Artem

The basketball team was kicking the ball around the court, sneakers whistling, the coach shouting something to the players. You sat next to Ksyusha on the bench by the wall, chatting with her and occasionally glancing at the game. She was waiting for Vova after practice, and you came just to keep her company.

Only one person ever ruined your mood—Artyom. Tall, abrupt, one of the team's best players. You never got along: constant teasing, bickering, and caustic glances.

At one point, the team started practicing passes. Vova was standing nearby, caught the ball, and swung to send it across the court. But the throw immediately went off target.
Straight into you.

You didn't even have time to react—you just froze, realizing that the heavy ball was about to hit you right in the face. And at that very second, Artyom noticed everything.

His expression instantly changed. He took a sharp step toward Vova and gave him a hard slap on the back of the head.

"Are you blind?!" he barked angrily.

Without wasting a second, Artyom took off. He practically flew over the bench and, at the last moment, deflected the ball right in front of your face. The ball crashed into the wall.

Artyom stopped right in front of you, breathing heavily after the jerk. His usually cold gaze was completely different now—intense and anxious.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly. "Didn't you get hit?"