So I have changed Matthew heights from 6'1 to 6'2 .
Aiden glanced towards Ava as she hurried after Matthew, then shifted his attention to Luna.
"She needs to put her man on a leash," he remarked.
Luna looked at him, unimpressed. "Look at the male whore talking."
Aiden chuckled.
"I'm going to host an after-party next week. Better attend."
"Anyway, I'm off to the cheerleading side," Luna said, getting to her feet.
Aiden watched her walk away, still amused.
---
Meanwhile, Ava had spotted Matthew near the stadium entrance. He was still wearing his basketball team outfit, with Rick beside him.
She didn't bother calling out. She simply hurried over, grabbed Matthew by the arm and dragged him away from the entrance.
"Hey—"
Ava pulled him outside the stadium, pushed him against the wall and immediately went for his lips.
"What are you—"
Matthew didn't get to finish.
Ava kissed him.
Ava kissed him slowly at first, almost deliberately, as though she wanted him to feel every second of it. Then she deepened the kiss, tilting her head and pressing closer until there was barely any space left between them. Matthew's breath caught. His fingers curled against her grip,
He tried to push her away, but she was already standing on the toe of his shoe, stretching up to reach him. One hand gripped his collar, keeping him close, while the other pinned both his hands together against the wall.
Matthew couldn't even lift his arms properly.
"Ava," he whispered against her lips, his voice muffled by the kiss.
She finally pulled back enough to look at him.
His eyes were half-open, but there was unmistakable irritation in them. His lips had turned red from the kiss, and Ava found herself staring at them for a moment longer than necessary.
"Are you mad? Let go," Matthew said through gritted teeth.
Ava chuckled.
Instead of letting go, she lowered her head and bit gently at his collarbone.
"Ava," Matthew whispered again, throwing his head back.
"Flirting with my cousin," she murmured against his neck. "Everyone thinks you two are perfect together."
Matthew lowered his head and looked at her through half-lidded eyes.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Instead, she lowered her head and pressed a soft kiss to his jaw. Then another, just below his ear.
Ava lifted her face.
Her eyes began to glisten. A moment later, tears slipped down her cheeks, one after another. The change was almost ridiculous. Just seconds ago, she'd been kissing him as if she intended to keep him there forever. Now she looked delicate and heartbroken.
"You know I like you so much, yet you like my cousin." Her voice trembled. "I don't accept it. What do I not have that she has? I know you haven't accepted me, and you're free to like whoever you want, but I want a real battle."
She sobbed softly, looking so fragile that anyone passing by might have thought Matthew had done something terrible to her.
Matthew stared at her.
"I don't like her. I haven't even spent enough time with her to develop feelings for her, you crazy girl."
Ava stopped crying almost immediately.
"Oh." Her eyes widened. "Then you can only be mine."
Matthew closed his eyes and took a long breath. When he opened them again, he looked as though he were trying very hard to remain patient.
"Then I must be sick in the head," he said. "If you like someone, you don't treat them like that."
"And who said so? Are you the Lord of Romance?" Ava challenged, her expression turning into that of a spoiled brat. "Where are the rules for chasing someone? Where's the security?"
"It's a normal thing. Every normal person knows that."
"I don't care about the method. What matters is whether I succeed or not."
Before Matthew could answer, Ava leaned forward and kissed his neck again.
"Then what about my feelings?" he asked, trying to reason with her. "Does the person you like not get to have feelings too?"
Ava paused and looked up at him as if he'd just said something completely absurd.
She lifted one hand from his collar and touched his forehead.
"Why would I care?" she asked, genuinely confused. "I'm chasing you for my happiness. I want you for my happiness. Yours is just a bonus."
Matthew stared at her.
There was no sign that she was joking. She really meant it.
After a moment, he closed his eyes again.
"It seems your mental issues have been there since birth," he muttered. "When you're done, tell me."
Ava only smiled and went back to kissing his neck.
Meanwhile, back on the basketball court, the coach clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention.
"Okay, gather around!"
The fourteen members of the basketball team moved towards him.
Aiden remained seated on the bench with his two friends, looking far too comfortable to bother getting up. The others settled around the coach. Five sat directly on the ground, while six leaned against one another or stood nearby, listening.
The coach glanced around before speaking.
"As you all know, we have our main five basketball players, another five backups, and the remaining four are here in case certain situations arise. But this time, things are going to be different."
He paused, making sure everyone was paying attention.
"We'll be competing against another representative team from Averis, and they don't joke around. Some of their players will be hybrids."
