Against the Rules

Episode 5 : A Question Without an Answer

The Monday morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of freshly brewed coffee from the little café just outside Blackwood University. Students drifted in and out, laughter and conversations blending into the familiar rhythm of campus life.

Simone Carter stood outside the café entrance, nervously wrapping both hands around the warm paper cup she'd just bought.

Her mind had been restless all weekend.

Garrett's confession replayed over and over in her thoughts.

"Will you think about it?"

No one had ever asked her anything like that before.

Relationships had never been part of her plans.

While other girls dreamed about dates and flowers, Simone spent her teenage years worrying about things far heavier than romance. She had watched her father struggle to keep their family afloat, and she had promised herself she would become someone successful enough to make his life easier.

Love had always come second.

Or perhaps...

It had never even reached the list.

A shadow fell across her table.

She looked up.

Garrett Brooks.

Six feet two inches of effortless confidence stood before her, his dark jacket hanging loosely over a white T-shirt, his messy hair somehow looking even better than it had on Friday.

"You've been avoiding me."

His smile was playful, but there was uncertainty hiding behind it.

Simone smiled nervously.

"I wasn't avoiding you."

"Were you thinking?"

"...A lot."

Garrett scratched the back of his neck.

"So..."

He hesitated.

"...what's your answer?"

Silence.

The sounds of the café faded into the background.

Simone looked down at her coffee before meeting his eyes again.

"I... need a little more time."

For a brief second, disappointment flickered across Garrett's face.

Only for a second.

Then he smiled.

"I can wait."

His answer surprised her.

There was no pressure.

No frustration.

Just patience.

That somehow made her heart race even faster.

The first bell echoed across campus.

Students hurried toward the lecture halls.

The moment Simone stepped through the entrance of Blackwood University—

"There she is!"

Gabrielle practically launched herself at Simone, wrapping both arms around her.

"I missed you for two whole days!"

"You saw me Friday afternoon."

"Exactly."

Simone laughed.

"You are impossible."

Across the hallway, Jasmine leaned lazily against a locker.

Beside her stood Charlotte and Riley.

The three exchanged amused glances.

"There goes Miss Perfect."

"They're getting awfully comfortable around her."

Jasmine's eyes drifted toward Garrett.

He wasn't paying attention to anyone else.

His eyes were fixed on Simone.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Morning lectures passed surprisingly quickly.

Between taking notes and answering questions, Simone almost forgot about Garrett's confession.

Almost.

When the final lecture ended, students poured into the hallway.

"Simone?"

She turned.

Zion stood behind her, carrying two textbooks against his chest.

Unlike Garrett's athletic charm, Zion possessed a quiet intelligence.

His glasses constantly slipped down his nose whenever he became excited.

"I've been stuck on Professor Langley's assignment."

"You?"

"You make it sound impossible."

"I've never seen you ask for help."

He laughed.

"I finally met someone smarter than me."

Simone rolled her eyes.

"Let's see it."

As they walked toward the cafeteria, they discussed formulas, theories, and possible solutions.

One question became another.

One explanation led to another.

By the time they reached the cafeteria...

They had solved the problem.

"You're a genius."

"I just explained it differently."

"Same thing."

They found an empty table and continued chatting while eating lunch.

Across the room...

Garrett froze.

His tray remained untouched.

Who was this guy?

Why was Simone laughing like that?

Gabrielle quietly sat beside him.

"You know..."

Garrett sighed.

"...don't."

"You look jealous."

"I'm not jealous."

"You've been staring for five minutes."

"I have not."

"You blinked twice."

Garrett finally laughed despite himself.

"Am I that obvious?"

Gabrielle grinned.

"Painfully."

Afternoon classes ended.

Basketball practice began almost immediately.

The team gathered inside the gym where the polished wooden floor reflected the bright overhead lights.

Coach Reynolds wasn't there.

Assistant Coach Brandon Hayes stepped forward.

"Coach Reynolds had an emergency meeting."

He folded his arms.

