The week passed in a blur, as it usually did. This time though, there were alot more late-night study sessions and intermediate coffee breaks throughout the day than usual. Finals were looming, casting a shadow over the entire campus. Ella found herself buried in textbooks and notes, her mind a whirlwind of information and deadlines. She barely had time to focus on her research. Her newfound obsession, sat idle on her desk, barely even touched due to the demands of her vigorous courseload and late-night library shifts.

Sometimes she'd see Connor pass through the library late in the night, probably just finishing up his studying as well. He'd send her a small wave and an attempt at a bright smile. However, if the eyebags under his eyes were any indication, they were both running on caffeine and sheer determination.

And sometimes she'd see Lysander pass through as well, albeit a bit earlier in the evening. He was usually accompanied by a stack of books and a thoughtful expression, engrossed in his own academic pursuits. Their eyes would meet, a silent acknowledgment of shared struggles, before Lysander continued on his way.

It was Thursday now, and Ella had about just enough studying for her Communications Media final when Katie yanked open the door.

"Tucker," she greeted, her blonde hair unusually frizzy. Must be due to the cold. "I feel like for the previous two weeks I hadn't seen you for ages, but now I feel like I'm seeing you way too much."

Ella gestured to her open laptop and pile of notebooks scrawled in messy print. "I've been studying."

"Yeah, but don't you usually study with Alex's unusually hot brother?" She said, pulling her green university sweater over her head. She was wearing a beige long-sleeve shirt underneath.

"What?"

Katie tossed the sweater on her bed, making her way over to the dresser. "You heard me, you're always with Hernadez's brother. Hes hot." She paused, rifling through her clothing. "Have you slept with him yet?"

"Oh my god, no. He's just a friend."

She shrugged. "I don't know if he knows that."

"He definitely does." Her face ignited with heat. Someone must have turned the furnace up in the building.

"I don't know if Holmes knows that."

Ella spun around, her eyes widening in alarm. "Why does that matter?"

Katie glanced back at her. "You're kidding, right?"

Ella swiveled her chair around to fully face her roommate. "No, I'm not kidding. I'm confused."

Katie sighed. She grabbed a hoodie from the top drawer and slipped it on. "He likes you, Tucker."

She opened her mouth to retort.

"He like likes you. He wouldn't be acting like a golden retriever and following you around with big ol' puppy dog eyes if he didn't like you."

Ella stayed silent, blinking up at her roommate in disbelief.

"Look," Katie said, pulling a protein bar out of the pantry. "I've seen him interact with other girls. Hell, I've seen him date other girls and he has never acted the way he does around you with them." She unwrapped the bar, a few stray crumbs falling to the ground as she did so. "So if you were worried about him, oh I don't know, flirting with other girls." She sent Ella a pointed look. "He's not, I can assure you."

Ella processed Katie's words, her mind racing to make sense of the revelation. The room seemed to close in, and she found herself grappling with the unexpected truth that lingered in the air.

"He... likes me?" Ella finally uttered her voice a mixture of surprise and disbelief.

Katie nodded, taking a bite of her protein bar. "I'm really glad you're finally getting this through your thick skull. Rae and I have been taking bets on when you'd finally realize he wants you." She swallowed. "Damn, I owe her money."

Ella's thoughts whirred as she replayed countless interactions with Connor in her mind. The shared laughs, the subtle touches, the moments that now seemed to take on a different light.

"Oh my god, he likes me?"

Her roommate scoffed. "How many times do I have to say yes for you to understand."

"Noo, this is just–I mean–I don't know what to say."

"Well, thankfully I'm not Holmes so you don't have to say anything to me. In fact, if you wanted to, you wouldn't have to say anything at all." She watched as the blonde reached over to snatch her keys. You're my friend and I'm not going to force you to acknowledge his feelings unless you want to."

Ella sunk back into her seat in relief. "Thanks, Katie."

Katie hummed in acknowledgment before turning back toward Ella's sitting form. "Well, are you coming?"

"What, where are we going?"

"To the game, duh. Didn't you tell Mya you were going? She told me you were."

Ella blinked, momentarily forgetting the plans that Mya had made for her amid her revelation. She glanced down, she was wearing pink plaid pajama bottoms and a matching top. "I can't go like this!"

