Emmie found herself wandering toward the football field after classes one evening, her steps light but deliberate. She told herself it was mere curiosity, a harmless diversion from her routine, but deep down, she knew better. The pull toward James Kamau was undeniable, even if she couldn't explain it to herself.
The field was alive with the sounds of practice—the rhythmic thud of the ball being kicked, the sharp calls of the coach, and the occasional burst of laughter from the players. Emmie lingered by the edge of the bleachers, far enough to avoid drawing attention but close enough to see everything.
James was impossible to miss. He moved across the field with a confidence that seemed effortless, his strides powerful and purposeful. Every pass he made was precise, every move fluid, as if he was born to play. Beside him, Zade and Kyro were equally impressive, their camaraderie evident in the way they worked together seamlessly. But no matter how skilled they were, Emmie's eyes kept drifting back to James.
Her heart fluttered every time he called out a command or flashed a grin at his teammates. There was something magnetic about him, something that made it hard to look away. She watched as he intercepted a pass, weaving through defenders with ease before launching the ball into the net. The team erupted in cheers, and James raised his arms in triumph, his smile wide and unguarded. It made Emmie's chest tighten in a way that both thrilled and unsettled her.
She stayed through the entire practice, unnoticed among the small group of spectators. When the players finally began to disperse, she lingered, her gaze still fixed on James as he chatted with Zade and Kyro near the sidelines. Their laughter carried across the field, a sound that felt warm and inviting.
"You're staring," a voice said, startling her. Emmie turned to see Tessa standing a few feet away, her arms crossed and a knowing look on her face.
"I wasn't…" Emmie began, but the heat rising to her cheeks betrayed her.
"You so were," Tessa said with a grin, plopping down onto the bleacher next to her. "Let me guess. James Kamau, right?"
Emmie hesitated before nodding. "He's… he's a really good player," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah, he is," Tessa agreed, her tone neutral. "But I'm sticking to what I said before. He's trouble. You don't need that kind of drama in your life."
Emmie didn't respond. She knew Tessa meant well, and part of her even agreed. But there was something about James that she couldn't ignore, something that made her want to know more about the boy behind the effortless charm and brilliant smile.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the field, Emmie finally stood. "I should go," she said, grabbing her bag.
Tessa gave her a pointed look but didn't press further. "Just be careful, okay?"
"I will," Emmie promised, though she wasn't entirely sure how much control she had over her growing curiosity about James Kamau.
As she walked away, the sound of his laughter still echoed in her ears, a melody she knew she wouldn't forget anytime soon.
---
Emmie sat by the window in her dorm room, her knees pulled up to her chest as she stared out at the campus below. The golden hues of the sunset bathed everything in a warm glow, but she barely noticed. Her mind was elsewhere, tangled in thoughts she couldn't seem to shake.
James Kamau. His name alone made her heart flutter, and the memory of his smile during practice earlier that week lingered in her mind like a song stuck on repeat. She hated how much space he occupied in her thoughts, how easily he had wormed his way into her daydreams. But the more she thought about him, the more a painful truth settled over her like a heavy blanket.
He would never notice someone like her.
Emmie glanced at her reflection in the small mirror above her desk. Her plain brown hair fell in limp waves around her face, and her freckles seemed more prominent in the dim light. She wasn't ugly, but she wasn't the kind of girl who turned heads, either. Not like Micha and Alison, James's friends.
Alison had an effortless elegance about her, with her sleek blonde hair and perfectly coordinated outfits that looked straight out of a fashion magazine. Micha, on the other hand, radiated confidence with her bold makeup and infectious laugh that drew people in like moths to a flame. They were the kind of girls who belonged in James's orbit, the kind who fit into his world of charm and popularity.
Emmie knew she couldn't compete with that. She was just… average. A girl who preferred quiet corners and second-hand books, someone who avoided attention rather than sought it. What could James possibly see in her when he was surrounded by people like them?
She let out a sigh, resting her chin on her knees. Maybe it was better this way. Keeping her distance meant she wouldn't get hurt, wouldn't set herself up for disappointment. It was safer to admire him from afar, to let her feelings remain a secret she carried quietly.
But even as she tried to convince herself of that, a small part of her couldn't help but wonder. What would it be like if James did notice her? If, against all odds, he looked past the surface and saw her for who she really was? The thought was both thrilling and terrifying, a fragile hope she didn't dare nurture.
The sound of laughter drifted up from the courtyard below, pulling Emmie from her thoughts. She leaned forward, peering out the window to see a group of students gathered near the fountain. James was among them, his laughter ringing out as he playfully shoved one of his friends. Micha and Alison were there too, their perfect smiles shining under the fading sunlight.
Emmie pulled back, her chest tightening. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, willing herself to let go of the ache that settled in her heart. James Kamau was a dream, and dreams didn't belong to girls like her.
"You're better off this way," she whispered to herself, though the words felt hollow. Turning away from the window, she grabbed a book from her desk and tried to lose herself in its pages, hoping it would be enough to drown out the thoughts that refused to leave her alone.