The laughter between us was easy, warm, and completely unexpected. I leaned against the basketball hoop, catching my breath after another failed attempt at shooting.
Zaya was standing a few feet away, the ball tucked under one arm, a smirk pulling at her lips. She looked lighter, less like the cold, composed Zaya I'd gotten used to, and more… human.
Her laugh had caught me off guard earlier soft but full-bodied, and it sent a pleasant shiver down my spine every time. She wasn't the type to smile freely, let alone laugh, and I found myself wanting to hear more of it.
"You know," I said, straightening up and brushing my hair out of my face, "you're not as intimidating as you think."
Zaya raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh? And why's that?"
I shrugged, grinning. "You smiled. That's like… the eighth wonder of the world."
Her smirk deepened. "Don't get used to it. You're bad at basketball. It's funny."
