The tension between Gabriel and Andrew had simmered down slightly after their confrontation, but it wasn’t completely gone. The final match of the sports festival was just hours away, and everyone was preparing with intense focus. The air around them buzzed with anticipation, but for Gabriel, something still felt off.
He couldn’t stop thinking about Elena. No matter how hard he tried to focus on the game, her face kept flashing in his mind. It wasn’t just the accident that haunted him anymore. It was everything-her smile, her determination, the way she carried herself even after all she’d been through.
Gabriel found himself pacing the empty corridor near the locker rooms, his hands clenched into fists. Why couldn’t he get her out of his head? He’d never been like this before, so distracted, so… unsure.
Andrew walked by, catching sight of Gabriel’s restless movements. “Hey,” he said cautiously, standing at a safe distance. “You okay?”
Gabriel didn’t stop pacing. “Fine,” he muttered, though his tone was anything but convincing.
Andrew sighed and leaned against the wall. “Look, I know you don’t want to talk about it, but avoiding whatever’s going on in your head isn’t helping.”
Gabriel finally stopped and turned to face Andrew, his eyes sharp. “What do you want me to say, huh? That I’m distracted? That I can’t stop thinking about her?”
Andrew raised an eyebrow. “Her? You mean Elena?”
Gabriel ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his every movement. “Yeah, Elena. And it’s driving me insane. I don’t even know why. She’s just… she’s different.”
Andrew crossed his arms, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Different in a good way, I take it?”
Gabriel glared at him but didn’t deny it. “Don’t start,” he warned.
Andrew held up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I won’t say anything. But for what it’s worth, maybe it’s not such a bad thing. You don’t usually care about anyone like this.”
Gabriel scoffed but didn’t respond. Instead, he turned and walked away, leaving Andrew shaking his head behind him.
Elena, meanwhile, was sitting on the benches, watching the teams warm up. She felt a little out of place, knowing she wasn’t competing anymore. Her injuries were minor, but the university had insisted she sit out the rest of the festival for her safety.
Her thoughts drifted to Gabriel. He’d been acting strange lately more intense, more withdrawn. She wasn’t sure what to make of it. He was usually so composed, so in control, but now… now there was something different about him.
“Hey,” a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
Elena looked up to see Andrew standing in front of her, a friendly smile on his face. “Hi,” she said, scooting over to make room for him.
“Mind if I sit?” he asked.
“Of course not,” she replied, gesturing to the empty space beside her.
Andrew sat down and looked out at the field. “Crazy few days, huh?”
Elena nodded. “Yeah. I still can’t believe everything that’s happened.”
Andrew glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. “You’ve been through a lot, but you’re handling it pretty well. Most people would’ve broken down by now.”
Elena shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. “I guess I’m just stubborn.”
Andrew chuckled. “Stubborn is good. Stubborn gets you through the tough stuff.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Andrew spoke again. “You know, Gabriel’s been acting weird.”
Elena turned to him, surprised. “Weird how?”
Andrew hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully. “Let’s just say he’s not his usual self. I think he’s worried about you.”
Elena frowned, her heart skipping a beat. “Worried about me? Why?”
Andrew gave her a knowing look. “You’ll have to ask him that.”
The final match began with a burst of energy. The crowd roared as the players took their positions on the field. Gabriel was in his element, his focus razor sharp. But even as he played with unmatched determination, his thoughts strayed to Elena.
Every time he scored, every time he blocked an opponent, he couldn’t help but glance at the bleachers, searching for her face. When he finally spotted her sitting with Andrew, something inside him tightened.
By halftime, the score was tied, and the tension was palpable. Gabriel stood on the sidelines, catching his breath as his coach gave instructions. His teammates were fired up, ready to give it their all in the second half.
But Gabriel’s mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t stop the nagging feeling that he needed to talk to Elena, to figure out what was happening between them-even if it was just in his head.
After the game ended in a hard fought victory, the celebrations began. The crowd cheered, the players high-fived, and the atmosphere was electric. But Gabriel didn’t join in the festivities. Instead, he slipped away from the crowd, his mind set on finding Elena.
He found her near the clinic, sitting alone and watching the sunset. She looked peaceful, her face glowing in the fading light.
“Elena,” he said, his voice breaking the quiet.
She turned, surprised to see him. “Gabriel? What are you doing here?”
He hesitated, unsure of how to begin. “I… I needed to talk to you.”
Elena tilted her head, curious. “About what?”
Gabriel took a deep breath, his usual confidence faltering. “About you. About how you make me feel like I’m losing control of everything I thought I understood.”
Elena’s eyes widened, her heart racing. “I don’t understand.”
Gabriel stepped closer, his gaze intense. “You’re different, Elena. And it scares me because I don’t know what to do with these feelings. But I can’t ignore them anymore.”
Elena was speechless, her mind struggling to process his words. She had always seen Gabriel as untouchable, someone who never let emotions get in the way. But now, standing in front of her, he was vulnerable in a way she’d never imagined.
“Gabriel, I…” she started, but he cut her off.
“I don’t expect you to feel the same,” he said quickly. “I just needed you to know. Because pretending like nothing’s changed isn’t working anymore.”
Elena looked at him, her own emotions swirling. She didn’t know what to say, but one thing was clear-this moment would change everything.