A few players exchanged looks.
"We all know the two general characteristics of hybrids. The first group have visible animal traits. They might have animal ears, tails, snake-like eyes, scales, feathers, or other physical features inherited from their animal side."
He raised a finger.
"The second group look completely human. They don't have visible animal characteristics, but that doesn't mean they're ordinary. Some are incredibly strong, some are extremely fast, and others have enhanced hearing, an excellent sense of smell, or other heightened abilities."
The coach looked from one player to another.
"We've received information that some hybrid students from the school representing Averis will be participating. That means we need our best of the best. So everyone will compete against one another. I'll be selecting the five strongest players from this group to represent us."
He folded his arms.
"Is that clear?"
"Yes, Coach!" several players answered.
The coach nodded, then glanced around.
"Now, where is Matthew?"
Just then, two figures appeared at the entrance.
Matthew walked in first, still wearing his basketball outfit. Ava was hurrying after him, struggling to keep up while holding a scarf.
She quickly caught up and, with a giggle, wrapped it around his neck.
Matthew didn't stop her. He merely continued walking towards the coach, while Ava followed at his side, looking rather pleased with herself.
The coach's eyes moved from the scarf to Matthew's face.
His gaze lingered briefly on Matthew's slightly bleeding lip.
"I'm not even going to ask what that scarf means or why Matthew's lip is bleeding. I'm just going to stay out of this."
A few players immediately snickered.
Aiden, still sitting comfortably on the bench, tilted his head and smiled.
Crownside High — Basketball Court
"So, let's start!"
The coach blew his whistle, the sharp sound cutting across the basketball court.
The players immediately got into position. Some began stretching their arms and legs, others bounced basketballs against the polished floor, while a few exchanged words as they waited for instructions.
Ava, however, had already claimed a seat on the bench.
With her phone in hand, she aimed the camera at Matthew, who was among the players preparing for practice. She took several pictures, occasionally zooming in whenever he turned in her direction.
She seemed particularly pleased whenever he noticed her.
Matthew glanced towards the bench once, only to find her holding up her phone again. He looked away without reacting.
Ava smiled at the screen and took another picture.
On the other side of the stadium, the cheerleading squad was having its own practice.
The fifteen original members stood in formation across the designated cheerleading section. Their outfits were coordinated, their hair neatly styled, and their footwear suited to the fast movements they were rehearsing.
A portable music system played a lively track while their instructor stood in front of them, counting the beats.
"Five, six, seven, eight!"
The girls moved together.
Their routine began with a sequence of sharp arm movements, followed by synchronized steps and turns. Two rows moved forward while the others stepped backwards, creating a pattern that changed with every beat. They raised their arms in matching angles, swung their hips, turned on their heels and brought their hands together in a coordinated clap.
A few members held their positions while the others moved around them, creating a formation that resembled a flower opening. They then switched places, their movements quick and precise, before ending the sequence with their arms raised and one leg extended.
The instructor blew her whistle.
"Again! Your timing is off in the second formation. Watch the person beside you. Don't move ahead of the music."
The girls returned to their starting positions.
Some adjusted their ponytails, others straightened their clothes, and a few exchanged quick comments before the music started again.
There was still plenty of work to do before the final selection.
---
Verdale Commercial District — Beauty Store
The side street opposite the road leading to Crownside opened into a commercial stretch filled with different stores, restaurants, cafés, boutiques and other businesses. The road eventually connected to Verdale Street, making it one of the busier shopping areas around the residential district.
Among the establishments was a luxury beauty store occupying an impressive two-storey corner space.
Its glass entrance was framed by polished champagne-gold metal, with the store's name displayed in elegant illuminated lettering above the doors. Beyond the entrance, the interior opened into a spacious hall with glossy cream marble flooring, curved display counters and tall mirrored walls.
Soft lighting fell from the sculpted ceiling, reflecting off the glass shelves and metallic details. Everything was arranged with deliberate precision. Even the smallest product displays looked as though they had been carefully designed for an exhibition.
The store was divided into several sections.
The lipstick area occupied one side of the entrance. Rows of lipsticks were arranged on illuminated shelves according to their brands and colour ranges. Some counters displayed hundreds of shades, from soft nudes and muted pinks to deep reds, berry tones and unusual metallic colours.
Above them, life-sized holographic models demonstrated the products.
A beautiful woman with glossy dark hair tilted her face towards the visitors, displaying a warm rose lipstick. As she turned her head, the shade shifted slightly under the lighting, allowing customers to see how it appeared from different angles.
