The day after the game, the campus buzzed with excitement over the team's victory. Alex had proven himself once again, and the whispers about him becoming a rising star were louder than ever. Yet, amid all the praise and attention, Alex's thoughts were elsewhere—focused on Olivia and the moment they'd shared after the game.
---
In the art studio, Olivia worked quietly, her brush gliding over the canvas. Mia was seated nearby, scrolling on her phone, occasionally throwing out comments to break the silence.
"So, how's the champ?" Mia teased without looking up.
Olivia paused, her brush hovering mid-stroke. "He's fine, I guess."
"You guess?" Mia scoffed, setting her phone down. "Liv, I saw you two after the game. You're not fooling anyone."
Olivia sighed, placing the brush down. "It's... complicated."
"Of course it is," Mia said, grinning. "That's what makes it fun."
"It's not just fun," Olivia admitted, her voice quieter. "He's different from anyone I've met. He makes me think, challenges me in ways I didn't expect."
"And that scares you," Mia finished, her tone softer.
Olivia nodded. "A little. But it also excites me."
---
Meanwhile, Alex was at practice, but his mind was not fully on the field. Marcus, as always, picked up on his distraction.
"You've been weird lately," Marcus said during a water break.
"Weird how?" Alex asked, sipping from his bottle.
"You're either overly intense or completely out of it. What's going on?" Marcus pressed.
Alex hesitated before replying. "It's Olivia."
Marcus grinned. "Called it. So, what's the problem?"
"No problem," Alex said, shaking his head. "It's just... I don't know. She makes me question things."
"Like what?" Marcus asked, genuinely curious.
"Like if I'm really good enough," Alex admitted quietly.
"Dude," Marcus said, clapping him on the shoulder. "If she's making you doubt, it's only because she's making you better. Don't overthink it."
---
Later that evening, Olivia decided to take a walk around campus to clear her mind. The night air was crisp, and the quietness gave her a sense of peace. She ended up near the football field, where the lights were still on. To her surprise, Alex was there, running drills alone.
"Don't you ever rest?" Olivia called out, stepping onto the field.
Alex stopped mid-sprint, turning to face her. "What are you doing here?"
"Clearing my head," Olivia said, walking closer. "And apparently, so are you."
"I needed to work off some energy," Alex admitted, tossing the ball onto the ground.
Olivia crossed her arms, studying him. "You don't always have to prove something, you know."
Alex looked at her, his expression unreadable. "It's not about proving anything. It's about being ready."
"For what?" Olivia asked, genuinely curious.
"For whatever comes next," Alex said simply.
Olivia smiled slightly, taking another step closer. "You're always so serious, champ. Maybe you should try living in the moment for once."
"And maybe you should try planning ahead," Alex countered, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
They stood there for a moment, the tension between them growing. Olivia finally broke the silence. "You're frustrating, you know that?"
"And yet, you're still here," Alex replied, his voice low.
Before she could respond, Alex stepped closer, their proximity sending her heart racing. "Why do you keep coming back, Olivia?" he asked softly.
"Maybe because I like the way you make me feel," Olivia admitted, her voice barely audible.
Alex held her gaze, his blue eyes searching hers. "And how's that?"
"Like I'm alive," she whispered.
Without thinking, Alex closed the gap between them, his hand gently brushing her cheek as their lips met. The kiss was unhurried but intense, filled with all the emotions they hadn't dared to express before.
When they finally pulled away, Olivia smiled, her cheeks flushed. "That was worth the wait."
"Definitely," Alex agreed, his voice steady but soft.
For a moment, they just stood there, lost in each other. Then Olivia laughed, breaking the silence. "Now I know why they call you champ."
Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "You're impossible."
"And you love it," Olivia teased, turning to leave. "Don't stay out here all night."
As she walked away, Alex watched her, a rare smile on his face. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he wasn't just chasing a dream—he was living it.