Eli, a lanky, freckled boy with a restless grin, drops his tackle box onto a flat rock near the water's edge. His friend, Marcus, taller and more reserved, surveys the scene with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. They set up their gear, laughing about who will catch the first fish.
As Marcus rummages through his backpack, he pulls out a rolled-up bundle of deep blue fabric. He hesitates, then holds it up for Eli to see. "I can't believe I have to wear this for wrestling tryouts next week. My mom says it's tradition, but it feels so weird," he admits, stretching the spandex between his hands.
Eli's eyes light up with curiosity. "Honestly, that's kind of awesome. I bet I'd look cool in it," he jokes, reaching for the singlet. With a daring grin, he stands up, slips off his shirt, and wriggles into the spandex, striking a silly pose. Marcus bursts out laughing, shaking his head at his friend's boldness.
Marcus watches Eli parading around, and after a moment, digs out a second singlet from his bag. "Alright, if you're brave enough, so am I," he declares, changing into his own. The two stand side by side on the grass, their mismatched singlets gleaming in the sunlight. They exchange grins, feeling both ridiculous and invincible.
Without another word, Eli lunges playfully at Marcus, and the two tumble onto the ground, grappling and laughing. They roll and tussle, each trying to pin the other, their faces flushed and eyes bright with exhilaration. The grass stains their knees, and neither cares—caught up in the fun of the moment.
Eli looks over at Marcus, both of them grinning. "When we get to tryouts, we'll totally be ready," he says, nudging his friend. "Yeah, and at least we won't be embarrassed anymore," Marcus replies, laughing. Their fishing rods lie forgotten, but neither boy minds—their afternoon has become a memory they'll never forget.
