The gym buzzed with energy, sneakers squeaking against the polished floor, basketballs bouncing rhythmically as students warmed up. The scent of sweat and polished wood filled the air, blending with the occasional laughter and shouts.
Faith tightened her shoelaces, standing beside Stephanie and Alex as they stretched.
Stephanie groaned. "Why couldn't today be something easy, like yoga?"
Alex, always restless, grinned. "Because then we wouldn't get to destroy the boys in basketball."
Faith smirked but said nothing, rolling her shoulders as she scanned the gym. Her gaze landed unintentionally on Cole, lounging near the bleachers with an expression of complete disinterest, 'typical' she thought.
He looked like he'd rather be anywhere else, barely paying attention to the warm-up. His uniform was slightly undone, tie crumpled in his pocket. He hadn't even bothered to fix his sleeves properly.
Faith sighed, already bracing herself for the inevitable.
When Coach Daniels clapped his hands for attention and started announcing teams, she should have known her luck would run out.
Faith's stomach twisted.
Are you serious?
Stephanie whistled beside her. "I like this."
Alex nudged Faith's shoulder. "Try not to strangle him before halftime, okay?"
Faith exhaled sharply. Of all people, she had to be on a team with Cole?
She stole another glance at him. He hadn't reacted at all, just standing there, completely detached from the situation.
Great. Just great.
The Game Begins
The whistle blew, and Faith immediately focused.
Alex grabbed the ball first, dribbling past defenders with sharp, calculated movements. She passed it to Stephanie, who made a quick feint before swinging it over to Faith.
Faith caught it easily, her mind already mapping out her next move. A glance to the side showed that Cole was open.
Ugh.
Reluctantly, she passed the ball to him.
Cole caught it effortlessly but instead of making a move, he hesitated.
For a split second, he looked like he was actually thinking about what to do next.
What is he waiting for? A written invitation?
Then, just as quickly, the ball was stolen.
Faith clenched her jaw as the opposing player sprinted down the court and scored an easy layup.
Unbelievable.
She turned her head, expecting at least some kind of reaction from Cole. But no he just blinked at his empty hands as if mildly surprised that the ball was no longer there.
Are you serious right now?
Faith bit back the urge to say something.
Forget it. He's hopeless.
But then, something unexpected happened.
The next time she passed to him, he actually moved.
And not just moved, he dodged his defender with a quick fake, stepped past another, and sank a perfect three-pointer like it was nothing.
Faith froze for a second.
Stephanie let out an impressive. "Well, damn."
Alex grinned. "Did not see that coming."
Faith forced herself to look away.
But as the game continued, Cole kept proving her wrong. He was fast, his reactions sharp. When he actually put in the effort, he was almost effortless in how he played.
By the time the final whistle blew, their team had won.
Faith wiped sweat from her forehead, trying to ignore the fact that Cole had been useful.
Stephanie shot her a teasing look. "See? He wasn't completely useless."
Faith didn't respond.
She was too busy reminding herself that one game didn't mean anything.
Just when she thought PE was over, Coach Daniels clapped his hands again.
"Alright, since we've got some extra time, let's settle an age-old debate," he announced, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Boys versus girls. One last game. Five minutes on the clock."
The gym exploded into excitement.
Faith's heart raced with anticipation.
But before she could get too caught up in the thrill of competition, Abdullah, ever the calm and logical one, spoke up.
"This is pointless," he said, arms crossed. "The boys will win easily. It won't even be close."
Faith turned sharply.
Excuse me?
Abdullah's expression was unreadable. "It's just logic. The guys are better players and stronger. It's not really a competition."
Faith felt an irritation bubble in her chest.
Oh, so just because we're girls, we automatically lose?
Her eyes flickered toward Cole, expecting some kind of reaction from him.
Nothing.
No smirk, no comment. Just that same relaxed, indifferent posture.
Does he agree?
Alex, of course, was already cracking her knuckles. "Let's destroy them."
Stephanie smirked. "This is gonna be fun."
Faith straightened her back.
They have no idea what's coming.
Coach Daniels blew his whistle. "Alright, teams get ready! Five minutes on the clock. Let's go!"
The Final Match
The ball was thrown into play, and instantly, Faith knew they were in for a fight.
Cole was playing at full capacity now, weaving through defenders with smooth confidence. Abdullah was a wall on defense, blocking shots effortlessly. The other boys weren't slacking either.
But Faith, Stephanie, and Alex were just as determined.
Alex stole the ball with a lightning-fast intercept, passing it to Faith.
Faith took the shot three-pointer.
Stephanie used her agility to slip past defenders and score another layup.
With a minute left, the score was tied.
Faith felt her adrenaline spike.
The ball landed in Cole's hands. He dribbled forward, scanning the court.
Faith moved before she could think.
She lunged, knocking the ball loose.
Alex scooped it up, passed it to Stephanie, who sprinted down the court and
"Score!"
The gym erupted as the buzzer sounded.
The boys had won effortlessly.
Faith let out a slow breath, feeling frustration and satisfaction mix in equal measure.
Stephanie sighed. "That was close."
Alex shrugged. "We'll get them next time."
Faith turned to the boys' side, searching for any reactions.
Abdullah nodded in approval. "I underestimated you."
Faith smirked. "Damn right you did."
She shifted her gaze toward Cole.
He hadn't reacted much at all just running a hand through his hair, as if he wasn't particularly bothered.
But then just for a second she thought she caught the faintest hint of a smirk.
It was gone before she could be sure.