Too Close

The rain started just after evening practice.

Heavy drops crashed against the gym windows while thunder echoed across campus. Most of the team hurried out quickly before the storm worsened, laughing as they covered their heads with jackets and gym bags.

Mia stayed behind longer than usual.

Partly because she was exhausted.

Mostly because Coach Selena was still there.

The gym lights had already dimmed when Mia finished putting away the basketballs. Selena sat near the scorer’s table reviewing notes on her clipboard, though she looked more distracted than focused.

“You know everyone already left, right?” Mia asked softly.

Selena glanced up. “I noticed.”

“Then why are you still here?”

A small smile tugged at Selena’s lips. “I could ask you the same thing.”

Mia leaned against the bleachers. “Maybe I like staying.”

The air between them shifted instantly.

Thunder cracked outside, making the lights flicker briefly.

“You should head home before the streets flood,” Selena said.

“I walked here.”

Selena frowned slightly. “In this weather?”

“It wasn’t raining earlier.”

Another loud thunderclap interrupted them.

Selena sighed quietly before standing.

“Fine. I’ll drive you.”

The ride felt strangely intimate despite the silence. Rain slid down the windshield while soft music played faintly through the speakers. Mia kept stealing glances at Selena’s hands resting on the steering wheel.

“You’ve been smiling more lately,” Mia said suddenly.

Selena raised an eyebrow. “Have I?”

“Only around me.”

That earned a quiet laugh.

By the time they reached Mia’s apartment building, the storm had become worse. Wind rattled nearby trees while water flooded parts of the street.

Selena looked outside carefully. “You should wait until the rain calms down.”

“At my apartment?” Mia asked.

Selena hesitated for a second before nodding.

Mia tried not to smile too obviously.

Inside, the apartment felt warm compared to the cold storm outside. Mia quickly apologized for the mess while Selena looked around with quiet amusement.

“It feels like you,” Selena said.

“Messy?”

“Lived in.”

Before Mia could answer, the electricity suddenly shut off.

The apartment went completely dark.

“Oh my God,” Mia groaned.

Outside, thunder crashed loudly.

Then Mia felt Selena’s hand gently touch her arm.

“It’s okay,” Selena whispered.

Emergency lights from outside barely illuminated the room, but Mia could still see Selena standing close beside her.

Too close.

Neither moved away.

“Mia,” Selena said quietly.

Her voice sounded softer now. Careful.

Mia swallowed hard. “Yeah?”

Selena stared at her for a long moment, as if fighting with herself internally.

Then she slowly lifted her hand to Mia’s cheek.

The touch alone made Mia’s heart race uncontrollably.

“You make this very difficult,” Selena admitted softly.

Mia’s breath caught.

“Maybe you should stop fighting it.”

For a second, silence filled the room except for the storm outside.

Then Selena leaned closer.

Close enough for Mia to feel her breathing.

Close enough to almost kiss her.

But just before their lips touched, Selena stopped herself.

Her forehead rested lightly against Mia’s instead.

And in that quiet moment, with rain pouring outside and emotions hanging dangerously between them, both of them realized there was no turning back anymore.

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