𝘚𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･🥎 𝐘υω𝖾𐓣 𝗑 𝐑𝖾αᑯ𝖾𝗋

꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦🥎꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷

The rain had stopped by the next morning, but the tension from yesterday's practice still lingered. You could feel it in the air as you approached the softball field for the day's warm-ups. The team was scattered in small groups, their conversations hushed, their movements stiff. Yuwen was already there, standing near the fence with Kai, the two of them deep in discussion.

You jogged over, dropping your bag on the ground beside them. "What's going on?"

Kai glanced at you, her expression serious. "There's been talk. About Taylor."

Yuwen nodded, his face dark. "Some of the team's starting to question her leadership. But there's also a group who thinks I crossed a line yesterday."

You frowned, the weight of the situation pressing on your shoulders. "This is exactly what she wants. To divide us."

Kai sighed, crossing her arms. "Well, it's working. If we're going to make it to the championship, we need to figure this out fast."

Before you could respond, the sharp blast of the coach's whistle called the team to order. You exchanged a quick glance with Yuwen and Kai before making your way to the huddle.

The drills that day were grueling, the coach pushing everyone harder than usual. It felt like he was trying to distract the team from the growing cracks, but it wasn't working. Players fumbled catches, missed throws, and muttered under their breath. Taylor, as usual, barked orders, her tone sharp and commanding.

But something was different. She was quieter than usual, her eyes darting toward Yuwen every so often. You couldn't tell if it was fear or anger—or something else entirely. Whatever it was, it was unsettling.

"Y/N! Focus!" Coach's voice snapped you out of your thoughts, and you realized you had missed a grounder. Heat rushed to your cheeks as you quickly retrieved the ball, trying to shake off the distraction.

As practice wore on, the tension only grew. By the time Coach called for a break, the team was visibly on edge. Taylor was standing by the dugout, her arms crossed as she watched the rest of the team. You caught Yuwen's eye from across the field, and he nodded toward her.

You and Yuwen made your way to Taylor, Kai trailing behind. She didn't look surprised to see you.

"Here to accuse me of something else?" Taylor asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"We need to talk," Yuwen said firmly.

Taylor raised an eyebrow. "Oh? About what?"

"About whatever game you're playing," Yuwen shot back. "We're not blind, Taylor. We know you're up to something."

Taylor's expression hardened, but there was a flicker of something else—doubt? "You think you've got me all figured out, don't you? But you don't know anything."

"Then tell us," you said, stepping forward. "What's going on, Taylor? Why are you doing this?"

For a moment, Taylor looked like she might say something. Her mouth opened, but then she closed it again, her eyes narrowing. "You wouldn't understand."

"Try us," Kai said, her voice calm but firm.

Taylor hesitated, her gaze darting between the three of you. Finally, she shook her head, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "You'll see soon enough."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving you standing there with more questions than answers.

Later that evening, you and Yuwen met at the bleachers to go over what had happened. The air was cool, the field bathed in the soft glow of the stadium lights.

"She's hiding something big," Yuwen said, pacing back and forth. "But I can't figure out what."

"She said we'd see soon enough," you said, frowning. "What does that even mean?"

Kai joined you then, holding her phone up. "I might have an idea. Look at this."

She handed you the phone, and your eyes widened as you read the screen. It was a message thread between Taylor and an unknown number.

Unknown: You have to do it soon. They're getting too close.
Taylor: I know. Just give me more time.
Unknown: Time's running out. Make your move.

"What is this?" you asked, looking up at Kai.

"I overheard Taylor talking after practice and got curious," Kai admitted. "She left her phone unlocked in the locker room. I took a screenshot."

Yuwen leaned over to read the messages, his expression darkening. "This isn't just about the team anymore. There's something bigger going on."

"And whoever this is," you said, pointing to the unknown number, "they're pulling the strings."

Kai nodded. "We need to figure out who they are. Fast."

As the three of you sat there, the weight of the discovery settled over you. The game wasn't just about softball anymore—it was about uncovering the truth. And time was running out.