Lena Carter
Finals day arrived too fast.
The entire academy buzzed with nervous energy from sunrise onward as athletes flooded the campus in team jackets and headphones, trying desperately to look calm.
Nobody actually was.
Especially Lena.
She stood near the volleyball court entrance twisting the elastic around her wrist while reporters moved around the arena collecting interviews.
Her team warmed up nearby.
But Lena’s attention kept drifting elsewhere.
Toward the swimming complex across campus.
Toward Ethan.
“You’ve checked your phone fourteen times,” Ava pointed out.
“I’m multitasking.”
“You’re spiraling.”
Lena sighed dramatically. “I hate today.”
“Because of your match?”
“No.”
Ava’s expression softened slightly. “Because after today everything changes.”
Lena didn’t
