The Muse Playbook

Chapter 11: LET'S PRACTICE

Let's Practice

The golden afternoon sun cast long shadows over the court as the team cooled down from practice. Laughter and chatter filled the air as they all lounged on the bleachers, passing around water bottles and teasing each other about missed shots.

Mia found herself comfortably squeezed between Zach and Sayge, her laughter blending with the team's easy camaraderie. She hadn’t expected to fit in so quickly, but somehow, the conversation flowed naturally.

“Man, I’m starving,” Aero groaned, stretching his arms. “Coach worked us to death today.”

“You? Starving?” A tall, broad-shouldered player sitting across from them smirked. “What’s new?”

Mia turned toward the voice. She recognized him as Tristan, one of the team’s power forwards. He had an easygoing aura, but his sharp eyes made it clear he was no pushover.

“Shut up, Tristan,” Aero muttered, making the others chuckle.

Beside Tristan sat Lance, the team’s shooting guard. He had sharp features and a quiet presence, but Mia had noticed how fast he moved on the court. He nodded at her. “Didn’t expect Haze to have a friend like you.”

“So, you grew up with Haze?” Zach asked, leaning forward with interest.

Mia took a sip of her water before shrugging. “Kinda. My dad used to be the chef for the Lagman family, so I spent a lot of time at their place when I was younger.”

Aero raised an eyebrow. “Wait—so you two were like childhood playmates?”

Haze, who had been drinking from his bottle, suddenly coughed.

Mia chuckled, glancing at him. “Yeah, you could say that.”

Sayge smirked. “So, were you close? Did Haze ever cry to you about losing a game?”

The group erupted in laughter, and Haze rolled his eyes. “Shut up, Sayge.”

Cyan, who had been watching quietly, leaned back with a grin. “Now that’s interesting. Maybe Mia knows all of Haze’s weaknesses.”

Mia smirked. “Oh, I do.”

Haze shot her a warning look, but she just smiled innocently, making the others laugh again.

Tristan whistled. “So you grew up with fine dining?”

Mia shook her head, laughing. “Not exactly. But I did get to taste some of the best dishes when my dad would practice new recipes at home.”

Kindrew, who had been quiet until now, leaned back with a smirk. “Okay, important question—does Haze know how to cook?”

The group turned to Haze, waiting for an answer. He scoffed. “I can cook instant noodles.”

“That’s not cooking,” Zach shot back, making everyone burst into laughter.

Lance smirked. “Bet he can’t even cook rice properly.”

Mia grinned. “Actually, he loves sneaking food when we were little.”

Aero gasped dramatically. “Haze, you were a food thief?”

Haze exhaled, shaking his head. “I was tasting. It’s called quality control.”

More laughter erupted, and the conversation shifted into playful teasing about food.

“You know what’s funny?” Tristan grinned. “I heard from Coach that Kindrew here eats three servings of rice before a game.”

Ken rolled his eyes. “That’s called fueling up. You guys should try it.”

“Sounds like an excuse to eat more,” Sayge muttered.

Lance smirked. “So, Mia, who do you think eats the most in this team?”

Mia tapped her chin, pretending to think. “Hmm… judging from the way Aero keeps complaining about food, I’d say it’s him.”

Aero groaned. “You’re ganging up on me now?”

Zach clapped his hands together, still grinning. “Alright, I have an idea. Since we’re already talking about food, let’s make this interesting—let’s have a bet.”

Tristan, snapped his fingers. “Alright, enough talking. Let’s play one more game. Six versus six.”

Aero grinned. “Make it interesting. Losers treat the winners to Mang Inasal.”

Mia perked up at that. Mang Inasal? She wasn’t about to miss this.

Excitement buzzed in the air as the boys grinned at each other, the competitive fire instantly reigniting.

“Deal.”

Zach took the lead in picking the teams.

"Alright, let’s divide this. Team captains—Kindrew and Haze."

A few cheers erupted as the two guys smirked at each other.

"You know the drill," Aero said. "Pick your players."

Haze rolled his shoulders, cracking his knuckles. "Let’s make this quick."

Kindrew smirked. "Don’t cry later, Lagman."

“Easy,” Haze smirked.

The selection began.

Team Kindrew:

Kindrew (Captain)

Aero

Zach

Raider (point guard)

Cyan (a senior player)

Troy (another varsity member)

Team Haze:

Haze (Captain)

Sayge

Justin (point guard)

Tristan (power forward)

Ethan (junior varsity)

Lance (shooting guard)

Sayge turned to Mia. “You’re the scorer.”

Mia raised an eyebrow. “Why do I feel like I’m just being used for entertainment?”

Kindrew chuckled. “Because you are.”

Mia shook her head but grabbed the scoreboard anyway. “Fine, but don’t blame me if I ‘accidentally’ miscount.”

The players laughed, jogging back onto the court as the crowd of students who had gathered stayed to watch the game.

The Game Begins.

Haze and Kindrew stood at center court for the jump ball, their eyes locked in quiet challenge.

Zach tossed the ball up, and in a quick leap, Haze tapped it toward Aero.

“First possession, Team Haze!” Mia called out.

The game started with quick passes, the ball moving swiftly between Aero and Sayge before Sayge drove to the basket.

Kindrew stepped in, blocking the lane. “Not happening.”

Sayge faked a pass and went for a mid-range shot—swish!

“Two points for Team Haze!” Mia announced.

