The gym buzzed with the sounds of squeaking sneakers and the rhythmic thuds of volleyballs hitting the court. Star tried to shake off the unease gripping her chest, but it only tightened as she stepped onto the court for another grueling practice.

The game had started poorly for her, and it was only getting worse.

Cracks in the Game

"Star, focus!" the coach barked after she missed yet another serve.

Her teammates exchanged glances, and even Zara's usual spark of encouragement was missing. Star saw it—the worry etched on her face as Zara shifted uneasily by the net.

The next play came fast, the ball soaring toward her. She tried to dive for it, but her timing was off, and she landed awkwardly, scraping her elbow. The ball bounced out of bounds.

"Time out!" the coach called, blowing her whistle.

Star sat on the bench, cradling her throbbing arm. Zara knelt in front of her, her brow furrowed with concern. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Star muttered, brushing her off.

"No, you're not." Zara's voice softened. "You're not yourself lately. What's going on?"

Star's jaw clenched. "Nothing."

"Star," Zara pressed, "what Is this abo—"

"It's not about anything!" Star snapped, standing abruptly. The team turned to look, but Star didn't care. "You wouldn't understand."

Walking Away

Practice resumed, but Star's heart wasn't in it. Her legs felt heavy, her mind clouded. When the coach finally blew the whistle to end practice, Star grabbed her bag and headed straight for the locker room.

"Star, wait!" Zara called, chasing after her.

Star whirled around, her frustration boiling over. "What, Zara? What do you want from me?"

"I want to help!" Zara said, her voice breaking. "You're not acting like yourself, and it's scaring me. I miss you, okay? I miss my best friend."

"Your best friend?" Star laughed bitterly. "You mean the one who's just supposed to follow you around and make you look good? Is that all I am to you?"

Zara's eyes widened in shock. "What are you talking about? You're the one who's been pulling away!"

"Maybe because I don't want to be here!" Star shouted.

"What?" Zara asked, stunned.

"I never even wanted to play volleyball," Star confessed, her voice trembling. "I did it for you, Zara. To be close to you. Because you made it seem like if I didn't, I wouldn't matter."

Zara stepped back, her face falling. "That's not true."

"Yes, it is!" Star insisted, tears welling up in her eyes. "And now I'm stuck in something I don't even care about. I can't keep doing this, Zara. I'm done."

"Star, please." Zara's voice cracked, but Star was already shaking her head.

"I quit," Star said firmly before turning and walking out of the gym, leaving Zara standing alone.

Breaking the Bond

Star didn't look back as she stormed down the school hallway, her emotions a tangled mess. She felt the weight of her words and Zara's stunned silence, but she couldn't bring herself to care.

For the first time, she had said what she truly felt.

And it hurt.