Darkson High

2.7

Inside the school, the halls were slowly emptying, leaving behind the echo of footsteps and the occasional burst of laughter from a lingering group.

Kyle, Darkson High's star quarterback, was making his way toward the practice field, his mood shifting from casual to intense as he approached the doors leading outside. He was dressed in his football gear, his helmet tucked under one arm, his other hand gripping a water bottle with enough force to dent the plastic.

Beside him walked Maggie, her stride a bit slower, her attention seemingly more on her phone than anything Kyle was saying. Maggie could float between any group at school but chose to stay close to Kyle, not just because he was the football star, but because she knew his moods, his quirks, and, most importantly, when to let him simmer.

"So, you're gonna try and crush the new kid today or what?" Maggie asked, her voice light but her eyes sharp as she glanced up from her phone. She'd seen Kyle's mood brewing ever since he'd heard that Mike was trying out for quarterback. Darkson didn't need two of them, and Kyle wasn't exactly known for his generosity in sharing the spotlight.

Kyle's jaw tensed. "It's not about crushing him. It's about reminding everyone who runs the field around here. New kid needs to know his place."

Maggie rolled her eyes, slipping her phone into her bag. "Uh-huh, because that worked out so well for you when Nikky put you in your place on the first day. Or when Jake showed up out of nowhere and shut you down."

Kyle shot her a glare, but Maggie just smirked. She had a point. That first day had been a shock. Nikky was tough, sure, but when Jake intervened and squared up against him, the whole dynamic shifted. Nobody had expected Jake to return from boarding school, least of all Kyle.

"Jake's different," Kyle muttered. "He's not trying to take my spot."

"Maybe," Maggie replied, her tone teasing but her expression knowing. "But you still lost that little showdown."

Kyle clenched his teeth but said nothing. He hated how Jake could get under his skin without even trying. But Mike? That was different. Mike was new, and Kyle knew how to deal with new. "Whatever," he finally grumbled. "This isn't about Jake. It's about showing Coach who the real quarterback is."

Maggie snorted. "Okay, Captain Obvious. Just don't go all psycho on him in front of everyone. We don't need another Jake situation."

Kyle glanced at her sharply, but Maggie's expression was unreadable, a mix of boredom and mild concern. He knew she was right. He needed to handle this carefully.

Meanwhile, in the bleachers overlooking the practice field, Shanti sat next to Maria, her sketchbook open on her lap, her pencil gliding smoothly as she drew. She was calm and observant, always picking up on the undercurrents that others missed. Next to her, Maria was bright and bubbly, always full of energy and eager for the latest scoop.

"Did you hear about Jake and that girl in the courtyard?" Maria asked, leaning closer to Shanti. "Apparently, she didn't even know who he was! I mean, how do you not know Jake?"

Shanti glanced up from her sketch, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe she's new, or maybe she doesn't care about all that."

Maria rolled her eyes. "Everyone cares about Jake! He's like... the definition of trouble, but in that way that makes you wanna watch, you know? I mean, look at Kyle! He's still pissed about the first day when Jake practically stared him down without even saying a word."

Shanti nodded slightly, her pencil moving steadily as she sketched the scene unfolding on the field. "It's all just noise to Jake, though. He doesn't care about Kyle's drama. But Mike... he's different. Think he's in over his head?"