The following week, the tension Mia had sensed between Kyle and Aiden seemed to grow, like an invisible wall building up between them. It wasn't just Kyle's distance anymore—it was the way Aiden ignored it, pretending everything was fine. As much as Mia wanted to believe it was just a passing phase, the unease in her gut told her otherwise.
During practice, the usual easy-going banter between the teammates had quieted down. The team worked through drills like machines, but the energy wasn't the same. Kyle and Aiden barely spoke to each other unless they had to, and even then, the conversations were clipped, almost formal.
One afternoon after practice, Mia lingered behind, hoping to talk to Aiden. She had noticed the strain growing between him and Kyle and wanted to ask him about it again. But as she waited near the gym, she overheard a heated conversation coming from inside.
"You're not even paying attention, Aiden!" Kyle's voice echoed across the gym. "How are we supposed to work as a team if you're distracted all the time?"
"I'm not distracted," Aiden shot back, his voice tight. "What's your problem, Kyle? You've been acting weird for weeks."
"My problem?" Kyle's voice was louder now, frustration clear. "My problem is that ever since you and Mia got together, everything's changed. You're not focused. The team isn't the same. You're not the same."
Mia froze, her heart sinking as she pressed herself against the gym wall, not wanting to eavesdrop but unable to walk away.
"That's ridiculous," Aiden said, his tone defensive. "I'm the same player I've always been."
"No, you're not," Kyle said, his voice quieter now but still filled with tension. "You're not just the captain anymore. You're trying to balance too much—your relationship, basketball, everything. And the team's suffering because of it."
There was a pause, and Mia could feel the weight of the silence between them.
"I didn't ask for this," Aiden said quietly. "I didn't ask for things to change."
Kyle let out a frustrated sigh. "I know. But they have. And you can't just pretend like everything's fine when it's not."
Mia's stomach twisted as she realized that Kyle's words weren't just about basketball. There was more to this—something deeper. She had felt it, too. The change in Aiden, the way their relationship had shifted the dynamics not just between them but within the team. And as much as she hated to admit it, Kyle was right. Things had changed.
Just then, the door to the gym swung open, and Mia barely had time to step back before Kyle stormed out. He didn't even notice her as he walked by, his face set in a grim expression.
Mia stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do. Should she go in and talk to Aiden? Or should she give him space? Before she could decide, Aiden stepped out of the gym, his expression tense and frustrated.
"Mia?" he said, surprised to see her. "How long have you been standing there?"
Mia swallowed hard, feeling guilty for overhearing the conversation. "I just got here," she lied, not wanting to admit that she had heard everything. "Is everything okay?"
Aiden sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's just Kyle. He's been on edge lately. I don't know what his deal is."
Mia hesitated, her heart heavy. She wanted to tell Aiden what she had overheard, to let him know that Kyle was struggling with more than just basketball. But at the same time, she didn't want to add to Aiden's stress. He was already dealing with so much—captaining the team, keeping up with school, and balancing their relationship.
"Maybe he's just feeling the pressure," Mia said carefully. "The championship game is coming up soon, and everyone's on edge."
Aiden nodded, though his expression remained troubled. "Yeah, maybe."
They walked in silence for a few minutes before Mia decided to bring up what had been on her mind for days.
"Aiden, do you think… maybe Kyle has a point?" she asked quietly.
Aiden stopped walking, turning to look at her, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Mia bit her lip, unsure of how to phrase her thoughts. "I mean… do you think things have changed? Between you, me, and the team? Since we got together?"
Aiden's expression softened as he reached out and took her hand. "Mia, I told you before. You're not a distraction. You're important to me. Basketball is important, too, but it's not everything."
Mia squeezed his hand, feeling the warmth of his words, but she couldn't shake the nagging feeling in the back of her mind. "I know that. But… I don't want to be the reason things are getting harder for you. Or for the team."
Aiden frowned, his eyes searching hers. "You're not. Don't ever think that."
Mia nodded, but the doubt still lingered. She could see the strain in Aiden's eyes, the weight of the responsibilities he carried. And she knew that as much as he cared for her, there were things beyond their relationship that were pulling him in different directions.
Over the next few days, the tension on the team became impossible to ignore. During practice, Mia watched as Kyle and Aiden barely spoke to each other, their usual chemistry on the court faltering. The other players noticed it too, and soon, the whole team seemed to be affected by the growing divide.
One evening, after a particularly grueling practice, Aiden came over to Mia, his face set in a grim expression.
"We need to talk," he said quietly.
Mia's heart sank. Those four words never meant anything good.
They found a quiet spot outside the gym, away from the noise of the other players. Aiden leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as he looked at the ground.
"I don't know how to fix this," he admitted, his voice strained. "Kyle's upset, the team's falling apart, and I feel like I'm letting everyone down."
Mia stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. "You're not letting anyone down, Aiden. You're doing the best you can."
Aiden shook his head. "It doesn't feel like it. Ever since we started dating, things have been off. Not just with Kyle, but with the whole team. And I don't know how to make it right."
Mia felt a pang of guilt in her chest. She had wanted so badly for her relationship with Aiden to work, but now she realized that it wasn't just about them. Their relationship had changed things—whether they wanted to admit it or not.
"I don't want to come between you and your team," Mia said quietly. "Maybe… maybe we need to take a step back."
Aiden looked up at her, his eyes filled with confusion. "What do you mean?"
Mia swallowed hard, her throat tight. "I mean, maybe we need to focus on the team right now. The championship game is coming up, and you need to be at your best. Maybe… we should take a break until then."
Aiden's face fell, and for a moment, he didn't say anything. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet, almost defeated. "Is that what you want?"
Mia's heart ached as she looked at him. "No, it's not what I want. But it might be what's best for you. And for the team."
Aiden stared at her for a long moment, and Mia could see the conflict in his eyes. Finally, he nodded, though it was clear the decision pained him.
"Okay," he said softly. "If that's what you think is best."
Mia forced herself to smile, though inside, her heart was breaking. "It's just for now," she whispered. "We'll figure this out."
But as they stood there in the fading light, Mia couldn't shake the feeling that things would never be the same again.