CHAPTER 11
Falling Hard
ZAYN CARTER
The sports meet was louder than I expected. The whole school was out on the field, filling up the bleachers, shouting, laughingâbasically acting like this was the Olympics or something.
I leaned against the railing near the track, hands in my pockets, watching as Cole stretched for his race. He had been talking about this event for weeks, mostly because he knew Fay was excited to watch him.
Speaking of Fayâshe was at the medical tent.
With someone else.
I blinked. Wait.
Was that... Ari?
I frowned. Cole had said she wasn't joining. That she wasn't into sports meets. So what was she doing here?
"Aren't you running?" I asked Cole without taking my eyes off the tent.
"In a minute," Cole said. Then he followed my gaze and smirked. "Surprised?"
I didn't answer, but yeah. A little.
She sat with her arms crossed, looking about as thrilled as someone being forced to watch paint dry. She was listening to Fay, who was probably going on about Cole's race.
"Didn't think she'd actually show up," I muttered.
Cole chuckled. "Fay's got skills, man. She convinced her."
Figures.
Ari looked different today. Maybe it was the way she satâlegs crossed, one hand propped against her chin, clearly unimpressed with all of this. Or maybe it wasâ
What am I even thinking?
It didn't matter.
I turned back to the track, shaking the thought away.
"You should've just asked her yourself," Cole said casually.
I shot him a look. "Asked her what?"
"If she was joining."
I scoffed. "Why would I do that?"
Cole just grinned. "I dunno. You seemed real interested when you asked me earlier."
I exhaled sharply. "I was just curious."
"Mhmm," Cole hummed, looking way too smug.
The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, calling for the runners to get into position.
Cole clapped me on the shoulder. "Wish me luck."
I smirked. "Don't trip."
"Wow, thanks for the support."
He jogged off toward the track, leaving me standing there, hands still in my pockets.
I glanced at the medical tent again, just once.
Ari was still there.