Court-side Secrets

Leo was sick of running. Not the cardio kind — though his lungs burned enough for that too — but the way he kept dodging confrontations. Especially with Marcus, who'd been making Leo's life miserable since seventh grade.

"Your backhand looks like you're swatting a mosquito, bro," Maya cracked from the other side of the padel court. She was right, obviously. Maya was always right.

"Shut up, I'm new to this." Leo adjusted his grip on the racquet. Padel was supposed to be easier than tennis, but he kept hitting the glass walls instead of the ball.

That's when he saw him: Marcus, standing by the fence, watching. Not glaring, just watching. And holding Leo's missing water bottle.

Leo's heart did that stupid fluttery thing it always did when he caught Marcus staring in class. Which was confusing because Marcus was technically his bully, but also the person Leo thought about at 2 AM when his brain wouldn't shut up.

"You forgot this," Marcus said, approaching the court. No insults. No "nice form, loser." Just... handing over a water bottle.

"Thanks." Leo's voice cracked. Smooth.

"You're actually getting better," Marcus said, nodding at Leo's racquet. "I've been watching you practice after school. Like, not in a creepy way." He rubbed his neck. "I mean — I joined the padel team. So."

Maya's mouth formed an O that could swallow a galaxy.

"Wait," Leo said. "You've been... spying on me?"

"I was gonna join but I didn't want you to think I was coming over to mess with you." Marcus looked at his shoes. "Anyway, tryouts are Friday. If you want."

The bull in the china shop had been secretly a padel player the whole time.

"I'll think about it," Leo called as Marcus walked away.

Maya burst out laughing. "You're blushing so hard right now."

"Am not."

"Are too. And you're totally trying out."

Leo took a long drink from his water bottle, still cold from the fountain. Maybe running from things wasn't the answer anymore. Maybe — just maybe — it was time to stay put and see what happened next.