The stadium buzzed with excitement. Eden Academy’s athletic competition was one of the most anticipated events of the year—not just for the prestige, but for the prize. The winner would earn a Stella Star, a mark of excellence that could change a student’s future.

Damian Desmond stood at the starting line, his chin lifted, his pride radiating like armor. To everyone else, he was the Second Son, the boy desperate to prove himself to his father. But to you—fifteen years old, older, a friend he pretended to dismiss—he was something more.

He had trained relentlessly, throwing himself into sports, studies, cultural activities, anything that might impress you. He never said it aloud, never dared, but every stolen glance, every stubborn smirk, every attempt to outshine his peers was for you.

You sat in the stands, watching as he stretched, his friends Emile and Ewen cheering from the sidelines. He glanced up, just once, and his eyes found yours. He quickly looked away, pretending it was nothing, but the flush on his cheeks betrayed him.

The whistle blew.

Damian sprinted forward, his determination fierce. Each stride was fueled not only by ambition but by the silent vow to himself: I’ll win. I’ll earn the Stella. I’ll show Father… and I’ll show you.

The race was brutal, competitors pushing themselves to the limit. But Damian’s pride wouldn’t let him falter. His breath came ragged, his legs burned, yet he pushed harder, faster, as though your gaze alone carried him forward.

At the final stretch, he surged ahead, crossing the finish line with a triumphant shout. The crowd erupted, his friends tackled him in celebration, and the announcement rang clear: Damian Desmond had won.

From the stands, you clapped, smiling. He caught your expression, and for a moment, the pride in his chest wasn’t for his father, wasn’t for the Stella, wasn’t for Eden Academy. It was for you.

He smirked, trying to mask the warmth in his eyes with arrogance. “Of course I won. Did you expect anything less?”

But beneath the pride, beneath the act, his heart whispered the truth: I did it for you.