The scoreboard still showed:
1 - 1
The coach blew the whistle.
"Play!"
The ball started with Michael's team.
The noise around the court immediately returned.
Students shouted from the bleachers.
Others leaned dangerously far out of classroom windows.
"COME ON MICHAEL!"
"JAMES!"
"LET'S GO!"
The ball moved quickly between Michael's teammates.
Pass.
Pass.
Pass.
Everyone was looking for an opening.
James was already moving.
The second he saw where the play was going, he stepped directly into Michael's path.
One of Michael's teammates managed to get the ball through anyway.
Michael caught the ball.
The noise doubled.
James stepped in front of him immediately.
For a brief second neither moved.
Neither looked away.
Then Michael exploded forward.
A fake left.
James followed.
Wrong choice.
Michael instantly cut right.
"DAMN!"
"HE GOT HIM!"
James turned quickly.
Too late.
Michael was already past him.
One of James' teammates rushed over.
Michael jumped.
The defender jumped too.
The ball left Michael's hands.
The entire court watched.
The ball hit the backboard.
Bounced once.
Twice.
Then dropped through the hoop.
The court erupted.
"LET'S GOOOOO!"
"THAT'S TWO!"
"MICHAEL!"
"OH MY GOD!"
Michael's teammates immediately crowded around him.
One smacked his shoulder.
"THAT'S MY CAPTAIN!"
The scoreboard changed.
1 - 2
The bleachers nearly exploded.
Sam shot to her feet.
"HELL YEAH!"
She pointed dramatically toward the court.
"THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!"
Liliana burst out laughing.
"Did you see James' face?"
Cameron shook his head.
"No, forget James."
"Did you see that move?!" Cameron added.
Emily couldn't stop smiling.
The anxiety she'd been carrying all day disappeared for a moment.
"He actually did it..."
Her eyes stayed fixed on the scoreboard.
1-2.
"He's winning!" Emily says.
Sam grinned.
"Damn right he is."
Across the court, Michael looked toward the bleachers.
He saw Emily smiling.
Saw the relief on her face.
And somehow...
That felt better than hearing the crowd cheer.
The whistle blew again.
"Break!"
Players immediately started heading toward their sidelines.
Students kept talking excitedly.
Nobody seemed interested in anything except the game now.
"One more point."
"Michael's got this."
"James is cooked."
Sam dropped back into her seat.
Tremendously satisfied.
"See?"
"I told you."
Emily laughed softly.
"What if he actually wins?"
"He will."
Sam didn't hesitate.
"He's ENDING this."
Across the court things felt different.
James' friends weren't nearly as relaxed anymore.
One was pacing.
Another kept staring at the scoreboard.
"Dude."
"We're actually losing."
"No shit."
"We need a point."
A group of girls suddenly approached.
One immediately handed James a water bottle.
"Here."
Another offered a towel.
"Don't worry."
"You've got this."
"We're all rooting for you."
One of James' friends looked offended.
"We're here too."
The girls ignored him completely.
Another friend pointed.
"Why does this never happen to us?"
"Because you're ugly."
The entire group stared at him.
"Dude."
"That's incredibly rude."
"So are you."
A few of the girls laughed.
One friend looked genuinely wounded.
"I don't deserve this."
Usually James would've joined in.
Usually he'd have something smart to say.
Instead...
He wasn't listening.
His attention had shifted elsewhere.
Across the court.
Toward Michael.
More specifically...
Toward where Michael kept looking.
Toward Emily.
James watched Michael glance toward the bleachers.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
Interesting.
One of his friends nudged him.
"Dude."
No answer.
"Bro."
James finally blinked.
"What?"
"Do you even care that we're losing?" His friend asked.
James took the bottle.
Drank.
His eyes never left the opposite side of the court.
Then handed it back.
"We're not." Jame finally spoke up.
His friend frowned.
"The scoreboard literally says we are."
James gaze shifted briefly toward Emily.
Only for a second.
But it was enough.
His smile widened.
"Oh? We're definitely not."
"What does that even mean?"
James picked up the basketball.
Spun it once.
Then started walking back toward the court.
His friend followed.
Still confused.
James chuckled.
He'd figured out something much more useful.
The whistle blew.
Players started returning to their positions.
James bounced the ball once.
Then smiled to himself.
"Now this gets interesting."
The whistle echoed across the gym.
Players immediately started getting up from their seats.
Michael stood as well.
"Alright."
He stretched his shoulders slightly.
"Gotta go."
Sam pointed toward the court.
"Go kick his ass."
Michael laughed, shaking his head.
"Very inspiring."
"It should be." Sam replied proudly.
Cameron grinned.
"You've got this, easy peasy."
Michael looked at him.
"Nobody says that anymore."
"I do." Cameron replied
Liliana laughed quietly.
"Just ignore him and win."
Michael nodded once.
Then his eyes shifted toward Emily.
She offered him a small smile.
"Good luck, Michael."
For a second, Michael's expression softened even more.
"Thanks."
A simple answer.
Nothing special.
Yet somehow Emily felt her heart skip anyway.
Michael turned before anyone could notice.
Or before she could embarrass herself further.
As he walked away, she lowered her gaze slightly.
Trying very hard not to think about the fact he'd smiled at her.
Across the court, Michael's expression returned to normal.
Focused.
The closer he got to the center line, the more the smile disappeared.
By the time he reached his position, it was gone completely.
