𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 │ 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧

𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄

IN CELEBRATION OF THEIR WINNING STREAK, the Eagles had decided to unwind at Beverly Hills Café. The energy was high, and the camaraderie between the Crenshaw and Beverly boys had come a long way since their initial clashes during the big game. The team's newfound unity was showing on the field, with win after win.

Emberly had tagged along, mostly because Evelyn and Layla were going. She and Olivia had agreed to work on repairing their friendship with the two girls, and this felt like a good opportunity to make progress. But Olivia wasn't here, and Emberly couldn't help feeling disappointed. Fixing their relationships was supposed to be a team effort, not something she was left to handle alone. Still, she reminded herself that missing one day wasn't the end of the world.

So far, things were going smoothly enough. She'd even managed to get along with Evelyn and Jordan without much effort, which felt like progress.

Sitting by the pool table, Emberly stirred her drink idly, trying to tune out the boys' relentless football talk. Spencer, Asher, and Jordan were deep in a debate.

"All I'm saying is that going strictly off fantasy points, touchdowns are worth more than interceptions," Asher argued, lining up his next shot.

"Man, come on. A pick can change the game," Spencer countered.

"And a touchdown can win a game," Asher shot back.

"So you think your five touchdowns in the last three games are more important than Spencer's five picks?" Jordan chimed in.

"This is boring," Emberly whispered to Evelyn and Layla, rolling her eyes at the boys.

"Tell me about it," Evelyn muttered in agreement.

"We're all riding the same wave," Asher quipped, earning laughter from the boys.

"Can we talk about anything other than football?" Layla asked, exasperated.

"That's finally something I can agree with," Emberly said, glancing toward the entrance. Her eyes lit up as she spotted Olivia walking in. "Be right back," she said, setting her glass down and heading toward Olivia, with Spencer joining her.

"Liv," Emberly greeted warmly.

"What's up?" Spencer added.

Olivia smirked. "Look at you guys, fitting in with the cool kids," she teased, motioning to the group behind them.

"I don't know about all that," Spencer replied. "On the field, yeah. Off the field, it still feels kind of—"

"Forced?" Olivia finished for him. "Yeah, trust me, I feel you. I'm still not sure how I fit into all of this yet, you know?"

"Well, there's only one way to find out," Emberly said, nudging her. "You should come chill with us. And you'll be happy to know Layla and I are getting along, thanks to your encouragement."

"That's great. But... no, I don't think so. I'm just picking up food to go," Olivia replied, her smile faltering slightly.

"You sure?" Emberly asked, disappointment creeping into her voice. "It's not going to be as fun without you."

Olivia nodded. "I'm sure."

"All right. See you back at the house," Spencer said.

Emberly sighed as she and Spencer headed back to the pool table. She settled into her seat, sipping from her glass.

"Who asked for the bill?" Asher asked, noticing the waiter dropping off the check.

"I did. Well, hand me your cards," Jordan replied, collecting them one by one.