Chapter 6

Aurora’s POV

For a moment, I could only stare at the scoreboard.

Team B - 1. Team A - 1.

We had actually done it.

Before I could even process what had happened, someone crashed into me.

“Yes!”

Zayne laughed as he wrapped me in a quick hug before effortlessly lifting me off the ground.

“You were incredible!”

The entire gymnasium erupted into cheers.

I blinked in surprise, laughing despite myself as he finally set me back on my feet.

Within seconds, the rest of Team B rushed over.

“We did it!” Laura squealed.

“We actually scored against them!” Jackson shouted.

Even Gwen made her way toward me. She stopped a few feet away, looking almost embarrassed.

“You did it.”

I smiled awkwardly, “We all did.”

She shook her head, “No… that point was yours.”

For a second, neither of us spoke, then she scratched the back of her neck.

“…I’m sorry.”

I frowned slightly.

“For judging you too soon.”

A small laugh escaped me.

“I kind of deserved it though.”

“You did,” Gwen admitted without hesitation before bursting into laughter.

The rest of us laughed with her. Laura suddenly clapped her hands together.

“Team hug!”

Before I could protest, everyone crowded around me.

Arms wrapped around my shoulders, sone ruffled my hair, another patted my back.

Warm laughter echoed around me. For the first time in as long as I could remember… People weren’t cheering because of Sebastian or praising Lexi.

They were celebrating me.

A strange warmth spread through my chest.

So… This was what appreciation felt like.

My smile softened.

Without thinking, my eyes drifted across the court, over to Team A.

Stefan was glaring at Lexi.

“No way you missed that!” he snapped. “That ball was literally yours!”

Lexi lowered her head slightly, looking guilty.

“I… I’m sorry.”

“You always say sorry!”

He threw his hands into the air in frustration.

“You’re just worthless…”

I couldn’t stop the tiny smile tugging at my lips.

Finally, they’ve realized how worthless Lexi was.. I’d spent my strength forming a formidable defense for them.. but after all that they would praise Lexi for every victory…

Lexi simply stood where I told her to stand.

She followed my calls yet she took the applause.

And I…I had been foolish enough to think we were winning together.

Not anymore.

“Stefan.”

Sebastian’s calm voice cut through the argument.

“Enough.”

Stefan turned around.

“But, Seb…”

“I said enough.”

His tone left no room for argument.

“It’s just a game.”

Stefan clenched his jaw before shooting Lexi one last irritated glance.

“Fine.”

He walked away.

Sebastian turned toward Lexi instead.

“You okay?”

She nodded quickly.

“I’m fine.”

Before she could say anything else, Zayne’s cheerful voice interrupted.

“Aurora!”

I looked back. He was grinning at me.

“You ready?”

I followed his gaze toward the court. The game wasn’t over yet. My eyes briefly met Sebastian’s.

He was already watching me. A small smile touched my lips.

I turned back to Zayne.

“Let’s beat them.”

His grin widened.

“That’s the spirit.”

Coach Wingers blew his whistle.

“Positions!”

Everyone hurried back onto the court.

This time… Everything was different.

Our team trusted each other more with every round that passed, Every pass connected. Every movement felt natural.

The strategy I’d suggested was still working perfectly.

Sebastian attacked relentlessly. Again and again and again.

But every attempt was stopped.

The longer the game continued, the darker his expression became.

I had seen that look before. He hated losing. Especially in front of everyone.

Three rounds later…

Team A still hadn’t scored another point.

“Point! Team B!”

The whistle echoed through the gym. Then again.

“Point! Team B!”

Cheers exploded from our side of the court.

By the final whistle…

The scoreboard read:

Team B - 5

Team A - 1

Silence hung over Sebastian’s team. Our side of the gym exploded.

Laura screamed, Jackson jumped into the air.

Even Gwen punched the air triumphantly.

“We won!”

“We actually beat Sebastian!”

“I can’t believe it!”

Laughter and celebration filled every corner of the gymnasium.

As everyone celebrated around me, I found myself looking toward Sebastian.

Frustration flickered across his face while disappointment lingered in his eyes.

Strangely… Instead of feeling guilty… I felt free.

For years I had fought for his approval.

Today…

I had beaten him and survived.

Wanting to end things on good sportsmanship, I started walking toward him.

I had barely crossed half the court when something caught my ankle.

Before I could react… My body pitched forward.

The floor rushed toward me.

Bang!

Pain shot through my palms as I landed hard against the polished court.

A wave of gasps swept through the gym.

Soft giggles followed immediately after.

I didn’t need to look, I already knew who it was..

Lexi.

As I pushed myself onto one elbow, I caught the briefest glimpse of her lowering her foot before quickly stepping back behind another student.

No one had noticed. Of course they didn’t.

Before I could stand… Two hands appeared in front of me.

“Hey… are you okay?”

“Here… let me help you.”

The voices overlapped.

I froze.

Slowly… I lifted my head to see Zayne standing on my right while Sebastian stood on my left.

Both had their hands stretched toward me.

For a heartbeat… Everything around us disappeared.

The laughter, whispers and the gym..

It was just the three of us. Then Sebastian’s eyes shifted. He looked directly at Zayne.

The glare he sent him said everything.

Move. Get the fuck out of here…

Zayne seemed to understand as his smile faltered.

“…Sorry.”

He started pulling his hand back.

Without thinking… I reached forward.

My fingers wrapped around Zayne’s hand.

His eyes widened slightly before he gently helped me back onto my feet.

The entire gymnasium fell silent.

Then… Whispers erupted everywhere.

“Did she just…”

“She rejected Sebastian?”

“What’s wrong with Aurora today?”

“I don’t understand her anymore.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sebastian slowly lower his outstretched hand. His fingers curled into a tight fist at his side.

His jaw hardened.

Anger flashed across his face, but for once.. I didn’t care.

I smiled at Zayne.

“Thank you.”

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

“You’re always welcome.”

For a moment, he looked like he wanted to say something before finally gathering the courage.

“Uh…”

He smiled sheepishly.

“Would you… maybe want to grab some drinks for lunch?”

There wasn’t even a second of hesitation.

“Sure.”

His face immediately brightened.

“Great.”

We turned to leave.

“Aurora Elizabeth Grant.”

Sebastian’s voice stopped me in my tracks.