⊹₊⟡⋆ 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 ..! ⊹₊⟡⋆

. ݁₊ ⊹ (The Bascketball Diaries) .. #

"because you and i we were born to live"

The sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Adrain's room, casting a warm glow on the three girls sprawled across the floor. Adrain sat cross-legged on her plush carpet, flipping through a fashion magazine, while Lauren lounged on the bed, her legs swinging playfully.

Sasha leaned against the dresser, flipping through a magazine, laughter bubbling up as they exchanged stories and gossip.

"Okay, but seriously, did you see the way Connor was all over you at the party?" Lauren teased, her voice a mix of amusement and disbelief. "You were like a deer caught in headlights when you stormed off."

Adrain rolled her eyes, trying to suppress her anger. "It wasn't like that! I just... didn't expect him to act like that."

Lauren continued, her tone light. "Come on, Adrain, it was just Seven Minutes in Heaven. You can't blame him for trying to play the game."

"Play the game?" Adrain shot back, her voice rising slightly. "I made it fucking clear that he could kiss me, but I did not give him permission to unzip my dress. That was crossing a line, and you know it."

"Okay, okay," Lauren interjected, raising her hands in a placating gesture. "I get it. But sometimes, you can be a little too uptight. You have to let loose once in a while." Adrain's eyes narrowed, irritation bubbling to the surface.

"Uptight? Is that what you think? Just because I'm not comfortable with some guy getting handsy with me doesn't mean I'm uptight. I'm just... aware of my boundaries."

"Yeah, and boundaries are great," Sasha added quickly, sensing the tension rising between the two friends. "But maybe it's time to put this behind you? It's not worth getting worked up over."

"You're right," Lauren agreed, her tone softening. "I don't want to fight. I'm just saying, you should see it from other perspectives."

Adrain took a deep breath, trying to calm the simmering frustration. "What perspective matters more than my own? I felt uncomfortable, and that's what counts. It's not my fault that Connor decided to act like a dick."

Sasha leaned in, trying to change the subject. "Okay, enough about the fucking party drama. On a lighter note, I have exciting news! Jason is taking me out for dinner tonight for our three-year anniversary." The shift in mood was instantaneous, and the previous tension faded like the morning mist.

"Ooh, what are you wearing?" Lauren asked, a sparkle of excitement in her eyes. "It has to be the green satin dress."

Adrain smiled, her previous frustration slipping away. "You have to tell us everything afterward. Where are you guys even going?"

Sasha clasped her hands together, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I haven't decided yet! I was thinking maybe that new Italian place downtown on Crimson. What do you think?"

"Oh my god, yes! That place sells amazing food." Lauren exclaimed. "And you'll look amazing no matter what you wear." As they chatted about outfits and potential date ideas, Lauren suddenly turned serious. "But hey, while we're on the topic of relationships, not to talk shit or anything."

"Oh, no! Talk the shit you need to." Adrain progressed, with Sasha nodding.

"Did you see Jason getting cozy with Linda Tomson in biology class? I mean, it looked like more than just friendly."

Sasha's expression shifted. For a moment, her carefree demeanor faltered, revealing a flicker of insecurity. "What? They were just talking, right?"

Adrain, catching the change in her friend's tone, chimed in. "Yeah, they've known each other forever. It's probably nothing serious."

Sasha forced a laugh, brushing off her unease. "Right! I mean, Jason and I have been together for almost three years. We're solid."

"Good for you, Sasha," Adrain said, her smile genuine. "I wish I could find a relationship like that. Date for marriage, right? Not just for fun."

Lauren nodded. "Exactly. But not with Jason, please. God forbid."

Adrain chuckled, shaking her head. "Seriously, though, you guys fight so much, but no matter what, you're still linked."

Sasha shrugged, her eyes sparkling. "Because we love each other. That's what matters!"

"Okay, eww," Lauren made a disgusted face pretending to gag, making Sasha hit her while rolling her eyes, laughing.

Just then, Adrain picked up a makeup brush and walked over to her dresser, her mind drifting as she applied a touch of mascara. "Wait a minute. Why did you invite us over today anyway?" Lauren asked, breaking the comfortable rhythm of their chatter.

