Chapter 05

Andrew's Pov

There's a quiet moment right before the final quarter of a game, where's there's no movement just a heavy silence. That's where I'm living right now.

Right on the edge.

I'd been coach long enough to know the signs of collapse, but what I saw in Sage isn't collapse it was restraint.

And one thing about restraint was, when it shattered, it usually cracked everything around it.

I saw the way she fought through the pain in her ankles, the way she absorbed every word I said without protesting.

And with every conversation that ended with all the unspoken words, I could feel the pull deepening.

This should have stopped.

But deep down, I didn't want it to.

Practice that morning was intense, but she could handle it clean moves, better timing, strong defense.

I could see her battling with the pain from her ankle. I tried not to hover, but she caught me staring.

Pauline cornered me in the kitchen that morning, saying, "Sage is doing way better now," as she took a sip from her protein shake.

I stood by the kitchen counter, coffee in hand. "Yeah, she is," I said.

"She talks less now."

"Less?" I asked.

"She used to tell me everything even down to the smallest details but now it feels like there's nothing to talk about."

"Mmmm."

I didn’t like that look on Pauline’s face. My daughter had the ability to figure things out faster than anyone, and I didn’t want her to start asking questions I had no right answering.

So I kissed her forehead and said, “Get going, honey. You'll talk about it later okay .”

When she was gone, I spent three long hours watching past matches of the team to distract myself. It didn’t work.

After practice, I stayed behind.

Most coaches liked the chants, screams of celebration, but I preferred solitude. There was clarity in silence.

I sat watching the court glow under the late afternoon light from the bleachers, my clipboard forgotten beside me.

The door then opened, and I heard footsteps.

She paused when she saw me.

“You’re always here late, huh?” she asked, hands in her pockets.

“So are you,” I pointed out.

“I love the quiet of this place,” she said with a small smile.

The gym fell silent, and the both of us pretended as if our hearts weren’t pounding in our chests.

She then walked to the middle of the court and sat on the ground, legs folded and without thinking, I joined her in the same position.

In that moment, it felt like nothing mattered anymore just the both of us.

“I keep thinking about that last tournament I ruined, and it has been so hard for me to move past it. But thanks to you, I’m finally starting to forgive myself.”

Her words brought a smile to my face. She was doing so much better than the first time we had met.

“I’m proud of you, Sage.”

“Thank you,” she replied, her smile so bright it elevated her beauty.

She glanced into my eyes with something I couldn’t read.

~~~~

Later that evening, on my way to the hall for a staff meeting, my phone rang. It was Pauline.

Pauline: "Dad, is Sage with you?"

She sounded scared.

I frowned. “No, why?”

Suddenly, the call ended. Within seconds, she called back again.

Pauline: "We were supposed to hang out about three hours ago, but when I called her, she sounded… off. Then the call just dropped."

“Three hours ago? And you're only telling me now?”

Pauline: "I didn’t think it was anything serious, but she’s not returning any of my calls. I’m really worried."

“I’ll go look for her.”

I ended the call and immediately turned around and started walking off, not bothering to enter the meeting anymore.

When I left the school building it was already getting darker.

I walked to the packing lot screening her name but no response my heart racing very fast.

Where could she be by this time 

My phone rang again and it was Pauline 

Have you found her 

I haven't sweetheart but I I will don't worry 

She said she was going to the school field to shot some hoops before coming over.

I ended the call and started walking very fast towards the school fild.

When I got to the field i yelled her name louder this time but still no response.

I walked around hoping and praying she was alright 

The field was dark only a faint glow from the street lamps shined on the court.

Sage I called again 

Yet nothing 

Then I saw it her phone on the ground screen cracked lying in the dirt just the three point line 

It was buzzing non stop

My breath caught I picked up the phone my eyes scanning the area a shoe print and broken bracelet.

Sage I shouted again 

Then I head something 

A low growl.

I turned around and started running towards the lined up stress and that's when I saw her.

She laid against the trunk of a three 

Her ankles bleeding out she kept growing in pain.

Sage I pulled her into my arms without thinking 

Her eyes fluttered open. “Coach…”

“What the hell happened?”

“I… I don’t know. I heard something. Then someone pushed me…”

And then her head dropped again.

Unconscious.