The murmurs in the crowd intensified as Aiden disappeared into the locker room, leaving Mia feeling unsettled. The buzz of excitement over the game had quickly shifted to concern. Everyone was talking about Aiden's injury, and it was clear the outcome of the game was uncertain without their star player.
Lily leaned toward Mia, her voice low with concern. "Do you think he'll be okay? I mean, without Aiden, we might actually lose this game. Westfield's got a strong offense."
Mia nodded absently, her mind racing. She wasn't particularly invested in basketball, but something about seeing Aiden in pain bothered her. It wasn't just his physical injury; it was the look on his face—the way his usual cool, confident expression had crumbled for just a moment. He seemed… vulnerable.
"Maybe it's not that bad," Mia muttered, more to herself than to Lily. "He could come back for the second half."
As the minutes ticked by, the crowd's energy shifted from excited anticipation to nervous tension. The coaches and players huddled near the benches, strategizing in low voices. Mia could see Kyle standing with the rest of the team, looking over at the locker room entrance, clearly wondering what would happen next.
The whistle blew, signaling the start of the second half. Mia held her breath as the players took their positions on the court. Aiden still hadn't returned, and the gym seemed to hold its collective breath.
The second half began with a noticeable difference. Without Aiden leading the team, Westfield quickly gained momentum, narrowing the gap with every possession. Mia could see the strain on Evergreen's players as they fought to maintain their lead, but something was missing. The smooth coordination that had been there in the first half was gone, and the pressure was mounting.
Kyle was working hard, running back and forth across the court, trying to hold the defense together. He wasn't the star player, but he was giving it everything he had. Mia felt a small surge of pride for her brother. He was stepping up, even if the odds were against them.
As Westfield scored another basket, the crowd groaned. Evergreen was now only up by two points, and it felt like the game was slipping away.
Then, as if on cue, the locker room door swung open, and Aiden emerged. His right arm was bandaged, and though he was moving carefully, there was a determined look on his face. The crowd erupted into cheers, and the energy in the gym surged back to life.
Mia felt her pulse quicken as she watched Aiden stride onto the court. He didn't seem fazed by the attention, but there was a different air about him now. He was focused, yes, but there was something else—something more intense, like he was carrying the weight of more than just the game.
The coach immediately waved him over, and after a quick discussion, Aiden nodded and jogged back into the game. The whistle blew, and with Aiden back, the tide of the game quickly shifted.
Within minutes, Aiden had scored two baskets, and the crowd roared with excitement. Mia found herself on the edge of her seat, watching every move. There was something mesmerizing about the way he played. Even injured, he was a force on the court, leading the team with precision and confidence.
But Mia noticed something else. Aiden was pushing himself—hard. Too hard. Every time he went for a shot or made a quick move, there was a slight wince in his expression, a tightening of his jaw. His arm wasn't fully healed, and yet he was still giving everything he had.
"Isn't he worried about making it worse?" Mia whispered to Lily, who was now fully engrossed in the game.
Lily shook her head. "Aiden doesn't back down. He's the type who'll play through anything. That's what makes him so good—and why everyone's counting on him."
Mia frowned. She understood the desire to win, to be the best, but something about Aiden's determination felt… off. It wasn't just about the game. There was a desperation in his actions, like he was trying to prove something, not just to the school, but to himself.
---
The game entered its final minutes, and the score was tied. The tension in the gym was unbearable. Both teams were giving it their all, but everyone's eyes were on Aiden. He had the ball, and with seconds left on the clock, it was clear the game would come down to this final play.
Mia's heart raced as she watched him drive toward the basket, his injured arm barely holding up. The Westfield players crowded him, blocking his path, but Aiden spun, weaving between them with an almost unnatural agility. He was right at the edge of the three-point line, poised to shoot.
Then, just as he went for the shot, one of the Westfield players collided with him, knocking him off balance. Aiden fell hard to the floor, his injured arm taking the brunt of the impact. The gym went silent as he hit the ground, the ball bouncing away.
The whistle blew, and the referee signaled a foul.
The crowd erupted again, but this time, Mia didn't join in. She was too focused on Aiden, who was still lying on the court, clutching his arm. The coach rushed over, and after a tense moment, Aiden slowly got to his feet, grimacing in pain.
Mia's chest tightened. He was hurt—badly. But despite that, Aiden waved off the coach's concerns and stepped up to the free-throw line. The gym was eerily quiet as he prepared to take the shot. The entire game rested on his shoulders, and everyone knew it.
Mia could barely watch as Aiden lifted the ball, his injured arm trembling slightly. He took a deep breath, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. Then, with one smooth motion, he released the ball.
It sailed through the air in a perfect arc, and for a split second, Mia thought it was going to go in.
But the ball bounced off the rim, missing the basket.
The buzzer sounded, and the game was over. Evergreen had lost.
---
The crowd was in shock, the excitement draining from the gym in an instant. Mia watched as Aiden stood there, his head hanging low, the weight of the loss settling on his shoulders. The rest of the team slowly gathered around him, offering words of support, but Aiden didn't respond. He just stood there, staring at the ground.
Kyle jogged over to Mia and Lily, his face flushed from the game. "That was insane. We were so close…"
Mia nodded, but her eyes were still on Aiden. He had given everything, and it still wasn't enough. As the gym slowly emptied out, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Aiden's struggle than just a game. He was fighting battles that no one else could see.
And for some reason, Mia felt like she was getting pulled into his world, whether she wanted to or not.