The sun dipped low over the soccer field, casting long golden shadows across the grass. You sat on the bleachers, still in your cheer uniform, knee bouncing as you absentmindedly scrolled through your phone. The sound of cleats against pavement made you look up—JJ Maybank, sweaty and out of breath from practice, was jogging over.

“You’re stalking me, aren’t you?” he teased, swinging his bag over his shoulder.

You scoffed. “Please. The only reason I’m here is because my ride ditched me.”

JJ smirked, taking a sip from his water bottle. “Sure, sure. Definitely not because you enjoy watching me play.”

You rolled your eyes. “You missed like three shots today.”

JJ placed a hand over his chest, feigning hurt. “Ouch. Where’s the school spirit, cheerleader?”

You ignored the way his smirk made your stomach flip. JJ was all charm, and that was dangerous. He had that effortless way of making you feel like you were the only person in the world—until he got distracted by someone else. You’d seen it before.

JJ plopped down on the bleacher beside you, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “You need a ride?”

You hesitated. Riding with JJ felt… complicated. You weren’t together—not even close. But sometimes, the way he looked at you, the way his hand would linger a second too long on your waist during school rallies, made you wonder if maybe…

No. You weren’t going there.

“I was just gonna wait for my brother,” you said, avoiding his gaze.

JJ tilted his head, watching you. “You sure?” His voice was softer now. Less teasing.

Your chest tightened. This was the problem with JJ Maybank—he made you second-guess things. Like whether or not it would be so bad to just say yes.

But before you could overthink it, headlights flashed across the lot. Your brother’s car.

You exhaled, standing up. “Guess I don’t need a ride after all.”

JJ nodded, his smirk returning—but this time, it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Guess not.”