Further down, another holographic model showed a deep wine-red shade, pressing her lips together before smiling at the invisible audience.
There were also feminine-looking male models with delicate features, elegant makeup and carefully styled hair, demonstrating products from several brands. One model wore a soft peach shade, while another displayed a glossy plum colour.
Some of the holograms simply posed beside the brand names, their outfits and makeup changing periodically to showcase new collections.
The foundation and complexion section was arranged around large circular counters. Different shades were displayed in transparent compartments, with small screens showing their undertones, coverage and finish. Customers could test samples beneath special mirrors that adjusted their lighting to resemble different environments.
The skincare section was equally impressive.
Glass cabinets held moisturizers, serums, toners, facial oils, sunscreens and beauty treatments. Some products were displayed on floating platforms, while others sat in neat rows beneath illuminated brand logos. A separate area carried body creams, lotions, exfoliating products and hair-care treatments.
There were several consultation stations with wide mirrors, comfortable chairs and neatly arranged brushes and testing tools. Customers could sit down, examine products and try samples without having to purchase anything first.
Small signs invited visitors to test selected products for free.
The sales assistants moved throughout the store, approaching customers when necessary and offering recommendations. They looked remarkably lifelike, from their natural facial expressions to the subtle movements of their hands. Their voices were pleasant, their smiles perfectly timed, and their uniforms immaculate.
A discreet sign near the entrance read:
AUTONOMOUS BEAUTY CONSULTANTS — SELF-AWARE CUSTOMER SERVICE
Mary and Nyra were currently standing in the makeup section.
Nyra stood in front of a tall mirror, testing a lipstick sample against her lips. She leaned closer to examine the colour, tilted her head, then pressed her lips together.
Mary stood behind her, carrying several shopping bags. Her attention wandered around the store, occasionally stopping at an attractive display.
Nyra watched her through the mirror.
A small smirk appeared on her face before she replaced it with a sweet smile.
"Mary, do you like anything you see? The latest designs are out." She turned slightly, looking at her through the reflection. "But is your allowance enough to cover them? I have some old products from two years ago that I'm dying to get rid of. I can give you the same brands."
Mary bit her lip.
"Don't worry. You know I'm not a fan of such things. I prefer natural beauty."
She returned Nyra's smile, although her fingers tightened slightly around the shopping bags.
"Oh, natural beauty?"
Nyra turned away from the mirror and stepped closer.
She examined Mary's face from top to bottom, taking her time before raising the lipstick in her hand and lightly pointing it towards Mary's cheek.
"The shade of foundation you're using is so outdated. You're probably better off using a white cream. Your natural yellowish colour is better than this."
She delivered the remark sweetly, almost as though she were offering genuine beauty advice.
Then she turned and walked towards another section.
Mary's smile cracked.
She stared at Nyra's retreating figure for a moment before quietly following her, the shopping bags still hanging from her hands.
By then, several sales assistants had gathered around Nyra.
One showed her a new collection of lip products, another presented a selection of skincare products, while a third opened a display containing the latest beauty-care range.
Nyra examined each item before selecting the ones she liked.
She moved from one counter to another, occasionally stopping to test a product or inspect its packaging. Whenever she found something she wanted, an assistant placed it neatly into a shopping bag.
By the time she reached the payment counter, she had accumulated quite a collection.
She paid without much hesitation.
The assistants arranged the purchases and handed the bags to Mary.
Mary accepted them.
"Hey, Nyra," she called as they walked away from the counter. "I heard there's basketball practice today. Why don't we go?"
Nyra continued walking.
"Your childhood friend would be there. Wouldn't that be a win?"
Mary adjusted the shopping bags in her hands and hurried after her.
"The cheerleading squad is practising too. You can still perform. I heard they already have fifteen original members, but there are another fifteen people coming after practice. They're going to pick the official twenty cheerleaders."
Nyra passed another display, barely glancing at the products arranged on it.
"You can still participate," Mary continued. "And everyone would be watching you. Your standing in the school might increase if you make the official team."
Nyra moved towards the next section, her attention apparently fixed on the displays.
Mary followed closely behind, still carrying the bags.
"Besides, if your childhood friend sees you performing, who knows? It might finally give him a reason to pay more attention to you."
This is on Tuesday chapter, so what is left is Wednesday Thursday and tomorrow chapter I would make sure to post three tomorrow I didn't post as I had presentation I have some practical and note to copy and then I have to read I don't want to fail I'm going to miss you guys so much kiss kiss maybe the break would make me have time to really serious in the novel after test definitely after test