10

Goal. The siren went off. The crowd exploded.

Biana and I didn't even speak — we just ran. Down the bleachers, over the barrier, and onto the field with the rest of our college. Screams of victory rang around us. Flags waved. People were crying, shouting, hugging.

But my eyes were locked on Keefe.

He was swallowed up in his team's celebration — players crowding him, lifting him, clapping his back. And then the others joined in. Students I didn't recognize. Girls wrapping their arms around him, ruffling his hair, laughing. The kind of attention he deserved — but something in me twisted, small and sharp.

He hadn't seen me.

And maybe that shouldn't have mattered. But it did.

Beside me, Biana looked around. "Can't find Tam," she muttered, scanning the crowd. I reached for her hand. "Me either," I said, squeezing gently, my throat tight.

And then suddenly — I couldn't feel her hand anymore.

Because someone had grabbed me.

Strong arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me clean off the ground and spinning me. The world blurred — green grass, orange sky, noise, confetti — and when I landed, I was in Keefe's arms.

Breathless. Laughing. Stunned.

He looked at me like nothing else existed. His smile wide, real, full of that golden glow he carried with him.

"I was looking for you," he said, voice low, rough with adrenaline.

I blinked. "I thought you didn't see me."

"Didn't need to," he said, tugging me closer. "I knew you were here."

And in that moment — loud and bright and dizzy with joy — it didn't matter who was watching. I was exactly where I wanted to be.

Sophie's POV

"AHHHHHH!" I jolted awake to Biana's screaming and bouncing on my bed.

"Wake up! Wake up, sleepyhead!" she chirped, practically vibrating with excitement. "Today's the day of the Valentine's Ball! Eeek! Let's get an outfit and everything — I can't wait! You're gonna look amazing!"

I blinked, still half-lost in sleep but already feeling my excitement bubble up.

"Alright, alright," I laughed, sitting up. "Let's do this."

The afternoon buzzed with excitement as Biana and I chatted nonstop on the drive to the mall. The city streets blurred past, but my mind was focused on the day ahead.

"Thanks," I said, handing the taxi driver a five-dollar note as we stepped out.

Biana's eyes sparkled with ideas. "Let's go for something wintery but sparkly — you know, perfect for the Valentine's Ball."

Inside the mall, we browsed racks of dresses and tried on different styles. Biana finally chose a long beige gown covered in delicate sparkles, her wavy brown hair half pinned up with pearls woven through the curls.

I went for a red, sequined dress that hugged my figure, finishing my look with a neat bun threaded with tiny pearls — simple but elegant.

Back in our dorm room, the air was buzzing with excitement and a little nervous energy. Biana stood in front of the mirror, carefully arranging the pearls in her hair, the soft glow of the room highlighting the shimmer of her dress.

I sat on the edge of my bed, smoothing the fabric of my dress and adjusting the pearl accents in my hair. The soft clink of the bracelet around my wrist was a comforting reminder that tonight was special.

Biana caught my eye in the mirror and smiled. "You ready, Soph?"

I took a deep breath, feeling the flutter of anticipation. "More than ever."

Just as I slipped on my shoes, a sharp knock echoed at the door. Biana and I exchanged knowing glances and got up together.