DETENTION HEARTS

### Chapter Eight: Unexpected Rescue

The second day of Competition Week began with sunshine.

After yesterday's rain and mud, Crestview Academy looked brand-new. Dew sparkled on the football field, students waved house flags from dorm windows, and music echoed through the courtyard before breakfast.

Blue House was still leading.

Barely.

And according to Tessa, that meant everyone had officially lost their minds.

"We cannot lose today," she declared, pointing a spoon at Scarlett across the breakfast table.

Scarlett laughed. "You're acting like we're fighting for world peace."

"We're fighting for the Founder Cup."

"Same thing?"

"Exactly."

Olivia shook her head. "She's been like this since six this morning."

"I've had school spirit since birth," Tessa said proudly.

Before Scarlett could reply, a familiar voice called from across the cafeteria.

"Captain!"

Scarlett turned to see Ethan walking backward through the room, somehow carrying two trays without looking where he was going.

Jayden sighed dramatically. "One day he's gonna crash into a wall."

"I heard that," Ethan said.

"You were supposed to."

Scarlett watched as Ethan finally reached his table. The room seemed to shift around him effortlessly. People greeted him, laughed at his jokes, and made space without him asking.

But after what she'd learned about Lily...

She couldn't look at him the same way anymore.

The mask was still there.

She just knew it was a mask now.

The Duo Strategy Challenge took place in the gym.

Instead of physical strength, teams had to solve puzzles, unlock coded boxes, and complete obstacle stations together.

Coach Reynolds stood in the center with a whistle around his neck.

"Today's challenge isn't about who's strongest."

Jayden raised a hand.

"Then why am I here?"

"It's about communication."

Jayden lowered his hand.

"I'm doomed."

Laughter spread through the gym.

Scarlett adjusted the Blue Hawks wristband on her arm as Ethan walked over.

"You ready?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"To beat you?"

"We're on the same team."

"I meant everyone else."

He grinned.

"Better answer."

The first puzzle seemed easy.

Until it wasn't.

A giant wooden board displayed scrambled letters.

T E N I D Y T I

Teams had thirty seconds.

Scarlett stared.

"Identity."

Ethan hit the buzzer.

Correct.

Blue House cheered.

The second station required unlocking a combination box.

Three clues.

One answer.

Scarlett figured out the math.

Ethan noticed a hidden symbol everyone else missed.

Together—

They opened the box first.

Coach Reynolds blew his whistle.

"Blue House takes another point!"

Scarlett smiled despite herself.

"We're actually good at this."

Ethan smirked.

"Don't sound so surprised."

"I am."

By the fourth station, something strange happened.

They stopped arguing.

Not completely.

But differently.

"Left."

"My left."

"Your other left."

"I know my left."

"You just turned right."

"...I was testing you."

Scarlett laughed.

"Liar."

"Successful liar."

They finished the station in record time.

Even Bianca looked irritated from across the gym.

The final event happened outdoors.

It was called The Ridge Run.

Students had to sprint across a grassy hill, climb over wooden barriers, cross a balance beam, and ring a bell at the finish line.

Coach Reynolds gathered everyone.

"Safety first."

Jayden whispered, "Famous last words."

The whistle blew.

Students exploded forward.

Scarlett focused on breathing.

One step.

Another.

She cleared the first barrier.

Second.

Third.

Blue House shouted her name.

"Scarlett!"

She smiled.

Then—

Her foot landed wrong.

The wet grass betrayed her.

Everything happened too fast.

Her ankle twisted.

Pain shot through her leg.

She hit the ground hard.

The world blurred.

The cheering stopped sounding exciting.

It sounded distant.

Someone shouted—

"She's down!"

Scarlett tried standing.

Her ankle immediately gave out.

"Ow."

She clenched her jaw.

Don't cry.

Don't cry.

Don't—

Before she could try again—

Someone reached her.

Ethan.

He dropped beside her instantly.

"Scarlett."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

"I can walk."

She tried proving it.

Bad idea.

She nearly fell again.

Ethan caught her before she hit the ground.

The crowd watched.

Coach Reynolds started running toward them.

"You okay?"

