Innocence and Interceptions

06 | Breaking Barriers

Routine had a comforting rhythm to it. Each morning I woke up, threw on my workout gear, and headed to the gym. My afternoons were filled with classes, and evenings were dedicated to studying and, occasionally, to visiting the team at practice. It was during these practice sessions that my thoughts would often drift to Xander.

Mia, of course, was relentless in her efforts to push me towards him.

"You need to let yourself live a little, Bree," she would say, her eyes bright with enthusiasm.

"Mia, we've been over this," I replied, exasperated. "I have my goals, my plans. Dating isn't part of the equation right now."

"But what if it could be? What if Xander is worth making an exception for?" she countered.

I sighed, knowing she wouldn't drop it. "I've told Xander where I stand. I'm not looking for a relationship."

"Just promise me this," Mia said, her tone serious for once. "If Xander asks you out, really think about it before you say no."

"Fine," I agreed, more to end the conversation than anything else.

---

Despite my resolve, I found myself thinking about Xander more often than I'd like to admit. There was something about his presence that was undeniably comforting. The way he played on the field, his determination, and his kindness off it—it was hard not to be drawn to him.

As the weeks passed, the Titans kept winning, each victory bringing them closer to the finals. Xander played a significant role in their success, his skills and leadership shining through. Watching him was exhilarating, and I couldn't deny the growing admiration I felt for him.

Our connection deepened with each passing day. We would talk after practice, our conversations becoming more personal and meaningful. I found myself looking forward to those moments, the time we spent together making me question my strict no-dating policy.

---

The Titans reached the quarter-finals, a milestone that was celebrated with great enthusiasm. After their latest victory, Xander approached me, his eyes sparkling with excitement and something else I couldn't quite place.

"Bree, can we talk for a moment?" he asked, his tone serious yet gentle.

"Sure," I replied, curious about what he wanted to discuss.

We stepped away from the noisy celebrations, finding a quiet spot near the edge of the field.

"I know you said you're not looking for a relationship," Xander began, his voice steady. "But I can't ignore how I feel about you. I care about you, Bree. And I'd really like to take you out for coffee, just the two of us."

His words hung in the air, a mixture of hope and vulnerability. My heart pounded as I considered my response. This was what Mia had warned me about, and now that it was happening, I found myself torn between my ambitions and the growing feelings I had for Xander.

Taking a deep breath, I looked into his eyes and smiled. "Okay, Xander. Let's go for coffee."

His face lit up with a smile that made my heart flutter. "Great! How about tomorrow afternoon?"

"Tomorrow works," I said, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

As I walked away, I couldn't help but think about how this small step might change everything. Despite my initial resistance, I found myself looking forward to our date, curious to see where this newfound connection might lead.

-----

The next day arrived with an air of anticipation. Xander picked me up for our date, and we drove to the Emerald Cafe. I was nervous, but Xander’s presence was calming, his casual demeanor helping to ease my tension.