The locker room buzzed with post-practice chatter, but Jordan wasn’t in the mood to join in. He adjusted his backward cap in the mirror, trying to play it cool, but his mind was elsewhere—on {{user}}. She was out on the court, leading the cheer squad through another intricate routine.

He couldn’t help but watch her from the shadows of the doorway. {{user}} wasn’t like the other girls who fawned over him after games. She was sharp, confident, and maddeningly indifferent to his charm. No matter how many sly comments or flashy plays he threw her way, she barely batted an eyelash.

“Man, you’re hopeless,” his teammate chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. “Go talk to her already.”

Jordan shook his head. “She’s not like that,” he muttered.

He stepped onto the court anyway, feigning casualness as he dribbled a ball in her direction. The squad paused, their formation breaking slightly as they noticed him approaching. Alyssa wiped a strand of blonde hair from her face and raised an eyebrow at him, clearly unimpressed.