On the next play, Kindrew took control, dribbling past Tristan before pulling up for a smooth three-pointer.

“Three points, Team Kindrew!”

Mia felt the tension in the air shift.

The game wasn’t just a casual match anymore.

Haze’s movements grew sharper, more aggressive, every time Kindrew scored. Kindrew, on the other hand, smirked each time he outplayed Haze, his confidence only fueling the silent competition between them.

Aero nudged Sayge as they jogged past Mia. “Is it just me, or is Haze playing like he has something to prove?”

Sayge grinned. “Maybe because someone is watching?”

Mia pretended not to hear, but her eyes stayed glued to the court.

Mia’s eyes darted back and forth as the players moved with precision and power.

She had to admit—both Haze and Kindrew were incredible players. Haze was fast, his movements fluid, every drive calculated. Kindrew, on the other hand, had a quiet confidence, his plays controlled and smooth.

And every time Kindrew scored, Haze’s jaw tightened just a little more.

The Final Play

With less than a minute left, the score was tied at 48-48.

The atmosphere was thick with anticipation.

Haze had the ball, and Kindrew was guarding him closely.

“Let’s finish this,” Kindrew muttered.

Haze smirked. “Try me.”

Then came the moment.

Haze’s team was trailing by two points. With barely a minute left, Aero passed him the ball, and Haze, instead of going for a layup, faked left, spun right—straight toward Kindrew.

For a split second, Mia held her breath.

Haze jumped. Kindrew jumped with him, arms raised to block.

But Haze twisted mid-air, his hand releasing the ball in a perfect fadeaway shot.

The ball soared.

Swish.

“Team Haze wins!” Mia, without thinking, jumped up from her seat. “Yes!”

Then she realized—she had reacted too much.

Kindrew turned toward her with a raised brow, while Aero and Sayge exchanged knowing looks.

"Someone's invested," Sayge teased.

Mia’s face burned. “I—I was just—keeping score!”

Kindrew sighed, shaking his head. “Lucky shot.”

Haze wiped the sweat from his brow, grinning. “Nah. Just better.”

The group laughed, but Mia noticed how Haze and Ken still hadn’t looked away from each other.

Sayge clapped his hands. “Alright, losers, time to pay up. Mang Inasal here we come!”

As the team started packing up, the energy still buzzed in the air from the intense match. Laughter and teasing filled the court as the losing team groaned about their upcoming Mang Inasal treat.

Mia was about to step off the bleachers when she felt a presence close beside her.

Haze leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Let’s practice later."

Mia froze.

Her heart skipped—no, raced.

She turned to him, but he was already walking away, his back relaxed like he hadn't just sent her thoughts into a spiral.

Practice?

Her mind immediately flashed back to that moment—the almost-kiss. The tension. The way he had looked at her.

Did he mean basketball?

Or… something else?

Mia pressed her lips together, trying to calm the sudden thumping in her chest.

Sayge, who had been watching from a few steps away, smirked. “You good there, Mia?”

Mia snapped out of her thoughts, forcing a laugh. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Sayge just chuckled knowingly. “No reason. Just… don’t forget to breathe.”

Mia rolled her eyes.

Mia barely had time to process Haze’s whisper before Ken’s voice cut through her spiraling thoughts.

"What did Haze tell you?"

Her breath hitched. She turned to Ken, her mind scrambling for an answer, but her lips wouldn’t move. His eyes studied her, sharp yet unreadable, waiting.

Haze’s words played over and over in her head.

"Let’s practice later."

Her heart pounded wildly. Did he mean… that kind of practice?

Before she could think of a way to dodge the question, Aero leaned in with a teasing smirk.

"Bathroom practice."

Mia’s body tensed.

The words yanked her into a memory so vivid it sent a shiver down her spine—

—the cool tiles of the gym bathroom pressing against her back

—Haze’s breath fanning over her lips, the air between them charged

—his eyes, dark and intent, as if daring her to push him away

—the moment she didn’t—

—his lips crashing into hers, urgent, desperate, as if he had been holding back for too long

—his fingers gripping her waist, pulling her closer, closer—

—until—

The door creaked.

A sharp intake of breath.

"Oi, what are you guys doing?"

Aero’s voice had shattered the moment back then, just as it did now, pulling her violently back to the present.

Her entire face went up in flames.

“B-bathroom practice?!” she sputtered, eyes wide as she looked at Aero, who was grinning like he just won the lottery.

Kindrew’s brows furrowed. "What the hell does that mean?"

Mia felt her pulse skyrocket. "Nothing! Aero’s just being stupid!"

Sayge leaned in, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You sure? You look… flustered."

"Super guilty," Aero added, winking at her.

Mia wanted to disappear.

And then, as if things couldn’t get any worse, she caught Haze’s gaze from across the bleachers.

He was still chatting with Zach and Tristan, acting as if he wasn’t listening, but the way his lips curled slightly, the way his fingers absentmindedly spun the ball in his hand. Mia knew.

He heard everything.

And worse, he knew exactly what she was thinking about.

Mia swallowed hard, her heart slamming against her ribs.

Ken was still staring at her, waiting for an explanation. Haze was watching, subtly, yet knowingly. Aero was enjoying every second of her misery.

But then—

Haze tilted his head, his gaze locking onto hers like he was waiting. Daring.

And then, slowly, he mouthed two words

"Bathroom. Practice."

Mia’s breath hitched.

Her mind blanked.

And just like that, her world flipped upside down.