The sun was beginning to set as the Sports Festival reached its final moments. The stage was set in the middle of the vast field, decorated with lights and banners that bore the university’s logo. Students gathered around, buzzing with excitement and pride as they awaited the much-anticipated awards ceremony. The air was filled with laughter and cheers, but for Elena, it was a bittersweet moment.
She stood at the back of the crowd, her arms crossed as she stared at the stage. The faint smile on her face was a mask, hiding the disappointment brewing inside her. She had given her all, pushed herself beyond her limits, and yet, she felt like she had fallen short. She could hear the announcements being made, the names of winners echoing across the field, but her heart wasn’t in it.
The director and principal took turns congratulating the winners, their voices full of pride. “For basketball, congratulations to Team Falcon for securing first place!” the principal announced, and the team walked up to the stage, their faces lit with joy as they received their medals. Adrian stood beside the principal, handing out the medals with his usual calm demeanor, though his eyes scanned the crowd every now and then, looking for someone.
“For soccer, Team Eclipse takes the trophy!” Marcus called out, his voice booming over the speakers. The soccer team erupted in cheers, their captain shaking hands with Marcus before lifting the shiny trophy in the air. The crowd went wild, clapping and chanting the team’s name.
“And now, the award for the best volunteer goes to Claire Bennett and Noah Carter!” The crowd clapped as two students, beaming with pride, walked up to the stage to accept their medals. “Lastly, the award for the best food stall goes to the team from Section C!” The group cheered as they made their way to the stage, bowing slightly as they received their trophy.
Elena tried to join in the celebration, but her heart wasn’t in it. She couldn’t stop thinking about the rock-climbing event and the stunt Mia had pulled. If it hadn’t been for Mia’s sabotage, Elena knew she would have stood on that stage, holding a medal for her team. The thought gnawed at her, making her feel small and defeated.
Marcus, standing on the stage, happened to glance toward the back of the crowd. His sharp eyes immediately spotted Elena, standing alone, her head slightly bowed. She looked upset, and he could see the faint glint of tears in her eyes. Frowning, he excused himself from the stage.
Walking quickly through the crowd, Marcus reached Elena and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Hey,” he said softly. “Why are you standing here all by yourself? You should be up there with your team.”
Elena looked up at him, her eyes watery. “I failed them, Professor,” she said, her voice shaky. “I couldn’t lead them to victory in rock climbing or relay. I wasn’t good enough.”
Marcus crouched slightly to meet her eyes, his voice calm and reassuring. “Elena, don’t say that. If it weren’t for Mia’s dangerous stunt, you would have won both events. And despite everything, your team did exceptionally well. They wouldn’t have come this far without you.”
Elena blinked, her lips trembling. “But…”
“No buts,” Marcus interrupted firmly, giving her a warm smile. “You’ve shown strength, resilience, and leadership. That’s what matters. You didn’t give up, even when you were injured. That’s what makes you a winner.”
Before Elena could respond, her team suddenly appeared around her, seemingly out of nowhere. “Elena!” one of them called out, their voices filled with excitement. “Professor Marcus is right! You were the perfect leader for us. Even when things got tough, you didn’t give up on us. You pushed us to keep going!”
“Yeah,” another chimed in. “We wouldn’t have made it without you!”
Elena stared at them, her heart swelling with emotion. She had been so caught up in her own disappointment that she hadn’t realized how much her team appreciated her. “You guys…” she whispered, her voice breaking.
Marcus chuckled and ruffled her hair playfully. “See? Your team too thinks it’s because of you. You’ve done an incredible job, Elena.”
Tears welled up in Elena’s eyes, but this time, they weren’t tears of sadness. She felt a surge of gratitude and warmth as she looked at her team. “Thank you,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “Thank you so much for trusting me, for believing in me. You guys are the best reward I could ask for.”
Without thinking, she threw her arms around Marcus, hugging him tightly. “Thank you, Professor,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest. “I wouldn’t have made it without your support.”
Marcus smiled, patting her back gently. “You deserve it, Elena. You’ve earned every bit of this.”
Her team cheered, pulling her into a group hug. They laughed and joked, their spirits high as they celebrated their achievements together. Elena felt a sense of belonging and pride she hadn’t felt before. She wasn’t just a part of a team; she was their leader, and they valued her for it.
But not everyone was as pleased with the scene. From a distance, Adrian watched the interaction, his jaw tight and his eyes dark. He had been observing Elena all evening, his emotions in turmoil. Seeing her upset had stirred something deep inside him, something he couldn’t point out. And now, watching her hug Marcus so openly, so warmly it was almost too much for him to bear.
His hands clenched into fists at his sides as jealousy flared in his chest. He hated how easily Marcus could comfort Elena, how she leaned on him without hesitation. Adrian had always kept his emotions in check, but this time, they threatened to spill over. He couldn’t stand seeing someone else be the source of her smiles, the one she turned to when she needed reassurance.
Adrian’s gaze flickered to the group hug, the way Elena’s team surrounded her with such joy and admiration. It wasn’t just jealousy that burned within him-it was something deeper, something he didn’t want to admit. He cared for Elena more than he should, more than he was willing to let himself feel.
But for now, he kept his distance, his expression cold and unreadable. He had a reputation to maintain, a mask to wear. He couldn’t afford to let his feelings get in the way. So, he stood there, watching from afar, his thoughts a storm of conflicting emotions.
Elena, unaware of Adrian’s turmoil, felt a sense of peace as she stood with her team. The Sports Festival hadn’t ended the way she had hoped, but in that moment, surrounded by the people who believed in her, she realized that winning wasn’t everything. What mattered was the journey, the bonds she had formed, and the lessons she had learned along the way.