Practice that afternoon was louder, faster, and more intense than ever. Coach Ramirez had the team running drills that left everyone gasping, and my notebook was full of scribbles and doodles, my mind only half on the game.
Mostly, I couldn't stop thinking about Aiden.
He was everywhere at once—commanding, jumping, laughing, moving with that effortless grace that made my chest ache. Every time our eyes met, I felt it: a flutter, a pull, a moment that made the world shrink around just the two of us.
During a water break, I sat on the bleachers, notebook in hand, trying to act professional. Aiden jogged over, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Hey," he said, catching his breath. "You okay up here?"
I nodded quickly, trying not to stare. "Yeah… just… taking notes."
He crouched next to me, close enough that I could feel his warmth. "You know… you're really persistent," he said softly. "Most people would have given up after the first day—or the first spill."
I laughed nervously. "I… I like challenges."
His eyes softened, and for a moment, it felt like he was about to say something more—something personal. My heart thudded in anticipation.
"I… Lia," he began, voice low, hesitant… and then a stray basketball rolled toward him from the court. He instinctively jumped up to intercept it, and the moment passed.
I blinked, heart sinking slightly. That almost confession—the feeling of him leaning closer, about to reveal something—vanished as quickly as it came.
"Close call," he said, tossing the ball back to a teammate, smiling at me like nothing happened. But the way he looked… the way his eyes lingered… told me otherwise.
I tucked my notebook under my arm, cheeks burning. He almost said it. He almost told me how he feels.
As practice ended and the team gathered to leave, I walked beside him, careful not to trip over my own feet.
"You coming to the next game?" he asked casually, glancing at me.
"Of course," I said, heart pounding.
He smirked, just a little, his eyes soft. "Good. You better not distract the team too much next time."
I rolled my eyes, but inside, I was already thinking about that near-confession, about the way he noticed me, about the tension building between us.
High school, sports, rivalry, friendship… it was all complicated. But one thing was certain: Aiden Cruz was becoming impossible to ignore.
And I wasn't the only one feeling it.