The gymnasium buzzed with energy as the teams took their places on the court. The rivalry between Riverside High and Silver Lake High School was palpable. Each side is fueled by the passionate cheers of their supporters.

Taking a deep breath, I stood in the middle with the opponent team member in front of me. Silver Lake High's team was tall and athletic. I looked over at my teammates and noticed the tension between Susan and Erica hung thick in the air. Their recent fight threatened to undermine our cohesion. My eyes went to Sophia, who gave me a small nod, and I turned towards my opponent again.

As the whistle blew to start the game, I felt the weight of the moment settles on my shoulders. As team captain, it was my job to keep everyone focused and motivated.

The ball was tipped, and I immediately jumped, but Silver Lake High seized control. Their point guard darted down the court, weaving past our defenders. I sprinted to position myself for a defensive play but felt a sinking feeling as the opposing player made a quick pass to their forward, who took a shot. The ball swished through the net, and the crowd erupted.

"Come on, girls! We can't let them take the lead!" I shouted, trying to keep our spirits high.

We retaliated quickly. I received the inbound pass from Sophia and dashed down the court. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Susan and Erica bickering, which only distracted me further. As I dribbled, I could feel my heart racing, the stakes rising with every play.

With a swift crossover, I maneuvered past their defender, taking a shot from the free-throw line. It clanked off the rim, and Silver Lake High snatched the rebound.

"Focus, Cara!" Sophia called out, her voice cutting through the din. I nodded, shaking off the disappointment.

The opponent team member tried to pass the ball to another player, but Sophia got it and dribbled it toward the hoop. She managed to pass a player, but another one caught up to her and she quickly passed the ball to Erica.

"Pass it!" I shouted to Erica, who was cornered by two players.

Susan was on her reach, but instead of tossing the ball to her, she threw it at, particularly no one, and the Silver Lake got the ball. I looked at her in disbelief and ran after the ball, but no use.

The first quarter ended with us trailing by six. In the huddle, I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts.

"That was a bullsh*t move," Sophia growled at Erica.

"What?" She acted oblivious.

"We need to work together!" I shot Erica a glare. "Erica and Susan, can we put aside whatever's going on between you two? We need you both on the court working together!"

They exchanged glances, a flicker of understanding passing between them.

"I don't care about anything else but the game," Susan muttered, crossing her arms.

"Fine," Erica added, her tone clipped but resigned.

As the second quarter started, I passed the ball to Sophia, who quickly made a basket, narrowing the gap. The crowd roared, and I could feel the momentum shifting, but Silver Lake High was ruthless. Their center was a towering figure who blocked shots with ease, and despite our best efforts, they matched every point we scored.

In the middle of the chaos, I could feel an intense gaze on me and my eyes caught Blake and Elijah watching us from the sidelines. My gaze locked with Blake's, and his presence reminded me of my defeat.

"You think anyone on the team believes in you? They see you as a joke. You're just the 'cute captain' who can't get it together"

I needed to lead my team to victory, not just for ourselves but to show him what we were made of- Wait...

Did he call me cute?

I got out of my trance when, out of nowhere, I collided with one of their players. I stumbled and fall on my butt. The referee's whistle pierced the air, and I felt the heat of embarrassment creeping up my neck as I got back on my feet.

"C'mon, Cara! You got this!" Daphne's voice rang out from the bleachers.

I gave her a thumbs up and shook my head, focusing on the game.

As the game progressed, with an intensity that had the gym buzzing. My mind reeled flashbacks of Blake's moves that he played on me yesterday, and I took a deep breath, driving toward the basket.

I found myself matched up against their strongest defender. I feigned left and spun right, creating just enough space to take the shot, and tossed the ball.

Swish!

The crowd erupted, and I felt a rush of adrenaline through my body.

We were only down by two points now.

As the clock wound down, the tension in the gym escalated. With only a minute left in the game, Silver Lake High scored again, extending their lead. I glanced at Susan and Erica and their earlier tension seemed to evaporate as they realized what was at stake.

"Let's finish this!" I urged them. "We can do this!"

In the final minute, we put together a play. Sophia tossed the ball to Erica and Susan screamed to pass it to her. The opponent team players thought she wouldn't pass it to her like earlier and let their guards down. Erica faked a shot and then tossed it to Susan. With the defense closing in, Susan made a quick drive to the hoop, drawing in two defenders before kicking it back out to me.

"Shoot it!" She shouted.

With barely enough time on the clock, instead of running toward the hoop, I launched the ball from the three-point line like Blake. Time seemed to slow as it soared through the air, the gym holding its breath and I internally screamed prayers.

The crowd went wild as we tied the game and I could hardly believe it. With only seconds remaining, we called a timeout to strategize one last play.

"We go for the win, girls!" I said, blood rushing through my veins. "Susan, you take the inbound. Everyone else, set screens!"

They nodded, and I felt a sudden ray of hope. As the play unfolded, Susan passed to me, and I drove to the basket, but the center was there to block me. I faked a shot again and then passed to Sophia, who had snuck to the perimeter.

"Now, Sophia!" I yelled.

She took the shot as the buzzer sounded. The ball sailed through the air, and the gym fell silent as it approached the hoop.

Swish!

The crowd erupted in a deafening cheer as my teammate and I rushed to embrace Sophia.

"We won!" I exclaimed. Sophia laughed, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"It's all thanks to you, Captain!" She replied, her voice ringing with excitement.

"Way to lead us to victory!" Susan and Erica chimed in, grinning as they shared a quick side hug. It was nice to see them putting aside their earlier rivalry, if only for a moment.

