Chapter 2 A word of advice

Novie didn't show up.

Not once. Not during warm-up, not at halftime, not when they scored the final goal.

She never missed a match.

Until now.

They won anyway.

Of course they did.

Zayn was still Zayn

The team still dominated.

But he knew something was off.

And apparently, so did Nelson

Team Captain.

The golden boy.

The one every girl on campus dreamed about being with

Handsome. Fearless. Calm under pressure.

And most importantly — Zayn's ride or die.

But even he had questions that evening..

The sun was low, bleeding into orange.

Practice field was quiet now, just the two of them walking back, cleats crunching against dry gravel.

Zayn was bouncing the ball aggressively, every thud louder than the last.

Finally, Nelson turned to him.

"Okay bro, talk. What's with the ball abuse?"

Zayn grunted.

Didn't answer.

Nelson snatched the ball mid-bounce and stopped walking.

"Zayn. You were distracted the whole game. Your calls were late, you yelled at a ref for blowing the whistle too loud. What's up?"

Zayn clenched his jaw.

Then muttered, almost like he hated the words coming out—

"I think Novie has a crush on me."

Nelson blinked. Then laughed.

"A crush?" He raised a brow.

"Bro, she's been crushing for months now, everybody knows that, You're just slow."

Zayn glared at him.

"It's not funny. I have a girlfriend."

Nelson held his hands up.

"Relax. I'm not saying cheat on Ella. I'm just saying.. maybe open your eyes?"

He took a step closer.

"Novie's been the one person who shows up for you every day. Ignoring your temper tantrums, running mini errands, and she doesn't want anything. No fame. No praise. Just… you."

Zayn looked away, the blush already creeping up his ears.

Nelson caught it.

"Bro. You're blushing."

"No I'm not."

"You look like your gonna explode , man."

Nelson shook his head, half-laughing, half-serious.

"I've seen you with Ella. Even when she was around, she wasn't really with you. Not like this. Not like Novie. And you know it."

Zayn stayed quiet.

That hit a little too close.

Nelson gave him a light shove on the shoulder.

"Go home. Think. And a word of advice coach, Stop pretending loyalty and happiness are the same thing."

Then, with a wink and a stretch, Nelson jogged ahead toward his lodge, calling back—

"Also, if you don't want her… I will shoot my shot."

Zayn threw the ball at him.

Missed.

But they both laughed.

Still…

When Zayn walked the rest of the way alone, his mind wasn't on Ella.

Or the win.

Or even the next game.

It was on a girl in an oversized jersey,

Running across the field,

Carrying a phone with his face on it.