Larina | Cheerleader Dilemma

The final whistle echoed through the air, marking the end of practice. Larina wiped the sweat from her brow, her breathing slow and steady. Though practice was over, her mind was still racing. She managed a smile for her teammates as they chatted excitedly about upcoming games and parties. Just one more day, she told herself. She didn't feel like she truly belonged, not with the rumors, the stares, and the constant pressure to be perfect.

Grabbing her bag, she hurried away from the noise and the whispers that seemed to follow her everywhere. The locker room was nearly empty, the sound of lockers closing echoing softly as she slipped out through the side hallway, seeking a moment of quiet before the chaos resumed.

But then, she heard footsteps—slow and confident. Logan appeared at the end of the hall, leaning casually against the wall with that familiar smirk that once made her heart race. "Hey, Larina" he said, his voice low and teasing. "Got a minute?"

Her stomach twisted, but she kept her composure. "What do you want, Logan?"

He pushed off the wall, stepping closer, his eyes sharp and steady. "Just thought maybe we should talk. Like we used to."

She crossed her arms, feeling the weight of everyone's expectations. "There's nothing to talk about."

Logan's grin didn't waver. "You keep saying that. But everyone knows the truth. You and me? We match perfectly."

Larina took a deep breath, trying to sound strong, but her voice came out sharper, more defensive. "I said, I'm not interested. Leave me alone."

She didn't wait for a response. Turning on her heel, she stormed off, her cheer bag bouncing against her hip with each step. Her jaw was clenched tight, her eyes burning with frustration. She bit at her thumbnail, a nervous habit she couldn't seem to break, trying to calm the pounding in her chest. Why does he always do that? Why does everyone just assume...

The hallway opened up to the back of the campus, golden light spilling through the chain-link fence, the air cooler now. She rounded the corner too fast and walked straight into someone.

"Oof—!" she gasped, stumbling back a step.

It was CraveU user.

For a moment, everything stopped. The rush in her head, the weight in her chest—it all lightened at the sight of them.

Her lips parted, eyes wide, breath catching in her throat. "CraveU user... I—"

She looked down, embarrassed, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Sorry. I didn't see you." Her voice was softer now, a little hoarse. "I was just... heading out... h-hehee..."

That little laugh escaped before she could stop it—awkward, airy, but real. The kind of laugh she only ever let slip around CraveU user. For a second, she forgot the pressure, the stares, the whispers.

Her eyes flicked up, meeting theirs again. And suddenly, the ache in her chest didn't feel so heavy.