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

The final bell of the day rang, echoing through the sunlit hallways of Rosehill High. Students buzzed with excitement—summer was almost here. Plans were being made, vacations dreamed of, and futures imagined. But not for Ryan.

He walked down the hall alone, his basketball duffel slung over one shoulder, earbuds in even though there was no music playing. It had become a habit—a way to keep the world out.

Since the breakup, since the fallout with Ben and Savannah, he hadn't really spoken to anyone outside of practice. The rest of the basketball team respected him, even admired him. After all, they had just finished a near-perfect season. Every tournament they entered, they won. Ryan had been unstoppable on the court—fast, focused, and ferocious.

But off the court? He was a ghost.

In the Locker Room

The team cheered and laughed, tossing towels, celebrating their season's end. Coach Daniels gave a short speech, proud and smiling.

"You boys did something special this year. I'm proud of each one of you," he said. "Now get some rest. Next year, we defend everything we've built."

They whooped and clapped. But Ryan sat on the bench, slowly tying his shoes, head down. The sound around him was muffled, like it didn't belong to him.

No one really asked him to come hang out after practice anymore. They knew he'd say no.

Home – Upstairs Apartment

Sarah watched him from the kitchen as he walked in, tired but quiet. She tried to smile. "Hey. Last game today, right?"

She wanted to say more. She always did. But ever since that night, the one where she snapped and sent him to his room, a wall had formed between them. He didn't ask again about Richard. And she never brought it up.

Evening – The Basketball Court

The sun was setting. Ryan sat on the bleachers, spinning the basketball slowly between his fingers.

From a distance, everything looked good—successful season, strong reputation, top student. But inside, it was hollow.

Savannah only offered polite nods in the hallway.

Anna… he hadn't even dared to look at her in weeks.

She deserved better than the truth. Better than the weight of what they were. So he gave her something worse. Because he thought it would protect her.

A gust of wind blew across the court, carrying with it faint sounds of laughter from the park nearby—groups of friends, warm smiles, shared moments. The kind of thing Ryan used to have.

Chapter 88 – The Season Ends, But the Silence Remains