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

Anna sat on the bench just outside the school, her eyes still puffy from crying, her hands trembling slightly as she stared down at the phone in her lap. Savannah and Ben sat on either side of her, concern written all over their faces.

"He broke up with me," she said, voice barely above a whisper.

Ben leaned forward, shocked. "What?"

Savannah blinked. "Wait… Ryan? What happened?"

Anna swallowed hard. "He said…" Her voice cracked. "He said it was just an experiment. That he never really liked me."

Ben's face dropped. "No way. No freaking way."

Savannah shook her head in disbelief. "That doesn't make any sense. He—Anna, he liked you. We all saw it."

"I don't know what changed," Anna said, wiping a tear. "But he looked me in the eyes and said I was nothing more than a distraction. Something to pass the time."

Ben stood abruptly. "He said that to you?"

Savannah looked at Ben. "We need to talk to him. Now."

The court was empty. Ryan sat alone on the bleachers, his hoodie pulled over his head, earbuds in, but no music playing. His chest was heavy, his thoughts spiraling.

He didn't hear the footsteps until Ben's voice snapped through the silence.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

Ryan looked up, startled. Ben was standing a few feet away, fists clenched, and Savannah was behind him, her eyes narrowed and hurt.

Ryan pulled the earbuds out. "Ben—"

"No," Savannah cut in. "Don't try to explain it away."

"She told us what you said to her," Ben said. "That she was just an experiment? A distraction? Are you serious?"

"You've always been a little distant," Ben said, "but I never thought you'd be cruel."

"No, you didn't," Savannah snapped. "You chose to say those things. You broke her."

Ryan stood, voice low but intense. "You don't understand. I did it to protect her."

"Then maybe you don't deserve our trust anymore," Savannah said, her voice cold.

Ben stared at Ryan for a long moment, the weight of their friendship pressing heavy between them. "You could've talked to us, man. We had your back."

"I'm sorry," Ryan said, and he meant it. God, he meant it.

Ben shook his head. "Not good enough."

Without another word, Ben turned and walked off. Savannah hesitated for just a moment before following.

Ryan stood alone again—surrounded by the echo of their footsteps and the silence of everything he had just lost.

Chapter 87 – Shattered Bonds