Chapter 8
Practicing
Once Kieran finally agreed to "fit me in," the room didn't feel as tense.
Still awkward — but not unbearable.
Kieran stayed bossy, Ram stayed quiet, and Luke… Luke was the first one who actually made me feel like I wasn't an intruder.
During a short break, he walked over with two water bottles.
"Here," he said, handing one to me. "You look like you need it."
"Thanks," I said, opening it. "I'm trying to keep up."
"You're doing more than keeping up," Luke said honestly. "You learned our section way faster than most people do their first time."
I blinked. Compliments weren't really something I got a lot. "Really?"
"Yeah," he said with a nod. "Ram and I had trouble with that part at first."
Ram, sitting on the floor stretching silently, raised his hand in agreement without looking up.
A small laugh escaped me. "Good to know I'm not the only one who struggles."
"Oh, we struggle all the time," Luke said. "Kieran just pretends he doesn't."
We both glanced across the room. Kieran was re-tying his shoes with unnecessary aggression, clearly frustrated about something that probably wasn't even related to shoes.
Luke leaned a little closer — not flirting, just being a friend. "He's intense. But once he decides you're part of the team, he's loyal."
"I can't tell if he wants me on the team," I admitted.
Luke shrugged. "He doesn't like change. He definitely doesn't like surprises. And you're… both of those."
"Oh. Cool," I said flatly.
Luke laughed. "No, I mean — you came in with actual skill. That wasn't part of his plan. He'll adjust."
I let out a breath. "I hope so."
"You will," Luke said simply. "You work hard. That's all that matters."
Like someone finally saw me as part of the group, even if the others didn't yet.
Across the room, Ram stood and tapped Luke's shoulder, motioning for him to come help go over footwork. Luke nodded and got up.
Before he walked back, he looked at me and said, "If you ever need help with the steps, just ask. I got you."
"Thanks, Luke," I said, meaning it.
He jogged over to join Ram.
I stood up too, but when I glanced toward Kieran, he wasn't looking at them.
He was staring at me — a look I couldn't quite read.
Not jealousy.
Not anger.
Just… something.
Then he blinked and turned away.
"Break's over," he called. "Positions."
And just like that, it was back to work.