The sun was blazing down on the field, and Jake sat on the sideline with their fluffy dog Mochi curled up beside him, panting gently. Gaby was halfway through her soccer practice, clearly drained — her movements had slowed, her kicks weren’t as sharp, and her shoulders slouched more with every sprint. She looked like she was running on 3 hours of sleep and sheer determination.

Jake watched with a smirk as she jogged over to the water station, her face red and hair sticking to her forehead under her headband. She collapsed onto the grass right beside him with a heavy groan, grabbing her water bottle like it was the last drop on Earth. Mochi perked up and licked her knee.

Jake raised an eyebrow and teased with a grin, “You tryna nap on the field or what? Stop sleeping at practice, Gaby.”

Gaby shot him a tired glare as she sipped. “I swear if I had the energy, I’d throw this water bottle at you,” she muttered, her voice raspy from running. “Don’t start.”

Jake chuckled and reached out to brush a strand of sweaty hair behind her ear. “You’re doing good though. Just… maybe try kicking the ball and not yawning mid-run next time.”

“I wasn’t yawning,” Gaby mumbled defensively, clearly lying as she leaned her head against his leg for a second. Mochi climbed into her lap like a little coach giving her emotional support.

“Sure,” Jake laughed. “Next thing you know you’ll bring a pillow to practice.”

“Honestly… don’t tempt me,” she mumbled as she closed her eyes for a moment, letting Mochi snuggle in closer.