Chapter forty-five – The Recap

The sun was out in full force, casting warm light over the school courtyard where students gathered in clusters for lunch. Under the shade of their usual tree, Ryan, Ben, Anna, and Savannah had carved out their spot.

Ben sat cross-legged on the grass, balancing a sandwich in one hand and gesturing dramatically with the other. "Okay, so picture this," he said, eyes wide. "It's just me, standing there—completely alone—while Carter and his friend circle like sharks."

Savannah raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Didn't Ryan show up two minutes later?"

Ben waved her off. "Minor detail. Anyway, Carter starts with the usual trash talk, acting like he owns the court. And then boom—Ryan shows up, hoodie up, looking like he just walked out of a movie."

Anna looked over at Ryan, amused. "That sounds dramatic."

Ryan just smirked. "He's adding too much spice."

"Not enough," Ben argued. "You weren't there for the tension. Carter said if we lost, we had to quit the team."

"What?" Savannah sat up straighter. "Seriously?"

Anna frowned. "That's low, even for Carter."

Ben nodded. "Yup. So naturally, we had to destroy them. And we did."

Ryan leaned back against the tree trunk, arms crossed. "It wasn't a destruction."

"Okay, maybe not a full-blown demolition," Ben admitted. "But we beat them. Clean. No excuses."

Savannah grinned. "So you're still on the team. And Carter has to do whatever you say?"

Ben beamed. "Correct. I'm thinking of making him carry my gym bag for a week."

"Make him wear a shirt that says 'Ben is better,'" Savannah said, laughing.

"Too far?" Ben said, but his grin said otherwise.

Anna chuckled, shaking her head. "You guys are ridiculous."

"Hey," Ryan said, his voice a little quieter, "he was bothering Ben. It wasn't just about the team."

That made Anna glance at him for a second longer. "Well... thanks. For sticking up for him."

Ben pretended to tear up. "I'm touched."

Ryan elbowed him. "Don't get used to it."

They all laughed again, the easy kind that comes with comfort and growing trust. The tension of the game, the sting of bruises and old wounds—it felt distant here, in the middle of shared food and sunlight.

"Tryouts were the easy part," Savannah said, sipping from her water bottle. "Now we actually have to stay on the team."

Anna nodded. "And I have a feeling cheer practice is going to be brutal this week."

Ben grinned. "You guys got this."

Ryan gave a small nod. "We all do."

And as the bell rang, pulling them back toward class, none of them rushed to leave.

Some moments—just like some people—were worth holding onto a little longer.