Tangled In The Captains Game (Short Story) The Hangout

CHAPTER 6

You ever get that feeling where the universe just decides, “Hey, let’s mess with Nova Flynn today”? That’s how it felt the minute Zuri, Alya, and I stepped into the dorm building. The air was filled with that weird kind of tension, the one that whispers something ridiculous is about to happen.

And it all started with my phone buzzing in my pocket. I fished it out, already dreading whatever nonsense awaited me in the “Seniors in Year 3” group chat. And, of course, it was from none other than Ryder. Because who else would organize a spontaneous meet-up when all I wanted was to retreat to the quiet safety of our dorm?

Ryder:
Hey, y’all! Football team hangout tonight at Deresic Café & Bar. Be there or forever be a square. [insert suspicious address that screams bad decision]. See ya there!

I rolled my eyes. Be there or be square? Who says that anymore? Ryder, apparently.

I glanced over at Zuri and Alya, hoping—begging—they’d share my disdain for this last-minute “invitation.” But no. They were already giving me the look. The “you’re coming with us whether you like it or not” look. Before I could even protest, I was being ushered out of the dorm, my half-formed excuses falling on deaf ears.

“Seriously, guys?” I groaned as they dragged me down the hallway. “I had plans.”

Alya shot me a sly smile. “Yeah? Doing what? Staring at your phone in bed?”

Zuri was already halfway out the door, clearly not taking no for an answer. 

“You can’t hide from the football team forever, Nova. This is senior year. Live a little.”

“More like die a little,” I muttered under my breath.  “Because that’s what this feels like.”

Fast forward a half hour, and I was standing in front of my mirror, looking at my reflection like I was about to face some kind of gladiatorial combat. I had opted for a black crop top with the words “Slay, Periodt” boldly stamped across the front, paired with baggy Adidas track pants and white Nike Converse, because comfort was key when you were about to endure social torture. My brown eyes were highlighted with minimal makeup, just enough to give them a little sparkle, and I added a hint of gloss to my lips. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone—especially not Ryder—but, well, a little effort never hurt.

The walk to Deresic Café & Bar felt like a death march, with me dragging my feet while Zuri and Alya practically skipped down the sidewalk, excited as ever. When we got there, it was just as I expected: chaos. The tables and chairs had been shoved out of sight, probably to make room for the swarm of third-year seniors that had taken over the café. Ryder, in true football captain fashion, had apparently rented the place out. Because of course, he did.

The second we stepped inside, I spotted Asher. My twin, being the overprotective and slightly overbearing brother he was, made a beeline for us. And by “us,” I mean Alya. Before I could even blink, he had her in his arms, and the two of them were practically attached at the lips.
I stood there, blinking, while they kissed like they were in some romantic movie scene. A full-blown, two-minute-long make-out session, right in front of me. I mean, I knew they were dating and all, but this was excessive. Did I need to pull out a stopwatch?

“Okay, ew,” I finally said, unable to take it anymore. “This is… a lot. Like, right in front of me? You guys couldn’t… not do this here?”

Zuri nodded solemnly beside me, clearly amused. “Yeah, real classy, Asher.”

Asher finally pulled back, grinning like he hadn’t just put me through two minutes of sheer awkwardness.

 “Jealous, sis?” he teased.

“Jealous? Hardly,” I deadpanned. 

“More like concerned for your oxygen levels. Pretty sure you just set a world record for ‘Longest Unnecessary Public Make-Out Session.'”

Alya giggled, but Asher just shrugged, completely unbothered. “We’re in love.”

“Yeah, well, you’re also in public. Let’s tone it down before I report you for PDA violations,” I muttered, waving them off. “Go. Shoo. Find a corner or something.”

Asher threw me a wink before taking Alya’s hand and disappearing into the crowd, leaving me and Zuri standing there.

“Lovebirds,” Zuri said, shaking her head. “You’d think they were in a rom-com or something.”
I sighed dramatically.

 “If this is a rom-com, I want out.”

Zuri smirked, then quickly vanished into the crowd, leaving me to fend for myself. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, pretending I had something important to do, when in reality, I was just staring at my home screen, trying to look busy. Anything to avoid being sucked into the social vortex around me.

I had only taken a few steps forward, trying to find a quiet corner where I could hide, when I felt it. That familiar, muscle-bound wall of a chest. Oh no. My stomach dropped as I looked up and saw who I had bumped into.

Ryder.

“Hey, little thing,” he said, flashing that infuriatingly cocky smirk. His voice was smooth, oozing confidence.

I stood there, staring up at him, completely frozen. Come on, Nova, say something. But of course, my brain had decided to take a vacation. 

“H-hi… uh, I wasn’t… watching where I was going,” I finally stammered, my cheeks turning about fifty shades of red.

Ryder’s smirk only widened. He leaned down until we were eye-level, and before I could stop him, he reached out and ruffled my hair. My hair. Like I was some kind of lost puppy.

“You should really watch where you’re going next time,” he said, his voice dripping with amusement.

I opened my mouth to respond, but all I could manage was a pathetic little squeak. Great. Just great.

Ryder chuckled, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “So, about earlier…” His smirk grew even more mischievous. 

“What was with you barging into the boys’ locker room? Trying to catch a peek?”

Oh no no no no. My heart was pounding in my chest.  “I wasn’t— It’s not like that—”

He leaned in closer, his breath warm on my face. 

“Liked what you saw, huh?“ 

His voice was low, teasing, and his eyes sparkled with amusement.

My brain short-circuited. My face felt like it was on fire. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out except a strangled, “I- I have to—”

 I turned on my heel and bolted before I could make an even bigger fool of myself.
But because my life is apparently one giant comedy of errors, I didn’t just run into an empty room to compose myself. No, that would’ve been too easy.

I burst through a door into one of the back rooms of the café, hoping for a moment of peace—and instead, I got anything but.

My eyes widened in horror as I took in the scene before me.

There, right in front of me, was a girl sitting on a table, her legs draped over the edge. A boy stood between her legs, their bodies pressed impossibly close together. And they were kissing. Not just any kiss—it was the kind of kiss that made the one I’d witnessed earlier between Asher and Alya look like a G-rated Disney movie.

I froze. My stomach dropped.

Because I knew exactly who they were.

Authors note:
Welp who’s there? nyeahhh. Anyways i have no idea what to say….

Whats ur fav color? Mine is light pink