The Unexpected Toss: A New Contender
1. Basketball Court Encounter
Elisa's POV:
The basketball court was a whirlwind of squeaking sneakers and bouncing balls. Lisa, having finished her practice, had dragged me over to the side, still buzzing with energy. "Coach said I'm finally getting more consistent with my free throws!" she declared, gesticulating wildly. I laughed, listening to her recap her drills, my eyes idly following the arcs of the basketballs. I was still a little drained from my latest art project, but Lisa's enthusiasm was infectious.
Suddenly, a searing pain exploded at the side of my head. The world tilted, blurring into a kaleidoscope of bright lights and sudden darkness. I stumbled backward, my hands flying up to brace myself, a sharp ringing echoing in my ears. I felt myself losing balance, ready to fall.
Before I could hit the ground, two strong hands were on my arms, steadying me. "Whoa! Are you okay? Oh my god, I am so, so sorry!"
I blinked, trying to clear the fog from my vision. A tall figure hovered over me, their face contorted with concern. As my eyes focused, I saw a guy with short, light brown hair, startlingly blue eyes, and a broad, athletic build. He was holding a basketball, looking genuinely horrified.
"I am so incredibly sorry," he repeated, his voice earnest and deep. "That was completely my fault. My pass went wide. Are you dizzy? Do you need to sit down?" His hands lingered on my arms, his touch gentle, guiding me to a nearby bench. "Here, let me get you some water."
Lisa was beside me in an instant. "Elisa! Are you okay? What happened?" She glared at him.
"It's... it's fine," I mumbled, still a little disoriented, rubbing the side of my head. The guy was already dashing off, returning moments later with a cold water bottle. "I'm Jake, by the way," he said, handing it to me, his blue eyes still wide with concern. "Jake Evans. Seriously, I feel terrible. Let me know if you need anything at all." He lingered for a moment, looking genuinely remorseful, and frankly, quite handsome in his basketball jersey. He offered a small, hesitant smile, and for a second, I felt a flicker of something new, before my head started to throb again.
Felix's POV:
I was on my way to the badminton courts, taking a shortcut past the basketball complex. Leo was there, as usual, practicing with a focused intensity that bordered on obsessive. My eyes scanned the court, and I spotted Elisa and Lisa talking by the sidelines, Elisa looking more relaxed than I usually saw her on campus.
Then it happened. A basketball, thrown wildly, arced through the air with too much force. My instincts screamed. It was heading straight for Elisa. My heart lurched, a sickening twist in my gut.
Thwack. The sound was dull, sickeningly precise. Elisa stumbled, her hands flying up, her head snapping back. For a terrifying second, she looked like she would collapse. My muscles tensed, ready to move, to cross the distance.
But before I could even take a step, some jock was there. Tall, blond, all flashy concern. He caught her, steadying her, his hands on her arms. "Whoa! Are you okay?" I heard his voice, overly earnest. He was already playing the hero. My jaw tightened.
He led her to a bench, fussing over her, then darted off for water. Lisa was already there, glaring. I remained hidden behind a pillar, my gaze narrowed. He returned, handed her the bottle, and introduced himself: "Jake, by the way. Jake Evans." He lingered, his blue eyes assessing her with an almost open interest, a smile trying to charm its way onto her still-dazed face.
The concern I'd felt seconds ago curdled into a familiar, unsettling annoyance. He was clearly using the 'accidental' hit as an excuse. The way he looked at her, the way he lingered – it was too much. She was rubbing her head, still dazed, and this guy was already trying to make his move. He was a nuisance. A competitor. I turned, my jaw clenched, the desire to go over there and tell him to back off warring with my usual detachment. This was just a minor incident. But the sudden, possessive surge of irritation told me it wasn't minor at all.
2. Cafeteria Follow-Up
Elisa's POV:
My head still ached faintly, but the rest of the day had been uneventful. I was sitting with Lisa and Caleb in the bustling cafeteria, picking at my salad, when a shadow fell over our table.
"Elisa! Hey."
I looked up. It was Jake Evans, looking casual but still radiating that same earnest, slightly too-intense concern. "Just wanted to check on you. How's the head? Still feeling dizzy?" He was holding a tray, but clearly, his priority was our table.
"Oh, Jake. It's fine, thanks," I said, a little flustered by his sudden appearance. "Just a bit of a headache."
"Good. Good," he nodded, his blue eyes holding my gaze. "I really am still so sorry about that. Look, if you're ever free, maybe I could buy you a coffee? As an apology. Or just to make sure you're fully recovered?" He offered a charming, slightly shy smile.
Before I could answer, I felt a distinct shift in the air behind him. A low, almost imperceptible growl that only I, perhaps, would recognize as Felix's. I glanced past Jake's shoulder. Felix was standing a few tables away, talking to Leo, but his gaze was locked onto our table, specifically on Jake. His jaw was tight, his eyes narrowed, radiating an almost palpable annoyance. His body language screamed get away from her.
"Jake, that's really nice of you," I began, feeling suddenly self-conscious under Felix's unspoken glare. "But it's really okay. No need."
Jake's smile didn't waver. "Are you sure? I insist. Seriously, I'd feel better." He was persistent, charmingly so.
Felix's POV:
I was trying to have a peaceful lunch with Leo in the cafeteria, but my focus was ruined. I'd spotted Elisa a few tables over, and then he appeared. Jake Evans. The basketball jock who'd "accidentally" beaned her on the head and then hung around like a lovesick puppy.
He walked straight to her table, his concern clearly a thinly veiled excuse. "How's the head? Still feeling dizzy?" I heard him ask, his voice too solicitous. I watched his face, the way his blue eyes lingered on Elisa, the charming smile he attempted. He was pressing, trying to get a date.
My jaw tightened. This guy was relentless. First the court, now here. He was trying to muscle in, trying to charm her. My hand clenched into a fist under the table. It was irritating. Beyond irritating. It was infuriating. I watched him offer to buy her coffee. He was putting on a show, trying to be the concerned, gallant hero.
Elisa looked uncomfortable, glancing around, and I could feel her eyes flick to me. She was clearly trying to politely decline, but he wasn't taking the hint. He was too dense, too self-assured. My glare intensified, focusing directly on Jake, willing him to feel the heat, to sense the warning. He needed to back off. Immediately. This was becoming a pattern, and a very unwelcome one.