Eric's POV
Eric sat on the edge of his bed as the early afternoon sunlight filtered through the blinds, cutting the room into narrow strips of gold.
The dorm was quiet.
Too quiet.
The stillness pressed against him like a weight he couldn't shake.
His laptop sat open on the desk across from him, the scouting results still glaring back at him as if refusing to let him forget.
One spot away.
Just one.
That single name above his was enough to make his chest tighten, frustration and disbelief twisting together in his gut.
He had imagined this moment countless times—the moment he would finally earn the Elite Student-Athlete Scholarship.
It wasn't just any scholarship.
It was meant for students who excelled in both academics and sports—offering tuition support, mentoring, and recognition for balancing studies and athletics at the highest level. For Eric, it was more than financial help.
It was proof.
Proof that every early morning, every late-night practice, every sacrifice had meant something.
A step toward the future he had planned so carefully—
Business Law.
And yet…
Here he was.
Close enough to taste it.
But still out of reach.
One name away.
That small difference felt enormous, like a door had slammed shut just as he reached for the handle.
He closed the laptop sharply.
The sound echoed through the quiet room.
He had worked so hard. Given up so much.
And still—
Not enough.
Pride stopped him from admitting how much it hurt.
Running a hand through his hair, he let out a slow breath, his thoughts drifting to the soccer field. Normally, the game cleared his mind. Normally, it was the one place where everything made sense.
But now—
Even that felt like a reminder of what he'd lost.
His phone buzzed against the mattress beside him.
A message from Nalea.
I'm here.
Eric stared at the screen for a moment, his jaw tightening slightly before he typed back.
Coming.
He grabbed his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and stood.
2:00 PM.
No more time to think about what he missed.