The morning sky was the kind you could get lost in — a soft blue brushed with streaks of pale clouds. Rey stepped through the school gates, the chatter of students wrapping around him like a familiar song.
Michael was already leaning against the fence with Carlos, both holding cups of cheap coffee from the bodega.
"You're late," Michael said, handing him a cup without asking.
Rey smirked. "No, you're early."
They joined the slow flow of students toward the building. Michael was in the middle of explaining how he planned to charm his way out of failing English when a voice called out from behind.
"Chen!"
Rey turned to see Aaliyah jogging toward them, her track jacket half-zipped, a bag slung over her shoulder. She fell into step beside him without missing a beat.
"You're skipping the team's morning run for us now?" Rey teased.
She grinned. "Please. I can run circles around you before lunch."
Carlos laughed. "Bold claim. You two should race after school."
"Not today," Aaliyah said with a smirk. "Got practice." She shot Rey a look that lingered half a second longer than necessary before heading toward her locker.
---
First period passed in the usual blur. The smell of whiteboard markers and old paper filled the classroom. Rey took his seat near the window and noticed two guys at the back whispering to each other, eyes flicking toward him. Nothing aggressive — just the kind of hushed, curious talk that came when your name had been on everyone's lips recently.
By third period, the hallways between classes were a chaos of voices, lockers slamming, and the echo of sneakers squeaking against the linoleum floor. Michael had taken to draping an arm over Rey's shoulder as they walked, like a personal hype man.
"You know," Michael said loudly enough for a few people nearby to hear, "if you and Aaliyah end up together, that's, like, a sports power couple right there."
Rey shoved him off lightly. "You're worse than Carlos."
"Facts," Carlos said from behind them. "But he's not wrong."
---
Lunchtime was the same corner table by the cafeteria window. Aaliyah joined them halfway through, dropping her bag onto the bench beside Rey.
"You eat like an athlete," she said, eyeing his plate stacked with chicken and rice.
"Better than skipping meals," Rey replied between bites.
Conversation drifted. Carlos told a story about a teacher catching him trying to sneak into the teacher's lounge for coffee. Michael reenacted the scene with exaggerated gestures, nearly spilling his drink in the process.
Aaliyah leaned in slightly toward Rey. "So… Spring Bash. You going?"
He hesitated just long enough for her to arch an eyebrow. "Might," he said.
"You should," she replied. "Save me a dance." Her voice was casual, but the way she held his gaze made it feel less like a suggestion and more like a decision already made.
---
The last two classes passed without incident. But as the final bell rang and students spilled into the courtyard, Rey caught a small detail.
On the far side of the yard, a boy he vaguely recognized from gym class stood with his back against the wall. He wasn't talking to anyone, just… watching. Rey didn't think much of it — until their eyes met.
The boy looked away instantly, pushing off the wall and walking toward the side gate.
Michael clapped Rey on the back. "Court or pizza?"
"Pizza," Rey said automatically, but his eyes stayed on the spot where the boy had been.
---
That afternoon felt warmer than most. They ate at the pizzeria, played a couple of casual basketball games, and teased Carlos for missing an easy layup. Aaliyah passed by on her way home from practice, waving from across the street.
It was all so normal that Rey almost forgot the look in that boy's eyes earlier.
Almost.