Ryan
The morning air was crisp as Ryan laced up his sneakers in his room. Downstairs, he could already hear movement in the café—his mom getting ready for another busy day. But today wasn't just any day.
He grabbed his duffel and walked down, finding Sarah wiping down the counter. She looked up and smiled softly. "You all set?"
"Yeah," he said, adjusting the strap on his bag. "We leave in twenty."
Sarah nodded, walking around the counter. "You nervous?"
Ryan hesitated. "A little. It's the first big game of the tournament… I just don't want to mess up."
She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ryan, no matter what happens today, I'm proud of you. You've grown so much these past few months."
He gave her a small nod. "Thanks, Mom."
"And hey," she added, grinning. "Show them what the Wolves are made of."
He smirked. "I plan to."
Ben
Ben was eating cereal straight from the box when Jack came into the kitchen, holding two mugs of coffee.
"You slept at all?" Jack asked.
"Barely," Ben said with a grin. "Game day nerves."
Jack handed him a mug. "That's normal. Means you care."
Ben leaned against the counter, tapping the box. "You coming?"
Jack nodded. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. And hey—your defense last game? Solid. I see how much you've been grinding."
Ben smiled. "Ryan and I are locked in. We're gonna give it everything."
Jack clinked his mug against Ben's. "Then go get it."
Anna
Anna tied her hair into a ponytail in front of the mirror, her cheer uniform laid neatly on the bed. Evelyn knocked gently on the door before stepping in.
"You look ready," her mom said, watching her daughter's reflection.
Anna gave her a small smile. "It's a big game."
Evelyn walked over and sat on the bed. "And you've become a big part of something, Anna. I'm proud of you."
Anna paused, turning to look at her mom. "You're really coming?"
"Of course," Evelyn said. "Wouldn't miss seeing you cheer for that team. Besides…" she hesitated, "I want to support you. In everything."
Anna smiled, and for a moment, the tension between them softened. "Thanks, Mom."
Savannah
Savannah stood in the hallway, pom-poms in hand, as her dad came out of the kitchen with a breakfast sandwich wrapped in foil.
"Fuel," he said, handing it to her. "Can't cheer on an empty stomach."
She laughed. "Thanks, Dad."
He looked at her, eyes serious but proud. "You've been different lately. In a good way. More focused. More you."
Savannah blushed. "I like being part of something."
Her dad nodded. "You'll do great today. So will the team. And hey—cheer loud. They need that spark."
She gave him a quick hug. "You got it."
Later – Kingsridge Prep Gym
The bus ride was quiet at first, but the closer they got to Kingsridge, the louder it grew. Ryan sat by the window, watching the unfamiliar school buildings roll by. Ben sat beside him, tapping out a rhythm on his knee.
Anna and Savannah, along with the cheer squad, were already waiting inside the gym when the team arrived. The energy was electric—banners hung, fans arriving, music pulsing through the sound system.
Ryan stepped off the bus and felt it hit him—this was real.
The quarterfinals had begun.