miranbajrami59

"The Light Between Us"
In a town full of memories, the past is never really gone.

When 15-year-old Ryan Whitmore moves to Rosehill with his mom, he’s not just starting over—he’s running from everything he used to be. But small towns have long shadows, and Ryan quickly finds himself caught in something bigger than he expected. A girl who feels too familiar. A team he wasn’t supposed to lead. A truth that could ruin everything.

Between cheerleading tryouts, basketball tournaments, and late-night talks under the stars, Ryan, Anna, Ben, and Savannah are just trying to figure it all out. But secrets have a way of showing up—especially when you're finally starting to feel at home.

Basketball isn’t just a game here.
It’s where friendships are tested, futures are shaped, and second chances are earned.

THe Light Between us

She didn't remember how she got home.

Her feet moved on instinct, her eyes blurred with tears. The cold wind brushed her cheeks, but it couldn't numb the sting in her chest. Ryan's words played over and over in her mind like a cruel echo.

"It was an experiment.""It was convenient.""Go home, Anna."

She opened the front door, and as soon as she stepped inside, Evelyn rushed over from the kitchen.

"Anna? What's wrong?" Her mother's voice was full of concern.

Richard was there too, stepping into the hall. "Anna?"

She stood frozen for a moment, then crumbled. The sob tore through her as she dropped her bag and sank to her knees.

Evelyn was beside her in seconds, arms wrapping around her.

"What happened?" she whispered. "Honey, what's wrong?"

Anna tried to speak, but the words caught. After a moment, she found her breath again.

"Ryan… he broke up with me," she choked out. "He said it meant nothing. That I was just—just convenient. An experiment."

Richard's face paled. "He said that to you?"

Anna nodded, eyes wide with disbelief and pain. "I don't understand. Yesterday everything was fine. We kissed. We laughed. He helped me bake for the festival. We were planning summer together. And now…" Her voice cracked. "Now it's like I don't even know him."

Evelyn looked horrified. "That doesn't sound like Ryan. He's closed off, yes, but he's not cruel."

Richard was stiff, quiet, his eyes darting to the floor.

"I hate him," Anna whispered. "I hate him for doing this."

But even as she said the words, her voice broke again, because part of her still loved him.

Evelyn held her tighter, whispering soothing words, rocking her like she was five years old again.

Richard turned away slowly, walking toward the window. He stared out at the road in silence, hands clenched at his sides.

He had seen Ryan earlier at the festival. Seen himself in that boy's eyes. And now, watching his daughter fall apart, something clicked in his mind.

Chapter 85 – Shattered Words