I stared at Sergie's text for three full seconds, then locked my phone. No immediate response. No way was I letting him think I was eager. First, I needed to know what my friends were doing for dinner.
"Hey, where are you guys eating tonight?" I asked casually, glancing over at Alcy, Eve, and Sely as we packed up our stuff in the bleachers.
They all looked at me like I'd just asked if I could borrow their kidneys.
"Here. Same restaurant as the team," Alcy finally said, raising a brow.
I nodded like it was no big deal, then turned to Sely. She wouldn't even meet my eyes, which was suspicious. I turned to Eve, who had zero shame about calling people out.
"Here too," Eve said, poking Sely's cheek. "Hey, Sely, Ash is asking where you're eating."
Sely flashed a sheepish smile, scratching her head like a kid caught stealing candy. "Ah, I think I'm eating with the players and maybe the coaches. You know… my mom's there." Her laugh sounded like it belonged to someone just released from a padded cell.
"Ohhh, must be nice, freeloading with the athletes," Alcy teased, her voice dripping sarcasm. "Free dinner, huh? Perks of being a coach's kid."
"Not my fault!" Sely laughed louder. "My mom literally chipped in for the team's meals, okay? Don't make me feel guilty for free food."
These people were chaos incarnate, but she wasn't wrong—coaches always covered the athletes' meals during tournaments.
Sely's eyes flicked toward me. "How about you, Ash? What's your plan? Eating with the players too?"
The way she smirked at me—like she'd already read my mind and highlighted the juiciest parts—made me want to throw my water bottle at her.
"Uh… maybe. I don't know yet," I said with a shrug, keeping my voice neutral.
Three pairs of suspicious eyes zeroed in on me like heat-seeking missiles.
"Hmm got a date?" Eve teased, wiggling her brows like she was auditioning for a cartoon villain role.
"I don't know," I said again, pretending to be unfazed while my stomach was doing Olympic-level gymnastics.
After grabbing a late lunch, we headed back to school grounds. Not that we had the freedom to just wander—we were on campus duty, which meant helping teachers during the intramurals.
Sure enough, right as we reached the gates, Mr. Samonte, one of our more frazzled teachers, flagged us down.
"Girls! Do you have anything to do right now?" His eyes darted around like someone had set the gym on fire.
"Not really, sir. Why?" Alcy asked.
"I need someone to cover the front desk at the science lab. Teachers and visiting athletes are checking out equipment, and I've got errands. Can you watch the desk for an hour?"
We all nodded because, really, what choice did we have? Plus, sitting at a desk beat picking up trash in the sun.
We manned the desk, signing out equipment for the occasional coach or teacher. But our real goal? Bail early so we could catch the basketball game.
Alcy, ever the resourceful one with her Scout connections, found a few freshman volunteers to cover for us. We slipped out like stealthy criminals avoiding detention.
By the time we reached the gym, the game was already in full swing. The energy was electric—bleachers packed, cheerleaders yelling, the smell of popcorn and gym sweat thick in the air.
Our school was down by ten, thanks to a rival team stacked with guys built like NBA recruits. Half of them were committing blatant fouls the refs pretended not to see. The crowd was livid.
Sergie, though, was a machine. He drove, he passed, he sank shots, but you could see it on his face—the loss was getting to him. One of his teammates even had to limp off after a so-called "accidental" foul that looked anything but.
Then—ping.
My phone buzzed. Sergie's name lit up my screen.
From Sergie.
Hey (｡ŏ﹏ŏ)
Poor guy.
Just reminding you about dinner though. I'm fine, lol.
I glanced across the court and spotted him on the bench, phone in hand, clearly waiting for my response.
Yeah, sure.
My phone buzzed again almost instantly, but I didn't bother checking. My friends dragged me along to watch Sely's cousin's football game next. Marie wasn't around—strict parents—and Sely only got to hang because her mom was coaching.
By the time the basketball game wrapped up, the sun was down and the stadium lights were glowing. We all split off—Eve and Alcy stuck together, Sely walked with her cousin, and I started toward the parking lot alone.
Stay there. I'll come get you.
And he did. A few minutes later, he appeared, still in his Riverside High jersey, hair damp with sweat. Most guys looked gross post-game, Sergie somehow made it annoyingly attractive.
We ended up at a small restaurant near the school. Burgers, fries, nothing fancy. Halfway through eating, out of nowhere, he hit me with
"Asteria, are you dating someone right now?"
I nearly choked on my burger. "Huh? Where did that come from?" I arched a brow, trying not to look like I was panicking.
"It's a yes or no question. Just answer." He stabbed a fry into ketchup, casual as ever, like he hadn't just detonated a social nuke.
"Are you… hitting on me?" I asked flatly. Subtlety? Never met her.
"Woah, bold question from you," he chuckled, holding his hands up like I'd just accused him of a felony.
"What?" I shot him a look. He only laughed harder, which made me want to hurl my burger at his smug face.
"If you're just messing with me, Sergie, I swear—"
"Relax. Finish your food, miss. I'll walk you home," he said, leaning back, already done with his meal like this was all completely normal.
I glanced down at my plate, still half full. With a sigh, I shoveled food into my mouth. No way was I getting grounded for coming home late and showing up hungry.
When we finished, Sergie stood and, without asking, grabbed my tiny crossbody bag.