Ethan answered before Scarlett could.

"She needs the nurse."

Scarlett protested.

"I'm okay."

He looked directly at her.

"No."

His voice stayed calm.

"But you're hurt."

Without waiting for permission—

He slipped one arm behind her knees.

The other around her back.

Then lifted her.

Princess style.

The crowd exploded.

Phones appeared immediately.

Jayden shouted dramatically—

"Carter unlocked Hero Mode!"

Bianca's expression darkened.

Scarlett's face burned.

"Ethan."

"What?"

"Put me down."

"No."

"Everyone's staring."

"I know."

"This is embarrassing."

He smiled faintly.

"I've embarrassed myself plenty."

"That's different."

"Not really."

She sighed.

He wasn't listening.

The walk to the nurse's office felt much longer than usual.

Neither spoke for the first minute.

Finally—

Scarlett muttered,

"I'm heavy."

He looked offended.

"No, you're not."

"You don't have to lie."

"I'm literally carrying you."

She laughed softly.

"You've got a point."

"There it is."

"What?"

"The laugh."

She rolled her eyes.

"You're impossible."

"I've been told."

The school nurse examined her ankle carefully.

"Good news."

Scarlett looked hopeful.

"It's not broken."

She exhaled.

"But."

Scarlett groaned.

"There's always a but."

"It's a sprain."

The nurse wrapped the ankle tightly.

"No running for at least a week."

Scarlett's smile disappeared.

Competition Week.

Debate practice.

Everything.

Ruined.

She stared at the floor.

"I let Blue House down."

Ethan spoke quietly.

"No."

She looked at him.

"We were winning because of you."

"You finished the race."

"I finished carrying my partner."

Neither noticed how that sounded until the nurse smiled knowingly.

Scarlett cleared her throat.

"We're partners for the competition."

The nurse nodded innocently.

"Of course."

News traveled across campus in under twenty minutes.

By dinner—

Everyone had a version of the story.

"Ethan carried her across the whole field."

"He yelled at Coach."

"He almost fought someone."

"He's in love."

Jayden dramatically corrected people.

"He did not fight anyone."

Pause.

"He considered it."

Ethan threw a bread roll at him.

Jayden caught it.

Still talking.

"He's blushing."

"I am not."

Scarlett buried her face in her hands.

"This school needs hobbies."

Tessa grinned.

"This is our hobby."

That evening—

Someone knocked on Scarlett's dorm door.

Olivia opened it.

"Ethan."

Scarlett blinked.

"What are you doing here?"

He held up a small paper bag.

"I brought ice packs."

She stared.

"You didn't have to."

"I know."

He handed over the bag.

Inside—

Ice packs.

Pain relief cream.

And—

Her favorite chocolate.

She frowned.

"How did you know?"

"You always buy that one after lunch."

Scarlett froze.

"You noticed?"

He shrugged casually.

"I notice stuff."

Olivia quietly disappeared into the hallway.

Giving them privacy.

Scarlett leaned against the doorframe.

"Thank you."

This time—

She meant it completely.

Ethan smiled.

"The nurse said keep the ice on twenty minutes."

"Yes, Doctor."

"I'm basically qualified now."

She laughed.

He looked relieved hearing it.

As he turned to leave—

Scarlett spoke.

"Ethan."

He looked back.

"I'm glad."

She hesitated.

"...you were there."

For the first time all day—

His usual confidence disappeared.

"I'm glad too."

Then he walked away.

Scarlett watched until he disappeared around the corner.

She closed the door slowly.

Looked down at the chocolate.

Smiled.

Across campus—

Ethan reached his dorm.

Jayden was waiting with folded arms.

"So."

"What?"

"You bought her favorite chocolate."

Ethan froze.

"I did."

"You remembered it."

"...I did."

Jayden grinned.

"Dude."

Ethan sighed.

"I know."

"No."

Jayden laughed.

"You really don't."

Ethan looked out the window toward the girls' dorm.

For the first time—

He wasn't wondering how to get under Scarlett Hayes's skin.

He was wondering how to make sure she smiled again.

And that realization scared him far more than carrying her ever had.

End of Chapter Eight.