"... and then Elijah said goodbye with a wave." I finished telling the events of the chemistry lab to Sophia as we stood next to our lockers, the chatter of the school hallway buzzing around us.

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Wow... You really know how to strike up a conversation."

"What can I say?" I tossed my hair and smirked. "I'm a natural."

"How do you feel, Daph?" She questioned as Daphne remained with her head buried in her locker.

Daphne slowly lifted her head, her face gradually emerging from the shadows of the locker. As her gaze met ours, her features lit up with an ecstatic, radiant smile. "It... Was..." Her voice trembling with excitement before her face broke into a full, beaming grin. "Amazing!" She squealed. "This was the first time he was this close to me, and my heart wouldn't stop thumping in my chest!"

Sophia and I burst into laughter at Daphne's infectious enthusiasm. "Someone enjoyed their day." Sophia teased.

"It was like a movie..." Daphne sighed dreamily. "Oh, he's so gorgeous."

Sophia and I exchanged a knowing glance. "She's not gonna have any sleep tonight." We giggled together.

"Day two, and we've already made this much progress. Let's go celebrate our little victory," Sophia declared, wrapping her arm around Daphne's shoulder and starting to walk away.

"You guys go ahead." I jerked a thumb over my shoulder. "I need to see Coach Vivian. She called me after classes."

"Have fun with Vivian." They teased as they walked off, and I stuck my tongue out at them playfully.

Turning on my heel, I jogged toward Coach Vivian's office. On my way, I passed the locker rooms and the basketball court. I glanced at the boys' practice session winding down. We have practice on alternate days, the girls on Mondays and Wednesdays, while the boys practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I reached Coach Vivian's office and knocked softly on the door before entering. She was on the phone, her expression a mix of frustration and exasperation. She waved me in and pointed to the chair in front of her desk, signaling me to sit. I settled into the chair, observing her as she ranted into the receiver. It seemed like she was having a conversation with her husband. More like scolding him.

Poor guy.

After what felt like an hour, she finally ended the call. "Sorry for the wait."

I blinked, trying to shake off the dizziness from staring at the office's spinning ceiling fan. "No problem, Ma'am."

Coach Vivian took a seat opposite me, her expression turning serious. "I wanted to talk to you before announcing the team captain. Do you have any objections?"

"No."

She looked at me intently. "Is there anything distracting you? I noticed you seemed a bit off yesterday."

"No, Ma'am," I assured her.

"Is it too much pressure for you?" Her brows furrowed in genuine concern.

I met her gaze and shook my head. "Nothing I can't handle."

"Good." She reached into a drawer and pulled out a small bag, handing it to me.

As I opened it, my eyes widened in surprise and excitement at the sight of the captain's jersey. My face lit up with a broad, delighted grin as I held it up.

"Thank you so much, Coach," I said, my voice brimming with gratitude.

"You're a talented kid." She gave me a small, encouraging smile, then a second later expression, then turned serious. "Just don't make me regret it."

"I won't," I promised and stood up, clutching the bag tightly to my chest. "See you tomorrow at practice."

With a silly grin plastered on my face, I walked out of her office, hugging the bag to my chest. But all the happiness vanished when I reached the boy's locker room and heard Blake's voice.

Their practice must have just ended.

Rolling my eyes, I took a step forward to leave but halted in my position when I heard Daphne's name.

"Daphne's a sweet girl."

"That's why you invited her?" A familiar voice said.

I took a sneak peek through the cracked door to see only Elijah and Blake inside.

"She's single. Never been in a relationship. She's smart and beautiful." Blake shrugged, pulling a shirt over his head, revealing his sculpted physique. His toned muscles, defined by his athletic build, moved fluidly as he dressed. A sight that made my heart flutter uncontrollably.

But his next words snapped me out of my daze. "I already know her-" How? "And she's not interested in anyone."

You have got this wrong, buddy.

"How do you know that?" Elijah asked, mirroring my thoughts.

"I have my ways," Blake replied casually.

Elijah chuckled. "Planning to make a move at my party?"

"Obviously..." Blake's smile widened, and for a moment, it was as if the world around us fell away. His smile was magnetic, a blend of playful charm and sincere warmth that made my heart race. It was the kind of smile that could make anyone feel like they were the center of the universe, but it wasn't for me.

His next words stuck at me like lightning in a dark storm.

"I like her."

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I can't believe this.

"Earth to Cara?"

Blake likes... Daphne?

How in the world did that even happen?!

"Cara?!"

"What?!" My head jerked up, and I saw my family looking at me with a mix of surprise and concern. "I-I mean... Yes?"

"Where are you?" My dad frowned. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I-I'm fine," I murmured, though my mind was anything but.

"It's a boy problem." Cody piped up, making me glare daggers at him.

"There's no boy." I snapped.

"You've been playing with your food." My mom noted, eyeing the untouched lasagna roll-up on my plate. "Don't you like it?"

"It's not that... I just don't feel like eating."

"Why? Are you sick?" She placed her hand on my forehead, her brow furrowing in concern. "Your temperature seems fine."

"I ate a lot at lunch. Soph and Daph celebrated me officially becoming the captain." I lied.

In truth, I'd skipped the victory lunch with them because my mind was a thunderstorm, unable to focus on anything but the unsettling realization that Blake had feelings for Daphne.

"I'm telling you, it's a boy," Cody said again, his voice dripping with certainty. Both my parents turned sharp glares toward him. "I know I'm right." He insisted.

"Keep quiet, Cody," Dad said sternly, causing Cody to sink back into his seat. He turned to me and asked. "You want to eat something else? I'll order-"

"I'm actually tired." I interrupted, stifling a yawn. "Drills have been tough for the upcoming match."

