"Why would Blake say that?" I frowned as I took another shot and missed.

Ugh! Get it together!

"Cara, you need to forget about Blake, Daphne, and Elijah, and focus on the game!" Sophia scolded for the nth time.

It was Friday, and with no team drills today, Sophia and I were practicing for tomorrow's big match. All week, she'd insisted I prioritize the game since I was captain and push ME and everything else aside.

"I know," I groaned, wiping the sweat from my forehead. "But I can't stop thinking about it!"

"Babe..." She placed her hands on my shoulders, shaking me gently. "Tomorrow is our big match! Concentrate, or else Vivian will murder you and serve you for dinner at her losing party!"

I shivered at the thought and patted my warmed cheeks. "Alright! I can do this!"

Sophia gave me a concerned look. "For once, think of yourself."

"What do you mean?" My forehead creased, but she shook her head, letting go of my shoulders.

"Forget it. I'm heading home and you need some rest, too."

"I want to practice a little more." I grabbed the basketball, aiming for the hoop.

"Don't overdo it, okay?" She eyed me as she picked up her bag. "Our match is in the first half. I'll pick you up."

I nodded and waved as she left the gym. My sleeveless top clinging to my skin, soaked from the intensity of practice. The fabric felt heavy, and I could feel the sweat trickling down my body as I dribbled the ball around the court. I fanned myself, trying to catch my breath, the heat wrapping around me like a warm blanket. My shorts were comfortable, giving me the freedom to move, but the summer heat made every movement feel like a challenge.

Still, I was determined to push through, each drop of sweat a reminder of how hard I was working for this match. Taking a deep breath, I tossed the ball, and it rolled around the rim and then fell out. Frustrated, I stomped my foot and ran my fingers through my ponytail.

What is wrong with me?

I'm known for my shooting skills, yet I couldn't sink a single shot!

Sophia was right. I needed to keep the drama aside.

I scratched my neck, grabbed the ball again, and stood still, closing one eye to aim. I released it, but it collided with the rim and bounced off.

"Wow." My head whirled towards the voice and I saw Blake entering the court with a mocking grin on his face. "Trying to get your shots in before the big match? I hope you're not expecting miracles."

"What do you want?" I grumbled.

"I want you out." He placed his bag on the bleachers and unzipped his jacket. "I'm here for practice."

"Go somewhere else." I looked away when he started taking off his jacket. "I was here first."

"You've been here for more than an hour." He said, making my brows dip in confusion.

"Oh, I didn't know you were stalking me." I crossed my arms, trying my best not to ogle his biceps showing from the sleeveless jersey.

"I was here earlier, but when I saw you and Sophia practicing. I left." He gave me a deadpan look.

"Well, I'm not done. You can come back later."

"Just leave like a good little girl and let me practice so I can win the cup for our high school." He plastered a smile on his face as he walked towards me.

"Unfortunately for you..." I held my head high, trying not to get intimate with his height. "I'm not a good girl."

"And I'm not a good guy either." He said as he stood toe to toe. "Don't make me repeat."

"Or else what?" I matched his glare.

His dark gaze bored into mine, making my stomach clenched in fear and it took everything in my power not to back away. My heart drummed in my ears, and because of the practice, my already warmed body heated like I was thrown into a volcano.

"You really don't know when to give up." He grumbled.

"I never give up," I uttered.

"Your brain is just as little as your height." He scoffed. "You should learn a few things from your friend."

I didn't know why, but that hit me in the gut. Samuel said the same thing, but coming out of his mouth made it more bitter. It also reminded me of the time when he gave unwanted advice.

"That's exactly what you two need. A conversation."

I clenched my jaw, anger bubbling beneath the surface. "Height doesn't determine skill, Blake. I'm doing my best."

"Your best isn't even close. Look at you..." He said with a smug look on his face. "You're barely reaching the net. You think that's enough to compete with the other team?"

"I'm working hard to improve." I retorted.

He laughed, a condescending edge to his voice. "You've been at it for hours, and what do you have to show for it? A few airballs and a bruised ego? Face it. You're just not cut out for this."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "I know I can do this."

"Do you really?" He stepped closer, and the challenge in his gaze made my stomach twist. "You think anyone on the team believes in you? They see you as a joke. You're just the 'cute captain' who can't get it together."

"That's not true!" I shot back, my voice rising. "I'm trying my hardest to lead this team!"

"Lead? You can barely follow through on a simple play." He shook his head, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "Why don't you just step aside and let someone else take charge? Someone who actually has a shot at winning."

"Like you?" I challenged. "You think you're so great, but your arrogance doesn't make you a better player."

He leaned in, his voice low and mocking. "I'm not the one struggling here. You are. And it's not just your height. It's your brain too. You hesitate when you should be shooting, and it's pathetic."

"I know you hate me." I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I wouldn't let them fall. "But you don't have to be harsh to me all the damn time." Blake paused and looked surprised like I didn't just state the obvious.

I never got to apologize to him because after the incident, he went MIA, and when he came back, he avoided me like I was a contagious disease.

"I'm sorry," I said what I'd been holding for years. "For what happened at the Halloween..."

"Why are you bringing that up now?" His eyes darkened in annoyance.

"Because you never gave me the chance to apologize before."