"Let me carry this," he said.
"It literally weighs less than my phone," I muttered, but let him hold it anyway. Not worth the argument.
"You girls and your micro bags," he teased, swinging it lightly. "What do you even keep in here? Air? Pocket lint?"
I just rolled my eyes, stifling a laugh as we walked out. He even held the door open. Gentleman or just theatrics? Hard to tell.
After a block, he noticed me wincing slightly with each step.
"Doesn't that hurt? Those shoes?" he asked, pointing to my black block heels. Three inches, no socks, and after twelve hours of standing, my feet wanted to secede from my body.
"I'm fine," I lied through my teeth. In reality, I wanted to yeet the shoes into oncoming traffic. Our Scouts uniform wasn't helping either—pencil skirt and a stiff, button-up blouse. Walking felt like a punishment devised by medieval torturers.
"Next time, wear sneakers," he said, flicking my forehead lightly.
"Ow! Feeling bold, aren't we?" I rubbed the spot, glaring.
He just laughed. "Cute," he said, flicking my forehead again.
By the time we reached my house, my feet were numb, my forehead slightly sore, and my brain… doing stupid things.
"This is me," I said, stopping at the walkway. "Thanks for the walk."
I turned toward the gate but, for some unfathomable reason, spun back around, tiptoed, and kissed his cheek.
Then I bolted like my life depended on it.
"BYE!" I yelled, slamming the gate behind me before my brain could process what I'd just done.
The next few weeks blurred together. Sergie texted me constantly, picking me up after practice, sharing playlists, sneaking snacks into class. We weren't official, but it felt… close.
Selena seemed over him—thank God—so everything was drama-free. For once.
Until December.
It started during break time. Jayzam, my best friend (and resident chaos consultant), slid into our table like he was about to drop government secrets.
"Girl. I need to show you something." His tone was serious, his phone already out.
Sely, forever the pot-stirrer, grinned. "Wait, before that—did you know Zale called me 'Love' yesterday?" she cooed, just to irritate Jayzam, who also happened to like my cousin Zale.
They bickered like exes, fake-flipping hair and rolling eyes, until Eve snapped, "Okay, enough bickering. Jay, spill."
Jayzam handed me his phone. My heart sank.
On the screen? Sergie. Kissing another girl.
I swiped. Another photo. His hands weren't exactly… school-appropriate.
I froze. My chest felt tight. That explained why he'd been "busy" last night. Why he hadn't replied to my texts.
Sely's lips twitched like she was seconds from laughing. She'd never liked Sergie, but now? She looked vindicated.
"These were from last night. I was at the camping trip," Jayzam whispered.
"Awww. Okay," I said, forcing a flat smile even though my throat felt like sandpaper. Months of flirting, and for what? We weren't even official.
"Girl, just get a boob job so he picks you," Eve joked, making everyone laugh. It eased the tension… sort of.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted. Eve was busy, so I caught the bus home alone.
Halfway through, a hand landed on my shoulder.
I turned.
Sergie.
And all those photos from Jayzam's phone slammed into my brain like a car crash.
"What's wrong?" he asked, genuinely confused.
Something in me snapped.
"You idiot," I said, loud enough that the old lady two seats ahead turned to stare. I wasn't his girlfriend. I had no right to feel betrayed. But I did. And I wasn't going to fake a smile about it.
Sergie blinked, startled, then casually slung his arm over my shoulder.
The audacity.
The slideshow from hell replayed in my head, Sergie kissing some girl. Sergie's hands all over her. Sergie being… community property.
I slowly turned to him, my smile razor-sharp. "Oh. It's you."
He frowned. "Uh… yeah? What's with you?"
I tilted my head sweetly. "What's with me? Oh, nothing. Just wondering if I should Lysol my shoulder now or wait until I get home. You know, before I catch something contagious from you and… what's-her-name? Or are there multiple names I should be concerned about?"
His brows drew together. "What are you talking abou—"
I held up an imaginary phone like a microphone. "Picture this, you, camping trip, full make-out session. Bonus? Hands-on anatomy lesson with Miss Big Boobs 2025. Want me to send you the slideshow? Or should I forward it straight to your mom?"
His jaw dropped. "Ash, it's not what it looks like—"
"Oh, really? So what was it? CPR training? Community service? A theater rehearsal? Please, enlighten me. I love a creative excuse."
He opened his mouth, but I didn't let him finish. "Actually, you know what? Save it. I don't care. I'm not even your girlfriend. I'm just the free trial you forgot to cancel."
That one hit. He flinched like I'd slapped him.
"Look, I—"
I shushed him, pressing a finger to his lips like I was calming down a toddler. "Shhh. Go kiss Miss Double-D or whoever else is on rotation. Oh, and maybe wash your hands first. Hygiene's important."
With that, I stood, slung my micro bag over my shoulder like a cape, and stormed toward the bus exit.
He called after me, but I didn't stop. Instead, I spun dramatically and yelled over my shoulder.
"BY THE WAY, I'M BILLING YOU FOR MY FOREHEAD BRUISES! STOP FLICKING PEOPLE IF YOU CAN'T EVEN STICK WITH ONE!"
Then I hopped off the bus like the unbothered queen I was desperately trying to be, leaving Sergie behind to question his life choices.