest in results...<3
"What are you giving me?" I asked, looking him in his eyes which shone from the light of the moon.
"This."
And with that, he leaned forward and caught my lips in an unexpected, and gentle kiss.
My body was paralyzed, but my mind raced.
Never had I wanted something so much.
When he pulled away, something new twinkled in his eyes.
"I love you." he said.
Those three small words were enough to make me melt.
This was definitely the best thing he could have given me.
The only thing I've ever truly wanted.