"That doesn't mean practice stops."

His voice carried across the gym.

"We have a tournament coming."

"No excuses."

"I want focus."

"Let's work."

The drills began.

Sprint after sprint.

Pass after pass.

Shot after shot.

Sweat covered everyone's faces.

Brandon watched every movement carefully.

Then—

A sharp cry echoed through the gym.

"Ah!"

Simone landed awkwardly after contesting a rebound.

Her ankle twisted beneath her.

She collapsed instantly.

The gym fell silent.

Brandon reached her first.

"Don't move."

His voice remained calm, though his heartbeat had quickened.

He gently examined her ankle.

She winced.

"Can you stand?"

She tried.

Pain shot through her leg.

"No..."

Without another word, Brandon carefully lifted her into his arms.

The team watched in stunned silence as he carried her toward the infirmary.

Garrett and Gabrielle hurried behind them.

The campus nurse wrapped Simone's ankle carefully.

"It's only a sprain."

"You'll need rest."

"No basketball for a little while."

Simone sighed dramatically.

"My teammates are going to survive without you," Gabrielle teased.

Brandon finally released the breath he'd been holding.

"Follow the nurse's instructions."

His tone was steady.

Professional.

Exactly as it should be.

Yet as he turned to leave, an uncomfortable thought crossed his mind.

Thank goodness she's going to recover.

He pushed every other feeling aside before it had the chance to become something more.

Gabrielle noticed his concern but said nothing.

She simply followed him out.

The door closed.

Leaving Garrett and Simone alone.

"You really scared everyone."

"I scared myself."

Garrett chuckled softly.

"I'll help you home."

"You don't have to."

"I know."

"But I want to."

The walk home was slow.

Every few steps, Simone leaned slightly on Garrett while trying not to put too much weight on her injured ankle.

They laughed about classes.

About basketball.

About Gabrielle's endless jokes.

When they reached Simone's gate, Gabrielle—who had caught up with them halfway there—smirked mischievously.

She looked at Simone.

"I think you like him."

Simone tried to hide her smile.

"Who?"

Gabrielle burst into laughter.

"Oh, please."

Garrett looked between them.

"...Who?"

Simone shook her head, laughing.

"You, dummy."

Gabrielle clapped once.

"I've done my job."

"I'll leave you two."

She disappeared down the street humming to herself.

Silence settled.

Garrett looked at Simone.

"So..."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I've already embarrassed myself once."

"I might as well do it again."

He stepped a little closer.

"Simone Carter..."

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

Time seemed to pause.

The world grew strangely quiet.

Simone looked into his hopeful eyes.

Then smiled.

"Yes."

For a heartbeat, Garrett simply stared, as if making sure he'd heard correctly.

"You mean it?"

She nodded.

"I mean it."

A smile spread across his face—slowly at first, then all at once.

He wrapped her in a gentle hug, careful not to bump her injured ankle.

She rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

When they finally pulled apart, Garrett searched her eyes for a silent question.

She answered by closing the small distance between them.

Their first kiss was soft.

Shy.

Unhurried.

A promise rather than a declaration.

When they finally drew apart, neither could stop smiling.

"Goodnight... girlfriend."

"Goodnight... boyfriend."

As Garrett walked away, he glanced back once.

She was still standing at the doorway watching him.

Still smiling.

Across town, Brandon sat alone reviewing practice notes.

His pen stopped moving.

For reasons he couldn't explain, Simone's injury lingered in his thoughts.

He hoped she was resting.

He hoped she'd recover before the tournament.

He closed the notebook and shook his head.

"She's one of my players," he quietly reminded himself.

Nothing more.

Outside, the night settled over Blackwood University.

One love story had quietly begun.

Another destiny had not yet revealed itself.

But fate has a curious way of testing every promise...

Will Simone and Garrett's new relationship survive the challenges waiting ahead?

Will the upcoming tournament bring the team together—or tear them apart?

And why does Brandon have the uneasy feeling that this is only the beginning?

To be continued...