"Why don't you rest?" Mom patted my shoulder with a sympathetic smile, and I got up from my seat.

"Good night, everyone." I forced a smile as I lumbered upstairs. I heard Cody's persistent "It's a boy" followed by my parents telling him to be quiet.

Once in my room, I plopped down on my bed, the weight of the day pressing heavily on me. Blake's words echoed in my mind, and an unsettling feeling gnawed at my insides.

I like her.

Since Blake joined in the Junior year, no one has ever seen him with a girl. Even the girls interested have tried to date him, but he shot them all down.

So why now...

Sophia's words came rushing back, and I shook them off. Daphne wouldn't hide anything from us. This must be from Blake's side. I turned onto my back and stared at the ceiling, thinking back to the day Daphne and I become friends.

It was a crisp autumn afternoon in kindergarten, and the playground at Riverside Elementary was alive with the chaotic energy of six-year-olds. The sun cast a golden glow over the swings and slides, and the vibrant colors of fall leaves rustled in the breeze. Most of the kids were absorbed in their own activities, swinging high into the sky, racing each other on the jungle gym, or digging in the sandbox.

I was hunkered down, meticulously crafting an elaborate sandcastle with moats and turrets, absorbed in my task. The squeaky laughter of my classmates mixed with the occasional shouts of joy, creating a familiar, comforting background noise.

But then I noticed a commotion at the edge of the playground. I looked up to see a group of older boys surrounding Daphne Venus, our quiet classmate, with soft blue eyes and a shy smile.

She stood in the middle of the circle, her small frame trembling as the boys loomed over her. They were teasing her, pushing her around, and making her cry. A look of pure fear replaced Daphne's usual gentle features.

The surrounding kids, caught up in their own fun, seemed oblivious to the scene unfolding at the edge of the playground. I could see no one else was paying any attention. Most were too wrapped up in their own games or conversations. My heart pounded as I realized Daphne was completely alone.

I watched helplessly for a moment, my stomach twisting into knots. Every instinct screamed at me to do something, but fear held me back. I was scared of the boys, scared of making a scene, scared of failing. But then I saw Daphne's tear-streaked face, and something inside me snapped. I couldn't stand to see someone so kind being treated so cruelly, especially when no one seemed to care.

Summoning every ounce of courage, I sprang to my feet and ran toward them. "Hey! Leave her alone!" I shouted, my voice trembling but desperate.

The boys turned in surprise, their smirks fading as they took in the sight of me, standing there with wild determination in my eyes.

"You think you're so tough?" I said, planting myself firmly between Daphne and the bullies. My tiny fists were clenched so tightly I thought my knuckles might turn white. I stood as tall as my little legs would allow, trying to seem as much confidence as possible. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?"

One boy, a lanky kid with a smirk that seemed too big for his face, raised an eyebrow at me. "Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it, little miss?"

Without hesitation, I grabbed a handful of sand from the nearby sandbox and, with all my might, hurled it at him. The sand exploded in a cloud, catching him off guard. He yelped, rubbing his eyes and stumbling backward. His friends looked on in shock, their laughter silenced by the unexpected turn of events.

"Go on, scram!" I shouted, my voice ringing with a force I didn't know I had. The boys hesitated, glancing at each other, clearly uncertain about how to handle this.

Finally, the lanky boy, still blinking sand from his eyes, muttered with a scowl. "Fine. We're letting you go just because you're a girl!" With one last irritated glance at me, he and his friends retreated, their grumbling voices fading into the distance.

I turned to Daphne, who was wiping tears from her cheeks and looking at me with a mixture of relief and astonishment. "Are you okay?" I asked, trying to steady my breath.

Daphne nodded, her eyes still shimmering with tears, but now filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Cara. I was really scared."

That moment was a turning point for both of us. From that day on, something clicked between us, and we became inseparable. I made it my mission to always be there for her, and she did the same for me. We spent countless hours together building sandcastles, sharing stories, and laughing about the little things that made us happy. Our friendship became a solid foundation, built on that day when I stood up for her and discovered how much we meant to each other.

And now, as a friend, it was my job to help Daphne get the guy she wants. Not the one who wants her.

Blake and Elijah's conversation replayed in my head and my eyes widened when a sudden realization hit me.

Blake told Elijah that he likes Daphne.

Shit!

I jolted upright, sitting on my bed with my heart racing. This was not good. Blake and Elijah were best friends, which meant there was a bro code at play. I facepalmed, then flopped back onto the bed in frustration.

Elijah would never pursue Daphne now that Blake had marked his territory. No matter what I'd do, Elijah wouldn't go for Daphne. I didn't know where Blake got the idea that Daphne wasn't interested in anyone, but he needed to know that it was his best friend she's interested in.

To get Daphne and Elijah together, I needed to find a way to get Blake out of the way.

But how?

My mind raced with possible strategies. I thought about confronting Blake, but that could lead to a mess I wasn't ready to handle. If I tried to talk to Elijah directly, I risked making things worse by drawing unwanted attention to the situation.

Then it hit me.

Maybe the best approach was to subtly steer Blake away from Daphne without causing a scene. I needed to create an opportunity for Daphne and Elijah to connect naturally. If I could make Blake's interest wane without directly confronting him, it might open up space for Elijah to make a move.

But what could I do? I needed a plan, something that would both distract Blake and create opportunities for Daphne and Elijah. I rolled over in bed, my mind still buzzing with ideas.

I considered involving Sophia, who might help with her knack for strategizing. Together, we could think of a plan to make sure Daphne and Elijah had a fair shot at each other.

As I pondered my next steps, I felt a mix of determination and anxiety. This was going to be a tricky balancing act, but if I wanted to help my friend, I had to figure out a way to make it work.

➽─────────❥