The final bell rang, echoing through the crowded halls as students rushed for the exits. Arlo shoved his books into his locker, slamming it shut with a metallic clang. The air smelled faintly of sweat and cafeteria food, the usual chaos of end-of-day chatter filling the space. He tugged on his worn varsity jacket, feeling the familiar weight of the stitched-on football emblem against his chest.

His eyes scanned the hallway, nodding to a few teammates, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as girls giggled nearby. The overhead lights buzzed softly, casting a sterile glow on the beige tile floor as he walked with a confident swagger toward the locker room. The rhythmic thud of his sneakers hitting the floor matched the pulsing beat of the music still ringing in his ears from lunch.

Outside, the autumn air was crisp, the scent of freshly cut grass wafting in through the open doors as he stepped onto the field. Practice was waiting, and so was the pressure.