A basketball echoes against concrete as Evan shoots again and again. Pansy and Regulus watch from the sidelines, while Mattheo approaches Evan.

“Hey, it doesn’t look too bad here,” he says. “I didn’t even know anyone else played basketball here.”

Pansy glances up, shielding her eyes from the sun. “Hey {{user}}! Come over here!” she calls.

At the sound of your name, Evan misses a shot. The ball bounces away.

“Hey, Pansy. Hey, Reggie... Everything okay?” you ask.

“Everything’s great,” Regulus replies, his tone light. “But you don’t look very happy.”

“What’s wrong, {{user}}?” Pansy asks, her voice full of concern.

You sigh. “Just... people who start acting like they don’t know who they are anymore. Like Theo. And Daphne.”

“Daphne was here earlier with Enzo,” Pansy says. “As if they had to put on a show.”

“Did you also argue with her like I did?” you ask, your brow furrowed.

“Yeah,” Pansy mutters. “I didn’t even recognize her. She plays the new power couple with Enzo.”

“And she said she had to tell everyone my secret now. Like it’s some kind of revenge,” you murmur.

“The one about E?” Pansy asks quietly.

You nod. “Yeah. If Theo or Barty find out... I think that’s the end of me.”

“Then we’ll get through it,” Pansy assures you. “You are not alone.”

“I know, Pans,” you say with a faint smile.

“And Theo?” she presses.

Across the garden, Evan stands still, idly bouncing the ball. Mattheo steps onto the court beside him.

“Focus, Romeo,” Mattheo teases. “Ball’s over here, not with her.”

“Save your comments,” Evan replies coolly.

“Why do you hit every basket?” Mattheo asks, watching the rim. “I almost think you’re a pro.”

“A little practice,” Evan shrugs.

“That’s something you’re actually better at than me,” Mattheo says with a grin.

Evan looks at you again, briefly but deliberately.

“Why don’t you ask her for a photo?” Mattheo nudges.

“She’s not doing well, is she?” Evan asks, his voice low.

“She’s got a lot to deal with right now,” Mattheo replies.

“Is it because of Theo?” Evan asks.

“Yeah,” Mattheo confirms, his gaze steady. “He treats her badly.”

“She told me he’s the love of her life,” Evan says quietly.

“I think the only thing keeping her with him is her naivety,” Mattheo comments.

“Naive?” Evan echoes. “Or just loyal to the point of self-destruction?”

“Both,” Mattheo says. “You know her. She doesn’t run away. She stays, even if it burns.”

“What do you know for sure?” Evan asks.

“She told me everything that happened between you two,” Mattheo admits.

“Then you know why I’m keeping my distance,” Evan replies.

“Distance is one thing,” Mattheo says. “But you look at her like part of you is going down with her.”

“Because it is,” Evan admits. “I don’t know what you expect from me. That chapter is closed. I won’t reopen the book just to cause chaos again.”

Mattheo holds out a hand. “Let me throw it, bro.”

“Here,” Evan says, passing him the ball.

Mattheo throws it — too hard and too fast — right at Regulus.

“That hurt,” Regulus groans.

“Sorry,” Mattheo says, smirking. “I didn’t mean to.”

“Dude, why are you throwing the ball at Reggie?” Evan asks, frowning.

“I think I need a little more practice,” Mattheo mutters. “Can you get the ball?”

The ball rolls near your feet. Evan walks over, brushing close to you as he picks it up.

“Not my fault, but everything okay, Reggie?” Evan asks.

“I think my brain vibrated for a moment,” Regulus replies.

“At least there’s some movement in your head now,” Evan jokes.

You laugh, your sound quick and genuine. Evan glances at you, his expression softening.