Ace of Hearts

22| i want you to draw me

Nyara lays back on the bleacher seat and looks up at the sky while I watch the practice field with my head in a hand.

The football games might be interesting, but the practices sure aren't.

I guess Nyara wasn't expecting such a boring two hours, either, because she watches the clouds in a sleep-like state on the row behind me, while I pencil in my notebook.

Down on the field, coaches yell commands to different players. I hear the shrill sound of a whistle, and I get a good view of Rye. He seems to be a decent athlete. But that isn't very telling of the guy he really is.

Earlier, Nyara told me she lost her virginity to him. Though I don't want to judge, I do worry it was all a bit soon

Tearing my gaze away from Rye, I notice Ace. He's sweating from the work he's been doing. At least now I know why he shows up so disheveled at the bookstore on practice days.

He's shirtless and doing sprints back and forth.

I watch in curiosity as he runs ceaselessly between yard lines. I see his sun-bronzed skin moving as he runs. He runs without wavering in dedication, no matter how many times he's already turned back. I see the abs he let me touch once.

To myself, I turn the page in my notebook. I look back up at him, observing the chiseled outline of his body and replicating that with my pencil. I look down at my book, periodically glancing back up at his figure for reference.

After several minutes, I've sketched him. I look down at the graphite in my notebook before noticing my fingers are stained.

"Yummy!"

"Shit!" I jump, hearing Nyara's voice over my shoulder as she peers down at my drawing.

I slam my book shut before she can steal another glance.

"Drawing Ace?" She questions with a smirk. My face burns with the heat of a million suns.

"Drawing a football player." I correct her, aloof.

She rolls her dark eyes. "You were drawing Ace. Shirtless," she adds.

No!

"He's shirtless right now. I was just drawing the moment." I correct.

"Right..."

I shove my notebook into my bag.

"I got bored." I give my excuse.

"Whatever you say."

"I did!"

Nyara giggles. "Well don't worry." She points down to the field. I follow her finger. "Boredom is over, because practice is over. Come on!"

Sure enough, I notice the team is walking off of the grass field. With a start, I follow Nyara down to where Rye is guzzling water before packing up.

She approaches him with a grin that he returns. I make sure to hide curiosity from showing through on my face. He kisses her, and I look away, only now listening to them speak.

"I can't do tonight."

I look back in time to hear his conversation with her. She pouts, but he explains.

"We're going bowling!"

Another football player overhears, too. "Rye, come on! Bring her with us. The more the merrier. I'll call my girlfriend and have her meet us, too."

Rye considers his teammate's word. I watch in silence. He looks at Nyara and shrugs.

"Do you and Bryn want to come with us?" He asks her.