Adrain paused, her expression shifting to something more serious. "Okay, so... I've been keeping something from you guys. But promise you won't freak out? It's not a big deal."

Both girls leaned in, curiosity piqued. "What is it?" they asked in unison. "After the party, I ran into that same guy from the diner and the park on my way home," she started, her voice lower, almost conspiratorial.

Lauren's eyes widened. "No. No way."

Sasha gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "You can't be serious! The asshole with his friends that beat up Jason and the rest to a pulp?"

"Guys, let me finish!" Adrain urged, her laughter mixing with their disbelief. "We talked, and he's actually really chill. We're hanging out in half an hour."

A stunned silence enveloped the room. "Seriously?" Sasha finally managed, her voice laced with both disbelief and support.

"Yeah, I mean... he's not as bad as you think they all are." Adrain said, her tone shifting slightly, a hint of excitement creeping in.

Lauren shook her head, still processing. "But with him? You're gorgeous! You could date anyone!"

Adrain rolled her eyes, a smile breaking through. "We're not dating. We're just hanging out! Why is that so hard to understand?"

Sasha raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk crossing her face. "So, you like a bad boy now?"

Adrain shot her a playful glare, grabbing a pillow from her bed and tossing it at her. "Oh my God, I don't like Jim. We're just hanging out, maybe being friends. That's it!"

"So that's his name, Jim," both girls sang his name to a rhythm as Adrain hit her head on her vanity. Sasha giggled, her playful tone returning. "And that's not his jacket over there?"

Adrain turned, noticing the blazer draped over the chair. Jim had given it to her last night when it had started pouring, insisting she keep it to stay warm. Sasha probably noticed the school’s logo that Jim went to. "It was raining! For fuck's sake," she protested, but her heart raced as she considered what it might mean.

Sasha smirked. "That's some level ten romantic shit right there!"

"Really?" Adrain asked, her cheeks flushing as she contemplated it.

"Absolutely!" Lauren chimed in. "You should totally go for it!" Adrain shook her head, trying to remain level-headed.

"Guys, I'm not into him like that!"

Sasha laughed, then her expression softened. "Well, I'm happy for you, even if I'm not thrilled about your taste in guys. Just don't get into trouble, okay?"

"Don't worry," Adrain said, her tone reassuring. "I don't think he's that type of guy."

Just then, a knock interrupted their conversation, and Grayson, Adrain's stepdad, popped in, stepping into the room with a casual smile. "Hey, girls," he greeted, "Wyatt and I are about to watch the game. We’re making some burgers, pizza, and grabbing drinks. If you’re hungry, there’s plenty downstairs in the kitchen."

Sasha and Lauren exchanged a glance before Sasha answered for them, “Oh, no, Mr. Grayson, thank you. We’re actually about to head out.”

Grayson nodded and then turned his attention to Adrain, raising an eyebrow. “You hungry?”

Adrain shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’m not going to be around for lunch, but I’ll probably be back for dinner.”

Grayson looked a bit taken aback. “Going out?”

Adrain nodded.

“With Lauren and Sasha?” he asked, glancing at the two.

Adrain shook her head again. “No, with another friend.”

Grayson’s brow furrowed. “Which friend, if I may ask?”

Adrain shrugged. “Does it matter?”

“Yes, it does,” Grayson said, his tone shifting. “Especially the time you’re coming back, and who exactly this friend is. Is it a guy or a girl?”

Lauren opened her mouth to answer, but Sasha quickly covered it, cutting her off.

Adrain glanced at her friends before turning back to Grayson. “It’s just a friend we met.”

Grayson wasn’t satisfied. “Have you known this person for a while? Do they go to your school?”

“No, they don’t go to our school,” Adrain answered, a little sharper now. “But what’s the big deal? Mom lets me go out all the time. Why are you giving me rules now?”

Grayson crossed his arms. “Your mom’s not around right now, and I’m the adult here. So, I think it’s best you tell me everything I need to know about this friend you're meeting.”