James noticed immediately.
He bounced the basketball once.
Then smirked.
"That was cute."
Michael didn't answer.
James spun the ball in his hands.
"What? No goodbye hug?"
James looked toward the bleachers.
Toward Emily.
Then back at Michael.
"Oh.. there it is."
Michael's eyes narrowed slightly.
James laughed.
"Relax, i'm just making conversation."
"You've never been good at that." Michael replied.
James clicked his tongue.
"Still talking tough."
Michael stepped into position.
"Still talking too much."
The whistle blew.
And the next round began.
James immediately started dribbling forward.
The crowd erupted again.
2-1.
One point away.
Michael stepped in front of him instantly.
James bounced the ball between his hands.
Once.
Twice.
Then smirked.
"You know..."
Michael stayed focused on the ball.
James continued anyway.
"I spent years listening to you talk."
No response.
"Player this."
Bounce.
"Player that."
Bounce.
"You really loved acting superior."
Michael moved closer.
"Play."
James laughed.
"No, seriously, you used to judge me for everything."
The ball switched hands briefly before returning to him.
Michael immediately pressed him again.
James looked amused.
Then he casually said
"Poor Fiona."
Michael's eyes narrowed.
James shook his head.
"Imagine having Fiona, and somehow ending up here."
Michael stepped forward.
"Watch your mouth."
James grinned.
The ball bounced again.
"You know what's crazy?"
Michael didn't answer.
James lowered his voice.
"Fiona's gorgeous."
Another bounce.
"Popular."
Bounce.
"Practically every guy in this school wants her."
Michael's jaw tightened.
James laughed.
"And you're risking all that over Emily?"
For the first time all round, Michael looked directly at him.
Not the ball.
Not the play.
Him.
James smiled immediately.
"Got your attention now?"
"Shut up." Michael says.
"Why?"
James shrugged.
"I'm just trying to understand."
Michael stepped closer.
His patience was disappearing fast.
James leaned in slightly.
"You had Fiona."
"And you're throwing punches over Emily."
The words hit harder than they should have.
Because Michael knew exactly what James was trying to do.
And somehow that only made him angrier.
Without warning, James passed the ball.
Michael reacted a fraction too late.
One of James' teammates cut straight through the opening.
The crowd shouted immediately.
"LEFT!"
"WATCH HIM!"
Too late.
The shot went up.
The ball hit the backboard.
Dropped through the hoop.
The whistle blew.
The gym exploded.
"NO WAY!"
"LET'S GO!"
"TIE GAME!"
The scoreboard changed.
2 - 2.
James' teammates rushed him.
Celebrating.
But James barely looked at them.
His eyes stayed on Michael.
A slow grin spreading across his face.
Because he'd just learned something dangerous.
Michael's biggest weakness wasn't on the court.
It was sitting in the bleachers.
The group had absolutely no idea what had happened.
From where they were sitting, all they saw was Michael hesitate for a split second.
Then James' team scored.
The scoreboard changed.
2 - 2.
Sam immediately stood up.
"Why The HELL Was Michael Just Standing There?!"
Several students nearby turned toward her.
Sam didn't care.
Cameron squinted at the court.
"He wasn't standing."
"Cameron..?!" Sam spoke.
"Okay, fine. He kinda was." Cameron replied.
Liliana frowned.
"Something happened."
"Yeah," Sam said.
"A disaster happened."
Cameron kept staring at the players.
"No, seriously.. Michael had him.
He was playing perfectly a minute ago."
Emily looked toward the court.
Michael was standing near his teammates now.
He just looked irritated.
Very irritated.
"Maybe he got distracted..?" Emily suggested quietly.
Sam immediately shook her head.
"By what? The meaning of life?"
"It's Michael." Sam added, "He treats basketball like a religion."
Liliana laughed despite herself.
"She's not wrong."
"Exactly." Sam pointed dramatically toward the court. "Something weird happened."
Emily followed her gaze.
On the opposite side, James looked entirely too pleased with himself.
His teammates were talking.
Celebrating.
But James wasn't really listening.
He kept glancing toward Michael.
Like he knew something nobody else did.
Emily didn't like that.
Not one bit.
Sam narrowed her eyes.
"Why is he smiling like that?"
Cameron immediately replied.
"Because he's annoying."
"Fair." Sam said.
Liliana folded her arms.
"Whatever happened, Michael looks genuinely pissed."
"Good," Sam replied.
"Maybe he'll score faster."
Cameron looked at the scoreboard.
2 - 2.
Final round.
Winner takes everything.
"I suddenly don't like this anymore." Cameron said.
"You liked it five minutes ago." Lilliana spoke up.
"Five minutes ago Michael was winning." Cameron replied.
The whistle hadn't blown yet.
But somehow the atmosphere around the court felt different now.
Heavier.
Even Emily could feel it.
And she couldn't explain why.
The whistle sliced through the gym.
Instantly, the noise doubled.
The scoreboard glowed above the court.
Final round.
Michael stepped into position, wiping sweat from his forehead.
Across from him, James bounced lightly on the balls of his feet.
Both looked exhausted.
Neither cared.
The crowd began chanting before the ball was even thrown.
"MICHAEL!"
"JAMES!"
"MICHAEL!"
"JAMES!"
The ball tossed.
The game exploded.
James got possession first.
He immediately drove forward.
One defender moved to stop him.
