(ᴛᴜᴛᴏʀ ɢɪʀʟ)//sʜɪʀʙᴇʀᴛ

ELEVEN.

Anne was confused.

Charlie is a great guy. Loyal, kind, gentle. But he isn't Gilbert.

She walked down to the courts and thankfully, no one was there. There was a ball sitting on the ground, probably left by a neighborhood kid, and she picked it up. She began to bounce it and stared straight up to the net. "Okay ball, decide my fate. Will this Charlie/Gilbert situation end well?" She jumped lightly and released the ball. It completely missed the net and landed into someone's hands.

"Please tell me that wasn't your jump shot." Gilbert said as he began to dribble the ball towards her. "Because if that was your jump shot, I may need to find a new tutor." She laughed awkwardly, trying to forget what she just said. "Millie said you would be here, I went to the cafe and you weren't there."

She nodded. "I don't work for another hour. I just needed to clear my mind."

"What's bothering you?" He stepped closer to Anne, to the point where she could almost feel his breath.

She got red and became flustered. "Uh, school and p-projects. You know, normal teenager things." He could sense her awkwardness. "What did you come here for?"

"Oh right, I'm throwing a party for Moody's birthday and I want you and Charlie there. I was going to text him but I think talking to you is way better." He smirked at the unnerved girl.

She bit her lip and smiled. "We'll be there!"

"Cool starts at seven. It's at Ruby's house and you can bring whoever you want. It's open invite because, well, it's Moody." They both laughed. "Now can I please show you how to make a proper jump shot before it kills me." He stood by Anne's side. "Square your shoulders, to the basket." They both straightened out. "Now, bring the ball up right pass your nose, okay? Now bend your knees a little." He stepped behind her, handing her the ball. "Relax your hips." He slowly put his hands on her waist. "And just shoot." He almost whispered. Their faces were close. So close that Anne could tell he was chewing mint gum and Gilbert could tell she was wearing peach chapstick. 

Their eyes stayed connected for what seemed like hours. It felt like time had stopped. Gilbert was swimming in her bright, blue eyes. She turned away and tried the shot, hitting the net a little bit. "Okay, that wasn't perfect but it was better than the last one." He checked his phone. "I have to go but I'll see you tonight?"  She nodded and he winked at her.

She felt like she could finally catch her breath. She didn't know what that boy was doing to her but she kind of liked it.

✎

Atticus sat on his bedroom floor, dreading what he was about to do. 

He was waiting for Michelle so he could break up with her. He felt like a horrible person but it had to be done. It felt as if the relationship was being dragged along. He heard his front door open and close, then someone coming up the stairs. She opened the door with a smile on her face. Her usual curly hair now straight and she wore a blue ditsy floral dress. 

"Hey, we better get going now. The party starts in te-" She saw the look on Atticus' face. "Are you okay?" He just shook his head and she sat beside him. She touched his face lightly. "What's wrong? Talk to me."

Atticus looked into her dark eyes and tried not to cry. "We have to break up." She was taken back. He slowly watched the happiness leave and tears form. Before she could speak, he began to talk. "W-We keep trying to make this  work and forcing it is just making it worse. I-I'm sorry but it's better for the both of us if we end things now. I care about you too much to keep you in this relationship."