The field turned into a festival after the whistle blew. Students poured down from the bleachers, some rushing to the sidelines, others clustering near the players with their phones out, snapping every possible angle. The air buzzed with laughter, chatter and camera shutters.
The match had been fierce but when the final whistle blew, Ren's team was victorious. The roar from the stands was deafening, students spilling closer to the sidelines, banners waving.
As the players congratulated each other, the opposing captain jogged straight toward Ren. They clasped hands firmly, clapping each other's backs with the mutual respect of rivals who had pushed each other to the edge. Then, with an easy grin, the captain tugged at his jersey and peeled it off, holding it out toward Ren.
The stands erupted into shrieks. And then came the moment that made the crowd go absolutely wild.
Ren didn't hesitate. He grabbed the hem of his own jersey, yanking it over his head in one swift motion. His hair fell messily across his forehead, skin slick with sweat, muscles flexing under the floodlights.
A wave of gasps and squeals rippled across the crowd. Dozens of phones shot up into the air, capturing every angle of his lean, sweat-slick torso, the defined lines of muscle that even Noelle had to admit were… distracting.
"Did you see that?!"
"Oh my god, he's ripped—"
"I need a picture, oh my god, oh my god—"
The exchange was casual for the two players, just mutual respect but for the watching students, it was pandemonium. Dozens of cameras flashed, girls clutching at each other like they might faint.
Mei Ling's jaw literally dropped. She slapped a hand over her mouth, then quickly moved it up to cover her eyes. But of course, her fingers were splayed just enough that she couldn't completely stop herself from peeking. Her wide, unblinking eyes darted through the gaps, ogling Ren.
"Noelle… Noelle.. Noelle.. now I get why you don't want to talk about his… skills. There are no words for this," Mei Ling sang, laughing under her breath.
Noelle's cheeks flamed crimson. She instinctively reached over and gave Mei Ling a light, reflexive slap on the arm. "Stop it!" she hissed, though her glare did little to hide her mortification.
Mei Ling only laughed harder, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Oh come on, you are such a stingy person, unwilling to share. HAHAHAHA…"
Noelle groaned, pressing her hands to her face. "You are so dead," she muttered, both embarrassed and secretly flustered.
Through her fingers, she peeked and caught a glimpse of Ren moving confidently among his teammates, completely unaware of the chaos he'd left in his wake.
Noelle sat frozen, her face heating even as her chest swelled with pride. She wanted to look away but her eyes betrayed her, drawn helplessly to him. This wasn't just the boy who teased her, who whispered against her ear. This was Ren laid bare in front of the whole school.
And then, just for a second, he glanced toward the stands. Toward her. And just like that, Noelle felt her cheeks flame hotter than ever.
Ren barely had a chance to breathe. His teammates dragged him into group photos, the coach clapped him on the back and even kids from other classes crowded in, begging for selfies with the team's "ace."
Noelle stayed where she was, half-hidden near the back of the stands with Mei Ling, trying to take in the scene. She could hear everything: every squeal, every giddy whisper.
"Did you see Ren when he took off his jersey? God, he's even hotter than I thought."
"Seriously. If I were his girlfriend, I wouldn't let him out of my sight."
"Forget that…he's way too popular to settle for just one girl. Why would he give up the forest for a tree? I would keep a few by the side even if I have a girlfriend."
"Not just him. Did you see number ten – David? And their keeper? This whole team is unfair."
"Yeah, but Ren's the one for me. He can have me anywhere, anytime!!" the girls giggled wickedly as they walked away.
The words stung more than she wanted to admit. Noelle pressed her lips together, fingers fidgeting at the strap of her bag. Mei Ling, catching her expression, nudged her lightly.
"Hey. They're just talking. Don't take it to heart," she whispered. Then, with a sly grin: "Besides, who was he looking at during the match? Not them."
Noelle felt her chest flutter, both warmed and unsettled. Because she had seen it, those little glances, those smiles and yet, standing there now, watching him surrounded by half the school, she couldn't help but wonder if it was enough to cut through the noise.
As the crowds thinned, players exchanged hugs, handshakes, and sweaty backslaps before jogging off the field toward the locker rooms. Ren was among them with his back straight, strides long, head turning once toward the crowd. Noelle couldn't tell if it was her imagination or if his eyes really had flicked to where she sat.
Mei Ling was buzzing beside her, waving wildly. "That was insane! He was like—boom, bossing everyone around, did you see? Total commander mode!"
Noelle smiled faintly, her pulse still running fast from watching him play. When her phone buzzed in her lap, she glanced down.
Wait for me.
Three simple words from Ren.
So she waited. The stadium thinned, students spilling out in clusters, their laughter and chatter rising into the humid evening air. She and Mei Ling lingered by the exit gates, Mei Ling scrolling her phone, humming. Noelle tried to stay calm but her stomach was a tight knot.
The side door leading to the locker doors finally banged open and the team spilled out in high spirits, loud and carefree. Ren walked with them, hair damp from the quick rinse, gym bag slung casually over his shoulder. He looked completely at ease, grinning at something one of his teammates said…until his eyes found her again.
That grin softened instantly.
He crossed the distance without hesitation.
"Noelle." Just her name, but her chest tightened at the way he said it, as if she was the only one there.
She didn't even get to answer before his hand slipped around hers. Warm, steady, anchoring.
Her heart stuttered. The world tilted. She could feel the curious looks already, the whispers starting like wind in tall grass.
"Is that—"
"With her? Really?"
"Why her?"
The words sliced through her. Noelle's breath caught, heat flooding her cheeks. She felt painfully small, suddenly aware of how ordinary she must look next to him: him, tall, handsome and commanding and her, just… her.
Ren's grip only tightened. He didn't say anything, didn't look at the others. His thumb brushed over her knuckles, a small, grounding motion, as if he could feel her flinch at every whisper.
Mei Ling gave her a subtle nudge, wide-eyed but smiling. "Don't let go," she whispered.
Noelle swallowed hard. She didn't.
"Ready to go? I'll send you home." Ren smiled, saying it casually. Noelle could only nod.
And as the group walked together, with Ren's hand holding hers like it was the most natural thing in the world, she couldn't decide what terrified her more, the eyes on them, or the quiet certainty in his touch that told her he wasn't about to let go.
Ren's hand stayed lightly brushing hers as they reached her apartment door. "Hey," he murmured, glancing down at her, "I heard some of the whispers today." He stopped, letting his words settle. "But I want you to know—there's only ever been one person I've wanted, Noelle."