Mag-log inThe medical hallway outside the clinic room felt too quiet compared to the chaos downstairs.Students were still celebrating the win somewhere around the hotel arena, but up here, everything sounded softer.Muted.I stood outside the door for a few seconds longer than necessary, staring at the small sign beside it. *Athlete Recovery Room.* My stomach still hadn’t settled properly since Aaron fell.Coach Bennett had stopped me earlier while I was wandering near the lobby.“Relax,” he had said. “Briggs is fine. Dramatic as always.”That definitely did not help.I pushed the door open slowly.Aaron looked up almost immediately from the bed he was sitting on.An ice pack rested near him while white tape wrapped lightly around his wrist.But somehow— he still looked annoyingly fine.“Hey. You look traumatized,” he said immediately.I shut the door behind me. “You literally flew across the floor.”“And still survived.” He spread his arms slightly. “Very inspirational.”I rolled my eyes b
The moment those Westbridge students walked past us, I wanted to disappear.One of the boys looked between Aaron and I before smirking.“Damn, Briggs,” he said slowly. “Nationals barely started.”Aaron looked completely unbothered.The boys behind him burst into laughter immediately.“Oh he’s DEFINITELY distracted now.”“Westbridge might actually survive this.”I covered my face briefly. “This is so embarrassing.”Aaron looked down at me with amusement written all over his face.“You’re blushing.”“I literally hate you.” I said turning my face away.“No you don’t.”Before I could reply, voices suddenly echoed through the hallway.“Ay! Why are you guys here?”Vanessa appeared from the elevator with two cheerleaders beside her before stopping immediately after seeing us.Her eyes widened dramatically.“Oh my God.”One of the basketball boys behind her looked between us instantly.“NAHHHHH.”Aaron sighed tiredly already.“Can everybody relax?”“No,” Vanessa replied immediately. “Actually
The moment the bus pulled into the hotel entrance, the entire atmosphere changed instantly.Phones came out immediately while students pressed themselves against the windows excitedly.“Oh my God.” “This place is HUGE.” “Wait—record this!”I slowly sat up in my seat and stared outside.The hotel looked unreal. Huge glass walls reflected the evening sunlight while massive banners for the National Invitational Championship hung across the entrance. Students from different schools moved around everywhere with luggage, jerseys, school jackets, and cameras.Everything suddenly felt bigger. More serious.Aaron noticed my expression immediately.“You okay?”I looked at him slowly. “This doesn’t feel like high school anymore.”A small smile appeared on his face.“Welcome to Nationals.”The bus doors opened moments later and chaos followed instantly.Everybody dragged bags down the aisle while teachers yelled instructions nobody actually listened to.Aaron stood first before reaching for my su
The sound of a car horn echoed softly outside my house.I had already prepared my stuffs, waiting for Aaron.I immediately stood up from my bed and moved toward the window.Aaron.His black car was parked neatly in front of the gate while he leaned casually against it with his phone in his hand.Even from upstairs, he somehow still looked annoyingly attractive.I grabbed my bag quickly before rushing downstairs.“Mum, I’m leaving!”My mum walked out from the kitchen almost immediately.“Already?”“Yes. Aaron is outside.”That tiny smile appeared on her face again.I narrowed my eyes immediately.“Please stop smiling like that.”“Like what?”“Like you’re planning my wedding.” I replied.She laughed softly.“Enjoy yourself, Allison.”“I will.”“And call me when you arrive.”“Yes mum. I will.”She adjusted my hair gently before smiling again.“Tell Aaron I said hi.”I chucked a bit.“Oh my God.”I hurried toward the door before she could embarrass me further.The morning air felt cooler
We arrived at the mall after a few minute drive.The mall was brighter than I expected.Huge glass lights reflected against the polished floor while people moved around noisily with shopping bags and drinks in their hands.Meanwhile—Aaron Briggs walked beside me like he owned the entire building.Honestly? Maybe he did.“You’re staring again,” he said casually.“Not at you. The massive building.”“Liar.”I rolled my eyes immediately.“You literally dragged me here.”“And you still entered the car willingly.”Unfortunately for me—that was true.Aaron pushed open the door to one of the clothing stores before looking back at me.“Come on.”“I still don’t understand why we’re shopping this much for a three-day trip.”“You girls say things like that then pack your entire bedroom.”“That is rude.”“That is experience.”I tried not to smile as I followed him inside.The store itself looked expensive enough to make me nervous instantly.Aaron, however, looked completely relaxed.Of course h
*Allison’s POV* *The next day*The hallway felt weirdly loud that morning.Not physically.Just… socially.Everywhere I walked, people kept looking at me.Whispering. Turning. Checking their phones.At first, I thought maybe another rumor had started again.Honestly? At Parkview, that was becoming normal.I adjusted my bag slightly and kept walking toward my locker.Then I heard it.“She’s actually going?” “How did she even get approved?” “Aaron definitely pulled strings.”I slowed slightly.Going where?Aaron hadn't explained yesterday's text to me.He kept saying I'll understand soon.So what's this all about?Before I could even think properly, one of the office assistants appeared near the hallway.“Allison Foster?”I blinked. “Uh… yes?”“You’re needed in the administrative office.”That definitely sounded terrifying.I ignored the curious stares around me and followed her downstairs.The office smelled strongly like paper and coffee.Mrs. Lewis sat behind the desk typing some