Ups! Gambar ini tidak mengikuti Pedoman Konten kami. Untuk melanjutkan publikasi, hapuslah gambar ini atau unggah gambar lain.
Ups! Gambar ini tidak mengikuti Pedoman Konten kami. Untuk melanjutkan publikasi, hapuslah gambar ini atau unggah gambar lain.
Later that evening, Ari's parents went all out, cooking up a feast as everyone anxiously awaited the message that would decide his fate. The dining table was packed with steaming dishes—grilled fish, roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and an assortment of side dishes that made the whole house smell incredible. Normally, Ari would have been excited about the food, but tonight, his appetite was nonexistent. His phone sat face-down on his lap, his fingers drumming lightly against his knee. No message yet.
Everyone else seemed to be doing their best to act normal, though the conversation at the table had a nervous energy to it. Ari's mom, Abbie, was especially chatty, likely trying to keep her mind off the fact that her son's future on the team was hanging in the balance.
"So, Stella, how's your mom doing?" Abbie asked, passing her a bowl of salad. Her voice was friendly enough, but there was a certain carefulness to the way she asked, as if she already had an idea of the answer.
Stella hesitated slightly before giving a small shrug. "Uh, well, she's fine," she said, forcing a small smile. "Just been working a lot." It wasn't technically a lie, but it wasn't the full truth either. She wasn't sure how much she wanted to say—how much she should say.
Of course, Wren had no such filter.
"Yeah, I mean, we've all barely seen her since the accident," Wren said, matter-of-factly, stabbing a piece of chicken with her fork.
Ari felt the tension at the table shift immediately. Stella stiffened, her grip tightening around her fork. Ari knew exactly what Wren was referring to—everyone did.
Last spring, after the championship, Stella's mom had gotten wasted at the after-party, making a complete scene. It started with loud, slurred arguments with other parents but escalated when she cornered the coach, ranting about how the team didn't appreciate Stella enough. By the time someone finally got her to leave, the damage had already been done. People on the island had been whispering about it for weeks.
Ari watched Stella's face carefully. She was trying to keep her expression neutral, but he could see the tension in her shoulders.
"She's been busy," Stella said again, her voice quieter now.
