The sun poured through the dusty gym windows, staining the hardwood court in golden streaks. Sweat already clung to the air from the earlier scrimmages, the faint squeak of shoes and the distant hum of the ceiling fans setting the scene. The rest of the team gathered at the sidelines, leaning against the wall or crouching low, eyes glued to the center court where two figures stood ready.
Lucas Graves, with his sharp yellow eyes glinting in the light, dribbled the ball lazily in one hand. Across from him, Ethan Albarado rolled his shoulders, his faint smirk hiding the adrenaline rushing through his veins.
"How many points?" Lucas asked, his voice even but carrying a playful challenge.
"Hmm… still 20," Ethan replied, tapping his foot as if already impatient to begin.
Lucas spun the ball in his hands once before grinning. "Okay… the first one who gets 20 wins."
Ethan's smirk widened. "Are you ready to get beaten?"
Lucas tilted his head slightly. "Well… no."
