The final buzzer blared, a sharp, triumphant note that reverberated through the gymnasium, momentarily drowning out the roar of the crowd. The scoreboard flickered as the final points were tallied, confirming the narrow but hard-fought victory. James's team had done it. The stands erupted into cheers, a sea of clapping hands, stomping feet, and excited voices rising in celebration.
Mia jumped to her feet from the edge of the bleachers, her hands cupped around her mouth as she shouted his name. "Let's go, James!" Her voice rose above the others, full of genuine pride. She wasn't athletic herself, but something about being a part of that adrenaline-charged moment—the shared energy of victory—was electric. Around her, students high-fived, some even hugging, and the school mascot danced offbeat in the corner. But beneath her cheering and the buzz of excitement, a thread of unease tugged at her thoughts.
Kris.Even now, as students celebrated and coaches clapped each other on the back, she couldn't shake the lingering image of his face. That maddening, knowing smirk. The parting words he'd whispered just hours earlier, spoken with a casualness that made them even more ominous: "I'll find a way to collect someday." And then the kicker—the request, no, the demand—for her to meet him this weekend.
Why? What did he want from her?
Before she could spiral further, James broke through the crowd, cheeks flushed and damp with sweat, jersey clinging to him as he jogged over. His grin stretched wide across his face as he opened his arms. "Mia!" he called, breathless and exhilarated.
She smiled instinctively and stepped forward into his hug. "You guys were amazing! Seriously, that last three-pointer was insane," she said over the chaos around them, clapping him on the back.
James pulled away, eyes shining. "Thanks for showing up! I wasn't sure you'd make it." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "What happened with detention? Did the librarian have a sudden change of heart or something?"
Mia froze for the briefest moment. She could still hear Kris's voice in her head, smooth and irritatingly confident. The idea of trying to explain that to James, of all people, felt impossible. He wouldn't understand—she didn't understand.
"Uh, yeah… something like that," she said, forcing a shrug and a casual tone. "I just got my work done fast. No big deal."
James nodded, thankfully distracted by the rush of teammates calling his name. "Nice. Well, we're all heading to Joe's for pizza. You coming?"
"Totally," she said quickly, not wanting to raise suspicion. "Just need to grab my bag first. I'll meet you there."
As he ran off, arms slung around two of his teammates, Mia turned and slipped into the hallway, the noise of the gym fading behind her. The corridors were mostly empty now, just a few lingering students and the faint echo of bouncing basketballs from a side court. Her footsteps sounded louder than usual, each one seeming to match the rhythm of her racing thoughts.
Kris Windsor wanted to meet her. Outside of school. On the weekend. The words "adventure of a lifetime" had practically dripped with sarcasm, but something in his expression had been unsettlingly serious.
Was this all some elaborate prank? Another manipulation? A power play just to prove he could pull her into his twisted little world whenever he wanted?
She hated how her mind kept circling back to him. Hated how confused she felt. Kris Windsor was supposed to be her enemy. The insufferable genius who always had something cutting to say, always one step ahead, always watching her with that infuriating gleam in his eyes.
And yet, earlier today, he'd helped her. Not just helped—rescued her, in a way. Got her out of detention, no strings attached... or at least, that's what she'd thought until he dropped that cryptic line.
By the time she reached Joe's Pizza, the sky outside had dimmed to a dusky lavender, streetlights flickering on. Inside, the place buzzed with laughter and the scent of melted cheese. James waved her over to a booth, sliding over to make room. She smiled brightly, pushing everything aside as she sat down, surrounded by warmth and friends.
But even as she laughed at a joke she barely heard and bit into her slice of pepperoni, the thought lingered—quiet, persistent, impossible to shake.
What does Kris Windsor want with me? Whatever it was, she knew one thing: it wouldn't be ordinary. And it definitely wouldn't be boring.