The lecture had barely ended when Bella's phone buzzed quietly in her lap.
[Jake 🏀]
heading over with the guys. you around?
She glanced at the message, a small smile playing on her lips. Typical Jake, always dropping plans last minute, but somehow it always worked out.
Stepping out into the crowded hallway, Bella moved with Emily weaving beside her, sunglasses perched on her nose despite the overcast sky.
"That him? Jake?" Emily asked.
"Yeah. Keith's with him, too," Bella squinted against the sunlight and replied, slipping her phone into her tote.
Before they could say more, the chatter in the hall shifted. A group of tall, athletic boys appeared at the far end of the corridor, cutting through the crowd like a silent current.
Leading them were Jake and Keith, faces calm and unreadable, their movements sharp and precise. No laughter or casual chatter accompanied them. Just a quiet authority that hushed nearby students into whispers.
"Those are the champions from the other school," a girl murmured, voice low with reverence.
"Jake and Keith," another whispered. "They won last year's tournaments. Completely undefeated."
From the edge of the crowd, Logan's gaze locked onto them. His eyes glimmered with reverence. To him, these were no ordinary players. They were legends, gods in sneakers.
The basketball team captain stepped forward as Jake and Keith approached, his expression softening with recognition. He spoke quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Came to remind me of the good old times, huh?"
There was an unspoken understanding between them. Years spent on the same court, sharing victories and losses, before they each went their separate ways to different schools. Though the path had changed, the bond remained, silent but strong.
Jake's gaze finally settled on Bella and a rare warmth softened his expression. Without a word, he reached out and ruffled her hair, a bold, familiar gesture that drew a ripple of quiet surprise through the watching crowd.
Bella's cheeks flushed, but she met his eyes with a small smile.
Unseen by most, Yunho's eyes fixed on the scene, the unexpected display stirring something unfamiliar deep inside him.
"Right on time," Jake said with a smirk.
Bella returned his nod, feeling the weight of the group's presence behind him.
Emily slipped her arm through Bella's as they approached the circle of players. "So, what's the plan?"
Jake shrugged, cool and effortless. "No plan. Just here."
The captain nodded once more, then glanced over at the rest of the team. "You ready for a few rounds?" he asked.
Without waiting for an answer, Jake and Keith led their entourage toward the school's outdoor courts. Logan practically bounced on the balls of his feet, barely containing his excitement as he fell in beside them.
The afternoon air buzzed with energy as the two groups merged into one, the thud of basketballs on pavement echoing around the grounds. Games unfolded back and forth, quick passes, sharp shots, laughter and shouts filling the space.
Logan was in his element, his admiration for Jake and Keith fueling his every move.
Between the games, Logan peeled away from the court, his face flushed with excitement. Spotting Bella near the edge of the crowd, he made a beeline for her, practically vibrating with energy.
"That was insane," he said, wiping his forehead with the hem of his shirt. "I mean—Jake? Keith? Are you serious? They play like they're not even human."
Bella smiled politely, her hands tucked into the pockets of her jacket. "Yeah, they're good."
"Good?" Logan stared at her, incredulous. "They're monsters on the court. I've never seen ball movement that clean in real life. And that one pass Keith made—straight through two defenders like it was nothing. Like—how long have you known them?"
"A while," Bella replied vaguely, eyes tracking the group as they gathered their things, laughing among themselves.
Logan blinked, clearly fishing for more. "So, do they often meet somewhere? I used to see them in school before they graduated but I'm sure they still play elsewhere often."
"They practice," Bella said, carefully choosing her words. "Mostly on their own. I know the guys meet up to play casually sometimes."
Logan nodded quickly, eating it up. "Yeah, yeah, I could tell. He doesn't even need to talk on the court. Everyone just knows where to be. And Keith—man, Keith's timing is scary. His stamina is mad crazy. How could he rebound so many times continuously?! No wonder, I guess the rumour about his sprinting timing is real too."
Bella offered a noncommittal hum in response.
Logan leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Do you think they'd let someone else join them to play ball with them?"
Bella tried to be vague about it, and replied. "I don't know, they just showed up wherever they feel like. I'm not privy to their whereabouts."
Logan's face fell a little, but he masked it with a quick shrug. "Right. Makes sense. Still, that was amazing to watch. You're lucky you know them."
Bella gave a small smile. "Yeah. I guess I am."
Logan lingered a second longer, then gave a sheepish grin and jogged off to the game.