It was a typical Saturday in Tuscaloosa, where the roar of the crowd inside Bryant-Denny Stadium could be heard miles away. Alabama's star safety, Caleb Downs, was focused, his eyes scanning the field as the Crimson Tide battled it out against a fierce SEC rival. He was known for his sharp instincts and lightning-fast reactions, and today was no exception. But amid the chaos of the game, Caleb found his thoughts drifting to someone who wasn't on the field—a certain someone who had been occupying his mind more than he'd like to admit.Eliza Saban, the daughter of Coach Nick Saban, was known around campus for her kindness and intelligence. A junior majoring in sports psychology, Eliza was often seen helping out with the team, analyzing player behavior, and offering insights that even her father respected. Caleb had always admired her from a distance, but it wasn't until recently that their paths had crossed in a meaningful way.After a particularly intense practice, Caleb had been nursing a sore shoulder in the training room when Eliza walked in, carrying a stack of books. She noticed him wincing as he rotated his arm, and without a second thought, she approached him."Need some help with that?" she asked, her voice gentle but confident.Caleb looked up, surprised to see her so close. "Uh, yeah, I guess. It's just a bit tight."Eliza set down her books and moved to his side, her hands expertly massaging the tense muscles in his shoulder. Caleb felt a warmth spreading through him, not just from the relief in his shoulder but from the simple, calming presence of Eliza."You're pretty good at this," he said, trying to keep his voice steady."I've had a lot of practice," Eliza replied with a smile. "Growing up around football, you pick up a few things."From that day on, Caleb found himself looking for excuses to be around Eliza. Whether it was bumping into her at the training facility or finding her in the library, he couldn't get enough of her witty humor and the way she seemed to understand him without him having to say much.One evening, after a long day of practice and studying, Caleb found Eliza sitting alone in one of the campus gardens, a book in her lap. He approached her quietly, not wanting to disturb her, but she looked up and smiled when she saw him."Hey, Caleb. Want to join me?" she asked, patting the bench beside her.He sat down, feeling the cool evening breeze brush against his skin. "I've been thinking, Eliza... You're always looking out for the team, helping us with our heads and our hearts. But who looks out for you?"Eliza looked at him, her expression softening. "I guess I've never really thought about it that way. But I'm okay, really."Caleb shook his head. "You deserve someone who cares about you as much as you care about everyone else."Eliza was silent for a moment, her eyes searching his. "What are you saying, Caleb?""I'm saying that I care about you, Eliza. More than I probably should. And I want to be there for you, like you've been there for me."Eliza's heart raced as she processed his words. She had felt something for Caleb for a while now, but she never imagined he felt the same way. "I care about you too, Caleb. More than I've let on."He reached out, taking her hand in his. "Then maybe we should see where this goes."Eliza nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "I'd like that."As the stars began to twinkle above them, Caleb and Eliza sat together, knowing that whatever the future held, they would face it together—bound by their crimson ties and the undeniable connection they had found in each other.
