Stacy arrived at the café early, looking forward to her date with Ryder. She ordered a coffee and sat down at a small table by the window, watching as people walked by outside.

A few minutes later, Ryder arrived, looking handsome and charming in a white shirt and dark jeans. He smiled at Stacy and sat down across from her.

"Hey," he said, taking a sip of his coffee. "I'm so glad we could do this."

Stacy smiled back at him. "Me too," she said. "I've been looking forward to it all day."

As they chatted, Stacy found herself feeling more and more at ease around Ryder. They talked about everything from their favorite books to their childhood memories.

But as the afternoon wore on, Stacy couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She thought about Axel, and the way he had hurt her.

She realized that she wasn't ready to move on, not yet. She still had feelings for Axel, and she needed to process them before she could even think about dating someone else.

As they finished their coffee, Ryder looked at Stacy with a smile. "Would you like to grab dinner with me sometime this week?" he asked.

Stacy hesitated, feeling torn. She didn't want to lead Ryder on, but she also didn't want to hurt his feelings.

"I'm not sure," Stacy said finally. "I need some time to think."

Ryder nodded understandingly. "No problem," he said. "I'll give you some space."

As Ryder walked Stacy home, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. She knew that she had made the right decision, even if it was a difficult one.

As they walked, Stacy noticed a figure watching her from across the street. It was Axel, his eyes fixed intently on her.

Stacy felt a shiver run down her spine as she quickly looked away. She didn't want to deal with Axel right now.

When they arrived at Stacy's dorm, Ryder turned to her and smiled. "I'll talk to you soon," he said.

Stacy smiled back at him. "Yeah, sounds good."

As Ryder walked away, Stacy couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She knew that Axel was still watching her, and she didn't know what he wanted.

Stacy quickly went inside and met up with Madeline and Charlotte in the common room.

"Hey, girl!" Madeline exclaimed, running over to hug Stacy. "How was your date with Ryder?"

Stacy shrugged, flopping down onto the couch. "It was okay, I guess," she said.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "Just okay?" she repeated.

Stacy sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know, guys," she said. "I just didn't feel that spark, you know?"

Madeline and Charlotte exchanged a knowing look.

"Maybe you're just not over Axel yet," Madeline said gently.

Stacy felt a pang of guilt, knowing that Madeline was right.

"Yeah, maybe you're right," Stacy said, sighing.

Charlotte put a hand on Stacy's shoulder. "We're here for you, no matter what," she said.

Stacy smiled, feeling grateful for her friends. "Thanks, guys," she said. "That means a lot to me."

The next day, Stacy, Madeline, and Charlotte decided to attend the college's basketball game, mainly because Madeline had a crush on one of the players, Jake.

"I've heard he's really cute," Madeline said, giggling.

Stacy and Charlotte exchanged a knowing look. "You're just going to the game to see Jake, aren't you?" Stacy teased.

Madeline blushed. "Maybe," she admitted.

As they arrived at the stadium, Stacy couldn't help but notice Axel's name on the roster. She felt a pang of unease, knowing that she would have to see him play.

But she was determined not to let Axel ruin her evening. She focused on cheering for the team and having fun with her friends.

As the game progressed, Stacy found herself getting more and more into the spirit of things. She cheered and clapped along with the rest of the crowd, having a great time.

But then, just as the game was heating up, Stacy noticed a familiar face on the court. It was Ryder, the guy she had gone on a date with earlier that week.

Stacy felt a surge of surprise, not knowing that Ryder was on the team. She watched in awe as he expertly sank shot after shot, leading his team to victory.

As the final buzzer sounded, Ryder's team erupted in cheers. Ryder himself ran over to Stacy, grinning from ear to ear.

"We won!" he exclaimed, picking Stacy up and spinning her around.

Stacy laughed, feeling carefree and happy. "Congratulations!" she said, smiling up at Ryder.

Ryder set Stacy down, his eyes locked on hers. "I have to tell you something," he said, his voice low and sincere.

Stacy's heart skipped a beat as she realized that Ryder was looking at her in a way that went beyond friendship.

"What is it?" Stacy asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryder took a deep breath. "I think I might be falling for you, Stacy," he said, his eyes locked on hers.

Stacy's heart was racing as she processed Ryder's words. She hadn't expected him to confess his feelings, and she didn't know how to react.

But as she looked into Ryder's eyes, she knew that she couldn't accept his confession. She still had feelings for Axel, and she needed to process them before she could even think about dating someone else.

"Ryder, I..." Stacy started to say, but Ryder cut her off.

"I know it's fast, but I feel a connection with you that I've never felt with anyone before," Ryder said, his eyes shining with excitement.

Stacy felt a pang of guilt as she realized that she was going to hurt Ryder's feelings. "Ryder, I'm flattered, but I don't feel the same way," she said, trying to be kind but firm.

Ryder's face fell, and he looked at Stacy with disappointment. "Oh," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Stacy felt a surge of guilt and regret. She knew that she had hurt Ryder's feelings, and she didn't know how to make it right.

Just then, Axel appeared out of nowhere, his eyes blazing with jealousy. "What's going on here?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.

Ryder stood his ground, his eyes never leaving Axel's face. "I just confessed my feelings to Stacy, and she rejected me," he said, his voice steady.

Axel's face darkened with anger. "You think you can just waltz in here and steal her away from me?" he snarled.

Stacy felt a surge of fear as she realized that Axel was losing control. "Axel, stop," she said, trying to calm him down.

But Axel was beyond reason. He took a step closer to Ryder, his fists clenched. "You're going to regret messing with me," he growled.

Ryder stood his ground, his eyes never leaving Axel's face. "I'm not afraid of you," he said, his voice steady.

Stacy felt a surge of admiration for Ryder's bravery. She knew that she had to get out of there before things escalated further.

"Let's go," she said, grabbing Ryder's arm and pulling him away from Axel.

As they walked away, Stacy could feel Axel's eyes burning with anger and jealousy. She knew that she had to be careful, because Axel was not a person to be trifled with.
As the final buzzer sounded, Ryder's team erupted in cheers. Ryder himself ran over to Stacy, grinning from ear to ear.

"We won!" he exclaimed, picking Stacy up and spinning her around.

Stacy laughed, feeling carefree and happy. "Congratulations!" she said, smiling up