Chapter 5: Ghosts of the Past

Actually, while I was watching the youth and second squad tryouts today, the comments didn’t stop either.

It was like some invisible Greek chorus was narrating my life, only meaner and with worse grammar. The phone’s glow felt harsh against my tired eyes.

They were live-broadcasting Caleb and Riley’s movie date.

Caleb had lied to me, saying he was meeting an old classmate. I knew the truth, but didn’t bother exposing him.

*[The main girl’s pink-and-blue princess dress is so cute, she looks like a soft, sweet strawberry cupcake!]*

*[Caleb in a white shirt beside her—they’re perfect together. Hurry up and get together already, I want to see some sparks!]*

White shirt…

My hand paused as I opened a bag of chips.

I remembered, back in sophomore year at the e-sports club, the first time I met Caleb, he was also wearing a white shirt, sitting in the back of the classroom playing Athena.

A crowd had gathered around him, marveling at his charged flashes and silent combos.

"President, president! We’ve got a pro-level freshman! Now we can take on North State!"

Their cheers snapped me out of it.

After I nodded, the victory sound rang out. Caleb smiled shyly at me, his ears turning red.

That must have been the moment he left a deep impression on me.

It was the same hopeful, boyish smile he’d worn the night we beat our first ranked team together. Hard to believe how much had changed since then.