The roar of the crowd crashed through the packed arena like a tidal wave, shaking the metal bleachers beneath Aurora's sneakers. She gripped the edge of her seat, eyes locked on the court below. This was it, the MCAA Division I Alpha's basketball national championship. And there, in the heart of the storm, was Jasona; the Alpha tying her high-tops with the same laser-focused calm Aurora had fallen for earlier that year.
Aurora still remembered the first time she'd seen Jasona play. It was a late-night open run at the campus rec center during the start of the year after they had met a few weeks prior. Aurora had been just in awe with how good the Alpha looked that day. She made the right decision continuing on with her. Now here she was, a whole year later and Jasona was fighting for a national title. Aurora had been courtside for every grueling practice, every film session, every ice bath and late-night text that read, "Love you, glad you enjoyed the game."