I couldn't help but beam with pride as we celebrated our hard-earned win. It was moments like this that made all the effort worth it.

"Champions today. Let the good times roll,
Together, as one, we achieved our goal!
Fans on their feet, let's hear that roar,
Riverside Falcons, forever we soar!"

The cheerleaders stepped onto the court and kicked off their winning routine, moving in perfect sync. I noticed Lydia looking as beautiful as ever with her perfect body and her flawless blonde hair shimmering under the gym lights. Her movements are precise and graceful, and the crowd roared louder, swept up in the energy of her performance.

"Good job, girls!" Coach Vivian beamed at us, her pride evident as she patted my back. "You did great!"

"Thank you, Coach," I replied, my heart still thumping in my chest as I soaked in the victorious atmosphere.

"Cara! Sophia!" We turned at the sound of Daphne's voice, her grin wide enough to light up the room, with Samuel beaming proudly beside her. "You guys were awesome!"

We laughed, the weight of competition melting away as I spotted my parents cheering us on from the stands. I waved at them, and relief washed over me. It was as if a huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders and I could finally relax.

"Congratulations." I turned on my heels to see Elijah standing there, his usual charming smile in place. "You did great out there, Captain."

"It was a team effort," I said, blushing as I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. My gaze fell on Blake, who stood just behind Elijah with a knowing smirk dancing on his lips.

He didn't need to say anything. The delighted look on his face said it all and something that I buried a long time ago blossomed inside me again.

"Let's go clean up." Sophia placed a hand on my shoulder, getting me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah..." I nodded and looked at Elijah. "Good luck with your game."

"Thanks." He gave me a toothy grin. Flickering my gaze at Blake one more time, I followed my team to the girls' locker room.

The boys' match starts after a thirty-minute break. I quickly took a shower and changed into my casual outfit. By the time Sophia and I walked back to the gymnasium, the Riverside High boys stood in the court prepared to face Silver Lake High School.

The bleachers were packed, students cheering loudly, waving banners, and the energy was palpable. Sophia and I walked up to Daphne and Samuel, who kept two seats for us. I sat between them and Sophia next to her brother.

"Congratulations," Samuel smirked. "Never thought I'd say this, but you played well."

"Thank you, Mr Python." I forced a smile onto my face. "I'm honored that you acknowledged my skills."

He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by the whistle.

The game began with a quick pace and Blake was instantly on the move, dribbling the ball with finesse. He weaved through defenders like they were mere obstacles, showcasing a combination of speed and skill that left the crowd in awe. I could hear the cheers rise and fall as he made his first assist, a pinpoint pass that set up Elijah for an easy layup.

Silver Lake High retaliated quickly, their players aggressive and determined. They matched our intensity, but Blake seemed unfazed. I watched as he called plays, his voice clear and commanding. The way he led his team was inspiring, and I couldn't help but admire how seamlessly he coordinated their movements on the court.

Elijah was performing exceptionally well too, his agility complementing Blake's strategic vision. The two of them worked in perfect harmony, passing the ball back and forth and setting each other up for shots. With each basket they scored, the crowd erupted in cheers, and I found myself on the edge of my seat, my heart pounding with excitement.

The first quarter ended with Riverside in the lead, but the game was far from over. As the second quarter began, the opponent team ramped up their efforts, trying to close the gap. But Blake was unstoppable, his competitive spirit shining through as he dove for loose balls and fought for every rebound.

Every time he sank a basket, I could see his confidence grow, and I couldn't help but smile. The game was a showcase of talent, but it was Blake's leadership that truly stood out. He orchestrated plays, directing traffic on the court, and I could see how much his teammates respected him. As Elijah made a spectacular three-pointer from the corner, I stood up, cheering with the rest of the crowd.

The energy in the gym intensified as we entered the last quarter, with Riverside maintaining a narrow lead. Blake pushed harder, his determination evident as he darted down the court, maneuvering through defenders like a seasoned pro. I could see the fire in his eyes. He was determined to win.

He made a break for the basket, faking left and spinning right, before taking a clean shot. The ball sailed through the air, and the gym fell silent for a heartbeat before erupting into cheers as it swished through the net.

When the final buzzer rang, Riverside High emerged victorious, the scoreboard reflecting their outstanding performance. The gym erupted in celebration as players hugged and high-fived, their hard work paying off.

I couldn't help but feel a rush of pride. Blake had played like a champion, leading his team to victory. As he walked off the court, a triumphant smile plastered across his face, I caught his eye. He spotted me in the crowd and wiggled his cocky brows. An uncontrollable laugh erupted out of my throat and my face broke into a huge grin.

"Liar liar, pants on fire." Samuel sang beside me and I scowled.

"Excuse me?"

"There's obviously something going on between the two of you." He looked at me with eyes sparkling. "And I guess you took my advice."

How does he even know that?

"I've no idea what you're talking about Mr Python," I said with a blank face.

"Act all you want, Cara." He smirked and leaned to whisper in my ear. "You may have hidden it from your friends, but it's written all over your face."

"You know how to read?" I faked a gasp. "That's surprising, considering you're a dropout."

He scoffed. "I didn't drop out because of reading."

"Right." I gave him a sympathetic look. "You just have a small brain."

"There's nothing small in me." He gave me a smug look, and I grimaced at his innuendo.

"You're disgusting."

"And you're oblivious." He looked at me seriously. "Open your eyes before it's too late."

➽─────────❥