The restaurant is already warm and busy when he ties on his apron. Familiar smells—spices, simmering sauces, fresh bread—fill the air, making the place feel more like home than work. He moves between tables and the counter, wiping surfaces, carrying plates, calling orders, while his father stands behind the counter counting receipts.
"Make sure you clean the corners," his father says without looking up.
"Okay," he replies with a small smile, running the cloth along the edge.
The bell above the door chimes as he finishes the table. A familiar voice calls his name. He looks up to see Ava standing with her friends. For a moment, he freezes, suddenly aware of his apron, his messy hair, the damp cloth in his hand. Their eyes meet.
She smiles first. "Hey."
"Hey," he replies, trying to sound casual.
"Uh—welcome," he says, gesturing to the table.
One of her friends nudges her. "This place smells amazing."
"Thanks," he says. "You can sit here. I'll grab the menu."
He returns with menus, and as they look them over, one of her friends asks, "So you work here every weekend?"
"Not really. Just when my dad needs extra hands."
"Henry," Ava says, "what do you recommend?"
"Everything's good," he says softly. "But if I had to choose—apple pie."
"Perfect," she says. "Apple pie and vanilla Coke."
As he heads to the kitchen, he glances back. Ava is watching him, smiling.
A few minutes later, he carefully sets their drinks and pie on the table.
"It looks amazing," she says.
"Enjoy," he replies, turning away—until she calls him back.
"Do you have a minute?"
"I can spare a few," he jokes.
She introduces her friends: Chloe, her classmate, and Eve from cheerleading.
"It's nice to meet you," he says.
"So you're playing basketball in intramurals?" Eve asks.
"No. Coaches won't allow it. We're supposed to try something different."
"What are you playing then?"
"Football. And I wanted to try mixed partner badminton."
"Mixed partner badminton?" Ava says. "Will you team up with me? I've been looking for a partner."
"Sure," he agrees easily.
As they leave, laughter trailing behind them, Ava turns back. "That was really nice. I'm definitely coming again." The bell rings softly as the door closes.
A few days before intramural sports day, the field buzzes with motion. Players spread across the grass, the ball moving quickly as voices call out. Boots scrape the ground, breath comes heavy, laughter breaks out when passes miss.
A whistle signals the end of practice. Teammates encourage one another as they head off the field.
As he leaves, he spots Ava standing beyond the side-lines, arms loosely crossed, smiling. He pauses, surprised she's there, then walks toward her.
"Hey," she calls softly.
"Ava? What are you doing here?"
"I was wondering if we could practice badminton," she says hesitantly. "If you want."
"Sure," he replies. "Let me grab my things."
As he heads back, his teammates notice.
"Well?" Asher asks with a smirk. "Who's she?"
"She's Ava. Second year. Cheerleading captain."
"Your girlfriend?"
"No," he says quickly. "We're entering mixed badminton."
Noah chuckles. "Even a blind person can see your feelings."
"Is it that obvious?"
Asher sighs. "I thought you were banging Alice."
"What?"
"The other day—you both disappeared. Looked suspicious."
"There's nothing between me and Alice," he says firmly.
He grabs his bag and looks back at Ava, adjusting the straps, running a hand through his hair. As he walks toward her and sees her smile, he wonders if she sees through him—or if it's just her warmth. Together, they head toward the gym, talking and laughing.
Intermural sport day
Day 1 – Opening Day
Intramural Sports Week begins with excitement rippling across campus. Colourful banners hang around the sports complex, music blares from speakers near the fields, and students from different faculties and residence halls line up early for the opening ceremony on the main field.
Cheering students wave flags, paint their faces, and chant team names. Organizers take the stage to welcome everyone and outline the week's events, joined by coaches, student leaders, and a few professors waving to the crowd. The college dean is invited up to deliver a short speech, emphasizing teamwork, sportsmanship, and fun over competition.
Teams march onto the field in matching jerseys, cheering loudly as their names are announced. The energy peaks when the organizers announce an exhibition match between the professors. The field buzzes as the game kicks off, bleachers packed with students cheering and chanting for their favorite teachers.
Amid the crowd, Henry and Ava sit close together, the moment feeling like an unplanned date. She lights up at every impressive play. He nudges her, pointing out clever moves, smiling whenever she laughs or reacts to the action. Between plays, they whisper, laugh, and soak in the moment.
The day ends with laughter and lingering excitement as the exhibition matches conclude, setting an energetic tone for the week ahead.
Day 2 – Group Stage
The second day marks the start of official group-stage matches. The campus buzzes as students move from field to field supporting their teams. Basketball courts echo with squeaking sneakers and whistles, football matches unfold on the grass, and volleyball and badminton draw large crowds clapping and chanting from the sidelines.
In the locker room, Henry's team sits together, the air thick with nerves and focus. Some players tie their boots carefully, others bounce lightly on their toes.
The door opens slightly and Ava peeks in, smiling.
"Hey. We won our match earlier—you've got to win this too."
"I'll give my best," he says, nerves rising.
"You'll do great," she reassures him. "Just play your game."
"It means a lot that you're here."
"You have to score a goal for me," she teases.
"I'll be cheering for you," she says before slipping out.
Soon, the referee's whistle signals the end of the previous match. The players exchange nods and encouragement before stepping onto the field. The game begins, fast and physical, the ball moving quickly as players sprint, pass, and tackle.
At halftime, the score remains 0–0.
Late in the second half, Henry intercepts the ball in the opponent's half and charges forward, dribbling past defenders as the crowd rises. His precise kick sends the ball into the net, giving his team the lead. The match continues with intensity until the final whistle confirms their win—his goal the only one of the game.
Ava finds him near the field, still catching his breath.
"You were amazing out there."
"Really?" he laughs.
"Your goal gave me goosebumps."
She steps closer and gives him a quick, genuine hug. "Congratulations."
He heads to the locker room with his teammates, singing triumphantly, while she returns to her friends.
Day 3 – Knockout & Semi-finals
By the third day, fatigue sets in, but so does determination. The focus shifts to knockout matches and afternoon semi-finals. Some games stretch into overtime and tiebreakers, drawing larger crowds and louder cheers. Unexpected teams advance while favourites struggle.
Between matches, students rest on the grass, sharing water, snacks, and stories from earlier games. By day's end, some teams reach the finals, others fall in the semi-finals, and many are eliminated earlier.
Henry's football team is knocked out in the group stage, while he and Ava reach the badminton semi-finals before losing.
Day 4 – Closing Ceremony
The final day is the most anticipated. Championship matches take place on the main grounds, spectators surrounding courts and fields. Each final showcases the best talent of the week, filled with intense moments, dramatic scores, and explosive reactions from the crowd.
After the final whistle, the closing ceremony begins. Medals and trophies are awarded to winners, and certificates are given to all participants in recognition of their effort and sportsmanship. The dean thanks the organizers, faculty, and students for making the event a success.
Though the competition ends, the friendships formed and memories created linger long after Intramural Sports Week is over.