Adrain sighed, clearly growing irritated. “Okay, fine. It’s just a girl we met at the movies.She wants to go shopping for a date she’s going on. Happy?”

Grayson gave her a long, skeptical look, obviously not believing her, but choosing not to argue in front of her friends. He nodded slowly, then turned to leave, pausing at the door. “Don’t forget your curfew,” he reminded her, shutting the door behind him.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Sasha let out a breath. “Well, we should get going,” she said with a grin, nudging Lauren. “Big night ahead of us, huh?”

Adrian rolled her eyes, rummaging through her wardrobe. “Not a date, again,” she muttered, pulling out a sweater.

“Sure,” Sasha and Lauren chimed in, both making a sarcastic kissy face as Lauren started whispering Jim's name over and over.

Adrian turned, flipping them off with a smirk. “Real  fucking mature.”
The three of them burst into laughter before Sasha and Lauren headed for the door. leaving andria lingering in thought.

⋅˚₊‧ 𐙚

The subway station was a hive of movement, the echoing hum of trains speeding past reverberating through the steel framework. Adrian moved through the crowd, weaving between people, his sneakers scuffing against the worn tiles. The air was thick with the scent of the city—grease, sweat, and something vaguely metallic. As he pushed past a couple huddled by the stairwell, his eyes scanned the benches, looking for that familiar shock of blonde hair.

~𝑨𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏'𝒔 𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌~

There—sitting on one of the metal benches, Jim. His head was tilted slightly to the left, his profile outlined under the dim station lights, his hair a little tousled. Adrian let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding and made his way toward him.

“Hey,” he said, coming to a stop beside him.

Jim turned, a quick motion that caught him off guard, as if he’d interrupted him in the middle of something. Adrian noticed him discreetly slipping something into his jacket pocket before meeting his gaze. His expression flickered for a second, then settled into a smirk. “Oh, hey. You made it.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I? I’m the one who suggested we hang out.”

Jim chuckled, standing up. “True. I thought you might flake.”

“Why would I flake when it’s my treat?” Adrian retorted, rolling his eyes. “So, what do you want to do?”

He raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Wait, you didn’t plan anything?”

He shrugged. “I figured we’d just figure it out.”

Jim paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face as he glanced at the subway map. “We could catch the next train to Manhattan and shoot some hoops? You know, basketball.”

Adrian hesitated, already imagining himself fumbling with the ball. He wasn’t exactly the sporty type. But seeing the light in Jim’s eyes, the way he seemed so excited about it, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

“Fine,” he said, exhaling. “That sounds... fine.”

The subway ride was filled with casual conversation—mostly small talk, interspersed with comfortable silences. Jim had a way of making the pauses feel natural, not awkward. Adrian found himself stealing glances at him, noting how his posture relaxed, how his smile came easily. When they arrived at the basketball court in Queens, Jim wasted no time grabbing his basketball from his bag and dribbling it down the court.

Adrian stood to the side, arms crossed, trying to look unimpressed. But he couldn’t help but admire the way he moved—confident, fluid, his muscles tensing as he dribbled and shot with practiced ease. It was... kind of attractive.

“Come on,” Jim called, tossing the ball toward him.

Adrian reacted a second too late, the ball slipping through his hands and bouncing awkwardly to the side. He winced, trying to play it off. “I wasn’t ready.”

Jim grinned. “Sure you weren’t.”

He gave him a half-hearted glare. “What makes you think I’m any good at basketball?”

He shrugged, dribbling again. “I don’t know. I’m just good at reading people. But you... you’re a bit harder to figure out.”

Adrian couldn’t help but smirk, a playful glint in his eye. “Maybe you’re just bad at reading me.”

Without warning, he grabbed the ball from Jim's hands and took a few quick steps, attempting a shot. The ball sailed through the air, only to hit the edge of the hoop with a dull thud. He cursed under his breath, turning back to Jim, who was barely holding back laughter.

“Missed it by that much,” Jim teased, holding his fingers a few inches apart.

Adrian rolled his eyes, groaning. “Whatever. This game is ass anyway.”

