LANE SIX

The Warning

The problem with hope was that it made you careless.

For months, I had survived by expecting the worst.

Expect disappointment.

Expect betrayal.

Expect people to believe the rumors.

Then Jace Donovan had decided to become involved in my life.

And suddenly things weren’t simple anymore.

The screenshot should have made me feel better.

It should have felt like progress.

Proof that I wasn’t crazy.

Proof that someone had planned what happened.

Instead, it only created more questions.

Questions that followed me all weekend.

Questions that followed me into Monday morning.

Questions that followed me straight into trouble.

I was heading toward the athletic center after class when someone called my name.

“Naomi.”

I stopped.

Immediately recognizing the voice.

Elena of course.

A strange feeling settled in my stomach as I turned around.

She stood near the entrance to the track building, her expression calm as always.

Polite, controlled, and perfect.

Which somehow made her more intimidating.

“Hey,” I said.

“Do you have a minute?”

Not really but saying no felt rude.

So I nodded.

Elena smiled slightly.

“Walk with me?”

That should have been a warning.

Unfortunately, I followed anyway.

We walked in silence for a few moments.

Students moved around us.

Athletes crossed the courtyard.

The world continued normally.

Meanwhile, I felt like I was heading toward an execution.

Eventually, Elena stopped near the empty tennis courts.

Away from everyone else.

Away from curious ears.

My stomach tightened.

This definitely wasn’t casual.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then Elena folded her arms.

Not aggressively.

Just enough to create distance.

“I wanted to talk to you privately.”

Here we go.

I kept my expression neutral.

“About what?”

Her gaze held mine steady and unwavering.

“Jace.”

Of course. The name alone made my pulse react which was very annoying.

“What about him?”

Elena exhaled slowly.

Like she had rehearsed this conversation.

Maybe she had.

“I know we’re not best friends.”

A fair observation.

“But I think you’re a good person.”

That wasn’t what I expected at all.

My confusion must have shown because Elena offered a small smile.

Then it disappeared.

“Which is why I’m asking you directly.”

The tension in the air increased instantly.

“I don’t understand.”

“I think you do.”

There was heavy silence.

Elena looked away briefly then back at me.

“He likes being around you.”

The words hit harder than they should have I swallowed carefully.

“He’s my relay partner.”

“Naomi.”

Just my name, nothing else.

Yet somehow it carried enough meaning.

Because we both knew that wasn’t the entire story.

The realization made my chest tighten.

Elena’s voice softened.

“I’ve known Jace for years.”

Something painful flashed across her expression.

Gone almost immediately.

“I know how he acts.”

I didn’t know what to say.

Because honestly?

Neither did I.

All I knew was that things felt different lately.

And apparently, I wasn’t the only one noticing.

“He cares about you.”

The statement landed between us.

I hated that last part.

“Elena—”

“I’m not accusing you of anything.”

She interrupted gently.

“I just need you to understand something.”

For the first time, her composure cracked slightly, not much but just enough.

Enough to reveal the hurt beneath it.

“I love him.”

The honesty caught me off guard completely.

Because suddenly this wasn’t about rivalry, jealousy, or competition.

This was about someone trying not to lose the person they loved.

And that was much harder to dismiss.

Elena looked down briefly then met my gaze again.

“So please.”

My throat tightened.

“Please what?”

“Don’t give him a reason to choose.”

The words settled heavily between us.

For several seconds, neither of us moved.

Neither of us spoke.

Because what could I possibly say?

I wasn’t trying to steal Jace.

I wasn’t trying to destroy their relationship.

I wasn’t trying to do anything.

The problem was that my feelings didn’t seem interested in listening.

Finally, I found my voice.

“Nothing is happening.”

The answer sounded weak even to me.

Elena’s smile was sad not cruel or mocking, just sad.

“I know.”

That somehow made everything worse.

A bell rang in the distance.

Students began flooding from nearby buildings.

The moment was ending.

Elena straightened slightly.

Rebuilding her composure.

Putting the mask back on.

“Thank you for listening.”

Then she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there alone.

The rest of the afternoon felt impossible.

Every conversation blurred, every class dragged and every thought returned to the same place.

Don’t give him a reason to choose.

By the time practice started, my head hurt.

Coach immediately noticed.

“Blake.”

I sighed.

“Yes?”

“Focus.”

“I am focused.”

“You’re lying.”

The entire team laughed..

I moved toward lane six.

Trying not to think, trying not to feel, trying to be normal.

Then Jace appeared beside me and all my efforts failed instantly.

His eyes found mine, concern appearing immediately.

“What happened?”

The question was simple but the answer wasn’t.

Because for the first time since meeting him, I knew exactly what the problem was.

The problem wasn’t the rumors or the messages, or the mystery surrounding my past.

The problem was that Elena was right.

Something was happening not officially, not openly but it was there.

Growing quietly between us.

And if I wasn’t careful, someone was going to get hurt.

The terrifying part?

I wasn’t sure it would be me.