James slipped past.
The crowd erupted.
Michael stepped directly into his path.
James grinned.
Michael didn't.
For a moment they stood face-to-face.
Then James attacked.
A quick fake.
Michael stayed put.
Another.
Nothing.
James clicked his tongue.
Still impossible.
He passed the ball away.
The pace instantly became chaotic.
Players sprinted.
Shoes screeched across polished wood.
The ball changed hands twice.
Then Michael stole it.
The gym exploded.
"GO!"
Michael took off.
One defender.
Gone.
Second defender.
Gone.
The basket was right there.
He jumped.
The crowd held its breath.
Then a hand appeared from nowhere.
James.
The ball slammed against the backboard.
Blocked.
Michael landed.
James landed beside him.
The two immediately fought for the rebound.
Neither willing to give an inch.
James got there first.
"Thought you had me."
Michael ripped the ball away again.
"Keep talking."
The crowd roared.
Back in the bleachers, Sam was losing her mind.
"THAT'S IT! COME ON! ONE POINT! THAT'S ALL I ASK!"
Cameron stared.
"If I die today, tell people it was because of basketball."
Liliana snorted.
"You're not dying."
Emily couldn't even respond.
Her eyes never left the court.
The game continued.
James attacked.
Michael stopped him.
Michael attacked.
James stopped him.
Neither could score.
Minutes felt like hours.
Every possession looked like the winning one.
Every possession ended with somebody getting in the way.
Sweat soaked through jerseys.
Breathing became heavier.
Yet neither slowed down.
The crowd fed off it.
Every near miss earned screams.
Every steal earned applause.
At one point James finally got free.
For the first time all round.
The lane opened.
Students jumped to their feet.
"HE'S GOT IT!"
James went up.
Released.
The ball bounced off the rim.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then rolled out.
The gym groaned.
James stared upward.
"You've gotta be kidding me."
Michael already had the rebound.
He sprinted the other way.
The crowd switched sides instantly.
"MICHAEL!"
"MICHAEL!"
"MICHAEL!"
He cut through the defense.
The basket was right there.
He jumped.
Released.
The ball struck the rim.
Everyone froze.
It spun around.
Around.
Around.
Then bounced away.
The entire gym screamed.
"No!"
"HOW?!"
Sam grabbed her head.
"I CAN'T DO THIS!"
Cameron looked ready to collapse.
"I need water."
"You've been holding water this entire time." Liliana looked genuinely confused.
"I need emotional water." Cameron replied.
Even Emily laughed.
Michael's eyes drifted toward the bleachers.
Only for a moment.
Then he returned to the game.
The game resumed.
Neither team could break the deadlock.
The tension became unbearable.
Students weren't sitting anymore.
Everybody was waiting.
Waiting for one mistake.
One opening.
One winner.
One of James' teammates called for the ball.
"Here!"
James turned.
Passed.
Too hard.
The receiving player jumped.
Missed.
The basketball shot past him.
Straight out of control.
Straight toward the bleachers.
Several students ducked immediately.
A scream rang out.
"LOOK OUT!"
Sam's head snapped around.
Her heart dropped.
Because she immediately saw where it was going.
"EMILY!"
Emily looked.
Too late.
The basketball slammed into her face.
A sickening thud echoed through the gym.
The entire crowd winced.
Then everything stopped.
The coach's whistle exploded immediately.
"STOP!"
Another whistle.
"EVERYBODY FREEZE!"
Emily stumbled backward.
Her hand flew to her nose.
When she pulled it away, blood stained her fingers.
A collective gasp swept through the gym.
Michael's stomach dropped.
For one horrible second his brain refused to process what he'd seen.
Then reality hit.
Hard.
He was already moving before anyone else reacted.
"Move."
He shoved past a teammate.
Then another.
Students scrambled out of his way as he sprinted toward the bleachers.
Back in the stands, Sam was already climbing over seats.
"Everybody back up!"
"Give her room!"
"Why are you idiots just standing there?!"
Liliana dropped beside Emily first.
Her voice stayed surprisingly calm.
"Hey."
"Focus on me."
"Can you follow my finger?"
Emily tried.
The world tilted.
Nothing stayed still.
Cameron looked completely horrified.
"What the actual hell..."
His voice cracked.
"Is she okay?"
Nobody answered.
Which somehow made it worse.
"Guys?"
His panic grew immediately.
"Why is nobody answering me?"
Liliana didn't even look up.
"Cameron."
"Go get a teacher."
"NOW."
That finally snapped him out of it.
"Right."
"Yeah."
"Okay."
He practically bolted.
"Coach!"
"Coach!"
"She got hit!"
Meanwhile, James remained rooted to the court.
His grip tightened around the back of his neck.
"...Jesus Christ."
James kept looking toward the bleachers.
That pass wasn't meant to go there.
Not even close.
Across the gym, Terra slowly lowered her phone.
"Well..."
She looked toward Fiona.
"...that's awkward."
Fiona didn't answer.
Her eyes were locked onto Michael.
Specifically the way he pushed through people without hesitation.
The way he looked terrified.
Terra noticed.
A small smile appeared.
"Oh."
Now she understood.
"That's what this is."
"Shut up, Terra."
Terra raised both hands.
"I didn't say anything."
Fiona's jaw clenched.
Because Terra wasn't wrong.
Back near the bleachers, Michael finally reached Emily.
He dropped beside her immediately.
