A Secret Love

Chapter 6 - RYAN

As I jogged over to join my teammates, I could still feel the thrill of the festival buzzing in the air. The lights twinkled against the night sky, and laughter echoed around the campus. I loved events like these; they brought everyone together in such a spirited way. But amidst the fun, my mind kept drifting back to Lucy. I glanced around, hoping to spot her in the crowd.

“Hey, Ryan! You in or what?” Jackson, one of my teammates, called, pulling me back into the moment. I laughed and nodded, taking my place in the impromptu pickup game. The ball felt good at my feet—familiar and grounding. As we started playing, I couldn’t shake the thought of Lucy.

“Man, you’re not even paying attention!” Brandon shouted during a timeout, wiping sweat off his forehead. “What’s going on? You keep looking at the sidelines.”

“Just… thinking about Lucy,” I admitted, trying to sound casual.

“Uh-oh, somebody’s got it bad!” Jackson teased, grinning.

“You’re not even trying to hide it!”

“Shut up,” I retorted with a slight smirk, though I could feel my cheeks heat up.

She had looked amazing tonight in that navy-blue dress, her freckles peeking through the glow of the festival lights. I admired how genuine she was, her laughter infectious. The way she always managed to stay true to herself in a sea of superficiality was something I admired about her. I’d always felt a connection with Lucy that was deeper than what anyone else could see, and I loved that we could share these moments together, even if we had to keep things under wraps.

After scoring a goal, a rush of excitement surged through me. I turned to the sidelines, scanning for Lucy’s familiar face, but she wasn’t where I expected her to be. I frowned slightly, searching the crowd. It worried me to be away from her. I’d noticed how being around Ava sometimes seemed to change the atmosphere; the way she carried herself often cast a shadow over others, and I didn’t want Lucy to feel small or unwelcome.

“Ryan, you okay?” Brandon, another teammate, asked, noticing my distraction.

“Yeah, just looking for Lucy,” I replied, forcing a smile. “You know how she gets lost in the crowd.”

“True, but she’s tough. She can handle herself,” Jackson reassured me, though I still felt an uneasy knot forming in my stomach.

“Yeah, but still…” I started, trailing off.

They chuckled and clapped me on the back, urging me to focus on the game. I tried to shake off the concern, immersing myself in the play, but I couldn’t fully concentrate. Every time I scored or made a good pass, I found myself wishing Lucy were right there beside me, cheering me on.

Finally, we took a break, and I jogged to the sidelines, desperate to find her. Scanning the crowd, I spotted her at a food stall, enjoying a cup of hot cider. Relief washed over me. She looked so cozy and content, chatting with Sarah and some of their friend from their class. Just seeing her smile warmed my heart.

As I approached, I felt a sudden tension in the air, like a current of electricity. It only heightened when I noticed Ava and her friends making their way toward Lucy. I slowed down, instinctively sensing that trouble might be brewing. Ava had a way of twisting kindness into something sharp and cutting, and for a moment, I hesitated.

“Let’s go see what they’re up to,” I muttered to myself under my breath, glancing back at my teammates.

I caught a glimpse of Lucy’s face as they reached her. My stomach twisted at the sight. Ava’s smile was icy, and I could practically hear the condescension dripping from her words.

“Well, if it isn’t Ryan Hall’s sidekick!” Ava remarked, her tone dripping with fake sweetness. Lucy straightened, her expression unreadable.

“Hey, Ava..”

“Are you lost? Surely you should be out there cheering for your husband or something,” Ava shot back, a smirk playing on her lips. I clenched my fists, trying to contain the anger bubbling within me. I wanted to charge in and defend her, but part of me knew that Lucy was strong. She could handle herself, but it still hurt to watch.

When Lucy stood tall and responded to Ava, my chest swelled with pride and a fierce protectiveness. She wasn’t backing down, and that defiance was a testament to her strength. But then came Ava’s response, brimming with arrogance. I clenched my fists, feeling the anger bubble within me.

“Hey, Lucy!” I called out, finally stepping forward. Their gaze shifted to me, and I could see the surprise mixed with the smirk on Ava’s face. “I was looking for you.”

"Ryan!" Lucy said, She seemed to relax a bit in my presence.

“What’s going on here?” I asked, directing my attention to Ava, my tone shifting. “Everything okay?”

“Just a little chat,” Ava said, feigning innocence. “Right, Lucy?”

“Right,” Lucy nodded, though her eyes held a flicker of worry. "But I think it's my turn to enjoy the festival now."

As I closed the gap, I could see a flicker of relief in Lucy’s eyes. “Good idea,” I said, stepping closer to Lucy and wrapping an arm around her shoulder, hoping to convey my support. “You ready to join in on the fun?” I asked, my voice casual despite the tension still crackling nearby.

“Always,” she replied, her smile returning, though I could see the shadow lingering in her expression. I’d have to check in with her later to see how she was really doing.

“Just try not to get us kicked out,” I joked lightly, trying to restore some levity. Ava rolled her eyes dramatically.

“You know, you two would make a cute couple if you weren’t so… ordinary.”

“Ordinary is great,” I shot back, not backing down. “At least we’re real.”

“Sure, Ryan,” she smirked, but I could see her momentarily taken aback.

We walked toward the games, and as I felt her warmth next to me, I knew that no matter what anyone else thought, I wanted her by my side. She was so much more than what they saw. And together, we could tackle anything, festival dramas included.