MPQB CH 06

Chapter 6

“Wake up before I kiss you.”

Noah opened his eyes to find Connor’s grinning face right in front of him.

“What are you, Sleeping Beauty?”

Connor teased, and from the sofa across the room, Isaiah — the team’s running back — chuckled.

Noah rubbed his temples and slowly sat up. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d woken up feeling this refreshed.

When he turned his head, the glow of the computer caught his eye.
On the screen, the highlight video Jamie had edited for him was already finished — clean, polished, perfect.

And for some reason, that irritated him.

“She really made sure there’s no reason for us to meet again, huh,”

he muttered under his breath.

With a frown, he left for the locker room downstairs.

A few teammates were already there, preparing for morning practice. He greeted them half-heartedly and went straight to the sinks to wash his face.

As cold water splashed across his skin, his coach’s voice echoed in his head:

“When you pass, you’ve got to trust yourself completely. The second you hesitate, the other team will take control. Once you’re on the bench, it’s too late to regret it.”

The words struck him again, sharper this time.

When Jamie had gently tapped his shoulder that day — he’d felt it.
That spark. That split-second of instinct — like spotting a hole in an unbreakable defense line.

“Actually… there’s something I’d like you to do for me.”
“Sure. I’ve got time this afternoon.”

It was a successful pass. The only problem was, she’d stopped one step short — and now he was stuck, frustrated.

He spat out the water, looked up, and saw his reflection.

“…”

Same strong jawline, same cold eyes — the spitting image of his grandfather, Harris, back when he’d earned his medal in Vietnam.

He clenched his fists, fighting the urge to punch the mirror. Then he closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.

“Hah…”

“Captain! You coming? Practice starts in five!”

Connor’s voice snapped him back to reality.

When Noah opened his eyes again, his face had returned to its usual calm mask — no trace of the turmoil beneath.
He slicked back his hair and walked out like nothing had happened.

***

Meanwhile…

Preston Academy was tucked deep in the outskirts of New Heights, far from the city.

That meant Jamie lived in the school dorms, with help from a scholarship.

When she entered her room that morning, it was strangely quiet.
Her roommate, Valentina, wasn’t there.

“She must’ve gone out for her morning run,”

Jamie guessed.

Valentina’s half of the room was decorated like a Pinterest board — bright photos, shiny crystals, and expensive cosmetics neatly lined up on her desk.
A dreamcatcher hung above her bed, shimmering with pastel beads.

In contrast, Jamie’s side was simple and practical — plain bedding, organized shelves, and not much color.

They’d never really spoken beyond polite greetings.

“She probably avoids me because of the rumors about my family,”

Jamie thought bitterly.

Still, she couldn’t help but envy the other girls — the ones who giggled with their roommates late at night and shared snacks after class.

After washing up, she packed her things and went down to the cafeteria.

As soon as she sat down with a plate of scrambled eggs and toast, someone dropped into the seat beside her.

“Good morning, Jamie!”

It was Nox Taylor, a boy with jet-black hair and a smile that could brighten a room.

“Morning, Nox.”

He was the ace of the swim team — half Korean, half American — and her only real friend at Preston.

His long lashes and sharp jawline screamed “pretty boy,” but there was something distinctly kind about his green eyes.

He didn’t speak Korean, but his name, Nox Yoon Taylor, always sparked curiosity among other students.

Maybe because he’d noticed how out of place she often felt, he’d made a point to talk to her.

“So, are you coming to the swim meet this weekend?”

“Yeah, Coach asked the diving team to help out. I’ll be there — cheering for you too, of course.”

“Good. I’ll need the moral support.”

He raised his hand for a high five, and she met it with a grin.

Preston hosted big interschool swim tournaments every term, and volunteers were always needed — cleaning the pool area, setting up snack stands, managing timers.

“So, first place is yours again this year, huh?”

“Naturally. Who else would win if not me?”

“Hmm. In that case, maybe I should cheer for your rivals instead. Wouldn’t that make things fair?”

“What? No way! You’re half Korean — you’re obligated to root for your people!”

His exaggerated protest made her laugh. He always reacted so earnestly when she teased him — it was hard not to enjoy it.

“Fine, fine. I’ll only cheer for you, happy? Though you do seem to bring up your Korean side only when it benefits you.”

“What can I say? You’ve got to play the cards you’re dealt, noona.”

“Noona?”

“Yeah! I’ve been learning Korean lately.”

He said it with a mouthful of food, eyes wide and innocent.

Jamie almost corrected him — they were the same age — but decided to let it slide.

“Alright, keep calling me that. It might help you practice.”

“Got it, noona. Oh, by the way, have you seen this TikTok?”

He turned his phone toward her, and she laughed at the ridiculous dance video playing on the screen.

***

Later that morning…

Jamie and Nox walked together toward the main hall.

As they entered the corridor, she spotted Noah leaning against a locker in the distance.

He was surrounded by the usual crowd of loud, admiring athletes — his teammates, his fans.
Even students walking by couldn’t help but glance at him, like plants instinctively turning toward the sun.

He looked immaculate in his school uniform, his hair styled neatly with wax.
So different from last night — when he’d looked tired, warm, and human.

The memory of his steady heartbeat and the warmth of his arms still lingered in her mind.
But now, in the bright daylight, he felt worlds away again.

“Jamie, are you even listening?”

“Huh? Oh—sorry. What were we talking about?”

As she looked back at Nox, Noah’s eyes briefly locked with hers across the hall — just for a second.

Those calm, glassy-blue eyes reflected her and Nox side by side.
Even as she passed out of sight, she could feel his gaze on her back.

***

When she reached class, her phone buzzed.
A message from Noah.

Noah: Thanks for helping with the video.

“Hey.”

Before she could type a reply, a few boys at the door burst into laughter.
When she turned, they were all grinning — at her.

The longer she looked, the louder they laughed.

“Yeah, we’re talking to you.”

Their eyes raked over her from head to toe, and her skin crawled.

“Why?” she asked sharply.

“We’re in the same class. Can’t we be friendly?”

Another boy elbowed him.

“Dude, who knows? Maybe she’ll give you a chance next.”

Jamie froze.

What the hell are they talking about?

She turned away, jaw clenched.

The teacher walked in soon after, starting the lecture, but Jamie couldn’t focus.
Every few minutes, she heard faint chuckles and whistles behind her — quiet but relentless, like mosquitoes buzzing in her ear.

And deep down, she had the awful feeling that whatever was happening… it had something to do with Noah.