Tangled Webs

As the team began to disperse, Andrew called out to them once more, reminding them to stay hydrated and to report any injuries. Isaac took the opportunity to grab a water bottle from his bag, trying to avoid eye contact with Neil. But as he raised the bottle to his lips, he caught Neil watching him, a hint of a smile on his face. Isaac's heart skipped a beat as he quickly looked away, feeling a flush rise to his cheeks. He took a long swig of water, trying to calm his racing thoughts. But as he turned to walk away, he felt a tap on his shoulder. "Hey, Isaac," Neil said, his voice low and smooth. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" Isaac's stomach dropped as he turned to face Neil. The rest of the team was filtering out of the gym, leaving them alone. "Yeah, sure," he said, trying to sound casual. Neil fell into step beside him as they walked out of the gym. "So, what's going on with you?" he asked, his eyes searching Isaac's face. "You seemed a little off during practice today." Isaac shrugged, trying to brush it off. "Just a little tight, that's all." Neil raised an eyebrow. "You've been tight all week. Is everything okay?" Isaac hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But there was something in Neil's expression that put him at ease. Maybe it was the concern etched on his face, or maybe it was the way he seemed to genuinely care. Whatever it was, Isaac found himself opening up. "I just...I've got a lot on my mind, that's all," he said, trying to keep his voice light. Neil nodded, his eyes never leaving Isaac's face. "You can tell me, you know. I'm here for you." Isaac felt a pang of emotion at Neil's words. No one had ever offered him support like that before. His parents had always been critical, pushing him to be better, to achieve more. But Neil's words were different. They were gentle, and kind, and they made Isaac feel like he was seen. As they walked, the tension between them grew thicker, until Isaac could feel it like a physical presence. He wasn't sure what was happening, or where it was leading, but he knew one thing - he was in over his head. They stopped in front of the locker room, Neil turning to face him. "Hey, do you want to grab dinner with me tonight?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "I know this great place that serves amazing burgers." Isaac's heart skipped a beat. Was this a date? He wasn't sure, but he knew he couldn't say no. "Yeah, sure," he said, trying to sound casual. Neil grinned, and Isaac's heart fluttered. "Great. I'll pick you up at 7?" As Neil walked away, Isaac felt like he was stepping into a whole new world, one where the rules were different, and the stakes were higher. And he wasn't sure if he was ready.