His chest was still heaving from the sprint.
"Hey."
No response.
His heart sank.
"Can you hear me?"
Emily blinked slowly.
Michael exhaled.
Thank God.
Sam immediately shoved his shoulder.
"Don't crowd her."
Then she turned right back to Emily.
Her voice softened dramatically.
"Okay."
"Here's what's gonna happen."
"You're gonna stay awake."
Emily managed the faintest huff of laughter.
"Good.."
Sam pointed at her.
"See? That's progress."
Liliana grabbed a handful of tissues from someone nearby and pressed them gently toward Emily's nose.
"Lean forward."
"Not back."
"You're doing great."
The coach finally arrived.
"Everybody move back."
He pointed at several students.
"You."
"You."
"Clear this section."
"Now."
Students immediately scattered.
The nurse was already being called.
Everything around Emily felt distant.
Voices blurred together.
The lights overhead seemed too bright.
Michael noticed her swaying.
His stomach twisted again.
"Hey."
Her eyes drifted toward him.
For a moment.
Then unfocused.
Sam's confidence vanished instantly.
"No-"
"Don't do that."
Liliana grabbed Emily's arm.
"Stay with us."
Emily tried.
She really did.
But the floor suddenly felt much closer.
Her knees buckled.
Michael caught her before she hit the ground.
"Emily."
No response.
His stomach dropped.
"Emily?"
He gently shook her shoulder.
Nothing.
"Emily, come on."
Still nothing.
"Emily, wake up."
His voice cracked slightly.
"Hey."
"Look at me."
"Please."
Sam dropped beside Emily.
She grabbed Emily's hand.
"Emily."
"You hear me?"
"You don't get to scare me like this."
Liliana was already kneeling beside them.
Trying very hard to stay calm.
"She's breathing."
"That's good."
"Just keep talking to her."
Her own voice wasn't nearly as steady as she wanted it to be.
Cameron nodded immediately.
"Breathing."
"Right."
"Breathing is good."
Michael still hadn't taken his eyes off Emily.
"Emily."
"Come on."
"Open your eyes."
The coach blew his whistle.
"BACK OFF ALL OF YOU."
A path finally opened through the students.
The school nurse rushed over carrying a medical kit.
She immediately knelt beside Emily.
"Let me through."
Michael moved back only enough for her to examine Emily.
The nurse checked her pulse.
Checked her eyes.
Then nodded.
"She's unconscious, but her pulse is fine."
A collective breath seemed to leave the crowd.
The nurse looked around.
"I'm taking her to the medical room."
Then she pointed.
"I'll need somebody to help me."
Michael answered before anyone else could.
"I'll help."
The words came out instantly.
No hesitation.
The nurse looked at him for a second.
Then nodded.
"Alright."
Sam immediately stood.
"I'm coming too."
The nurse raised an eyebrow.
Sam folded her arms.
"In case you need backup."
The nurse nodded.
"Fine."
Liliana stood as well.
"I'm coming."
The nurse shook her head.
"Too many people."
Liliana looked unhappy but stepped back.
The nurse answered immediately.
"But I'll let you know when she's awake."
Michael carefully stood with Emily in his arms.
The gym watched in complete silence.
Nobody said a word.
The sight was enough.
The nurse began leading them toward the exit.
Sam right behind.
Michael never once looked away from Emily.
The coach watched them leave.
Then turned toward the crowd.
His whistle exploded through the gym.
"EXTRA STUDENTS OUT!"
Nobody moved.
"I SAID OUT!"
That got their attention.
Students immediately started shuffling toward the exits.
Still whispering.
Still staring.
Still talking about what had happened.
---
The medical room felt suffocatingly quiet.
Only the soft beeping of equipment and the occasional rustle of supplies broke the silence.
Emily lay unconscious on the bed.
A bandage rested across her nose.
The dried blood had mostly been cleaned away.
The nurse checked her pulse once more before writing something down on a clipboard.
"Her vitals are stable."
Nobody responded.
The nurse looked up.
"Did you hear me?"
Michael did.
He just wasn't listening.
His eyes hadn't left Emily since they arrived.
"Michael."
The nurse sighed.
"You can sit down."
"No." Michael spoke up.
The answer came immediately.
He remained exactly where he was.
Standing beside the bed.
Watching.
Waiting.
The nurse pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You're not helping anyone by standing there."
Still nothing.
Michael barely blinked.
The nurse eventually gave up.
Across the room, Sam paced back and forth like a caged animal.
"He's behind this."
The nurse looked up.
"What?"
Sam pointed toward the door.
"James."
Sam crossed her arms.
"I don't care what anybody says."
"He started this."
The nurse sighed.
"It was an accident."
Sam laughed bitterly.
"Sure."
"Convenient accident."
The nurse's tone sharpened.
"Sam."
"Right now I need everyone calm."
Sam opened her mouth.
Then looked toward Emily.
The anger immediately cracked.
She looked away.
"Fine."
The nurse nodded.
"Good."
Sam lasted exactly thirty seconds.
Then started pacing again.
Outside the medical room, Cameron and Liliana sat on a bench.
Or rather...
Liliana sat.
Cameron couldn't.
He stood.
Sat.
Stood again.
Sat again.
Then immediately stood.
Liliana finally looked up.
"You're making me nervous."
"I am nervous." Cameron said.
"Obviously." Lilana replied.
