This is probably the longest chapter so far. Brace yourself. Enjoy.
Lucas's POV
As I step out of the my apartment and head towards the elevator, my phone buzzes in my pocket. Fishing it from my pocket, I glance at the screen, I see it’s Mom. For a moment, I hesitate. I know why she’s calling—she wants to hear about the tryouts. She’s been as excited as I am, believing this was my chance to finally stand out. Taking a deep breath, I swipe to answer.
“Hey, Mom.”
Her voice is warm, with that familiar trace of excitement. “Lucas! I’ve been waiting all morning! How did it go? Did you make the team?”
My stomach twists. She doesn’t know what happened, how I had to give up my spot. The truth is too complicated to explain. “Uh, no, Mom,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “I didn’t make it. But Caleb did.”
A brief silence follows, and I can feel her disappointment through the phone. “Oh, sweetheart… I’m so sorry. I know how much you wanted this. Both of you.”
“Yeah, well… I tried. Just wasn’t meant to be, I guess,” I mutter, trying to end the conversation before she hears the frustration I’m barely keeping down. “Anyway, I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
Okay, honey. I’m still proud of you.” Her voice is soft, reassuring, but it only makes the ache sharper. "I love you!"
“ Thanks, Mom, I love you too,” I reply quietly before hanging up.
The weight of the lie presses down on me as I walk towards the parking lot. Giving up my spot wasn’t easy—it feels like giving up a part of myself. But Caleb was right; losing my place at this school would be far worse.
Determined to set things straight, I dial Mia’s number. She picks up on the second ring, as I switch on the ignition,her voice curious.
“Mia, can we meet? There’s something I need you to write about,” I say, trying to keep the edge out of my voice.
A pause, then, “Of course. Just arrived on campus, I’ll be in the newsroom in ten. What’s going on?”
I hang up, taking a deep breath to steady myself. If I'm going to lose my spot, I’d rather Mia hear it from me. Letting her frame the story might keep the rumor mill in check.
The morning air feels thick as I pull into the school parking lot, the sun barely starting to peek over the horizon. When I reach the newsroom, Mia’s waiting with her arms folded, her expression both curious and cautious. I hesitate before starting, feeling the weight of what I’m about to say.
"I'm giving up my spot on the basketball team."
Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “What? Why?”
“It’s complicated,” I say, glancing away. “Mark… If I hand over my place to him on the team, he'll let it go.”
Mia's face falls, and for a moment, she looks genuinely hurt. “You’re serious? Lucas, you can’t just… You worked so hard for this.”
I run a hand through my hair, feeling the frustration bubble up. “I know. But if I don’t do this, he’ll make sure I get expelled. I can’t risk it, Mia. Not for me, not for Mom and Dad.”
Mia is silent for a moment, studying me with a mixture of empathy and anger. “Fine. I’ll write it up. But if Mark thinks he’s going to come out looking like a hero in this, he’s wrong.”
A spark of relief flickers inside me. “No. Don't write anything provocative. This is my fight and I'm fighting it on my own terms.”
She nods.
YOU ARE READING
BENEATH THE SAME SKY
Random"Beneath the Same Sky" is an emotionally charged trilogy that delves into the complexities of sibling relationships, love, loyalty, and betrayal. Set against the backdrop of a prestigious college, the story follows three siblings-Lucas, Caleb, and M...
