Against the Edge

Miguel's Return and Nick's Watchful Eye

The next day, the campus was abuzz as students moved between classes, chatting in groups and filling the hallways with energy. For Miguel, returning to this familiar rhythm was like taking a deep breath after a long plunge underwater. After a day spent quietly recuperating with Blanca, he was ready to dive back into his responsibilities, grounding himself in the routines he knew best.

In class, Miguel was back to his usual sharp, focused self. He contributed confidently, handling questions with ease, his tone firm and clear. When he met his friends in the hallway, he greeted them with his usual, warm smile, cracking jokes and exchanging quick updates. The unease from the court incident seemed to have lifted, and though his friends watched him carefully, they decided not to bring up the subject. They knew Miguel well enough to sense he'd share when he was ready.

Outside the lecture halls, Miguel slipped back into his role as team captain, coordinating a new practice schedule and reviewing strategy with the basketball team. His teammates noticed his resilience and commitment, and Ethan, especially, was relieved to see Miguel back in action.

But while his friends respected his silence, not everyone was content to let things lie.

From a distance, Nick observed Miguel's every move. The practice game incident had left Nick intrigued, and maybe even a little rattled. He'd seen Miguel's confident facade crumble, if only for a moment, and it piqued his curiosity. Rumors had circulated about the near-accident on the court, and though no one knew the full story, whispers of Miguel's reaction had spread.

As Nick leaned against a locker, pretending to scroll through his phone, he overheard two classmates exchanging details about the game. "Did you hear? Something fell, and Miguel practically lost it. Never seen him like that," one whispered, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Yeah, they said he looked out of it. Makes you wonder what got to him," replied the other, their voices tinged with the thrill of passing along fresh gossip.

Nick narrowed his eyes, filing away each new detail. He sensed there was something deeper to Miguel's reaction than simple shock. Whatever had caused Miguel to panic like that felt like a vulnerability, a weakness that Nick could use, especially in their rivalry. For now, though, he kept his thoughts to himself, silently planning his next move.

—

Nick sat with Andy and Oliver under a shady tree just off the quad, his gaze drifting over to the basketball court where the sounds of shoes squeaking and the steady rhythm of the ball hitting the ground filled the evening air. As they took bites of their sandwiches, they couldn't help but notice the cluster of students watching the team, specifically Miguel.

Andy leaned back, wiping a crumb from his shirt. "So, did you hear about that little... incident the other day? With Miguel and Ethan?" His tone was casual, but there was a hint of intrigue in his eyes.

Oliver nodded, chuckling. "Yeah, I caught some whispers. Apparently, Miguel went into full panic mode when that hoop came down."

Nick, his expression carefully controlled, gave a faint smirk. "Yeah, I saw the aftermath. Weird, isn't it? Mr. Perfect freaking out like that."

Andy raised an eyebrow. "It's kind of telling, though, don't you think? Like, he wasn't just spooked. He was genuinely shaken up."

"Maybe it's something to do with Ethan," Oliver suggested, shrugging. "I mean, Miguel went out of his way to drag him out of the way. You'd think the guy was saving his life."

Nick narrowed his eyes, nodding thoughtfully as he processed this new angle. "He must care about him—a lot. I guess to Miguel, Ethan's more than just a teammate. Interesting."

Andy, catching the subtle hint of strategy in Nick's eyes, leaned in with curiosity. "So, what's the plan? You're clearly sitting on something."

Nick's smirk returned, colder now. "Oh, nothing too dramatic... yet. Just making sure I'm familiar with all his little vulnerabilities. The guy's been too comfortable for too long, and I think it's about time someone gives him a reality check."

The three fell silent, their gazes drifting back to the court.