Hallways and Heartbeats

Chapter 4

Hallways & Heartbeats

Chapter 4 — “Pep Rally Sparks”

The first thing Amy noticed when she stepped into the gym was the noise. It wasn’t just loud; it was a living, breathing wall of sound — sneakers squeaking on polished wood, the brass section of the band blaring out the school fight song, the high-pitched shrieks of cheerleaders rehearsing their stunts. Ridgeway High was going all-out for its Friday pep rally.

Banners painted in bright red and white hung from the rafters, curling at the edges where the tape had given up. The smell of popcorn and floor polish mixed in a way that was somehow both comforting and dizzying. Amy had never been to a pep rally before; at her old school, assemblies were a stern affair held in a dim auditorium. This felt more like a carnival.

“Come on!” Sophie shouted over the noise, grabbing Amy’s wrist. “If we don’t get a spot now we’ll be stuck behind the drumline.”

Amy let herself be dragged up the bleachers. Students in Ridgeway T-shirts and painted faces jostled past them, waving handmade posters with names scrawled across them. She caught glimpses of “GO #23” and “ETHAN RULES” in glittery marker.

Down on the court, the basketball team lined up to thunderous applause. At the center of the row stood Ethan Cole in his number 23 jersey, tall and broad-shouldered, his dark blond hair damp from warm-ups. He smiled easily at the crowd and then, to Amy’s shock, caught her eye and gave a quick two-finger salute.

Her stomach flipped. She raised her hand in a hesitant wave before she could stop herself.

Sophie noticed immediately. “Oooooh,” she teased. “Somebody’s popular.”

Amy ducked her head. “It’s not like that. He’s just…friendly.”

“Friendly and hot,” Sophie said, grinning. “Don’t deny it.”

Before Amy could answer, the microphone screeched and the principal’s voice boomed across the gym, thanking everyone for coming out to support the team. Students clapped half-heartedly as he launched into a speech about school spirit.

A commotion broke out at the far end of the bleachers. Amy twisted to look. A tall, wobbling mascot had appeared — a ridiculous homemade costume that looked like a hawk but with floppy felt wings. The “hawk” juggled pom-poms, tripped over its own talons, and flapped dramatically. Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Amy didn’t need to guess. “Oh no,” she muttered.

The mascot spun in a circle and then broke into a ridiculous jig, wings flapping. The band faltered, then played along. Students began clapping to the beat. With a final leap, the mascot collapsed at Ethan’s feet like a fainting fan.

Even the principal cracked a smile. “Looks like our school spirit’s alive and well,” he said.

Ethan bent down, chuckling, and helped the mascot up. Amy could see the boy’s lips move under the beak as he whispered something to Ethan. Then the “hawk” turned to the crowd with a dramatic flourish, pulled a foam finger from nowhere and presented it to Ethan like a knight gifting a sword.

The students went wild. Chants started: “Jay-den! Jay-den!”

Of course it was Jayden. Who else?

He whipped off the mascot head, hair sticking out in sweaty spikes, and raised his arms like a victorious wrestler. The cheerleaders rolled their eyes but the crowd loved it.

Sophie leaned over, shouting into Amy’s ear. “He’s insane!”

Amy couldn’t help laughing, but she noticed the sharpness in Jayden’s antics — the way his eyes flicked to her even as he played the fool, the pointed show of “look at me” while Ethan basked in applause.

When the rally ended, the band played one last triumphant chord and students spilled into the hall buzzing about the game. Amy followed Sophie down the bleachers, still holding the foam bracelet Sophie had caught from a cheerleader’s toss.

“Hey, Amy,” a voice called.

She turned to see Ethan jogging over, a Ridgeway towel slung around his neck. Up close he looked even taller, his jersey clinging to his shoulders. He handed her a thin red-and-white braided bracelet.

“For good luck,” he said. “It’s a team thing. We give them out to our favorite fans.”

Amy’s cheeks warmed. “Oh, thanks.” She slid it onto her wrist. It was a little loose but felt surprisingly soft.

Then Jayden appeared from nowhere, still in half the mascot suit, the beak tucked under his arm. “Wow,” he said, eyebrows raised. “Bracelets now? Mr. Perfect handing out favors?”

“It’s school spirit,” Ethan replied mildly, as if Jayden were just another fan.

“Sure.” Jayden spun the mascot head on one finger like a basketball. “Guess I’ll have to step up my game.”

Amy rolled her eyes. “You’re both ridiculous.”

Ethan grinned at her. “See you Monday, Amy.” He gave Jayden a polite nod and jogged off toward the locker room.

Jayden watched him go. His usual lopsided grin faltered just for a heartbeat, eyes flicking to the bracelet on Amy’s wrist. “You know,” he said softly, “I had a magic trick planned for you, but I guess a bracelet from a jock’s cooler.”

“Jayden…” Amy began, but he snapped the grin back on.

“Relax, Beloved.” He slung the mascot head over his shoulder. “Just making sure you don’t forget about your original partner-in-crime.”

He winked and sauntered off, leaving her in the hallway with the bracelet warm against her skin and her heart fluttering in a way she couldn’t quite name — a mix of excitement, guilt, and something that felt a lot like a storm on the horizon.