Crossing Paths

Chapter 17: Falling Slowly

**Alex's POV**

The morning light filtered through my blinds, casting a warm glow across my room. It was a new day, and with it came the hope of mending things with Kate. After a restless night filled with thoughts of her, I was anxious to finally talk and clear the air. As I waited for our scheduled FaceTime call, I found myself pacing around my room, unable to sit still.

When the call finally connected, and Kate's face appeared on the screen, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Her presence, even through a screen, was like a balm to my frayed nerves. She looked a little tired, her hair slightly messy, but to me, she was perfect.

"Hey," she said, her voice soft but steady.

"Hey," I replied, missing the sound of her voice. "How was practice?"

"It was good," she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Coach was really pushing us today. How are you?"

I hesitated for a moment, then decided honesty was the best approach. "I've been better, to be honest. There's a lot on my mind, but I'm really glad we're talking."

Kate nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Me too. I think we need this."

Taking a deep breath, I blurted out. "I went to see Sam yesterday."

Kate's eyes widened slightly, but she stayed silent, waiting for me to continue.

"I needed to talk to her face-to-face," I explained. "I told her that I love you and that what she did was unacceptable. She apologized, and we agreed that if we're going to stay friends, there need to be boundaries."

Kate looked thoughtful. "How did she take it?"

"She was understanding," I said, feeling a bit of relief. "She admitted she was hoping for something more, but she respects my decision."

There was a pause as Kate processed this. Finally, she spoke. "I appreciate you handling it, Alex. But I still need to know if you're sure about this... us."

I looked at her, feeling the depth of my feelings. "Kate, you're the most important person in my life. I've been thinking a lot, and I realized I've been spreading myself too thin. With school, basketball, the band, and everything else... I've lost sight of what's most important."

Her brow furrowed in concern. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I need to make some changes," I said, feeling the weight of my decision. "I'm going to take a break from the band. I need to focus on basketball and us."

Kate looked surprised. "Are you sure? You love music. It's a big part of who you are."

"I'm not giving up music completely," I clarified quickly. "I'm just taking a break from the band. I need to move my focus back to basketball and make sure I'm fully committed to it. Music will always be a part of me, but right now, I need to prioritize my life."

Kate seemed to mull over my words, her expression softening. "Okay, if you're sure. Just know that I support you, no matter what."

A smile tugged at my lips. "Thank you, Kate. That means a lot."

Kate offered a small smile, the tension between us easing slightly. "Of course. I want what's best for you, Alex. And if taking a break from the band helps you focus, then I'm all for it."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics, and Kate mentioned, "By the way, did you see your shot on ESPN? They did a whole highlight reel. You were amazing."

I laughed, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment. "Yeah, I saw it. I couldn't believe it made it onto ESPN. It was just one shot."

"Not just any shot," she teased, her eyes sparkling. "It was a game-winner buzzer beater. You looked awesome out there."