The stadium roared with life, students drumming on railings, banners waving in school colors. The afternoon sun poured golden light over the field as the cheerleading squad were performing.
" I was better than this" Kiara muttered
" Well, you're not on the team so that doesn't count" Dani said
" It's not like I couldn't make the team, I wast just interested. I mean look at all the girls, they're mostly Blings" she said
" You're a Bling" Cyma said
" Thanks cyma, for always reminding me of the butter truth" Kiara said sarcastically
" I don't see anything bad in being a Bling" Dani said
" Cause you're half Bling" Cyma said
" Can you just try to be nice for once" Dani said
" This is me being nice" cyma said faking a smile
" Guys, they're here" Kiara said tapping both of them as the football team made their way to the pitch
" Okay, someone's weirdly obsessed about football today" Cyma teased
" What did we miss?" Lucas said arriving with Kelvin and they was a slight spark of jealousy in Dani's eyes
" Kelvin is straight, don't let it get to your head" Cyma whispered to him and Dani gave her a stern look
" What of the rest?, where's Vinny, Tyler and Leo?" Kiara asked
" They're all in training" Cyma said
" Aren't you meant to be training as well? " Kiara asked
" Who needs training when you have skills" Cyma said
" She's lying, I met her training before I called her over for the match" Dani said and Cyma gave him a death glare
" Okay, can we just focus on the match" Kiara said
" Says the person who doesn't even know the keepers position" Cyma said
" Okay now, you're being sacastic" Kiara said
The match began and Kiara, flanked by Cyma and Dani, leaned forward in her seat, heart racing with every pass and sprint.
"Come on, Peter," Kiara muttered under her breath, eyes trained on number 9.
Beside her, Cyma was already gripping Dani's arm tightly.
"Jason's playing like a beast today," she whispered.
"And Fernando's footwork? Man's gliding," Dani replied, jaw tight in admiration.
" Seems you like guys that plays football, I don't mind joining the team for you" Lucas whispered seductively in Dani's ear
On the pitch, Jason with captain's armband gleaming...barked commands like a born leader. His timing was impeccable. Every tackle was clean, every header decisive. He was the heartbeat of the defense.
Fernando, on the other hand, was all flair. Twisting past defenders with easy arrogance, he served as the perfect playmaker, reading the field like a chessboard. It was his looping pass in the 18th minute that set the tone.
Peter met it mid-air and drove it into the net like a rocket.
1–0
The crowd exploded. Kiara leapt to her feet, fists in the air. Peter didn't celebrate with the team—he turned straight to the stands, eyes locking with hers. He thumped his chest once and pointed.
"That's one," he mouthed and Kiara froze, and cheeks flushed.
Cyma nudged her teasingly
"Well, someone's got fans." she said
The second goal came after a deadly counterattack. Jason intercepted a midfield pass, broke into a sprint, and without looking, sent a long ball wide to Fernando, who flicked it in with a backheel.
Peter, again, was already in motion. He tore through the defensive line, took one touch, and buried it. No keeper in the league was saving that.
2–0.
"Again?" Dani chuckled, eyes wide.
"He's on fire." Lucas said
"Guess he's doing it for her," Cyma whispered to Kiara, nudging her again which made Kelvin annoyed a bit but he forced himself to smile
Peter looked up, sweaty and breathless, and made a small heart shape with his fingers before jogging back. Kiara couldn't hold back her grin as well as Kelvin couldn't hold back his emotions, he slid out of the stadium unaware.
The final goal was pure magic.
In the 76th minute, Jason drew two defenders in with a feint, spun, and chipped it toward Fernando, who volleyed the ball into the box with one elegant touch. It seemed impossible. But Peter was already in the air.
Header. Goal. Hat-trick.
3–0.
The stadium lost it.
Peter didn't smile. He walked to the edge of the pitch, hand over his heart, and bowed subtly toward the section where Kiara sat. She clapped, but her eyes shimmered.
Dani and Cyma whooped beside her, jumping to their feet.
"He scored all three for you," Cyma said knowingly.
"I know," Kiara murmured, hand on her chest. She could feel it—the pounding, the rush. Something inside her clicked.
