The gym was finally starting to empty.
Students slowly left in groups, still talking loudly about the match.
About Ethan.
About Ryan.
About Lia.
Mostly Lia.
"Did you see the way Ryan lifted her?"
"No because Ethan was literally staring at them the whole time—"
"I'm telling you something is definitely going on."
Phones were still out.
People were still whispering.
And honestly?
Lia was tired of hearing her own name.
Ryan noticed her expression immediately.
"You okay?"
Lia nodded quickly.
"…yeah."
Ryan looked unconvinced.
But he didn't push.
Instead, he grabbed his bag and threw it over his shoulder.
"Come on," he said.
Lia blinked. "Where?"
"I'm taking you home."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
Then he started walking anyway.
Lia stared at his back for a second before following him.
Outside the school
The evening air felt colder now.
Cars passed slowly.
Streetlights were beginning to turn on.
Ryan walked beside her quietly for once.
Which was strange.
Because he was usually talking nonsense every five seconds.
Lia looked at him.
"You're quiet."
Ryan nodded seriously.
"I'm mourning."
She frowned.
"…mourning what?"
"My basketball career."
Lia blinked.
"You won."
Ryan pointed dramatically behind him.
"No. That coach ruined my solo superstar future."
Lia laughed softly.
"You're so dramatic."
Ryan gasped.
"Excuse me. I'm an artist."
"You almost got sixty laps."
"Exactly. Suffering for greatness."
Lia shook her head smiling.
Ryan looked at her for a second.
Then smiled slightly to himself.
Good.
She was smiling again.
Meanwhile — Ethan
Ethan came out of the gym later than everyone else.
His bag hung loosely over his shoulder.
The court was empty now.
Quiet.
But his head wasn't.
He could still hear her laughing.
Still see Ryan beside her.
Still remember the way she looked at him now.
Different.
Distant.
He clenched his jaw slightly.
Then suddenly—
His phone buzzed.
Madison.
He stared at the screen for two seconds before answering.
"What?"
Madison laughed lightly from the other side.
"Wow. Someone sounds angry."
"I'm tired."
"No," she replied calmly.
"You're jealous."
Ethan's expression darkened instantly.
"Don't start."
Madison hummed softly.
"But am I wrong?"
Silence.
Madison smiled slightly to herself.
"That girl is moving on faster than I expected."
Ethan gripped his phone tighter.
"She's not—"
"She's smiling with him now," Madison interrupted.
"And honestly? They look good together."
That sentence hit harder than he expected.
"Bye Ethan," Madison said softly before hanging up.
Leaving him standing there alone with his thoughts.
Again.
Back to Ryan & Lia
Ryan and Lia stopped near a small roadside food stand.
The smell of grilled meat filled the air.
Lia looked confused.
"…why are we stopping?"
Ryan looked offended.
"Because athletes need food."
"You already ate."
"That was emotional eating."
Lia laughed.
"There's a difference?"
Ryan nodded seriously.
"Of course."
Then he pointed at the food dramatically.
"This is victory eating."
Lia shook her head.
"You always have something to say."
Ryan looked proud.
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I accepted it anyway."
The woman selling food smiled while watching them.
"You two are cute," she said casually.
Lia immediately froze.
Ryan almost choked on air.
Then slowly—
A grin spread across his face.
Lia pointed at him immediately.
"Don't."
Ryan looked at the woman.
"Thank you for supporting young love."
"RYAN."
The woman laughed loudly.
Ryan leaned slightly closer to Lia and whispered dramatically:
"See? Even the citizens approve."
Lia covered her face in embarrassment.
"You're actually impossible."
Ryan smiled softly while looking at her.
Maybe.
But he liked this version of her.
The one that laughed.
The one that looked lighter.
The one slowly coming back to life.
Later — Outside Lia's apartment
They finally reached her building.
Ryan handed her the small snack he bought earlier.
"Take it."
Lia blinked. "You bought this for me?"
Ryan shrugged casually.
"You looked emotionally hungry."
Lia stared at him for two seconds.
"That's not a real thing."
"It is now."
She smiled slightly and took it from him.
"…thank you."
Ryan nodded once.
Then looked at her carefully.
"You're coming to school tomorrow?"
Lia hesitated slightly.
"…maybe."
Ryan tilted his head.
"That means no."
Lia sighed softly.
"I just don't want everyone staring at me."
Ryan's expression softened a little.
Then quietly:
"Then don't look at them."
Lia looked up at him.
Ryan continued:
"Look at me instead."
Silence.
A very dangerous silence.
Because for one second—
Lia's heart actually skipped.
And Ryan realized what he said immediately after.
"…that sounded smoother in my head," he admitted.
Lia laughed suddenly.
A real one.
And Ryan smiled again after hearing it.
Mission successful.
But upstairs—
From her apartment balcony—
Ava had seen everything.
And the smile on her face slowly disappeared when she noticed something.
Lia looked happier with Ryan.
Way happier than she ever looked with Ethan.