014

Hailey's POV

The game had barely started, but my mind was miles away. My gaze was glued to Mrs. Sophie, who seemed to be getting some twisted satisfaction out of smirking at me every other second. And Nikki? She was there too, lurking with that smug look plastered on her face, just waiting for me to mess up. I couldn’t let her get to me, but my heart was racing faster than the ball bouncing across the field.

"Hey, relax. Don’t let them get to you," Jessy whispered, patting my back. Mia nodded, biting her lip as she watched Paxton on the field, her eyes flickering with admiration. Paxton noticed us and flashed a confident smile in my direction. My breath hitched as I watched him effortlessly take control of the ball, dodging Dimitri’s kick and sending it soaring through the air.

*Goal!* The crowd erupted in cheers, and before I knew it, I was clapping—loudly. Too loudly. I froze, realizing I was the only one applauding. Heat flooded my cheeks. *Oh geez, Hailey!*

Paxton winked and blew