Katie gave her a once-over. "You look fine to me."

"Yeah, but..."

"Worried Connor's gonna see you wearing pajamas? Trust me, I don't think he'd care and I think he'd actually like to see a little more..."

"Okay! Okay! I'm grabbing my stuff now, give me like five minutes."

Katie released a boisterous laugh, before strolling into the hall.

—--

Katie led Ella through the university toward the fields. Even from a distance, Ella could see the bright lights of the baseball field, casting a glow against the darkening sky. As they drew closer, the sounds of the game became more distinct—the rhythmic thud of the ball hitting gloves, the occasional shouts from the players, and the hum of the crowd.

Katie sauntered up the ticket booth, gesturing to Ella who stood a few feet behind her. The guy running the booth nodded and let them through without any payment.

"Do you know him?" Ella said, confused by the interaction.

"Sort of," Katie said, shrugging. "I come to the games alot, most of the university athletes try to support each other." She waved over to a group of girls standing near the towering chain-linked fence. They smiled and waved back. A few of Katie's team members, Ella surmised.

They strolled toward the stands, finding their way to a spot with a clear view of the field. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, the air filled with the mingling scents of fresh grass and ballpark concessions.

From their vantage point, Ella could see the players warming up on the field. The crack of the bat and the satisfying thud of a well-caught ball reverberated through the field. Her eyes scanned the home team, they looked like a blur of dark green uniforms and matching baseball caps. She immediately found Alex, his midnight curls sticking out of the sides of his cap, he was warming up with an unfamiliar face, throwing the back and forth.

He really did look like Lysander.

Speaking of Lysander...

She quickly surveyed the crowd, hoping to see a mess of matching curly locks. Ella frowned. He wasn't sitting in the stands. Was he by the concessions?

"Looking for someone?" a familiar, baritone voice said near her ear. She quickly smiled.

"Lysander, hey!"

"Hey," He grinned as he was holding a can of soda. "Glad to see you made it. Mind if I take a seat?"

"Sure, not at all." She scooted closer to Katie, allowing him to slide onto the bleachers. His arm brushed against hers and she shivered at the unexpected contact.

Katie sent her a pointed look. She quickly looked away.

Lysander settled in beside her, his gaze shifting from the field to Ella with a warm smile. "I hope we win tonight."

Katie scoffed playfully. "Of course, we'll win."

While the two of them began to converse between her, Ella leaned forward again, her eyes scanning the players who were now lined up on the field, ready for the first inning. The stadium lights bathed the scene in a soft glow, and the anticipation in the air was palpable.

Line up together all the players looked the same. Tall, muscular, and wearing the same uniforms. She had no idea where Connor could possibly be.

As if he could sense her gaze, one of the baseball players on the far left looked up and scanned the stands. Ella's heart skipped a beat when their eyes met. It was Connor, unmistakably, with a faint smile playing on his lips. She felt a flush of warmth, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade away.

Connor held her gaze for a beat longer before turning his attention back to the coach, who was spouting instructions.

"What did I tell you?" Katie murmured. "Golden retriever."

The crack of the bat echoed through the stadium as the first pitch was thrown, signaling the beginning of the game. As the pitch echoed through the stadium, her attention returned to the game, but her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Ella's eyes remained fixed on the field, and as the players sprang into action, her attention was drawn to the unmistakable figure of Connor.

Connor, now fully immersed in the game, moved with a fluidity across the field. As the star player (so he liked to say), he displayed a remarkable blend of athleticism and strategic thinking. His movements were purposeful, each step and pivot calculated, a testament to the hours of practice and dedication.

Despite all his bragging, Ella never had the chance to see him play. It was clear that all his bragging wasn't just empty words.

Once Northview was up to bat, Connor stood with a confident stance, his eyes fixed on the pitcher. The crowd hushed in anticipation as the pitcher wound up, and then, with a powerful swing, Connor connected with the ball. The crack resonated through the stadium as the ball soared through the air, landing in the outfield.

Ella's eyes followed him as he sprinted toward first base, the determination etched on his face. The crowd erupted into cheers, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of pride, not just for the team, but for Connor himself.

"Pretty impressive, right?" Katie said, eyes still glued to the field. "I don't know what they're feeding that boy, but god damn he's good."

