e's

ir still dripping cold water down my back. My shoulder throbbed in steady p

er room

waved his phone. "You seeing this shit? That video's

o the scuffed floor between my feet. I d

knees. "For real though, people are eating

y gear into my bag, the zipper caught. I yanked it h

r not, it's perfect timing. After Maya's been

sharply, voice low. My

ing stuff, man. The rumors aren't dying

I paced a few steps down the row, bag half-zipped banging aga

o. Let people think you're with her.

he end of the lockers. My forehead pressed against the cold metal door. I cl

. I could hear my own

rship kid, a journalism major. Probably ke

ocker. My arms crossed tight over my chest

right now? This is the best thing th

uilding, heavy and constant, like it always did. Dad's voice from yesterday echoed in my head, that flat disappointment, th

urn, three back. My socks slid slightly on the damp floor. M

carrying this team, carrying all that pressure from

hen clenched into fists. I could feel the tremble in them

uiet for a moment. The locker room no

eady sent Ariana earlier. Still no reply, the screen blurred for

oice rough and quiet.

anted to push more, but Mike sh

as I headed for the door. Every stride made the weight press down harder; the expectations,

air hit my face but didn't ease the tightness in my chest or t

o of my footsteps follo

s time to f