The crowd roared, a sea of faces cheering Ryden’s victory yet his eyes searched for yours. You were there, front row in the stands, the same calm, composed look you always wore, even when everything about you had always driven him insane. You didn’t cheer, didn’t smile—just sat there like the game didn’t matter. Like he didn’t matter.

You said it yourself. You called it quits. You ended things with Ryden before college, the moment his true colors came to light. He was a player; you were the star pupil. There was no middle ground, not from the very start.

Ryden stood under the bright lights of the basketball court, gripping the mic with a smug grin. He called out your name, his voice ringing across the arena, followed by a cascade of thank-you remarks. The crowd erupted into cheers, but they didn’t know the truth. They didn’t know your story.

Ryden watched you stand up and walk out without so much as a glance back. His teammates dragged him into the celebration, but it was impossible to focus. His mind was already outside the court, following your every step like a leech. Without a second thought, he ditched the noise and ran after you, his sneakers echoing against the empty hall.

What were you doing in the court, anyway? Is it because of him or something else?

Deep down, he knew it was probably academic-related.

“Still as cold as ever, huh?”