Now that I think back to that night, it's a funny story, but not for the one who has to go through humiliation.

It was our freshmen year at Riverside High. Halloween was just around the corner and my class proposed a thrilling challenge. A contest to see who could pull off the scariest prank.

The prize?

A shiny, glittery trophy shaped like a ghost, with the inscription "Scare Master 101" and a gift card to the local arcade. An irresistible prize for me.

Everyone wanted it, but I wanted it more.

My mind raced with ideas for the ultimate prank, but I was confused about where to start. Daphne suggested using the school gym for the setting of my prank, and that gave me a brilliant idea. I contacted a couple of seniors who loved a good scare and promised them pizza in exchange for their help.

On Halloween night, I asked Daphne to call out our class to the gym. I knew they'd be predicting something in the gym, so I did the opposite. I asked the seniors to position themselves in the hallway, ready to jump out and scare whoever dared to enter.

As night fell, I stood in the darkened hallway, adrenaline coursing through me. I was a bundle of nerves and excitement and could already picture the trophy glimmering in my hands.

A few moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall. I crouched behind a row of lockers my heart pounding as I peeked to see who it was. Just as I was about to give the signal to unleash the seniors, Blake Amore came into view dressed as a Peter Pan, and I stopped.

Confusion took over me when I saw him alone. Daphne was supposed to bring the entire class, and Blake wasn't even in our class. Thinking he might have come here by mistake and Daphne must be behind them, I didn't whistle, which was the signal.

I quickly got up from my place and walked towards him to get him out of the hallway. "What are you doing here?"

He frowned as he tried to recognize who I was under the Chucky Costume. But I was sure he wouldn't know who I was even with the makeup off because we had never met before that night.

He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, I heard a whistle and my eyes bugged out of my sockets.

"No-" I tried to push him, but I was late. The seniors jumped out from their hiding spots, wielding fake weapons and glowing masks, letting out blood-curdling screams.

The chaos erupted, and Blake completely froze. His eyes widened in terror as he stumbled back, tripping over his own feet.

"Stop guys!" I shouted, but with all the noise, they didn't hear me. Blake got on his feet, panic written all over his face, and bolted down the hallway, nearly crashing into the lockers. The seniors chased after him, their exaggerated movements only adding to the mayhem.

"Blake!" I called after him and followed them out of the high school gate. I heard a roar of laughter when I reached them, and my heart sank when I saw my class standing outside the high school with cameras in their hands.

As Blake reached the group, the laughter turned to gasps. He looked down, and the realization hit him like a wave.

"Oh no," I muttered, covering my mouth in shock as I watched him humiliated.

The laughter from the group erupted again, and I heard someone shout. "Pee-ka boo!"

The nickname stuck instantly, echoing like a cruel chant. My heart sank as I saw the shame on Blake's face and he fled.

I had won the trophy, but at that moment, I felt anything but victorious. The cheers faded into awkward whispers, and the reality of what I had done washed over me like ice water.

Blake didn't come back to school after that night, and every time I looked at the trophy on my desk, I felt a deep regret. To this day, I have no idea who blew the whistle. I asked the seniors and none of them knew, saying they just followed the plan.

I had won the challenge, but I had lost something far more important. The chance to know the guy I secretly crushed on.

Remember the three things I mentioned I am obsessed with?

Taylor Swift, Coffee, and the third one is Blake Amore.

But I never told a single soul, not even Sophia and Daphne, about my crush on Blake, and I was planning to keep it that way until I die.

For a moment, it felt like we were in a standoff, each of us locked in a silent battle of wills. As I held his gaze, I tried to read him, but as always, he had a stone face.

"You think an apology changes anything?"

"It won't fix the past, but it's a start. I just want to clear the air."

"Clear the air?" He scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "You really think saying sorry will change everything?"

"No," I replied, my voice steady. "But I refuse to let this linger. You can keep being a jerk, but I'm done."

I thought I saw a flicker of something else in his eyes and his expression softened, but maybe I just imagined it when he growled. "You really believe you can just change things?"

"Not change everything, but we can confront it." I stepped closer and my heart raced in my chest. "I'm not afraid of you, Blake."

He laughed harshly. "You should be."

"Why? Because you're stronger? Taller? Smarter?" I met his gaze. "You don't intimidate me."

"Fine." He stood straight, and I quickly filled in my emptied lungs again. "Then let's have a one-on-one."

A... What?

"Excuse me?" My head dropped to my side in confusion.

"If I win, you'll leave." He picked up the ball.

"You mean... When I'll win." I squinted my eyes. "You will leave."

"You really think you can beat me?" His smirk widened.

I've already beat you on your study date, genius!

"Of course." I scratched my arms, and he rolled his eyes.

"Alright..." He dribbled the ball, then spun it on his finger. "We'll do three rounds."

"Fine by me." I shook off my arms to get the stress out but halted when he said.

"How about we make this interesting?"

"What do you mean?"

"Each round, the winner gets to ask a question, and the loser has to answer it." He tossed the ball at me and I instinctively caught it. "Truthfully."

"What?" I shook my head trying to process how things were turning out. "Why-"

"Or are you afraid of losing?" My jaw clenched at his smug face and I grumbled.

"You're on Amore."

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