Chapter BGM:
Main: "Oceane" by RINI
Key scene: "Here With Me" by d4vd
Ending: "From the Start" by Laufey(Listen while reading for full immersion)
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"Her lips were untouched. She ran. He stayed. But neither could stop thinking about what almost happened."
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She slipped out of his arms—feet finally back on solid ground. But her mind? Nowhere close.
Her cheeks still tingled from where his hands had been. Her lips... technically untouched. But that look in his eyes?
That wasn't nothing.
She was still reeling, still blushing, still trying to remember how legs worked—When the boys started shouting again.
"Let's go! Toss her up!"
Before she could protest, two teammates hoisted her into the air like a trophy. She yelped, laughing as confetti swirled around them.
And in that moment, her gaze found his again.
He wasn't laughing.
He was watching her—like she was the only thing still moving in a world that had frozen.Like he wasn't done.
And her heart?
Absolutely. Lost.
Somewhere in the stands, Mai's eyes lifted toward the VIP room.
Nolan's parents stood side by side—rare smiles tugging at their lips. His mother blinked away a tear. His father gently patted her back.
They had once feared this boy might never laugh freely again.But now—surrounded by noise, people, and light—
He was smiling.
This wasn't just a game. It was a turning point.
For Nolan, it was the first time he realized:He wasn't just surviving anymore.He could change things—for himself, and for others.
He mattered.
Jett had been told the same thing all his life: You'll inherit this family. You'll carry on its legacy.
His path had been paved before he even knew how to walk it.Even the scenery had been chosen.
He was proud of that. He worked for it.
Basketball was supposed to be a bonus. A checkbox.A boost.
But this time—it was different.
For the first time, he felt it: His strength could carry others, not just himself.
He watched Celeste, how she poured her whole heart into this team.He saw Nolan smile again, truly smile. He saw teammates lock into rhythm with the strategies he'd built.
And suddenly—he understood.
This was why she'd made him captain.
Because maybe he wasn't just the lucky heir. Maybe he could be the one who shared that luck.
He stood at the edge of the court, confetti still raining down, and for a brief second—
He could almost see their futures.
Olympians. National athletes. CEOs. Founders. Maybe not all would go pro.
But this fire, this fight, this bond—
It would stay with them.
And maybe—just maybe—The best part of youth wasn't winning.
It was winning together.
In that moment, Jett smiled too. And this time—it felt wide open. Like something inside him had finally clicked into place.
After the match, Celeste grabbed a towel, a water bottle, and the emergency kit.
Back in the hallway, she pressed both hands to her face.
What was that? That stare? That almost-kiss?
And why—why did she want him to try again?
She bit her lip. Quickened her pace.
Get a grip. It's just adrenaline. A really good game. His arms around you. His—
She stopped in front of the locker room. Took a breath.
Just drop the kit. No weird thoughts. He's probably still in uniform.
She knocked once.
"I'm coming in. Don't flash me."
A few laughs echoed back.
"Boss, relax. We've been very well-behaved today."
She pushed open the door.
Some guys were still toweling off, grinning like oversized puppies fresh off a victory lap.
She'd seen it all. Years as team manager had trained her to keep a straight face—Even around dripping-wet boys with too many abs and way too little shame.
She was just about to leave—
When she looked up.
And saw him.
Oh. My. God.
Her breath caught. Eyes—absolutely not where they were supposed to be.
Nolan, back turned, jersey halfway up.
He gripped the hem and pulled it over his head in one smooth motion. His shoulders rolled. Muscles flexed. Sweat trailed down from the nape of his neck to his collarbone—
It was like watching a statue of a god come to life.
His hair was damp. His skin glowed under the locker room lights. He looked powerful. Grounded. Focused—talking quietly to Coach about fast-break counters.
Completely unaware of what he was doing to her heart rate.
She knew she shouldn't stare.
And worse—
Her brain betrayed her.
If we'd kissed out there…Would he be doing this right after? Would I have—
But she stared.
He'd changed in front of her before.
But this time…That single bead of sweat trailing down his spine?
That did something.
Then—he looked over his shoulder.
Like he'd known all along.
She jumped. Blinked. Swallowed.
Set the kit down fast.
"I'm heading out. See you at the celebration."
She turned and walked like her life depended on it.
At the end of the hallway, she exhaled hard—then slapped both cheeks.
"Get a grip, Celeste," she whispered."It's just a jersey. Just a back. Just a—oh god."
She couldn't forget it.
The glance. The line of his spine.
Or the way he looked at her like maybe…He wasn't planning to walk away anymore.
She was gone in three seconds flat.
The echo of her footsteps barely faded when Nolan let out a breath—Long. Controlled.
He ran a hand through his hair, eyes still fixed on the door she'd vanished through.
Coach was saying something beside him—fast-break rotations, maybe—but it barely registered.
Because all Nolan could think about… was her.
That look she gave him when he caught her.
That dazed smile.
The way she fit against him like she belonged there.
And just now—her stare.
Frozen. Wide-eyed.
Like she'd seen something she wasn't ready for. Like she liked what she saw.
He let the jersey drop to the bench.
Then looked down at his hands.
Still warm.Still remembering.
He'd almost kissed her.
Right there.Middle of the court. Confetti and chaos and a hundred people watching.
But she looked at him like she'd have let him.
And if they'd been alone?
No way he would've stopped.
His lips twitched.
"She ran," he murmured, half-smiling.
But his eyes never left the door.
Then, softer—like a promise only he could hear:
"Next time, I won't let her."