Cameron ran both hands through his hair.
"She'll wake up, right?"
"Yes." Lilliana says.
"Okay." Cameron replied.
Five seconds passed.
"You're sure?" Cameron asked again.
Liliana stared at him.
"Cameron."
"What?" He spoke up.
"You asked that thirty seconds ago." Liliana replied.
"That was thirty seconds ago." Cameron said.
Liliana groaned.
Before she could answer, the medical room door opened.
Sam stepped outside.
The second Cameron saw her, he jumped to his feet.
"Well?"
"What happened?"
"Is she awake?"
Liliana stood too.
Sam shook her head.
"No."
Cameron immediately looked sick.
"But-"
Sam continued.
"The nurse said she's stable."
The relief was immediate.
Not enough.
But something.
Cameron exhaled.
"Okay."
"Okay."
"Stable is good."
"Stable is definitely good."
Cameron closed his eyes.
"Thank God."
Nobody pointed out he was talking to himself.
Then immediately:
"Stable means good, right?"
Liliana gave him a look.
"Cameron."
Before Liliana could finish, footsteps echoed through the hallway.
Slow.
Uncertain.
The three turned.
James stood there.
Alone.
He stopped a few feet away from them.
His eyes drifted toward the medical room door.
"How is she?"
Sam looked up.
For a second nobody moved.
Then she crossed the distance between them.
SLAP.
The crack echoed through the hallway.
James' head snapped sideways.
Everyone froze.
Cameron's eyes widened.
"Sam-"
Even Liliana looked shocked.
Sam didn't care.
She was shaking.
Not from fear.
From rage.
From panic.
From everything she'd been holding in since Emily collapsed.
James slowly looked back at her.
A red mark was already forming across his cheek.
"What the hell-"
"NO."
Sam pointed at him.
Her voice broke.
"You don't get to talk."
"Sam, I didn't-" James tried to cut her off.
"SHUT UP!"
Sam laughed.
A horrible sound.
Half sob.
Half anger.
"You always fucking do this."
James stared.
Confused.
For once.
Actually confused.
"I didn't mean for-"
"THAT'S THE PROBLEM!"
She shoved his shoulder.
Hard.
"YOU NEVER MEAN FOR IT!"
"You never mean for any of it!"
Her breathing became uneven.
"You never mean for somebody to get hurt."
"You never mean for somebody to cry."
"You never mean for somebody's life to get destroyed."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"But somehow it keeps fucking happening."
James opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Sam pointed toward the medical room.
"Do you know what's in there?"
"Do you?"
"Emily."
"She's in there."
"Unconscious."
"Covered in blood."
"And all you can do is stand here asking questions?"
Her voice cracked completely.
"Why can't you just leave us alone?"
No answer.
Sam stepped closer.
"You've ruined enough lives already."
James visibly stiffened.
The hallway became still.
Not quiet.
Still.
Sam swallowed hard.
"I don't want anotherRyan."
"I don't want another person getting hurt because of your bullshit."
"I don't want another person paying the price."
"And I sure as hell don't want it to be her."
The words landed like a punch.
Cameron immediately looked away.
Liliana closed her eyes.
James just stood there.
For the first time since...
He genuinely had nothing to say.
Sam wiped her face angrily.
"I don't care if it was an accident."
"I don't care what your excuse is."
"I don't care what you were trying to do."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
A broken one.
"Just leave us the fuck alone."
"Please."
That was the worst part.
Not the slap.
Not the yelling.
The fact that by the end...
She sounded like she was begging.
And James couldn't think of a single thing to say back.
James stood there for a moment, rubbing the side of his face where Sam had slapped him.
The hallway remained silent.
Then he finally spoke.
"Look."
Nobody answered.
James glanced toward the medical room.
Then back at Sam.
"I know I'm usually the asshole."
Sam scoffed.
James ignored her.
"I know half the school blames me whenever something goes wrong."
His jaw tightened.
"And most of the time?"
A humorless laugh escaped him.
"Fair enough."
Cameron frowned.
James shook his head.
"But not this."
He pointed toward the medical room.
"Not this shit."
Sam immediately stepped forward.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Really." James replied.
"Because Emily's in there unconscious!" Sam shouted again.
"I KNOW!"
The words came out sharper than he intended.
The hallway went quiet again.
James dragged a hand through his hair.
"I fuckingknow, alright?"
His voice lowered.
"I was there too."
Sam stared at him.
Breathing hard.
James looked away briefly.
Like he was trying not to lose his temper.
"The pass went wrong."
"That's what happened."
"It wasn't aimed at her."
"It wasn't some revenge plan."
"It wasn't whatever the hell you're imagining."
Sam laughed bitterly.
"You expect me to believe that?"
James looked at her.
Directly.
"No."
That answer caught everyone off guard.
James shrugged.
"Honestly?"
"I don't expect you to believe anything I say."
For a second nobody spoke.
Then Sam pointed at him.
"What happened to Ryan?"
James immediately stiffened.
The atmosphere changed.
Cameron looked uncomfortable.
Liliana's expression darkened.
James' face hardened.
"What about him?"
"What ABOUT him?"
Sam snapped.
"You think people forgot?"
"I didn't."
James looked away.
His jaw clenched.
For the first time, he genuinely looked annoyed.
"Ryan made his own choices." He said.
Sam stared at him.
"That's your defense?"
James replied flatly.
"I'm not defending shit."