As the final whistle blew and the team ran to lift Peter up on their shoulders, Kiara didn't want to wait another longer. She wanted to push through the crowd, to hug him but their coach appeared
" Good work boys, I'm proud of you all" he said patting each one if them on the back. After they received medals and trophy, celebrated round the field. The boys went in to freshen up and do some other stuffs.
Outside the locker room, sun dipping low, casting a golden halo behind them.
The crowd was still roaring, but Kiara barely heard it. Her eyes had been locked on Peter the whole match—every pass, every goal, every time his gaze flicked up to the stands to find her.
And now, still in his jersey, hair soaked, cheeks flushed, he was walking toward her like she was his finish line. Peter didn't wait for her to speak. He swept her into a hug, lifting her slightly off the ground as her laughter broke free in his neck.
"You killed it out there," she whispered, brushing his hair back as he set her down.
"All for you," he said, smiling like a little boy who just did something right.
"Did you like the hat-trick?" he asked and Kiara grinned.
"I was screaming like a lunatic. If I wasn't already yours—"
"You are mine," Peter cut in, stepping even closer, wrapping both arms around her waist. "You've been mine since that day at the party when you captured me in your clutches."
Kiara tilted her head, pretending to think.
"Oh right, I have joined a coven now. I didn't know that " she said and Peter groaned into her neck.
"You'll always act clueless to my words, huh"
"Always," she whispered, tugging his face back to hers
. "Just like I'll always remember how you looked today, Confident, On fire. So stupidly hot in that jersey." she said and Peter leaned down, eyes locked on hers.
"You should see what I can do without it." he said and Kiara laughed, smacking his chest. "Peter!"
"I'm serious," he murmured.
"After today, you get all of me. The wins. The bruises. The messy hair. The boy who only plays better when he knows you're watching." he added
He took her hand, brought it to his lips, then rested his forehead against hers.
"You ground me, Kiara. You calm the chaos. And when I score, it's because I imagine running straight into your arms." he said
"You always have me to run to." she said with her throat tightened
Their kiss was long, slow, and deep—more than just post-game adrenaline. It was home.
The school, the noise, even the victory faded into the background. It was just them. Their quiet little universe.
When they finally pulled apart, Peter rested his chin on her head
"Marry me when we're 25?" he whispered and Kiara smiled into his chest.
"Make it to the world cup first." she teased
The studio echoed with the sound of Jenna's shoes hitting the polished floor. She'd been staying back late for weeks, pirouettes, pliés, and painfully forced arabesques — yet she still didn't feel ready.
Tiffany stood by the barre, arms folded, expression unreadable.
"Well? How was that one?" Jenna asked still panting and they was a long pause
"we need to talk." Tiffany said and Jenna froze, the tightening of her jaw almost instant.
" You know when you came to meet me to tell me the truth of how Elena has been taking your place to dance, I told you I wasn't mad cause you finally realized your weakness. You finally admit that you're not good in ballet, but I told you if you work towards it, you can do it" Tiffany said
"Don't sugarcoat it, Just say it." Jenna said and Tiffany sighed
"You're not ready. You're... you're not strong in ballet yet. You've got rhythm, you've got drive. But technically? You're falling behind." she said and Jenna looked away, blinking fast. Her pride cracked, like glass under pressure.
"So what? You want me to quit?" Jenna asked
"No! I want you to win, but you need help. Help not from me only"Tiffany said and Jenna brows furrowed as Tiffany stepped closer.
"I already talked to them, Victoria and Cherry. They're willing to train you." she said and Jenna snorted
"Victoria ?, Miss strict lady?. And Cherry?,We barely speak!"
"Surprisingly, Victoria knows ballet like the back of her hand. I heard her mum was one of the ballet legend. And Cherry's been in more stage recitals than either of us. They're your best shot." Tiffany saif firmly
Kiara's room, dim lights glow. The hum of the ceiling fan is the only sound. Her tennis gear is piled by the corner, his football medal still hanging from his neck.
Peter sat at the edge of her bed in his hoodie and joggers, damp hair curling against his forehead. Kiara was lying across the bed, head resting on his thigh, her hand lazily tracing the veins of his arm.
