The locker room smelled of sweat and rubber but Bella barely noticed. She sat on the bench, her tennis bag heavy beside her, weighed down not just by gear but by the decision gnawing at her. Part of her wanted to avoid Jason completely, not just to protect herself but to make sure he felt the distance clearly. She didn't want to be cruel, but she hoped that by keeping her distance, Jason would be constantly reminded of her rejection; that the message would not get lost in half-hearted attempts or mixed signals.
It was a difficult line to walk, balancing kindness with firmness but Bella convinced herself that this was necessary. If she stayed close, pretending everything was normal, she worried it would only confuse him more and prolong the awkwardness between them. Better, she thought, if he saw the space she put between them every time they crossed paths, a quiet, undeniable reminder of where she stood.
Yet even as she made this decision, part of her hated how much it hurt. Avoiding someone so familiar felt like closing a door she did not want to slam shut forever. But for now, she told herself, distance was the only way to keep both of them from getting hurt even more.
Emily's words echoed over and over in her mind, each repetition making the truth harder to deny.
"Bella, I really think Jason likes you. Like, more than just tennis friends. You should be careful."
At the time, Bella had laughed it off, dismissing the idea with a shake of her head. Jason? Interested in me? No way. She had convinced herself it was just silly, a harmless crush on his part or a misreading on Emily's. But now, after that confession on the bus , the raw, sudden honesty that had left her stunned , followed by the awkward, heavy silence at practice and the chilly distance that had settled between them in the hallways, everything felt different. Complicated. Messy. Confusing in ways she had not expected.
She zipped her bag shut slowly, as if the motion could somehow seal away the tangled feelings inside her. Her hands trembled just a little as she pulled the strap over her shoulder, trying to steady herself for whatever was coming next. Because the truth was, she was standing at a crossroads and she could not pretend anymore that everything was fine.
Emily caught up to her just as she was about to leave the locker room, her usual bright energy a stark contrast to Bella's quiet tension. "Hey, you okay?" she asked, falling into step beside her. Bella gave a small, tired smile that did not quite reach her eyes.
"I'm thinking of quitting," she said suddenly, the words coming out heavier than she expected.
Emily stopped and turned to her, brows knitting in surprise. "Quitting? Tennis? But you love it! You've been talking about this forever."
Bella shrugged, a motion that felt hollow even to her own ears. "I guess I didn't love it as much as I thought. Or maybe… I don't love it here anymore. Not like I used to."
Emily's eyes softened with understanding and she reached out to give Bella's arm a reassuring squeeze. "You mean because of Jason, don't you?"
Bella's gaze dropped to the scuffed floor beneath them, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's not just him. I don't want things to be weird between us. I don't want to hurt him, or feel like I'm walking on eggshells every time I see him. I just… I can't keep pretending this isn't affecting everything."
Emily nodded slowly, her voice gentle but firm. "You're doing what's best for you. That's what matters. But don't forget, being honest with yourself and with him can be hard, but it's also the only way to really move forward. Avoiding it won't make it any easier in the long run."
Bella let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding, the tightness in her chest easing just a bit. "Thanks, Em. I'm really glad you're here. I don't know what I'd do without you."
As they stepped out of the locker room together, the distant sounds of other players and the echoing quiet of the empty courts behind them, Bella felt a small shift inside herself. Leaving the club wasn't just about walking away from tennis, it was about stepping away from the tangled emotions and the confusion she had been wrestling with for so long. It was a quiet surrender, yes, but maybe also the first step toward something new, something clearer, something that might one day help her heal and maybe even find a way to fix what had started to fall apart.
Meanwhile, Jason was keeping his distance these days, quiet in the hallways, polite but distant in practice. He spent more time with Aiden, the track and field captain, who seemed to understand more than most.
One afternoon, Jason and Aiden were sitting by the lockers, sharing a water bottle after practice. Jason's words were low, guarded.
"Bella's out of the club now," Jason said, voice rough. "I guess things didn't work out like I hoped."
Aiden nodded, eyes thoughtful. "Yeah, I figured. She didn't seem herself last week."
Jason let out a bitter laugh. "She probably just wanted out anyway."
Aiden shrugged. "Maybe. But, you know, there's someone else around who's been watching her."
Jason glanced up, curious. "Who?"
Aiden didn't answer right away, just smiled a little and shook his head.
A few minutes later, Aiden was walking through the hallway near the library when Yunho appeared, carrying a stack of books. They nearly bumped into each other.
"Oh, hey Aiden," Yunho said, surprised.
"Yunho," Aiden replied casually. "Hey, listen, I was just talking about Bella."
Yunho blinked, a flicker of interest crossing his face.
"Jason told me she left the tennis club."
Yunho nodded slowly, keeping his tone neutral. "Oh? Is that so?"
Aiden leaned in a little, lowering his voice. "You know, Jason's been backing off too. He really liked her, but... didn't work out."
Yunho smiled faintly, though his heart raced beneath the calm.
"Thanks for telling me," he said quietly.
Aiden grinned. "No problem. Just thought you'd want to know."
Yunho watched Aiden walk away, then looked down the hall toward where Bella usually hung out.
He hadn't even had a proper conversation with her yet. And now, hearing this, he felt a mix of hope, and the heavy weight of nerves.
Maybe someday soon, he'd find the words. But for now, he would watch and wait for his chance.