In the middle of a turn, Sophie caught sight of Stan across the arena. For the briefest fraction of a second, her smile brightened. Then she gave him a slow, deliberate wink. Stan inclined his head almost imperceptibly in acknowledgment.
Maya caught the exchange from the corner of her eye. Immediately, her next movement carried a little more force than the choreography strictly required, drawing attention to herself as Stan turned toward the team bench. When his gaze drifted her way, she seized the opportunity. Her own wink followed a heartbeat later, quicker, sharper, and far less practiced than Sophie's, but no less clear in its intent.
A faint smile touched Stan's lips. Then he continued walking.
Several Crown students who had witnessed the entire exchange immediately lost whatever composure they had left.
"STAN HARRISON JUST GOT WINKED AT BY TWO CHEERLEADERS."
"BACK-TO-BACK."
"THIS IS ILLEGAL."
"CHECK THE RULEBOOK."
"THAT HAS TO BE AGAINST NCAA REGULATIONS."