They hadn't spoken in minutes—and didn't need to. The silence between them was full of everything they didn't have to say.
"You tired?" Peter finally asked, running his fingers through her hair.
"Mm, not really," she murmured.
"My body is, but my head's too full. Of everything." she added and he nodded.
"Me too. It's like... we both did something huge. You crushed it in tennis. I won us the damn game." he said
"And still," she smiled
"this is the best part of my day." she said and Peter smiled faintly, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
"Same." he said and she tilted her head up, eyes soft.
"You were incredible today, Peter. You always are, but today… you were this version of yourself I'd never seen. Like a storm." she said
"I'm only that guy when you're around," he whispered and Kiara rolled to her side, her fingers now brushing his neck.
"Do you know how crazy it is that I love you more every time you play?" she teased and Peter's eyes flickered.
"You said it." he said and she blinked.
"Said what?" she asked and he gave a boyish smile.
"You said you love me." he said and she blushed.
"Oh." she said
"Oh?" he teased.
She bit her lip, then sat up slightly, facing him. "Yeah. I love you, Peter. I think I've been trying not to admit it. Not to you. Not even to myself. But today, watching you run across that field with that stupid cocky smile and all that passion—I just knew." she said and Peter reached for her hand.
"I love you too, Kiara. I think I have since that night you stayed with me even though you were snoring" he said
" I don't snore" she said
" Yes you do, but I'm not complaining. That's what actually got me attracted to you" he said
" My snore?" She asked confused
" Yeah" he said and Kiara laughed.
"That's cringe" she said
They sat forehead to forehead, holding hands, swaying slightly with the rhythm of each other's breathing.
"I want more of this," Peter said.
"Not just the late-night talks and make outs. I want... us. The real kind. The stay-through-the-bad-days kind." he added "You already have it." Kiara whispered
They kissed again. This time slower. More certain.
And when they lay down side by side, their fingers still interlocked
"You're home to me." just whispered quietly and Peter pulled her closer.
"Then stay. Always." he said
The night was getting darker, Jenna stood in front of the full sized mirror in her room staring at herself, her was hair tied back tight, her ballet shoes dangling from her fingers.
Just then she heard a knock on her door which distracted her from her thoughts.
" Jenna, you in there?" Her mum asked
" Where am I meant to be if not in here?" Jenna asked sarcastically
" Some people are here to see you"
" People?, if it was a person I would have thought it's Elena but she wouldn't show up and Peter?, I doubt he would.. he would probably be with his princess." Jenna thought
" Jenna?" Her mum called when she took long to reply
" I don't want to see anyone" she said
" I think it's really urgent" her mum said
" I said I don't want to see anyone" she said walking towards the door.
She opened the door to see Tiffany, Victoria and Cherry at her door with a serious look
" You?" Jenna asked surprised
" Thanks Mrs Smith, we'll take it from here" Tiffany said
" Sure" her mum said leaving
" We've got few days till the competition, if we start tomorrow then we can train you into a star" Tiffany said cooly
" I told you I don't want backup trainers" Jenna said
" You can be shy all you want aren't leaving till we accompany our mission"
" Shy?, you wish"
" I can go if you don't want me" Victoria said about to leave but Cherry held her back
" We are in this together" Cherry said
" Why are you guys even here?" Jenna asked
" Cause we need you as much as you need us, we won't win the junior category without you. Those other girls might be good at dancing but they lack the confidence you have and we can't Instill confidence in them" Tiffany said
" I'm only here cause Cherry and Tiffany volunteered to do all my school work till the end of the year" Victoria said
" Vicky" Cherry said and Victoria groaned
" And whatever they said too" Victoria said
" Meet us at the hall as early as 8 tommorow morning, training starts." Tiffany said
" And if those are shoes you want to use, it's best you find a better one." Victoria said referring to the shoe Jenna was holding
" What's wrong with the shoes?" Jenna asked
" Everything, the colour, the look, the sole... Big turn off" Cherry said
" Good night then, don't be late for training" Tiffany said before they turned to leave
" I don't see anything wrong with the shoes" Jenna said softly
" Change it" Victoria yelled as they left
" She heard that?, weirdo" Jenna thought