I lean forward.
“I’m done letting rich schools and rich parents silence people like me.”
The PR team tries not to cheer — they’re professionals — but Tristan mutters, “Holy shit,” under his breath.
“And to every D1 and D2 coach watching this,” I say, lifting my chin, “I’m not just a victim. I’m a student athlete with grit. I’ve overcome things most players never will.”
My throat tightens, but I push through.
“I’m strong. I’m resilient. I don’t back down. And that toughness shows up on the field. If you want a player who doesn’t break under pressure, I’m your girl.”
I give the camera a confident half-smile — the first real smile I’ve felt in weeks.
“My reels and contacts are in my bio.
Let’s talk.”
I click off.
My pulse is hammering. My hands are cold. My lips tingle with adrenaline.
Tristan just whistles. “Jade. Mc-fucking-Bryan. You didn’t just kick the hornet’s nest. You firebombed the hive.”
“Good,” I breathe.
“Let them hear me.”
“Queen’s gotta hold court,” Shani said, flipping another flashcard over her shoulder like she was auditioning for a commercial. “Opening day for basketball? That’syourthrone room, babe.”
I groaned, face half-buried in a stack of psych notes. “Shani, it’s a game, not the Met Gala. And it’s never really been my thing.”
She gave methatlook—eyebrow arched, smirk fully loaded. “You’re a soccer captain. A queen. Trending online. The girl who made the headmaster flinch. You don’t skip out on the pep rally. Youarrive.”
Hayden looked up from her laptop, glasses slipping down her nose. “Translation: we’re going. You, me, Shani. Entourage assembled.”
“Do I get a say in this?” I asked weakly.
Shani just grinned. “Nope.”
“I gotta go. Weight training session starts soon with Coach Roman.”
I was halfway to the locker room when I heard his footsteps behind me.
"Jade—wait."
I didn’t stop. Not right away.
He caught up to me anyway. Of course he did. Leo always caught up. Always closed the gap like he wasn’t the one who opened it in the first place.
"Just… hear me out. Please."
I kept walking.
"I thought I was protecting you by leaving."
That stopped me.
Right outside the janitor’s closet, where the tile floor still smelled like bleach and old secrets, I turned to face him.
