Chapter 5

Aurora’s POV

The moment I stepped onto our side of the court, Zayne walked over.

“You okay?”

I nodded “I’m fine.”

Although…

Out of the corner of my eye, I could still see Sebastian staring.

His gaze never left me.

“Everyone ready?”

Coach Wingers shouted.

“Yes, Coach!”

Both teams answered together.

Pheeeew!

The whistle sounded and the game began.

The ball flew rapidly between both teams.

Pass… Catch….Throw…. Intercept.

Everything happened so quickly.

Then…

Sebastian caught the ball.

Instead of aiming at an open teammate…

His eyes locked onto mine.

He’s coming for me.

My heartbeat quickened.

The next second.. He launched the ball with tremendous force.

It came straight toward me.

I jumped.

My fingertips brushed it… But I was a fraction too late.

Bang!

The ball struck the floor behind me.

“Point! Team A!”

Cheers erupted from Sebastian’s side.

Stefan pumped his fist into the air.

“Told you!”

Harry laughed loudly.

“That's what you get for joining the Losers!!”

Before I could recover, Gwen stormed toward me.

“What the hell was that?” She shoved my shoulder. “That was your ball!”

Zayne immediately stepped between us.

“Hey.”

His voice remained calm.

“Don’t do that. It was one mistake. Anyone could’ve missed it.”

“Oh please, stop defending her!” Gwen snapped.

Across the court, Stefan cupped his hands around his mouth.

“Yo! Your nerdy team’s about to get crushed!”

Laughter exploded from Team A.

I ignored them. Instead, I looked at the court.

At Sebastian… at each of his teammates and their formation including their strengths…

And… Their weakness.

It suddenly became clicked.

“Zayne.”

He turned toward me.

“Yes.. are you okay?”

I nodded.

“I think our formation is wrong.”

The rest of the team looked at me like I was moving mad.

I took a deep breath.

“If Gwen and Hayley could move slightly left…”

“And Jackson covers the centre…”

“Their attacks won’t work.”

I pointed toward Sebastian.

“He always attacks from the strongest angle. But when he’s frustrated… He unconsciously favours his right hand. So if we pressure him from that side… He’ll compensate by aiming left.”

Everyone stared at me including Gwen.

After a long silence, Zayne blinked.

“…You’ve noticed all that?”

I nodded.

“I’ve… watched him play for years.”

More years than anyone here could ever imagine.

A slow smile spread across Zayne’s face.

“Alright.”

He turned toward everyone.

“You heard her.”

“Gwen. Hayley. Jackson. Take the positions Aurora suggested.”

Then he looked at the rest of us.

“We trust each other and we’ll give this everything.”

A loud cheer erupted from Team B.

We returned to our positions as the whistle sounded again.

This time…

Everything changed.

Our defence held firm.

Every attack from Team A was blocked perfectly.

Sebastian’s expression gradually darkened.

Exactly as I’d expected.

He hated losing. The longer the rally continued… The more impatient he became.

I watched every movement carefully.

Every shift of his shoulders and change in his footing.

Then… There it was.

The opening I’d been waiting for.

Sebastian drove forward. His arm swung back. He released the ball with all his strength.

Just as I predicted… Toward the left.

I sprinted, Leapt into the air.

My palm connected perfectly with the ball.

Instead of sending it straight back… I angled my wrist. The ball changed direction at the very last second.

It shot across the court toward the empty space behind Team A.

None of them saw it coming.

Bang!

The ball slammed against the floor.

A heartbeat later…

Pheeeew!

Coach Wingers’ whistle pierced through the gym.

“Point! Team B Scores!”

The entire gymnasium froze.. every pair of eyes turned toward me.