"I'm telling you the truth."
Sam laughed again.
"The truth?"
A broken sound.
"The truth is people get hurt around you."
James was quiet for a moment.
Then nodded once.
"Maybe."
That answer surprised everyone.
Even Sam.
James looked toward the medical room again.
His voice dropped.
"But Emily getting hit wasn't because of me."
Another silence.
Longer this time.
Then he looked back at Sam.
"And if you wanna hate me?"
"Fine."
"If you wanna blame me for every other thing that's happened?"
"Go ahead."
His gaze hardened.
"But don't pin this on me just because you need somebody to scream at."
James exhaled slowly.
"I hope she's okay."
Sam immediately opened her mouth.
Ready to fire back.
But James was already turning away.
Leaving.
Cameron watched him disappear down the hallway.
Then looked at Sam.
She stood there staring at the floor.
Shoulders trembling.
Trying not to cry.
Liliana stepped forward first.
Wrapping an arm around her.
Sam didn't protest.
For once.
She just stood there.
And let herself fall apart.
Inside the medical room, the atmosphere felt completely different from the chaos outside.
Quiet.
The only sounds came from the ceiling fan and the occasional rustling of papers from the nurse's desk.
Emily lay on one of the beds.
A small bandage rested across her nose.
The bleeding had stopped.
Her head still hurt.
Everything still felt fuzzy.
But she was awake.
Michael was standing beside the bed.
Exactly where he'd been for the last twenty minutes.
The nurse had told him to sit down three separate times.
He hadn't listened once.
Emily blinked slowly.
The room came into focus.
The white walls.
The medicine cabinet.
The nurse.
Then Michael.
His eyes immediately met hers.
For a second neither spoke.
The tension in his shoulders disappeared so fast it was almost painful to watch.
"Hey."
His voice sounded rough.
Emily frowned slightly.
"You look terrible..."
Michael stared.
Then let out a short laugh.
Of all the things she could've said.
"Thanks."
Michael looked away briefly.
Running a hand through his hair.
Trying to calm down.
Emily noticed.
"You were worried."
It wasn't a question.
Michael looked back at her.
"Yeah."
Emily's heart skipped.
"Oh."
Michael looked at the bandage.
Then at her again.
"You scared the hell out of me."
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Silence.
Emily stared at him.
Michael immediately regretted speaking.
Not because it wasn't true.
Because it was.
The nurse smiled from across the room.
Then pretended not to hear anything.
Emily looked down.
Trying very hard not to smile.
"Sorry."
Michael replied immediately.
"Don't."
"You don't apologize for getting hit by a basketball."
Emily laughed softly.
Then immediately regretted it.
Her head hurt.
"Agh."
Michael instantly straightened.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine.." Emily replied.
"No." Michael said.
Emily rolled her eyes.
A mistake.
Because the movement made her dizzy.
Michael pointed at her.
"See?"
"That."
"That's not fine."
Despite herself, Emily laughed again.
This time more carefully.
The nurse finally stood up.
Satisfied.
"Good."
Both teenagers looked over.
The nurse smiled.
"Now that my patient is awake and arguing, I'm considerably less worried."
Emily looked embarrassed.
Michael looked relieved.
The nurse checked a few notes.
Then nodded.
"She's alright."
"Just a mild concussion."
Michael immediately glanced at Emily.
Emily sighed.
The nurse smiled.
"Now."
She walked toward the door.
"I think there are three very stressed teenagers outside who deserve some good news."
Emily's eyes widened.
Michael chuckled.
"Sounds right."
The nurse opened the door.
"You can come in."
The response was immediate.
The door practically flew open.
Sam entered first.
Then stopped.
The second she saw Emily sitting up.
Her entire face crumpled.
"Oh thank God."
Emily barely had time to react before Sam threw her arms around her.
Carefully.
As carefully as Sam could manage.
Which wasn't very carefully.
"You absolute idiot."
Emily blinked.
"What..?"
"You scared the shit out of me!"
Sam's voice cracked.
"I thought your brain exploded."
Emily stared.
Liliana immediately covered her face.
Cameron looked horrified.
"That's not how brains work."
"I DIDN'T KNOW THAT!"
Sam shouted.
Emily couldn't help it.
She laughed.
Liliana immediately smiled.
Cameron looked like he was about to cry from relief.
"You're okay."
Emily looked at him.
"Hi Cameron."
He pointed dramatically.
"Don't do that again."
Liliana finally stepped forward.
Much calmer than the others.
Though her eyes were suspiciously shiny.
"We were worried."
Emily smiled softly.
"Thanks."
The room finally felt normal again.
For the first time since the accident.
The nurse watched the group for a moment.
Then clapped her hands once.
"Alright."
Everyone looked over.
"Touching reunion."
"Very nice."
"Now get out."
The entire group blinked.
"What?" Sam asked.
"She needs rest."
The nurse pointed at the door.
"Out."
Immediately.
Sam opened her mouth.
"No."
The nurse pointed again.
"Out."
Sam pointed at herself.
"Even me?"
"Especially you."
The room burst into laughter.
Even Emily.
And for the first time all afternoon...
Everything felt okay.
Without further argument, the entire group was forced out of the medical room.
The door closed behind them.
For a few seconds nobody said anything..
Just relief.
Pure relief.
Sam leaned against the wall and wiped her eyes aggressively.