Ella laughed, turning her attention back to the game, watching as Alex stepped up to the plate.

As the innings unfolded, the game became a symphony of excitement and skill. Alex's turn at bat brought its own set of cheers from the crowd. The loudest being Lysander, of course. His eyes twinkled with pride and he grinned down at Ella, who smiled right back.

The atmosphere in the stadium intensified with each pitch, and Ella found herself on the edge of her seat, fully immersed in the unfolding drama. The collective energy of the crowd mirrored the ebb and flow of the game.

As the final innings approached, Mya and Rae joined them in the stands.

"Are we winning," Mya asked, handing Ella a hot chocolate. She nodded her head in thanks.

"Do you even have to ask?"

Mya shrugged, taking a seat on the bleacher below them. "You never know, something crazy might happen."

"Shhh, don't jinx us," Rae admonished. "We need to continue our winning streak."

The final innings unfolded with a series of intense moments, each pitch and play drawing audible reactions from the crowd. Northview's players displayed unwavering determination, and as the outs were counted down, the prospect of victory became more tangible.

When the last out was made, the stadium erupted into a crescendo of cheers. The elation of the crowd reverberated through the air, and Ella caught up in the celebration, couldn't help but join in the joyous chorus.

"Hell yeah," Katie shouted, "Northview is literally undefeatable."

Lysander whooped and pulled her into a quick side hug, running down the bleacher before she could react. Probably to go congratulate his brother.

The Northview players, bathed in the glow of the stadium lights and fueled by the cheers of the crowd, erupted in unbridled joy as the final out secured their victory. Helmets flew off, and gloves were tossed into the air as the players rushed toward each other, forming a jubilant huddle on the field.

Connor, at the forefront of the celebration, wore an infectious grin that mirrored the elation in his teammates' expressions. His eyes searched the crowd, immediately locking with hers. His smile widened.

"Go congratulate him," Katie said, nudging her shoulder. "I think that might literally make his night and he'll die of happiness."

Ella let out a nervous giggle. "I don't know..."

Mya and Rae grinned at her, both gesturing encouragingly toward the field. The collective energy of the moment pushed Ella to her feet, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement.

"Come on, Ella" Mya sang, "Don't keep him waiting."

Taking a deep breath, Ella made her way down the bleachers and over to the dugout. The sounds of celebration surrounded her—the cheers of the crowd, the laughter of the players, and the distant echoes of congratulatory shouts.

As she approached the cluster of Northview players, Connor's eyes remained fixed on her. His grin widened even further, and he broke away from the huddle to meet her halfway. The stadium lights cast a warm glow on the scene, and the joy in his eyes was undeniable.

"Hey," he said, a hint of breathlessness in his voice from the excitement of the game. "Glad you could make it."

Ella couldn't help but smile back, the contagious jubilation of the moment enveloping them both. "Congratulations," she replied, her voice buoyant with genuine happiness. "You guys were amazing out there."

Connor's expression softened, and he gestured toward the celebrating team. "It's a team effort. But having you here made it even better."

Ella smiled nervously, she glanced over to her friends who were intently watching them from the stands.

Connor's eyes followed Ella's glance toward her friends, and he chuckled. "Figures," With a playful twinkle in his eye, he extended his hand. "Come on, let's talk in the dugout?"

Ella hesitated for a moment, then took his hand, allowing him to lead her into the midst of the celebrating players. The atmosphere was electric, and the players greeted her with smiles and nods of acknowledgment. Ella felt a mix of excitement and gratitude, grateful to be a part of this momentous celebration.

As they reached the dugout, Connor leaned against the railing, facing Ella. The cheers and laughter of the team provided a backdrop to their conversation.

"I meant what I said," Connor began, his voice sincere. "Having you here—it made tonight unforgettable. I really didn't know if you were going to come, but I am so glad you're here."

Ella's cheeks flushed with warmth, and she found herself caught in the intensity of his gaze. The connection between them was undeniable, and the celebratory energy around them seemed to amplify the moment.

Amidst the cheers and laughter, Ella leaned in a little closer. "I'm glad I came too."

Connor's grin widened, and in that charged moment, Ella felt a surge of courage. With a gentle lean, she pressed her lips against his.