At night in the basketball hall

It was late in the evening when Lisa entered the basketball hall. The light was dimmed, only a few individual spots illuminated the shiny parquet floor. The smell of fresh wood was in the air, mixed with the slightly sweet scent of sweat. The hall was empty, the normal noise of the game had given way to an eerie silence. She loved being around when no one else was around. In this loneliness at night, Lisa let her mind wander. She thought of Max, the new player in the team whose athleticism and charm had taken her breath away. His smile made her heart beat faster, and she often found herself close to him while working out. She suddenly heard footsteps behind her. Even before she turned around, she knew it was Max. “I was hoping to find you here,” he said in a deep voice and stepped closer. Lisa involuntarily winced as she saw his warm, inviting smile. She felt the tension build up between them. In the silence of the hall, surrounded by the shadows of her own aspirations, her thoughts rolled over. Why was the attraction so strong? Max didn't bother to close the distance between them; instead, he seemed to challenge them. She heard his heart beat faster, as did hers. Lisa wanted him closer, felt as if she was magnetically attracted. Her breath stopped as she looked straight into his eyes. In that moment, everything else seemed to disappear. The tension grew, every space between them unbearable as they slowly extended their hands together and...