"If any of you tell her I cried, I'll kill you."
"You cried?" Cameron asked immediately.
Sam pointed at him.
"Start running."
Cameron took two dramatic steps backward.
Liliana laughed.
For the first time that afternoon, it felt genuine.
Michael smiled faintly.
Then glanced toward the closed medical room door.
Emily was okay.
The thought repeated in his head.
Emily was okay.
The knot in his chest finally loosened.
"I'll be back."
Sam looked over.
"Where are you going?"
"Just walking."
Nobody stopped him.
Honestly, all four of them looked exhausted.
Michael shoved his hands into his pockets and started down the hallway.
The school felt strangely quiet now.
Most students had returned to class.
Then he heard footsteps.
Michael stopped.
He already knew who it was.
Fiona stood at the end of the hallway.
Arms crossed.
Looking Perfect.
The same Fiona he used to love.
Neither spoke immediately.
Fiona broke first.
When she finally looked up, she smiled.
Not warmly.
"The rumors were true."
Michael already knew.
"You really chose her."
He stopped a few feet away.
"This isn't about choosing somebody."
Fiona laughed softly.
"No?"
"No." Michael said.
"Then what, Michael?" she asked. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks a hell of a lot like you threw away a year together because some girl smiled at you."
She stepped closer.
Then—
"Out of all people."
She laughed bitterly.
"Emily?"
"Seriously?"
"That's who you picked?"
"You want the truth?" Michael asked quietly.
Fiona folded her arms.
"Please. I can't wait."
"This didn't start with Emily." Michael admitted.
Her expression changed immediately.
"Excuse me?"
"It started a long time ago." Michael continues
"Oh, here we go."
Michael exhaled.
"Do you know how many times I thought about ending this?"
Fiona blinked.
"What?"
"And every time I stayed." Michael says.
She scoffed.
"Nobody forced you."
"No. You didn't hold me hostage."
"But every damn time there was something."
He looked up.
"'People are watching us.'"
"'Don't embarrass me.'"
"'What would everyone think?'"
"'After everything I've done for you?'"
"'You owe me, Michael.'"
"'You can't leave me like this.'"
"And I stayed."
Fiona laughed.
"Oh my God, poor captain."
"Poor perfect Michael."
"The whole school worships you and you're acting like some victim?"
Michael shook his head.
"That's the thing."
"You loved Captain Michael."
"You loved Golden Boy Michael."
"You loved being the hottest couple in Silvergrove."
"But somewhere in there, I stopped feeling like a boyfriend."
His eyes met hers.
"I started feeling like atrophy."
Fiona's smile vanished.
"Oh, fuck you."
"No, Fiona."
His voice hardened.
"I'm serious."
"I spent a year trying to keep up with your perfect image."
"Watching what I said."
"Watching what I posted."
"Smiling when I didn't want to."
"Fixing things before they became your problems."
"And every time I thought about leaving, I stayed because I felt guilty."
He laughed bitterly.
"I got so used to being your boyfriend, I forgot how to be myself."
Fiona stared.
Then laughed.
"No."
"No, screw that."
"Don't you dare rewrite this."
"You loved being with me."
"I did." Michael spoke up.
That surprised her.
"I loved you."
"And that's the problem."
Silence.
"When Emily got hurt today, I realized something."
Fiona rolled her eyes.
"Jesus Christ, here we go."
"When she got hurt, I didn't care about basketball." He continued to speak.
"I didn't care about my reputation."
"I didn't care about the team."
"And for the first time in a long time..."
He looked directly at her.
"I didn't care what you would think."
Fiona froze.
"And yeah."
His voice softened.
"I love her."
That broke something.
"She ruined EVERYTHING!"
"She RUINED us!"
"No."
"She took you from me!"
"No!" Michael cut her off.
"WHAT THE HELL DOES SHE HAVE THAT I DON'T?!"
Michael just looked at her.
"You really want to know?"
"GO AHEAD!"
He nodded.
"This."
"What?"
He gestured between them.
"This right here."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Fiona spoke angrily.
"Everything becomes about you."
"Oh, bullshit." She said. "Get to the damn point."
Fiona folded her arms.
"I'm dying to hear this."
"You made it about yourself." Michael said.
"She was bleeding."
"And somehow your first thought wasn't 'is she okay?'"
"It was 'what about me?'"
Fiona stepped closer.
"Because she ruined everything!"
"No."
Michael's voice sharpened.
"You ruined everything."
She froze.
Michael looked disappointed.
"She doesn't hate people."
"She doesn't wake up thinking about revenge."
"She doesn't turn everything into a competition."
"And she doesn't make every damn thing about herself."
His voice softened.
"But this?"
"This hatred."
"This obsession."
"This need to win."
"I can't pretend to love that anymore."
Fiona's eyes watered.
Rage.
"You know what?"
"Fine."
"Go."
"Go play hero."
"Go save your little girlfriend."
"But don't come crying to me when Silvergrove tears her apart."
Michael's expression changed.
"What the hell does that mean?"
Fiona smiled.
Cruel.
"People follow me."
"People listen to me."
"I built this place."
"And Emily?"
She laughed.
"She's not built for war."
"Rumors spread."
"People choose sides."
"And accidents happen."
Michael stepped forward immediately.
"Don't."
She smiled wider.
"Oh, relax."
"I'm not touching her."
"That'd be beneath me."
"But I don't have to."
Michael stared at her.
