𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬

23

With a stack of books nestled in my arms, I push open the door to Starbucks, instantly enveloped by the inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

I find a cozy corner and scatter my project materials across the table, ready to dive into work.

The soft chime of the entrance bell rings out, and a familiar scent drifts in behind me.

"Hey, Alina," Teddy's deep voice resonates warmly.

I haven't been very fond of Teddy lately because of what happened in his room. I'm really embarrassed.

"Hey, Teddy," I say, motioning to the seat across from me.

He hesitates for a moment, then takes the seat, his eyes searching mine for a hint of what I'm feeling. The air between us is thick with unspoken words and lingering awkwardness.

"We need to get rid of the big elephant in the room before we start this project," I say, my voice trembling slightly.

He swallows hard as I nod, my eyes filled with regret. I open my mouth to speak but then shut it again, struggling to find the right words.

Finally, I take a deep breath and say, "That night... I'm so sorry for making moves on you. I shouldn't have done that, and I feel utterly humiliated."

He looks at me, his eyes intense. "Alina, I would've told you I liked it, but I can't because you distract me and I think about you every hour of the day," he says, his voice filled with a mix of longing and frustration.

He leans forward from where he's sitting, his gaze never leaving mine. "And you doing that only made me more distracted... for everything, especially basketball," he continues, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, laced with undeniable desire.

"But you have a girlfriend," I say sourly.

"Lena?" he scoffs. "She's not my girlfriend."

I roll my eyes, skepticism clear in my expression. In an instant, he grips my chin, his touch both firm and electrifying. "Don't roll your eyes at me," he murmurs, his voice dripping with desire. "Just because we're caught up in all this sappy shit doesn't mean you get to give me attitude." His eyes bore into mine, the intensity of his gaze sending shivers down my spine.

"What do you mean by all this sappy shit?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leans in closer, his breath warm against my skin. "I mean all these feelings, these moments that make my heart race and my mind spin. The way you make me feel, it's like nothing else," he says, his voice husky with emotion. "It's intense, overwhelming, and I can't get enough of it."

I'm about to speak, but he cuts me off. "Let's just get this project over with," he sighs. I silently agree, but I can't stop thinking about how he said he's always thinking about me and why he left the room that night.

᯾

We walk out of Starbucks together, having completed about half of the project with about two weeks still left.

"Bye, Teddy," I say, and he smiles and waves. "See you later, Alina."

Over the past couple of hours, I think Teddy and I have become friends, and I'm happy to accept that.

I get into my car, watching him leave first so I don't accidentally back into him again. As I drive away, I can't help but feel optimistic about our growing friendship and maybe even what the future holds.

I call Dixi on my car speaker, "I'm on the way home. I'll change for dance real quick, and then we can go."

She sounds excited and replies, "Great! I'll be ready when you get here."

As I drive, I mentally go over the dance routine we've been practicing for the basketball game on Friday, feeling a mix of excitement and determination. The thought of dancing always brings a smile to my face, and I know we're going to have a fantastic session.

Making it to the dorm, I walk in and see Dixi laying on the bed. I quickly change into my dance clothes, grab my bag, and we head out the door together.

We hop into Dixi's car, the engine purring to life as we drive to the football stadium for our dance practice. As we cruise through the streets, we chat about our day and the upcoming game. The excitement builds with each passing mile, knowing that every practice brings us one step closer to perfecting our routine.

We arrive at the stadium, greeted by the familiar sounds of music and the sight of our teammates warming up on the field. The energy in the air is contagious, and we quickly join in, ready to give it our all.

The sun begins to set, casting a golden glow over the field, and we dive into our practice with determination and excitement, every move bringing us closer to our performance under the stadium lights.

Cleo huddles us up as Lena walks in late.

"You're late, Lena," Cleo says, her tone sharp.

Lena just eyes her and replies, "I know, my boyfriend and I just couldn't handle ourselves," smirking as she glances at me.

My face drops, but before I can react, Dixi pulls me back into the huddle.

Cleo's eyes narrow, clearly unimpressed with Lena's excuse.

"Alright, let's focus," she commands, turning her attention back to the practice.

We break the huddle and head to our spots to start the routine. Of course, Lena is right beside me. As we begin the routine, turning in sync, Lena accidentally steps on my foot.

Cleo pauses the music immediately. "Lena, you need to be careful. If this happens at the basketball game, you could sprain her ankle," Cleo says, giving me a quick hug before turning the music back on and getting into her place beside me.

Cleo is a stunning dancer; her turns are always flawless and mesmerizing.

We are all out of breath when the routine finally ends, and everyone rushes to grab their water bottles. The air is filled with the sound of heavy breathing and the rustling of bags as we gulp down our water, trying to rehydrate.

"Practice tomorrow here at 6 PM," Cleo says sharply, her voice cutting through the noise. She gives us a quick nod before turning on her heel and leaving the stadium. The atmosphere is a mix of exhaustion and determination, knowing we have to bring our best for the next practice.

As Cleo exits, I can't help but admire her dedication and skill. Her flawless turns and precise movements are something we all aspire to achieve. We share a few words of encouragement and pack up our things, ready to face another intense practice session tomorrow.

Lena makes her way to leave, but before exiting, she turns to Dixi and me. Her green eyes are filled with distaste.

"Watch out for your foot next time," she says slyly.

She then strides out of the stadium, leaving us in stunned silence. The tension is noticeable, ending the practice on an unexpected and unsettling note.