THE WARNING

I asked you a question, Carter. Who texted you?Jace stood a few feet away, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity I hadn’t seen before. I could feel my heartbeat pounding against my ribs as I stared at my phone. The anonymous messages were still fresh in my mind, especially the photograph of me outside the training hall. Someone had been watching me, and I had no idea who. I didn’t want to tell Jace because I barely knew him. Yes, we were roommates and teammates, but that didn’t mean I trusted him. Besides, he had his own secrets. It’s nothing, I finally replied, slipping my phone into my pocket. Someone probably thinks they’re funny. Jace didn’t move. That picture wasn’t funny. My eyes snapped toward him. How did you know about the picture? His jaw tightened for a moment, and I immediately noticed the hesitation in his expression. You just looked like you’d seen something bad. That’s not what you said. I stepped closer, narrowing my eyes. “You specifically mentioned the message. How did you know? He looked away briefly before meeting my gaze again. “Because I’ve received messages like that before.

I stared at him, suddenly feeling less alone and more suspicious. What kind of messages? Jace shoved his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants. People trying to get inside my head. People who don’t want me to succeed. And you didn’t tell Coach? What would I tell him? That someone sent me a threatening text? Without knowing who it was, he’d probably tell me to block the number. I folded my arms. Maybe you should have. Maybe. He paused before adding, But this is different. My stomach tightened. Why? His expression darkened. Because whoever sent yours knew exactly where you were. I swallowed hard. He was right. The picture had been taken outside the training hall, probably while I was talking to one of the other players. Whoever had taken it had been close enough to recognize me and capture my face clearly. Do you think it’s someone from the team? I asked. I don’t know. You warned me yesterday that some of them don’t want me here. That doesn’t mean one of them is threatening you.Then who do you think it is? Jace’s eyes remained on mine. I don’t know yet, but I’ll find out.

The confidence in his voice surprised me. You don’t have to investigate anything for me. I’m not doing it for you. His answer came too quickly. Then why? He hesitated. Because we’re teammates. I almost laughed. Yesterday you couldn’t stand me. I still don’t. His mouth twitched. But I don’t want someone messing with the team. I shook my head, unsure whether to believe him. Before I could respond, his phone buzzed. He pulled it from his pocket, glanced at the screen, and his expression immediately changed. What? I asked. Nothing. He locked the phone. You’re doing that thing again. What thing?Pretending everything is fine when it clearly isn’t. He stared at me for a few seconds before walking toward his bed. Go to sleep, Carter. I watched him carefully. You know something. He stopped. His shoulders stiffened before he slowly turned around. Maybe I do. Then he walked away, leaving me staring after him.

I barely slept that night. Every unfamiliar sound in the hallway made me sit up. I kept checking my phone, expecting another message, but nothing came. Around two in the morning, I finally managed to close my eyes. When my alarm went off, I felt like I hadn’t slept at all. Jace was already awake, sitting on the edge of his bed and tying his sneakers. Morning, he said. I grunted in response. You look terrible. Thanks. You’re welcome. I grabbed my towel and headed toward the bathroom. Practice in forty minutes. I know. And Carter? I looked back. Don’t walk around campus alone today. My eyebrows pulled together. Are you serious? Yes. Why? He stared at me for a moment. Just listen to me. I wanted to argue, but something in his voice stopped me. He wasn’t teasing. He was genuinely concerned.

At practice, Coach Daniels immediately noticed that something was wrong with me. Carter, focus. I blinked and looked toward him. Sorry, Coach. You’re making mistakes you didn’t make yesterday. What’s going on? Nothing. Jace glanced at me from across the court, and I knew he didn’t believe me either. Coach blew his whistle. Again. We started the drill, but my concentration kept slipping. Every time someone walked behind me, I turned instinctively. Eventually, Jace came closer during a break. You’re distracted. I’m fine. You’re terrible at lying. You’re worse at minding your business. He smiled faintly. There you are.” I frowned. What? That’s the Carter I know. Before I could answer, Coach called us back onto the court.

The next drill was supposed to be simple. Jace would drive toward the basket while I moved into position for the pass. He sprinted forward, and I followed the play. Just as he passed the ball, Blake stepped in front of me. Our shoulders collided, and I stumbled backward. The ball rolled away. My bad, Blake said, but there was no apology in his voice. I looked at him. You did that on purpose.” He laughed. Maybe you’re just slow. My fists tightened. Jace walked over immediately. Enough. Blake looked at him. Why are you always defending him? The gym went quiet. Jace’s face hardened. Because he’s my teammate. Blake scoffed. He’s been here for three days, and suddenly he’s your favorite player? Jace stepped closer. “Watch your mouth. Coach blew his whistle sharply. That’s enough! Everyone back to work. Blake walked away, but not before giving me a cold look that sent another warning through my mind.

After practice, I headed toward the locker room. I was reaching for my bag when my phone buzzed. My stomach dropped. I pulled it out and stared at the screen. You were warned. Another message followed immediately. You should have listened. Then a video appeared. My hands began trembling as I opened it. The video showed me and Jace practicing together earlier that morning. The camera angle was distant, as if someone had been standing behind the gym doors. At the end of the video, Jace placed a hand on my shoulder while explaining a play. It was completely innocent, but whoever had recorded it clearly wanted it to look suspicious. A third message appeared. One more mistake and everyone sees this.

I immediately looked around the locker room. Most of the players had already left. Only a few lockers were still open, and the showers were running in the distance. My breathing became uneven. Someone had access to the gym, my schedule, and apparently my roommate. Before I could think, Jace appeared beside me. What happened? I quickly turned off the screen. Nothing. His expression hardened. Stop saying that. I hesitated before showing him the message. He watched the video without speaking. When it ended, his jaw tightened. Who sent this? I don’t know. Did they ask for money? No. Then what do they want? I looked at him. They want me off the team. His expression changed. I knew it.

My eyes narrowed. You knew? He exhaled slowly. There was a reason I warned you. Then tell me everything. He looked around before lowering his voice. Someone on this team has been trying to get me removed as captain. My eyes widened. Who? I don’t know yet. But you have a suspect. He hesitated. Yes. Who? Jace looked toward the locker room entrance. Blake. My stomach twisted. You think Blake is doing this? I think he’s capable of it. Then why haven’t you told Coach? Because I don’t have proof. He looked back at me. And now you’re involved.

I stared at the screen again. What are we going to do? Jace stepped closer, his voice dropping. We’re going to find out who is behind this before they get what they want. I swallowed. Together?He nodded. Together. For some reason, hearing that made my chest tighten. Only yesterday, I had wanted nothing to do with him. Now he was the only person standing beside me while someone threatened everything I had worked for. Jace reached for his bag, but before he could lift it, his phone buzzed. He checked the message, and the color drained from his face. What? I asked. He slowly turned the screen toward me. It was a photograph of the two of us standing in the locker room. The picture had clearly been taken only seconds earlier. Beneath it was a single sentence: You should have listened, Jace.