Earlier that afternoon, the court had been alive with energy.
Nezo High's basketball showcase packed the gym,seniors vs. juniors, with nearly half the school in the bleachers, shouting names and snapping clips for NezoGram.
Sam dribbled down the court like a wildfire, hoodie sleeves pushed to his elbows, curls bouncing, his face gleaming with sweat and mischief. He moved fast, unpredictable, trash-talking every chance he got.
"Y'all better double-team me," he laughed, dodging past defenders, "or Judas is gonna replace you with a vending machine!"
The crowd roared.
Gordon, as usual, watched from the bleachers, sketchbook in hand. He dont play lBut he never missed a game Sam was in.
And he wasn't the only one watching.
Angela stood near the sidelines, eyes locked not on the game, but on Gordon.
"Why doesn't he ever play?" someone behind her whispered.
She didn't answer. She just keep her quiet
Down on the court, Timon called for the ball, flexing as he caught a clean pass. He spun, landed a perfect shot, and grinned when half the girls in the crowd screamed his name.
"Still got it," he muttered, glancing toward the bleachers.
But Angela wasn't looking at him. She never was.
That bothered him more than he'd admit.
Judas and Zik anchored the senior team like legends. they controlled the court like they owned it. Every movement was sharp, calculated, too perfect for normal teenagers..
Everyone admit that those two were... scary good.
The game ended in a blur of sweat, laughter, and noise. The seniors won,again. No one was surprised.
"Admit it," he said, grinning. "I carried the team."sam teased
"You tripped over your own shoe twice," Gordon replied, deadpan.
"Style, bro. Learn it."
That night, after everything changed, after the fight behind the gym and the explosion of light that left two legends sprawled in the dirt, Gordon and Angela walked side by side through quiet Nezo streets.
The air still trembled with what had happened.
No one saw the fight.
To the rest of the school, the night had ended like any other.
But Gordon's world had shifted.
The sidewalk glistened with rain. Street lamps flickered. The stars overhead were faint, distant, like they, too, were holding their breath.
Angela's arm brushed against his. "You okay?" she asked softly.
He nodded, though everything in his chest was a storm. "Yeah. Just… a lot to process."
She gave him a look half teasing, half worried. "You threw a vampire prince and a werewolf heir through a wall. That's not exactly normal guy energy."
He stopped walking. "I didn't mean to. It just… happened."
Angela faced him, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "You've been hiding something."
"I didn't know what it was," Gordon said. "I still don't. Just… strange stuff. Like… knowing things before they happen. Reflexes too sharp. And once… I fell down the stairs and didn't hit the floor. I floated."
Angela stared. "You… floated?"
He looked away. "Yeah."
She was quiet for a long time. Then: "You should've told me."
"Why?" he asked, jaw tightening. "So I could be a joke like I am to Timon? So people could call me a freak?"
Angela's voice dropped. "I've never called you that."
"I know," he whispered. "You're the only one who didn't."
The wind moved gently between them.
"Gordon," she said, her voice quieter now. "Why didn't you ever fight back?"
He looked at his hands. "Because I was scared of what would happen if I did. What if I lost control?"
Angela stepped forward. "But you didn't. You stopped two monsters from killing each other and maybe from killing you."
He laughed faintly. "You don't even know what I am."
Angela smiled. "You're my superhero. That's what matters."
He looked up at her, heart pounding. For the first time in a long time, he didn't feel invisible.
"Promise me something," she said.
"What?"
"If something happens again… don't hold back."
"I don't want to scare you."
"You won't," she said with confidence. "I've seen worse."
"Like what?"
She tilted her head. Then, with a playful smirk: "You'd be surprised what this wolf girl have seen and survived when she's
He blinked. "Wait what admitting your wolf?"
She spun, caught him off guard, and smacked him not hard, just enough to make him blink.
"That's for not telling me you're a walking explosion."
He opened his mouth, but she grabbed his collar and kissed him.
shy,soft and real.
When she pulled back, her cheeks were pink.
"And that," she whispered, "is your welcome gift to the world you've just stepped into."
He was breathless. "Angela…"
She touched his chest. "Don't shut me out again. Whatever you are… I'm not scared."
He nodded. "I promise."
She smiled. "Good. Now let's get out of here before one of your mystery powers calls down lightning."
They walked side by side under the silver light of the moon.
Up above, on the school's rooftop, something watched.
Red eyes.
Blinking.
Unmoving.
Waiting.
Then it vanished into the shadows.