Oh crap… that's Luxe. Jack's girlfriend," he muttered.
Luxe — Jack's supposed girlfriend and the daughter of one of the richest men in the city. Incredibly beautiful, but full of ego, arrogance, and attitude. Luxe never misses a chance to put others down. She always has two other girls trailing behind her — both from rich families, both just as full of pride and ego as Luxe herself.
As soon as Jasmine saw Luxe, her happiness dimmed a little, like a shadow had fallen on her. She had gathered up her courage so many times to talk to Jack, but each time, her fear of Luxe had held her back. Not that Luxe was a devil… but she wasn't far from one either. She was the classic spoiled brat of a rich father.
"Jasmine! Are you okay?" Mia asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Nothing's wrong," Jasmine replied, brushing it off.
"Okay, guys. Let's go find a sheet to sit on. We're not gonna miss the practice we came for," Mia said, trying to keep things upbeat. "And what are you doing here? Go warm up!" she teased Niko.
"Yeah yeah, I'm going," Niko replied. "Just watch, I'm gonna crush it today." With that, he headed back to the basketball court.
Mia glanced over at Jasmine, who was still somewhat lost — her eyes subtly following Jack.
"Jasmine… is it bothering you? Luxe being here?" Mia asked gently.
"Why would it bother me? I've never even spoken to her. I just… see her from afar," Jasmine said, a little heavy-hearted. "It's not like I have any right over him."
"Oh Jasmine… I know how much you like him," Mia said kindly. "Why don't you talk to him? Worst that can happen is he says no. At least you'd know where you stand."
"You know I don't have that kind of courage. And with Luxe around… I mean, I just can't. She scares me," Jasmine admitted. "Anyway, college ends in two years. I should be focusing on my goals. You know what they are."
And yes, Jasmine's goal — or the goal — was to retire her parents, to give them every joy and comfort they had never had the chance to enjoy. That's why Jasmine studied constantly, worked harder than anyone. She didn't have many friends. She didn't talk to a lot of people either. Just Mia and Niko — her childhood buddies from school.
"I know, Jasmine. Okay, don't be sad. Let's go watch the match, and hey — it'll give me a chance to ogle Jack a little too!" Mia said with a playful grin.
**"You're something else!" Jasmine laughed. "Honestly, if you and Niko weren't in my life, I don't know how I'd survive."
"If we weren't in your life, Jack would be!" Mia teased, poking her side.
"Oh, stop it! Let's just go find those courtside seats," Jasmine giggled.
"Let's go." Mia smiled.
The two girls sat down near the court. Practice had already begun. All the players were warming up and running drills. Jack walked onto the court, and Luxe was sitting across the court on the other side. As Jack started his warmups, Jasmine couldn't take her eyes off him — his biceps, his veiny arms, that charming face, those short, clean-cut hairs. He looked so handsome. She was completely lost in watching him.
Warm-ups and running were done; now the players were dribbling and shooting.
"Jasmine… do you really think Luxe is actually Jack's girlfriend?" Mia asked.
"Yeah, I mean, it looks pretty clear," Jasmine answered.
"I don't know… I've never seen Jack actually confirm it or act like she's his girlfriend," Mia said, unsure.
"C'mon, he's not gonna go announcing it to the world — like, 'Hey everyone, look, this is Luxe and she's my girlfriend,'" Jasmine replied.
"That's not what I mean—" Mia started, but Jasmine cut her off.
"Mia, you can see it plain as day. They come and go together. They're always together. And Luxe always says, 'Jack is mine,' with that smug attitude," Jasmine said, a little sadly. "From what I know about Jack — even from afar — he's so calm, so quiet, never gets involved in drama. He just sits there, looking all peaceful… so sweet." As she spoke, her gaze once again drifted to Jack, lost in another moment.
"Ohh, Miss Jack Lover, where'd you go just now?" Mia said, shaking Jasmine lightly.
"Oh… No, I mean… Look, Jack doesn't talk to anyone much. Why would he share anything personal like who he's dating?" Jasmine said, trying to explain.
"So you do think Jack and Luxe are together?" Mia asked again.
"Yeah, probably. But even if they're not — why would someone like Jack ever like me?" Jasmine said quietly.
"I don't know, I mean Luxe is pretty — but I wouldn't say she's prettier than you," Mia replied.
"Really?! You're not just saying that, right? You think I'm prettier than Luxe?" Jasmine asked eagerly.
"Well… if she's a 10, you're, like, a -10," Mia teased with a smirk.
"Hey!! Are you on my side or hers?" Jasmine said, punching Mia lightly on the arm.
"I'm kidding!! Honestly, you and Luxe could be real competition — if you'd just ditch those glasses and wear some lenses!" Mia replied with a wink.
"Really?! Oh my god, thank you, Mia!" Jasmine said, smiling for real now.
Back on the court, the coach had now split the players into two teams for the practice match.
Team A: Jack and others.
Team B: Niko and the rest.
The coach had balanced the teams carefully to keep the match fair.
"Okay Jasmine, I'm supporting Niko — what about you?" Mia asked.
"Me? Hmm… okay fine, I'll support Jack. Let's see who wins!" Jasmine grinned.
"Let's bet on it then!" Mia challenged.
"Bet? Alright!" Jasmine agreed. "Whoever's team loses has to give a treat!"
"Make it more fun," Mia added. "Loser gives a treat AND does a dare!"
"What! A dare? Like, any dare?" Jasmine asked nervously.
"Yep. Any dare. You in?"
Jasmine thought for a few seconds… "Okay, deal!"
And with that… the match started.