ANMELDENThe basketball rolled slowly across the court before stopping near the edge.I leaned back against the bench with a tired sigh, brushing loose strands of hair away from my face. The sunset had faded into something softer now, the orange glow stretching across the empty court while the evening breeze cooled the warmth on my skin.Aaron sat beside me, elbows resting on his knees.Still in his blazer.Still looking unfairly good for someone who had spent the last thirty minutes laughing at my terrible basketball skills.“You’re actually horrible at this,” he said finally.I looked at him immediately. “Excuse me?”A smirk tugged at his lips.“You heard me.”“Oh wow.” I shook my head slowly. “And after I worked so hard too.”“You worked hard?” He let out a quiet chuckle. “Allison, the ball almost hit me twice.”“It was one time.”“Twice.”I crossed my arms dramatically. “You’re such a supportive coach.”“I’m honest.”I rolled my eyes, but a small laugh escaped me anyway.The sound seemed
For a moment, nothing happened.No engine.No movement.Just silence.I leaned back slightly, my fingers resting on my lap, eyes drifting toward the window.The sky outside was fading into that soft evening glow—gold melting into something quieter.Then—The engine came to life.Low.Smooth.I expected the usual silence that always followed when I was with him.But instead—A soft melody filled the car.I stilled.It wasn’t loud.Just enough to sit in the background.Slow. Calm.Different.I turned my head slightly, glancing at him.Aaron.One hand on the steering wheel.The other resting near the gear.Focused on the road like always.But this—this wasn’t like always.“You play music now?” I asked quietly.No teasing in my voice.Just… curiosity.He didn’t look at me immediately.Just shrugged slightly.“Thought it’d help.”Simple.Like it didn’t mean anything.But it did.I leaned back into the seat, letting the sound settle around us. It wasn’t the kind of music I expected from
*Allison's POV* I couldn't handle the tension anymore.Without waiting for a response, I turned and left the classroom.The both of them stayed silent.Watching me go.I walked down the hallway.My emotions shifted from anger to something else.Something heavier and more confusing.I kept replaying everything.What they said.Aaron.Liam.It made it harder for me to stay calm.I tried to keep my pace steady, but my thoughts got louder the farther I went.I reached the restroom.Stepped inside and closed the door behind me.The quiet didn't fully calm me, but it gave me space to breathe and think without them in front of me.I exhaled slowly, stepping toward the sink, my fingers gripping the edge of the marble counter. My head dropped forward, shoulders rising and falling with a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding.Everything felt… loud.Not around me.Inside me.I lifted my head slightly, staring at my reflection.I looked fine.Too fine.Like nothing was wrong.And maybe tha
I reached for my phone immediately.My jaw was tight.My mind wasn’t even trying to calm down anymore.I texted Paige."We need to meet. Now."The reply came almost instantly."B-12."Of course.Short. Confident. Like she had been waiting for this.I didn’t waste time.My steps were quick, controlled, but there was tension in every movement. The hallway felt longer than usual, voices fading into the background as one thought stayed constant in my head—She crossed a line.B-12.An empty classroom. Hardly used. Perfect place for someone like Paige to sit and feel like she was in control.I pushed the door open.And there she was.Sitting on the desk.Calm.Too calm.Like nothing had happened.Like she hadn’t just thrown everything into chaos.I let out a small smirk as I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.She didn’t move immediately.Just glanced up slowly, her eyes scanning me like she was studying my reaction.Then she looked back at her nails.“You look tense.”Straight
I stopped by the door of an empty classroom.Slipped my phone into my pocket.Before I could process everything, I buried my face into my palms.I didn’t cry.At all.I was just… exhausted.Everything felt too much.Aaron couldn’t even explain.He didn’t say anything.That alone kept replaying in my head.I took a slow breath and pushed myself away from the door, walking down the quiet hallway.My steps were slow.Heavy.Like I was carrying something I couldn’t even explain.I walked into the cafeteria.It wasn’t so busy.Not break time yet.A few students here and there.Low noise.Just enough silence for me to think.Which was exactly what I wanted.I walked up to the counter.“1 bottle of orange juice, please.”“1 for me too.”I paused.I knew that voice.Of course.Liam.I didn’t even turn immediately.“Hey,” he said.“Hey.”I grabbed the drink and walked toward an empty table, sitting down quietly.He followed and sat across from me.“I saw the video,” he said, opening his bottle
Allison looked around.Really looked.Then,she dropped her bag and her phone and stepped outside the car.She didn’t say a word.She just gave a small smile.The type of smile that made her look effortlessly cute. Soft. Untouched by everything going on.I sighed.I wasn’t sure if I should follow her or just stay and watch.Everything happening lately had to be getting to her.Vanessa.Liam.School.Her scholarship.Too much at once.She walked a little further and sat by the lake, pulling her knees up slightly and resting her head on them. The breeze moved gently, brushing through her brown hair, lifting a few strands across her face.She didn’t push them away.She just… sat there.Quiet.I grabbed my phone and stepped out of the car.The gravel crunched softly under my shoes as I walked toward her.“It’s been long since I felt this kind of peace,” she said quietly as I got closer.Her voice was soft. Honest.“That's why I brought you here,” I replied, sitting beside her.For a mo







