•Khloe's POV•
The court echoed with the sound of sneakers and laughter. Practice was hella intense today. Sweat clinging to my skin, adrenaline humming in my veins. Basketball has always been my escapism. Here, I didn't have to be Khloe Carter. I was just another player chasing this ball.
"Captain, you are brutal today!" I exclaimed. Rose bursted into laughter.
"Ha! Skill issue!" The captain replied back in the same way.
That's when I felt it. That familiar sensation of being watched. I glanced towards the bleachers, 'Robin Fisher'. Leaning back, arms crossed, jaw clenched like he was guarding something invisible. His gaze was sharp and pierced right into my soul. For a second, it was creepy. Instead, he nodded slowly and deliberately like he was silently approving of something only he could witness.
I looked away first.
Robin was…intense. Same rough edges as Robert, same biker aura, same non-welcoming nature. And that made me surprisingly unsettled in some way.
"Ya! Careful!" Rose muttered under her breath following my line of sight. "That guy looks like he would fight the world for you." Rose said while unable to catch breath. I laughed it off. "Nah! You are dramatic." I said while chuckling.
But somewhere deep inside, a thread of unease tightened.
•Amanda's POV•
Of course, she was laughing.
Khloe Carter didn't even have to try. That stupid smile. That effortless confidence. Everyone gravitated towards her like she was a gravity itself.
I gripped my phone tighter as I watched Robin stare at her.
At her?
It wasn't fair.
I had known Robin longer. I had been there when people crossed the streets to avoid him. When teachers assumed the worst. When everyone whispered. And yet? That one smile from her and suddenly he looked soft.
Mine burned with jealousy.
"That PUNK is definitely not special!" I muttered to myself.
But, even I didn't believe it.
Khloe was smart. Untouchably smart. Top of the class. Debate queen. Teachers adored her because she spoke like she belonged in power. Students followed her because she never made them feel small. And I? I hated her for that.
I hated that Robert watched her too.
Robert Williams didn't look at anyone like that. He barely tolerated people. Yet there he was. Leaning against his bike across the field pretending not to watch her while watching her too closely.
Something dark twisted inside my chest.
I wasn't invisible.
She just made me feel like I was.
And I will not forgive her for that.
•Robin's POV•
Khloe Carter didn't know. That was the worst part. She didn't know how the room shifted from darkness to brightly lit whenever she walked in. She didn't know how people straightened themselves without even realizing it. And she? She definitely didn't know that I would tear apart anyone who hurt her.
"Stop staring." Robert said flatly, not looking at me.
"Stop lying to yourself." I replied.
He shot me a warning look. "She is not your problem." Robert said.
"She is everyone's problem." I said calmly. "You just don't like that you care." I said.
Robert went completely quiet.
That's how I knew I had hit something real.
Khloe laughed again on the court, brushing hair out of her face, helping a junior up after she tripped. No ego. No arrogance. Just…maturity. Emotional intelligence. Something rare in a place built on hierarchy and fear.
I understood then.
This wasn't a simple crush.
This was loyalty waiting to happen.
"She would definitely destroy you in a debate." I added casually.
Robert scoffed. "I don't do debates. They are worthless bauble."
"You are on the list." I said. "Inter-school debate selections go up tomorrow."
He stilled.
Across the court, Khloe caught Robert's gaze just for a second. No fear. No challenge. Just curiosity.
Something dangerous sparked between them.
Robert smirked slowly. "Let her try."
I watched Khloe walk off the court, confidence rolling off her like a quiet storm.
Yeah.
This was going to get ugly.
And something told me that debate was going to change everything.
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Have some avocados, you must be tired of reading such a long story😆
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YOO MY LOVELY READERS!!PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO LIKE AND LEAVE POSITIVE COMMENTS CUZ IT ENCOURAGES ME ALLOTTT😭STAY TUNED OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT! STAY SAFE! TAKE CARE! BYEEE❤️❤️