6. The Basketball Game

-- ♡ - Narrated by Halena - ♡ --

The thing about college?

There's always some kind of event happening.

Festivals. Debates. Random club meetings where people bribe you with free food to join.

This week?

The big basketball game.

Apparently, it wasn't just any match.

It was Ethan's team vs. Skyler's team.

And from what I'd gathered?

This wasn't just about sports-this was a full-blown rivalry.

Naturally, I had zero interest in it.

Until my roommates dragged me there.

-- Forced into the Chaos --

> "Halena, if you don't come, you're officially disowned."

Iris yanked me out of my chair.

Anna linked arms with me. "It'll be fun! Also, we need someone to scream ridiculous things at the players."

I sighed. "You mean cheer?"

> "No," Ivy said. "We mean distract them."

Oh.

Great.

That's exactly how I wanted to spend my evening yelling nonsense at aggressive men running around with a ball.

But, like the spineless creature I was, I let them drag me to the court.

And that's when I realized my mistake.

-- The Battlefield --

The basketball court was packed.

People were yelling. Banners were waving. Some students even had posters with players' faces on them.

It was insane.

My roommates immediately got into the chaos.

> "GO SKYLER!" Anna screamed, practically vibrating with excitement.

I turned to her. "You're this invested?"

Anna nodded, deadly serious. "I have a personal rule Support the handsome ones."

Okay...

That was fair.

I looked at the court.

Skyler the charming, ever smiling social butterfly was stretching, waving to his fans like a celebrity.

Then my eyes landed on Ethan.

Standing at the opposite end, rolling his shoulders, looking completely uninterested in the hype.

While Skyler was all energy and charisma, Ethan was calm and unreadable.

Two very different energies.

And for some reason...

That made the game feel intense.

Like something bigger than basketball was happening here.

-- My Big Mistake --

The game started.

And within minutes, people were losing their minds.

Skyler was fast.

Ethan was calculated.

They clashed constantly blocking, stealing the ball, playing like their lives depended on it.

It was almost too much for my non-sports brain to process.

So, like an idiot, I accidentally picked a side.

I got caught up in the energy, the cheering, the hype.

And before I could stop myself...

> "GO SKYLER!" I yelled.

Silence.

I froze.

Because at that exact moment, Ethan who had been mid play hesitated.

Just for a second.

Just long enough for Skyler to slip past him and score.

The crowd erupted.

But I?

I was too busy dying inside.

Because Ethan's head snapped toward me.

And he heard me.

Oh. No.

His expression didn't change much. No anger. No frown.

But there was something in his eyes.

Something that made my stomach drop.

Then, without breaking eye contact...

He turned back and played like he was out for blood.

-- The Scariest Athlete Alive --

I don't know what happened to Ethan after that moment.

But suddenly, he was terrifying.

His movements became sharper, faster, almost aggressive.

He blocked every shot.

He stole the ball effortlessly.

He completely shut Skyler down.

The audience noticed.

Whispers spread.

> "What's up with Ethan?"

> "He's never played like this before."

> "Did someone piss him off?"

Yes. I did. It was me. I am the problem.

I sank lower into my seat, hoping Ethan wouldn't somehow launch a basketball at my face.

He didn't.

But every time he scored, his eyes briefly flicked toward me.

Like a silent message.

And I?

I was too scared to decode it.

-- The Aftermath --

Ethan's team won.

Skyler ever the good sport laughed it off, shaking hands with everyone.

But Ethan?

He barely reacted.

Just grabbed his water bottle, wiped his face with a towel, and walked off like he hadn't just annihilated his opponent.

And for some reason...

That annoyed me.

I didn't understand Ethan.

Not his moods.

Not his weird silent messages.

Not why my stomach felt weirdly tense whenever he looked at me like that.

Ugh.

I needed food.

Lunch with Too Many People

Skyler despite losing invited everyone to eat.

> "Lunch is on me," he announced. "Gotta feed my wounded pride."

Anna cheered. "FREE FOOD!"

John laughed. "You weren't even playing."

> "That's not the point, John."

And just like that, we all went to eat.

I ended up sitting between Skyler and Ethan.

-- A mistake --

A huge mistake.

Because the tension between them was insane.

Skyler, all smiles, playfully nudged Ethan.

> "Dude. You were ruthless."

Ethan sipped his drink. "You were slow."

Skyler blinked. "Wow. No mercy?"

Ethan didn't respond.

I shifted uncomfortably.

Then Skyler turned to me.

> "Halena, you cheered for me, right?"

I choked on my drink.

WHY WOULD HE ASK THAT HERE?!

Skyler grinned. "See? She supports me."

I waved my hands. "I was just...uh.....caught in the moment."

Ethan, very casually, set his drink down.

Then....

He turned to me and said the most ridiculous thing.

> "Cheer for me next time."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

I froze.

My brain? Gone.

My soul? Left my body.

I didn't even know how to respond.

Laughed. "Oh? Is that a challenge?"

Ethan didn't even look at him.

His eyes stayed on me.

Like he was waiting.

And that's when I realized...

Ethan?

Was not joking.

Oh. Crap.

I had no idea what I just got myself into.

-----

To be continued...