Jim walked over, still smiling, and stood beside him. “Alright, I’ll teach you,” he said, a hint of amusement still lingering in his voice. He stepped behind Adrian, positioning himself close as he handed him the ball again.

Adrian tensed for a moment when he felt Jim's hand rest lightly on his back, guiding him into position. His touch was firm but gentle, and Adrian was suddenly hyper-aware of how close Jim was—his breath warm on the side of his neck, the faint scent of his cologne mixing with the summer heat and the hint of cigarettes. He swallowed, his heartbeat quickening for reasons that had nothing to do with basketball.

“Here,” Jim said, his voice low, “hold the ball like this.” His hands guided Adrian’s over the ball, his fingers brushing against his, sending a shiver down Adrian’s spine. “Now aim, and... shoot.”

He tried to focus, but the sensation of Jim's hand briefly brushing his arm made him squirm, a laugh bubbling up in his throat. The ball barely left his fingers before falling short of the hoop.

Jim groaned, stepping back with an exaggerated sigh. “Is it really that hard to just shoot a ball into a hoop?”

Adrian giggled, shaking his head. “I can’t help it! You’re tickling me.”

“I’m not trying to,” Jim muttered, clearly trying to sound serious but failing as a smile tugged at his lips.

“Just... don’t touch me there,” Adrian said, playfully swatting his hand away when he tried to correct his form again.

Jim sighed dramatically. “Alright, I’ll stop. But you’ve gotta at least try.”

They went through the routine a few more times, Adrian laughing every time Jim tried to help him aim, and Jim getting increasingly amused at Adrian’s lack of skill. Finally, after what felt like his hundredth failed shot, Adrian turned to him, breathless from laughter.

“You’re really shit at this,” Jim teased, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead.

“And you’re a terrible coach,” Adrian shot back, his chest still heaving from the effort.

Jim shook his head, grinning as he leaned down to pick up the ball. “Alright, one more try. This time, I won’t tickle you.”

He positioned Adrian again, this time stepping back just enough to let him focus. Adrian could feel Jim's eyes on him as he lined up the shot, concentrating harder than ever. The ball left his hands, arcing through the air... and bounced off the rim, missing again.

Jim burst out laughing, unable to hold it in any longer.

Adrian threw his hands up in defeat, grinning despite himself. “I give up. Basketball’s not my thing.”

Jim smirked, tossing the ball in the air and catching it. “Maybe not. But you’re fun to play with.”

For a moment, their eyes met, and Adrian felt a flicker of something in the air between them—something unspoken, but undeniable. He quickly looked away, biting his lip to hide the smile creeping onto his face.
......
Adrian leads Jim down the bustling streets of Park Avenue, the air crisp as night begins to fall. They get off at the subway station, and Jim looks around, confused, glancing at Adrian.

"Where are you taking me?" he asks, raising an eyebrow with curiosity.

She smirks, teasing him. "What, you think I'm gonna kidnap you or something? Relax, you're fine."

Jim chuckles softly but can't help his curiosity. "Alright, but seriously, where are we going?"

Adrian turns to him with a grin, her eyes sparkling under the streetlights. "Since you took me somewhere that means a lot to you, I thought I’d do the same. Follow me." She gestures ahead toward a quaint bakery, its large windows glowing warmly with lights. People sit outside on benches, chatting and enjoying pastries under the evening sky, as the smell of fresh bread and sugar fills the air.

Jim stops in his tracks, blinking at the sight of the bakery. "Wait… you took me to a bread store?" He looks at her in disbelief, half-amused and half-confused.

Adrian rolls her eyes, clearly unimpressed by his reaction. "No, it's not just a bread store, it's Boulangerie Pierre," she says, emphasizing the French name. "And, trust me, it's much more than bread." She grabs his hand and pulls him inside before he can protest further.

As they enter, the soft hum of classical music fills the air, and the display cases are packed with an array of beautifully crafted pastries, éclairs, and cakes. Jim glances around, feeling a little underdressed in his casual attire.

"Uh… maybe I should’ve dressed better for this," he mutters, looking down at his clothes.

Adrian