Against the Rules

Episode 3 : Will everything change?

The Monday morning sun poured through the tall classroom windows, casting long golden streaks across rows of desks. The gentle hum of conversation filled the room as students settled into their seats, some reviewing notes while others complained about the amount of homework assigned over the weekend.

Simone Carter sat quietly near the front, absentmindedly twirling a blue pen between her fingers. Despite everything that had happened over the past two days, she had begun finding her rhythm at Blackwood University. She had a team that welcomed her, a friend in Gabrielle, and lectures she genuinely enjoyed.

Well...

Almost everything was beginning to feel normal.

"Miss Carter?"

Professor Anderson's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

She looked up.

"Would you mind solving this equation for the class?"

A few students turned to watch her.

Simone nodded confidently before standing and walking to the whiteboard. Mathematics had always come naturally to her. Within moments, she had written the first steps of the solution, explaining each calculation as she worked.

"You've skipped a step there," Professor Anderson said with a smile.

"I know," Simone replied. "I was just about to explain it."

A few students chuckled.

Professor Anderson folded his arms, clearly impressed.

Just as Simone reached the final part of the equation, three sharp knocks echoed through the classroom.

Everyone turned toward the door.

"Come in," Professor Anderson called.

The door swung open.

For a brief second, the room fell completely silent.

A tall young man stepped inside carrying a backpack over one shoulder. His dark brown hair was slightly messy, as though he had run a hand through it one too many times that morning. His sharp jawline, warm hazel eyes, and relaxed smile immediately drew attention from nearly every student in the room.

Even Professor Anderson paused.

"Class," he announced, "this is Garrett Brooks."

"Our newest transfer student."

Whispers immediately spread through the classroom.

"He's cute."

"Very cute."

"I heard he transferred from Westbridge University."

"No wonder everyone's staring."

Charlotte, Riley, and Jasmine exchanged excited glances, barely trying to hide their interest.

Garrett offered the class an easy smile.

"Nice to meet you all."

As he scanned the room for an empty seat, his eyes landed on Simone, who was still standing at the board.

His gaze shifted to the unfinished equation.

"Professor..."

Professor Anderson looked at him curiously.

"May I?"

The professor smiled.

"Go ahead."

Garrett walked confidently toward the front of the classroom.

He stopped beside Simone.

"May I borrow the marker?"

For a second, Simone simply looked at him.

Then, without saying a word, she handed it over.

Garrett quickly examined her work before adding two short lines beneath the final calculation.

"There."

He stepped back.

Professor Anderson adjusted his glasses before reading the solution.

A smile spread across his face.

"Excellent."

He looked between them.

"Miss Carter had the correct approach, and Mr. Brooks completed the final step beautifully."

"The two of you make quite a team."

The class applauded lightly.

Simone accepted the marker back with a polite nod, but inside she couldn't help feeling slightly irritated.

I could have finished that myself.

As she returned to her seat, Garrett followed and slid into the empty chair beside her.

"Sorry," he whispered.

"I wasn't trying to steal your moment."

Simone didn't look at him.

"You kind of did."

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Fair enough."

For the rest of the lecture, Simone focused on her notes, pretending the handsome stranger beside her didn't exist.

Unfortunately, Charlotte, Riley, and Jasmine noticed everything.

Charlotte leaned toward Jasmine.

"Did you see that?"

"He walked right up to her."

Jasmine folded her arms.

"She doesn't deserve all that attention."

Riley rolled her eyes.

"First Zion..."

"And now him?"

Jasmine's jaw tightened.

"I don't like her."

When Professor Anderson finally dismissed the class at four o'clock, students flooded into the corridors.

Simone packed her books quickly.

She had basketball practice.

As always.

Without noticing, Garrett watched her disappear into the hallway.

"Interesting," he murmured to himself.

The basketball gym echoed with familiar sounds as Simone changed into her practice jersey.

The scent of polished hardwood and the rhythmic bounce of basketballs instantly calmed her mind.

Coach Reynolds blew his whistle.

"Warm-up laps!"

As the team began jogging, Simone glanced toward the sideline.

Assistant Coach Brandon Hayes stood beside Coach Reynolds discussing the afternoon's practice plan.

For a brief moment, memories from two nights earlier flashed through her mind.

The dark road.

The pickup truck.

His calm voice telling her to be careful.

Without realizing it, she slowed her pace.

"Eyes forward, Carter," Gabrielle teased as she jogged past.

Simone blinked.

"Right."

She pushed the thoughts aside and focused entirely on practice.

Across the sports complex, the men's basketball team was also beginning training.

Coach Miller stood near the entrance with a clipboard.

"You must be Garrett Brooks."

"Yes, Coach."

"I hear you played varsity before transferring."

"I did."

Coach Miller tossed him a basketball.

"Show me."

Within minutes Garrett was weaving through defenders with ease, making crisp passes and sinking difficult shots from beyond the arc.

The players exchanged impressed looks.

One of them whispered, "Looks like we've found our replacement."

Coach Miller smiled.

"Congratulations."

"You're officially a Blackwood Wolf."

As applause broke out, Garrett's attention drifted toward the neighboring court.

Through the open divider separating the gyms, he caught sight of Simone.

She was sprinting across the court before rising effortlessly into a smooth jump shot.

Swish.

Again.

And again.

She moved with quiet confidence, completely different from the slightly annoyed girl he had met that morning.

He found himself smiling.

"She's good."

Practice ended just before sunset.

Students poured out of the sports complex in small groups, laughing and talking about the day's training.

Simone adjusted the strap of her sports bag as she began the walk home.

A voice behind her made her stop.

"Hey."

She turned.

Garrett jogged toward her.

"I'm glad I caught you."

She waited quietly.

"I owe you an apology."

"For what?"

"This morning."

"I honestly wasn't trying to embarrass you."

"I got carried away."

Simone studied him for a moment.

There was no arrogance in his expression.

Only sincerity.

Finally, she smiled.

"It's alright."

"You still annoyed?"

"A little."

He laughed.

"I deserve that."

They continued walking side by side.

The conversation came surprisingly easily.

They talked about classes, professors, and why each of them had chosen Blackwood University. Garrett admitted transferring hadn't been easy, while Simone confessed she still felt like she was finding her place.

"You know," Garrett said, "for someone who looked ready to throw the marker at me this morning..."

"I considered it."

"...you're actually nice."

She laughed.

"And you're not as full of yourself as I first thought."

"I'll take that as progress."

Before they realized it, they had reached Simone's apartment building.

She stopped walking.

"This is me."

Garrett looked up.

"No way."

He pointed toward the neighboring apartment.

"I live there."

Simone blinked.

"You're kidding."

He laughed.

"I guess we're neighbors."

For the first time since meeting him, Simone smiled without hesitation.

"What are the chances?"

"Apparently pretty good."

They stood there for another moment before Garrett stepped backward.

"I'll see you tomorrow, neighbor."

"See you tomorrow."

As Simone watched him disappear next door, she couldn't help smiling to herself.

Maybe meeting Garrett Brooks wasn't just another coincidence.

Maybe...

It was the beginning of a friendship neither of them had expected.

And somewhere across campus, completely unaware of the new connection beginning to form, Assistant Coach Brandon Hayes locked the doors to the basketball gym, preparing for another ordinary day—never imagining that the lives of his newest players were already becoming more intertwined than anyone could have predicted.