Then nodded once.
"Do whatever the hell you want."
"I'm not changing my decision."
"And I'm sure as hell not letting you hurt Emily."
Fiona's smile disappeared.
"I'm not done."
Michael turned away.
"I'm done enough for both of us."
"MICHAEL!"
He stopped.
Didn't turn.
Her voice came quietly.
Dangerously quietly.
"She took you from me."
Michael closed his eyes.
Then answered.
"No."
He kept walking.
"You lost me."
And for the first time in her life
Fiona stood alone.
And Michael had finally stopped staying.
---
Emily sat comfortably on the bed, laughing with the others. The swelling on her face was still there,despite everything that had happened, she felt much better.
"And I'm telling you," Cameron said confidently, "chocolate milk heals everything."
Sam stared at him in disbelief.
"If I ever end up in the hospital, don't come within fifty feet of me."
"Rude." Cameron said.
"I'm serious." Sam replied.
Liliana giggled.
Emily laughed quietly, which earned a proud smile from Sam.
"There she is." Sam says. "That's the sound I wanted."
The door clicked open.
Everyone turned.
Michael stepped inside.
Sam immediately crossed her arms.
"Where the hell have you been?"
"Took you long enough."
Cameron pointed dramatically.
"No seriously, I was starting to think Fiona kidnapped you or something."
For the briefest moment, Michael's expression changed.
Something dark crossed his face.
Then he simply shrugged.
"Yeah."
"I just needed some air."
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"That's a lot of air."
Liliana smiled.
"Good timing."
She pointed across the room.
"See her?"
"That's Emily's aunt."
Michael looked over.
A woman in her forties stood beside the nurse. She looked exhausted, as though she'd rushed over the second she got the call, but there was still kindness in her eyes. She thanked the nurse twice before turning around.
"Good news, sweetheart."
Emily's aunt smiled looking at Emily.
"You're fine."
"Just eat properly for the next few days and let your body recover."
Emily smiled.
"Okay.. Easy."
"Not for you," her aunt said. "You forget meals when you're reading."
Then she noticed Michael.
"Oh!"
"You must be Michael."
"The others have mentioned you."
Michael scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Uh, nice to meet you, Miss..."
She smiled warmly.
"Rachel."
Michael nodded.
"Right."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Rachel."
Rachel clapped her hands happily.
"I like him already."
Emily buried her face in her blanket.
Sam burst out laughing.
"Careful, Michael. You might get adopted like that."
"I've adopted half the neighborhood already," Rachel joked.
Then her attention shifted back to Emily.
"The nurse said I can take her home early."
"School's nearly over anyway."
Sam nodded instantly.
"Good."
"And make sure she actually eats."
"I'm serious."
Liliana agreed.
"She'll recover better at home."
Cameron nodded.
"And keep all sports equipment away from her."
Emily looked offended.
"I got attacked once."
"Once is enough," Sam replied.
Rachel laughed softly before her expression grew gentler.
"Honestly..."
"Thank you."
Everyone looked at her.
"I mean that."
"You have no idea how much it means to me."
Emily immediately lowered her gaze.
"Aunt Rae..."
Rachel smiled at her.
"No, sweetheart."
"Let me say this."
She looked around the room.
"Emily isn't the kind of person who talks much."
"And these past couple years haven't exactly been easy."
Sam quietly looked away.
She already knew.
Liliana seemed to understand without needing details.
Cameron frowned slightly, but didn't ask.
Michael glanced toward Emily.
Her eyes remained fixed on the blanket.
Rachel continued gently.
"New city."
"New school."
"Starting over isn't easy."
"And I worried."
She laughed softly.
"A lot, actually."
"There were nights I wondered if she'd ever feel comfortable again."
Her eyes drifted toward Emily.
"But lately..."
"I hear her laughing."
"She complains about homework."
"She comes home annoyed because someone stole her fries."
Emily groaned.
"Aunt Rae..."
Rachel smiled.
"And honestly?"
"I've been waiting for that."
Sam's expression softened.
"We've got her, Miss Rachel."
Liliana nodded.
"She's family now."
Cameron pointed at Emily.
"Legally friends."
Emily laughed.
Michael smiled quietly.
"And she's not dealing with things alone."
Rachel looked at each of them.
Then at Emily.
And for the first time since arriving at Silvergrove High, some of the worry left her face.
"Thank you."
"Really."
Eventually, the nurse returned with paperwork.
Ten minutes later, Emily was finally allowed to leave.
Sam immediately hugged her.
"Text me when you get home."
"And if you don't, I'm showing up."
Emily smiled.
"You're so dramatic."
Liliana hugged her next.
"Rest."
"No studying."
"And definitely no books tonight."
Cameron stepped forward.
"If anything happens, I'm personally suing basketball as a concept."
Emily laughed.
"You're ridiculous."
Then her eyes drifted toward Michael.
He had been unusually quiet the whole time.
He simply smiled.
"See you tomorrow."
Emily smiled back.
"See you."
Miss Rachel thanked everyone one last time before helping Emily out of the room.
The four of them stood there for a moment, watching them disappear down the hallway.
Sam folded her arms.
"She's gonna be okay."
Liliana smiled.
"Yeah."
Cameron let out a breath.
"Today sucked."
Michael looked toward the empty hallway.
Then quietly nodded.
"Yeah."
"But she's okay."
And for now, that was enough.