The Night Before – Rooftop of Jay's Apartment
The midtown sky was a deep navy; stars faint behind city glow. I sat on the edge of the rooftop, legs dangling off the ledge, hoodie sleeves rolled up, a sports drink sweating beside me.
Footsteps behind me.
Tyler.
"Didn't think you'd be up here," he said, plopping down beside me.
"I always come up here before something big," I said. "Tried it before school started. Still works."
He kicked his legs a little, leaned back on his hands. "Tomorrow's the big one."
"Your big one," I corrected. "I'm just here for emergency decoration."
"You really think anyone believes that anymore?"
I didn't answer.
Because deep down?
I wasn't sure either.
Tyler glanced over.
"You nervous?"
I gave a half-smile. "I'm not playing, Ty."
He didn't blink. "You say that like it matters."
I looked at him.
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, eyes locked on the skyline.
"Dude," he said, voice soft, "you're the one guy I know who doesn't try to shine and still ends up blinding half the room."
"That's not a compliment."
"It's not a complaint either," he added, grinning.
We sat in silence for a while. Just us. The city breathing quietly below.
Then he nudged me with his shoulder. "Whatever happens tomorrow… if I mess up, miss a shot, twist something—I'm actually okay."
I raised an eyebrow. "Because of me?"
He nodded.
"I trust you," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Always have."
And somehow…
That meant more than I expected it to.
Next Day – St. Ivy Soccer Stadium, Tournament Match 1
The field was electric.
Banners waved. Students shouted. Teachers tried to pretend they weren't emotionally invested. Cheer squads flanked the bleachers, and Class 1-A had brought everything from horns to hand-painted signs.
"GO ST. IVY!"
"TYLER MONROE = MVP"
"JAY IF YOU PLAY, I'LL SCREAM"
(Sofia's. Obviously.)
In the Locker Room
Tyler was already in uniform, pacing like a tiger. I sat near the lockers, half-dressed in my sub kit, just in case.
Rei walked in. "Team One, stretch up. Kick-off in twenty."
He nodded at me. "Stay sharp, Markov."
"Always."
Miles didn't say a word. He hadn't since last practice.
But his glare?
Still very much alive.
Out on the Field
As the team ran out onto the turf, the crowd roared. I jogged to the bench with the assistant coach.
Girls in the crowd cheered when they spotted me. I heard someone yell, "TAKE YOUR JACKET OFF!"
I waved politely and tried not to roll my eyes.
Emma and Amaya were in the front row.
Amaya had made a tiny handmade flag with the school crest and Jay's name underneath in soft letters.
Emma?
She held no sign.
But when I caught her eye across the field… she gave the faintest nod.
Approval?
Challenge?
Maybe both.
On the Field – First Half Begins
The whistle blew.
And just like that, the tournament was alive.
Tyler took off like a cannonball, feet gliding over turf like the field was built for him.
He moved with rhythm, bouncing between defenders, his grin wide, his eyes locked in. This wasn't nervous Tyler. This was match-mode Tyler.
The crowd roared as he curved a pass into midfield, dodged a slide tackle, and looped a shot toward the goal from just outside the box.
It smacked the crossbar.
Close.
The fans groaned.
"Lucky," Rei muttered from the sidelines, watching sharp. "He's heating up."
Bleachers – Class 1-A Section
"DID YOU SEE THAT?" Sofia yelled, jumping. "TYLER'S A BEAST!"
Emma clapped calmly. "He's fast."
Amaya held her flag closer to her chest. "He's… really trying hard."
"He always does," Emma replied without looking.
Her eyes flicked briefly to the bench—toward Jay.
He was jogging lightly in place, focused, loose, every movement calm and ready.
Waiting.
Back on the Field – Vellmont Responds
Vellmont came back hard.
Their midfielders were sharp—precise passes, coordinated pressure. For a moment, St. Ivy was pushed back.
Tyler gritted his teeth, sprinted back to intercept.
His defense helped. Barely.
But the momentum had shifted.
"They're crowding the center!" someone shouted.
"Too much pressure on the wings!"
From the sideline, Rei looked toward the assistant coach, eyes narrowed.
"Time to change the tempo."
Sideline – The Decision
The coach stepped up. "We need someone who can read the field and make space."
He turned to Rei. "You sure he's ready?"
Rei didn't hesitate. "He's beyond ready."
The coach looked over.
Right at Jay.
Bench – The Call
"Markov!"
Jay straightened.
"You're not going in as a sub. You're going in with him."
Tyler turned as Jay stepped up to the touchline.
A grin cracked across his face. "Took you long enough."
Jay bumped fists with him. "Let's light it up."
Bleachers – Reaction
Sofia lost it. "OH MY GOD, THEY'RE DOING THE DOUBLE. THE HOT DUO DOUBLE!"
Luna just nodded, sketching furiously.
Emma's eyes widened just slightly.
Amaya?
She was smiling now.
Not just soft.
Proud.
Back on the Field – Jay Enters
"Switch formation to a twin-forward setup," Rei called. "Let them link up. Play fast. Use space."
Jay stepped onto the field.
The crowd buzzed louder.
And across the field, Miles Everett's gaze locked onto him.
A storm brewing behind his eyes.