July 25, 2010
Oakridge Park – Late Afternoon
The sun dipped low over the treetops, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement of the old basketball court tucked in the corner of Oakridge Park. The summer air was warm, tinged with the scent of grass and faint echoes of bouncing basketballs from a nearby half-court game.
Charlotte Graves, 15 years old, captain of the Thunderhawks Middle School Basketball Team, stood near the metal bench with a water bottle in hand. Her short black hair clung slightly to her forehead, and her silver eyes reflected the amber hue of the sunset.
She wasn't nervous.
Not exactly.
But it wasn't often she asked someone else for advice.
Especially someone younger.
Especially Ethan Albarado.
Across from her, Ethan stood casually, arms folded, gaze sharp as always. His yellow hair glinted faintly in the light, his expression neutral but attentive.
Charlotte took a breath.
"Um, Ethan… about what I said back then…"
