BETWEEN TWO HEARTS.

CHAPTER NINE; Instinct

"Sometimes your heart reacts before your mind has time to think."

The final bell echoed through Westbrook High, and students poured into the hallways like water escaping a broken dam.

Lockers slammed.

Friends called out hurried goodbyes.

Some rushed for the school buses while others lingered in the courtyard, making weekend plans even though it was only Tuesday.

Davi adjusted the strap of her backpack as Aya caught up beside her.

"So," Aya began, "have you thought about your project?"

"I have."

"And?"

"I still think technology is the easiest topic."

Aya sighed dramatically.

"I was hoping you'd say you'd do all the work."

"I was hoping you'd stop being lazy."

"I prefer the word 'efficient.'"

Davi laughed.

"You and the dictionary need to have a serious conversation."

"I'm offended."

"I know."

"You don't even sound sorry."

"I'm not."

Before Aya could fake another complaint, Henry jogged toward them with a basketball tucked under one arm.

"There you are!"

Aya folded her arms.

"You really do appear out of nowhere."

"It's a talent."

"It's a problem."

Henry ignored her.

"Coach moved practice forward."

"So you're happy because..." Davi asked.

"I get to finish earlier."

"You are aware most people celebrate finishing school, not extra practice."

"I'm not most people."

"No," Ethan said as he walked up beside Henry. "You're definitely not."

Henry pointed at him.

"See? That's friendship."

"I wasn't complimenting you."

"I'll take it anyway."

The group laughed as they walked toward the gymnasium.

Aya stopped outside the entrance.

"I'll wait in the library."

Davi nodded.

"I won't be long."

"You always say that."

"And I'm usually right."

Aya smiled before heading toward the school library.

Inside the gym, practice was already underway.

The squeak of sneakers echoed across the polished floor as players ran drills under Coach Williams' watchful eye.

Davi sat on the front row of the bleachers, pulling out her English notebook.

If Henry was practicing, she might as well make a start on the project.

A few minutes later, someone sat beside her.

She looked up.

Ethan.

"I thought you were practicing too."

"I finished early."

"Oh."

He glanced at the notebook on her lap.

"Starting already?"

"I like getting things done."

"I noticed."

A comfortable silence settled between them.

Not awkward.

Just... familiar.

Ethan looked down at her notebook.

"I found an article online that might help."

"You already started researching?"

He shrugged.

"I couldn't sleep."

She smiled.

"So you studied instead?"

"I know."

"You're making the rest of us look bad."

"I wasn't trying to."

"I know."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The sounds of basketballs bouncing filled the gym.

Then—

"Henry!"

Coach's voice rang out sharply.

Henry leaped to catch a rebound.

He landed.

His foot rolled awkwardly beneath him.

He stumbled with a sharp gasp before dropping to one knee.

The gym fell silent.

Without thinking, Davi was already on her feet.

"Henry!"

She hurried onto the court.

At almost the exact same moment, Ethan reached him from the other side.

"You okay?" Ethan asked, kneeling beside him.

Henry forced a grin despite the pain.

"I totally meant to do that."

Coach Williams folded his arms.

"No, you didn't."

"I was... testing gravity."

"You've tested it enough."

Even wincing, Henry chuckled.

"I think it won."

Davi knelt beside him.

"Can you stand?"

"I'll survive."

"That's not what I asked."

Henry looked between her and Ethan before sighing dramatically.

"I hate when you both use the sensible voice."

Ethan smiled.

"It means you're not getting away with pretending."

Coach crouched beside them and gently examined Henry's ankle.

"Nothing feels broken."

Everyone let out a quiet breath.

"But it's definitely a sprain."

Henry groaned.

"My perfect attendance..."

"You'll miss a few practices."

"My reputation..."

"You'll survive."

"My fans..."

Coach raised an eyebrow.

"What fans?"

The team burst into laughter.

Even Davi couldn't stop herself from smiling.

With Ethan supporting one side and Davi the other, Henry slowly stood.

"Ouch..."

"You good?" Ethan asked.

"I've been better."

"You've also been worse," Davi reminded him.

"That's surprisingly comforting."

They carefully helped him toward the bench.

As they walked, Henry looked at the two of them.

"You know..."

"What?" Davi asked.

"If you two keep agreeing with each other like this..."

He paused thoughtfully.

"...I'm going to start charging for teamwork."

Davi rolled her eyes.

"You're injured and you're still talking."

"I have a reputation to maintain."

Ethan laughed.

"I think you'll be fine."

Coach handed Henry an ice pack.

"Take it easy for a few days."

Henry sighed.

"So no basketball?"

"No basketball."

Henry looked as though someone had cancelled Christmas.

Outside the gym, the afternoon sun was beginning to set.

Aya hurried over the moment she saw them.

"What happened?"

"Your favorite basketball player lost a fight with the floor," Davi replied.

Aya looked at Henry.

"...Did the floor win?"

Henry looked offended.

"Traitor."

"I asked a question."

"It absolutely won," Ethan admitted.

Aya nodded sympathetically.

"I had a feeling."

Henry groaned.

"I need better friends."

"You have great friends," Davi said softly.

For a second, Henry looked at her.

Then at Ethan.

A smile spread across his face.

"...Yeah."

"I really do."

they walked toward the school gate together, Henry suddenly stopped.

"Oh no."

Davi frowned.

"What?"

"My project."

Ethan looked at him.

"What about it?"

Henry pulled out his phone and frowned at the screen.

"Dad just texted me. He's taking me to the clinic tomorrow after school."

"So?" Aya asked.

"So... I won't be able to stay back and work on the project."

Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice called from behind them.

"Henry."

They turned around to see Mrs. Lawson walking toward them with a few exercise books in her arms.

"I heard about your ankle. I hope it's nothing serious."

"I'll survive," Henry replied with a grin.

"I'm sure you will."

She smiled before looking at Ethan and Davi.

"That actually solves another problem."

The three of them looked at her curiously.

"You two were already making good progress today."

She gestured toward Ethan and Davi.

"Since Henry won't be staying after school tomorrow, why don't you and Ethan use the library to continue your project?"

Davi blinked.

"The library?"

Mrs. Lawson nodded.

"It'll be quieter, and I'll still be around if either of you needs help."

"Sounds good, ma'am," Ethan replied politely.

"Wonderful."

She smiled before continuing on her way.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Henry looked from Ethan... to Davi... and back again.

A slow grin spread across his face.

"Well..."

"What?" Davi asked cautiously.

Henry shrugged.

"Looks like you two have a date tomorrow."

Davi's eyes widened.

"It's not a date."

"I know."

He chuckled.

"I'm just messing with you."

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck, trying to hide a smile.

"I'll meet you at the library after class?"

Davi hesitated for only a second before nodding.

"...Okay."

Neither of them noticed Aya quietly watching the exchange.

It wasn't what they said that caught her attention.

It was how naturally they had agreed.

No awkwardness.

No hesitation.

Just... easy.

Aya smiled to herself.

Maybe she'd been imagining things.

Or maybe...

Tomorrow would answer a few questions.