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꩜ .ᐟ CHAP FOUR . . .
AS THE DINNER wound down, Solána shifted her demeanor. Her earlier quiet resentment morphed into something far more strategic: a bright, animated energy that seemed to fill the space. She leaned in closer to Kelsey and Aliyah's conversation about their recent practice, laughing along at their jokes, even tossing in a few of her own. It wasn't subtle—she didn't intend it to be. Every laugh, every grin was pointed, a reminder to Caitlin that Solána wouldn't be replaced or overshadowed. That her presence on the team, and in their lives, was firmly cemented.
Across the table, Caitlin noticed the change. She felt the sharp edge of Solána's laughter, the way her body language seemed to shift, drawing the others in even as she made a show of ignoring Caitlin. It stung, more than Caitlin cared to admit. She forced herself to keep a neutral expression, but the tightness in her jaw betrayed her discomfort.
The evening slowly came to a close, with plates being cleared away and conversations tapering off. Everyone began to stand, stretching their legs and exchanging hugs. Lexie pulled Caitlin into a friendly embrace, and Kelsey and Aliyah followed suit. Nalyssa and Solána stood by the door, waiting their turn. But when it came time for Solána and Caitlin, the tension was palpable.
Nalyssa shot Solána a pointed look, raising an eyebrow as if to say, 'Come on, it's just a hug.' But before anyone could suggest it out loud, Solána's phone rang, or so it seemed. With a smoothness that came from years of practice, she pressed her phone to her ear. "Oh, hey!" she said, forcing a cheerful tone. "No, i can talk. Yeah, i'll step outside."
She shot the group an apologetic smile, waving her free hand. "It's my cousin; I've gotta take this. This was really nice, i enjoyed it. See you guys at practice!"
Lexie nodded with a sympathetic smile, while Kelsey and Aliyah waved her off, saying their own goodbyes. But Caitlin and Nalyssa exchanged a look. Caitlin recognized that old trick all too well—a much too familiar move Solána used to avoid awkward moments. She watched as Solána breezed out the door, leaving her standing there, feeling like she had lost yet another unspoken game.
Outside, Solána leaned against Nalyssa's car, putting her phone back into her bag with a small huff of annoyance. The air was cooler now, and she inhaled deeply, letting the chill settle in her lungs. A few minutes later, Nalyssa stepped out, shaking her head with a knowing grin. "You really pulled the fake phone call, huh?"
Solána shrugged, her casual demeanor a little too forced. "What? It worked."
The drive back was quiet, tension simmering beneath the surface as the city lights blurred past. Nalyssa finally broke the silence as they approached Solána's apartment. "So...are you gonna tell me what the hell happened back there? I left you alone for five minutes, and suddenly it's a whole scene."
