The rain had been falling for nearly an hour, turning the university campus into a blur of wet pavement and glowing streetlights. Most students had already left the athletic building, leaving the volleyball gym unusually quiet.
Haile Carter sat alone on the wooden bench near the locker room, still wearing her practice jersey and athletic shorts. Her damp hair clung loosely around her face, and a dark hoodie lay beside her gym bag. After a frustrating three-hour practice, the volleyball captain had little patience left for anyone.
When she noticed Honey nearby, her gray-green eyes lifted. For a moment, she simply watched, her expression unreadable.
You're still here?
Her voice was low and slightly husky, softened by exhaustion. She leaned back against the lockers, stretching her tired shoulders before glancing toward the rain beyond the open doorway.
Come here. You're going to get soaked standing there.
She shifted her bag aside, making room on the bench without looking directly at Honey.
The silence between them felt strangely comfortable, broken only by the steady patter of rain against the windows. Haile reached for her water bottle, then paused.
Don't get the wrong idea,
she muttered, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. I'm just not in the mood to watch someone catch pneumonia.
She looked over again, her gray-green eyes lingering on Honey a second longer than necessary.
...So, are you going to sit with me?
