Against the Edge

Marking Territory

Miguel glanced up at the clock mounted high on the gym wall. 9 p.m. Two hours had slipped by without him realizing it.

The team practice had actually wrapped up at seven. Coach David had given a final pep talk, and his teammates. Ethan, Mia, Louis, James, and the rest had all gradually packed up and headed off. Some had plans to go out, others were simply going home, ready to unwind after the long practice.

But Miguel had lingered, feeling the pull to stay a little longer. Playing basketball alone on the court was like therapy for him, a rare chance to let his thoughts flow freely. The sounds of the bouncing ball, the rhythm of his movements, and the solitude were grounding, something he needed more than he'd admit.

Miguel dribbled the basketball slowly, listening to the soft echo of the ball against the polished court. The gym was empty, the silence both calming and disquieting, giving him rare space to process everything in his life. The glow of the overhead lights cast shadows along the lines of the court, and he paused, looking around at the stillness.

It had been a long day. Hours of practice, the looming tournament, and the ever-present pressure of exams weighed on him. Not to mention the complexity of balancing his life with Blanca, the fierce rivalry with Nick, and the underlying fear that gnawed at him every so often, a fear born from the loss of his mother, the first person he'd loved and lost. It was a wound that he'd never fully come to terms with.

He sighed and threw a perfect shot from the three-point line, watching as the ball swished through the net. Despite the small victory, an ache settled in his chest. His mind drifted to Blanca, the one person who'd been able to draw him out of his solitude and fill the empty spaces with warmth and laughter. But tonight, the shadows were stronger, and he wished his mother were still there, offering that same warmth.

After a moment, he pulled out his phone, staring at her picture, her smile still comforting despite the years that had passed. Setting his jaw, Miguel decided he needed a distraction. Blanca was still likely working late in the student union room, as she usually did for these big events. Knowing her, she'd be buried under a mountain of paperwork, as dedicated as ever.

He picked up his duffel bag, slipping his phone back into his pocket, and left the court. His footsteps echoed in the empty hallways as he made his way to the student union building.

--

Miguel pushed open the door to the student union room quietly. The sight he found wasn't surprising but still stirred a small flare of irritation. Blanca was seated at the large table, completely absorbed in her laptop, her face lit up by the screen's glow. Across from her, Nick leaned back in his chair, watching her with a slightly too-easy smile, his posture casual but attentive.

Miguel cleared his throat as he entered, his eyes locking with Nick's. The briefest flicker of annoyance crossed Nick's face before he masked it with a smirk.

"Hey, Blanca," Miguel greeted, moving directly to her side. He slipped his hand casually around her shoulder, pulling her into a gentle half-hug before placing a quick, light kiss on her cheek. Blanca glanced up with a smile, her expression softening as she leaned into him, momentarily breaking her focus on the screen.

"Miguel," she greeted warmly, giving his hand a squeeze.

"Oh, didn't see you there, Anderson," Nick said, his tone almost too casual. "Didn't think anyone else would be around this late."

Miguel's gaze remained steady. "Yeah, thought I'd come by and see how things were going. I know Blanca's been working hard on all of this." He smiled at her, his voice warm, deliberately ignoring Nick.

Blanca chuckled, looking between them both. "We've been putting the finishing touches on the event schedule. It's a lot, but it's coming together." She looked back at Miguel, her face lighting up with the enthusiasm she always had for her work. "Almost ready to go!"

Miguel nodded, his arm still firmly around her shoulder as he turned to Nick with a faint, challenging smile. "Good to know she's had some help. Wouldn't want her working too hard, you know?"

Nick's smirk stiffened ever so slightly. "Of course. Anything to make sure it's successful." He glanced at Blanca with an air of admiration that didn't go unnoticed by Miguel.

Keeping his cool, Miguel shifted his focus back to Blanca, speaking gently. "How about a break? We can grab some late-night coffee or something. Clear your head a bit?"

Blanca's eyes brightened at the idea. "That sounds amazing, actually." She started gathering her things, completely missing the silent stare-down between the two men.

"Have a good night, Nick," Miguel said pointedly, his tone polite but firm as he guided Blanca toward the door, his hand securely on her back.

As the door closed behind Miguel and Blanca, Nick's easygoing expression slipped, replaced by a scowl of resentment. He clenched his jaw, his fingers drumming on the table as he stared at the empty seat Blanca had just left.

In his eyes, Miguel had everything handed to him a spot as captain of the basketball team, top academic scores, and, as if that wasn't enough, the loyalty and love of someone like Blanca. Nick couldn't help but feel that Miguel's life was wrapped in a perfect, untouchable bubble.

"Unbelievable," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head in frustration. How was it that Miguel always managed to be the center of attention, the one everyone seemed to root for? Even his cockiness something that Nick himself was often criticized for was somehow charming when it came from Miguel.

He shut his laptop, gripping its edges tightly. To Nick, it was almost as though Miguel's presence automatically diminished everyone else's efforts. Miguel got the grades, the admiration, the respect, and now Blanca. It was infuriating.

Nick exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair as he stared at the door where they'd left. "Just wait, Anderson," he muttered to himself. "Sooner or later, that 'perfect life' of yours is going to crack."