Episode 6
948 Words
By Friday afternoon, the entire campus seemed to be wearing Evergreen's colors.
Students poured into the sports complex in waves, their conversations echoing through the hallways as they searched for seats. Jerseys, hoodies, and foam fingers had somehow become acceptable fashion choices overnight, and the excitement was contagious enough that even students who couldn't name a single player showed up just to be part of the crowd.
Clairo wasn't one of them.
She knew exactly why she was there.
"You've checked your reflection in your phone five times."
"I have not."
Maya slipped two tickets from her pocket and handed one to the student volunteer at the entrance.
"You have."
"I was fixing my hair."
"You've been 'fixing your hair' since we left the dorm."
Clairo sighed dramatically.
"I don't know why I tell you anything."
"Because I'm delightful."
"I was going to say because you force it out of me."
Maya grinned.
"That too."
They found seats a few rows behind the bench. The arena buzzed with anticipation as players warmed up on the court, passing basketballs back and forth while music blasted through the speakers.
Clairo's eyes wandered across the court before she could stop them.
She found Toni almost immediately.
There was something different about her here.
The easy smiles she wore in the library had been replaced by complete focus. She moved with confidence, calling out plays to her teammates and offering quick words of encouragement before the game began.
"You're staring," Maya whispered.
"I'm observing."
"Sure."
"I'm supporting a friend."
"You have known this 'friend' for less than two weeks."
Clairo ignored her.
As if sensing she was being watched, Toni glanced toward the stands.
Their eyes met.
For the briefest moment, the captain of Evergreen University's basketball team smiled.
Not the confident grin she gave the crowd.
Not the playful smirk she reserved for teasing Clairo.
This smile was smaller.
Softer.
Almost relieved.
Then the referee's whistle blew, and Toni was all business again.
The game was far more intense than Clairo had expected.
She understood almost nothing about basketball beyond the basic rules, but she quickly realized why Toni was captain.
She wasn't the loudest player on the court.
She didn't try to score every point.
Instead, she noticed everything.
A teammate hesitating before taking a shot.
A gap in the opposing team's defense.
Someone losing confidence after missing two baskets in a row.
Every decision Toni made seemed to make everyone around her better.
"She's incredible," Clairo murmured.
Maya looked sideways at her.
"You're talking about basketball..."
"I am."
"...Right?"
Clairo laughed.
"I mean it."
She did.
Watching Toni play felt strangely familiar.
She cared for her teammates the same way she cared during conversations—with patience, attentiveness, and quiet encouragement.
The game ended with Evergreen winning by four points.
The arena erupted.
Students jumped to their feet, cheering as the team gathered at center court.
Toni was immediately surrounded by teammates, coaches, and excited fans asking for photos.
Clairo smiled to herself.
She should probably leave.
There was no reason for Toni to—
Across the court, Toni looked up.
She scanned the crowd.
Left.
Right.
Then she spotted Clairo.
Without thinking twice, Toni excused herself from the group and jogged toward the stands.
Kai, who had been talking to her moments earlier, watched with a knowing smile before shaking her head.
"I thought captains were supposed to celebrate with their team," Maya muttered.
"So did I."
Toni stopped at the barrier separating the court from the spectators, still slightly out of breath.
"You came."
Clairo blinked.
"You invited me."
"I know."
"But you came."
There was something unexpectedly vulnerable in the way she said it.
"As promised."
Toni smiled, brushing a damp curl away from her forehead.
"What did you think?"
Clairo considered pretending to know something about basketball.
Instead, she decided honesty suited them better.
"I understood maybe forty percent of what happened."
Toni laughed.
"That's generous."
"But I understood enough to know you're amazing."
The compliment caught Toni off guard.
She looked away for a second, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Thanks."
A volunteer called her name from across the court.
"They're waiting for me."
"They should."
Neither of them moved.
"You'll text me later?" Toni asked.
Clairo smiled.
"I thought you hated texting."
"I never said that."
"You implied it."
"I'll make an exception."
Another voice called Toni's name, louder this time.
She sighed dramatically before slipping off the dark green hoodie she had pulled on after the game.
Without a word, she held it out.
Clairo frowned.
"What are you doing?"
"You're cold."
"I'm fine."
"You've been rubbing your hands together for the last five minutes."
"I..."
She hadn't even noticed.
Toni gently pressed the hoodie into her hands.
"Give it back whenever."
Clairo looked from the hoodie to Toni.
"I can't take this."
"You can."
"It's your team hoodie."
"I know."
"What if you need it?"
Toni smiled.
"I think you'll look better in it."
Before Clairo could find a response, Toni took a few steps backward.
"I'll text you."
Then she turned and jogged back toward her waiting teammates.
Clairo stood there, the hoodie folded carefully in her arms.
It smelled faintly of fresh laundry and something she was quickly beginning to associate with Toni.
Maya nudged her shoulder.
"So..."
Clairo looked down at the oversized hoodie before pulling it over her head.
It was much too big.
The sleeves covered half her hands.
She couldn't stop smiling.
"I might be in trouble."
Maya laughed.
"Oh, sweetheart."
She glanced toward the court where Toni had looked back one last time before disappearing into the crowd.
"I think you're already there."
- Writer
