Gabriel's POV
I woke up the next day to an empty room—Alec must've already left for his first class.
I dragged myself to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, took a quick shower, and threw on a simple blue long-sleeved shirt and jeans. I ran my fingers through my hair to fix it, laced up my black sneakers, slung my backpack over my shoulder, and headed out.
A few hours later, I found myself standing on the football field with about fifteen other guys, including Alec. We were all here to try out for the team. I'd played back in high school and figured—why not give it another go?
The coach strolled over with a clipboard in hand.
"Alright boys, to see who's got what it takes to join the team, I'll be running a physical evaluation—agility, strength, and strategy." He glanced down at his clipboard. "First up... Matthew Johnson."
"Call me Matt," said a tanned guy with curly black hair and a hopeful grin.
Coach raised an eyebrow. "Okay, Matt. Ready?"
Matt gave him a confident thumbs-up. "Ready."
Surprisingly, Matt did pretty well. His easygoing vibe totally undersold his ability.
After five more painful-to-watch attempts, Coach looked like he was reconsidering his entire career.
"...Okay, next up... Gabriel Hall."
I stepped forward, did my thing, and when I finished, Coach gave me a grin and a solid thumbs-up.
"Nice one, Gabriel." Alec clapped me on the back.
Once everyone had finished, the coach gathered us.
"Alright, here's the lineup. Timothy Patterson, John Anderson, Michael Brown, Sawyer Garcia, Matt Johnson..." he continued as guys fist-bumped and celebrated.
"...Alec Walker, James Roberts, Thomas Wilson, Gabriel Hall, and Ben Mosley."
Alec and I high-fived just as Matt and Thomas came over.
"Congrats, guys," Thomas said with a smile.
"Thanks, you too." I patted his shoulder.
Matt smirked. "I get how you two made the cut, but this dumbass?" He jabbed Thomas in the arm.
Thomas punched him back, and we all laughed.
"Rude," Matt muttered, pouting.
"Alright boys, huddle up," Coach called. "I've picked a captain to lead the team—based on performance and leadership potential. That'll be... Gabriel!"
I stood there, stunned, as the others cheered. Alec, Matt, and Thomas messed up my hair.
"Alright everyone—training starts... RIGHT NOW! GO, GO, GO!" Coach shouted, and we all took off running.
Broba's POV
After a long day of classes, Hope and I were on the netball court for tryouts. I'd never been on a proper team, but I'd always played for fun in the club. I needed the extra credit, and somehow convinced Hope to try out too.
Coach ran us through some drills, but honestly, everyone got accepted—we needed a full team and subs. Luckily, Hope and I made it onto the main squad.
"Okay girls," Coach called, "Based on the tryouts, I've picked a captain who I think will lead us to victory. That's going to be... Broba! And she'll be playing as Center."
I blinked. Wait—what?
Everyone clapped and cheered, Hope shook my shoulders excitedly... except one girl—Amanda.
She let out a weird mix of a groan and a screech. "The nerd?! Seriously, Coach?! This is ridiculous!'"
Girl. Calm down.
"If you've got a problem with it, Amanda, you can leave," Coach shot back.
We all snickered.
Amanda shrieked again—louder this time—and stormed off the court like a toddler denied candy.
"Eh, she wasn't even that good," Coach shrugged, then turned to me. "Alright, Broba. Your first task—lead the team on a warm-up lap!"
Cue the groans.
We started jogging around the field, right by the football practice. I jogged at the front, trying to pace myself. Hope ran beside me, chatting, when two girls jogged up next to us.
"Hey! I'm Elizabeth—but call me Ellie—and this is Naomi," the brunette said cheerfully.
"Hey! I'm Broba, and this is Hope. Nice to meet you!"
"You too! Congrats, by the way," Naomi added.
"Thanks," I smiled.
"I mean, who didn't expect the amazing Broba to be picked as Center on her second day?" Ellie teased playfully, and we all laughed.
I glanced toward the football field and spotted Gabriel laughing with Alec and tossing a ball to another guy. He looked… so freaking adorable.
Then his gaze met mine. He smiled and waved. I smiled and waved back, caught up in his emerald eyes, when it happened.
Of course it happened.
I tripped over a rock.
And not just a stumble—no, this was a Broba-level fall.
Right into a giant mud puddle.
Face-first.
Classic.
I lay there, face planted in cold, squishy mud, cursing myself internally. I could feel it in my mouth, which I'd apparently forgotten to close on the way down.
Kill me now.
Everyone stopped in their tracks. And then—I saw him.
Gabriel. Running toward me.
Through the mud.
He crouched down beside me. "You okay?" he asked gently, checking for injuries.
I smiled—even though it was probably invisible under the mud. "Yeah. You know. Other than the fact that I just ate dirt—I'm doing great."
He chuckled and brushed some mud from my cheek with his thumb. Then, he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
I was internally screaming. Then it hit me—what position I was in.
Covered in mud. In front of Gabriel. After the most embarrassing wipeout of my life.
Wait. My crush? Did I just think that?
"Here, let me help you up," he said, offering his hand.
I took it, and he gently pulled me to my feet.
And that's when the universe, apparently unsatisfied with just the fall, decided to add insult to injury.
"Hey Gabriel—catch!" someone shouted.
A football came flying straight at us—and nailed me right in the face.
Hard.
The universe really has it out for me.