Third Person POV
River stood at the edge of the court, the basketball gripped tightly in his hands. The coach was shouting something about defense, but it was just noise in his ears. His eyes flicked to the bleachers were Roman and Rain were seated, both looking unusually tense.
They hadn’t spoken much during lunch, and now their silence only added to the knot of unease tightening in his chest. He glanced at the spot where Noel usually sat—empty. Again. His grip tightened on the ball. Where the hell was she?
He tried to focus, dribbling the ball as if the repetitive thuds might drown out his thoughts. It didn’t help. Minutes passed, each one stretching longer than the last, until finally, he snapped. He threw the ball toward the hoop, barely watching as it clanged off the rim. He rais
