Skye was up to something.

That much was obvious.

Because why—in the middle of Arsenal's season—did she suddenly care about college basketball?

⸻

The Setup: Convincing the Team to Watch

It started casually.

Too casually.

Skye: (leaning against the locker, stretching after training) "Yo, anyone wanna watch the UConn women's basketball game tonight?"

The squad blinked.

Katie: "The... what?"

Leah: (raising a brow) "Since when do you care about college basketball?"

Skye shrugged. Acting skills: 10/10.

Skye: "Since my sister plays for them?"

That part? True.

But why she wanted to watch? Not so true.

Because yeah, Paige was playing...
But so was Nika.

And that was the reason Skye needed to watch.

Alessia: (narrowing her eyes, suspicious) "And this has nothing to do with your... secret basketball situation?"

Skye didn't even blink.

Skye: "What secret basketball situation?"

Alessia sighed. "I hate you."

Trinity: (grinning) "Nah, we're watching this. I wanna see what's got Skye suddenly invested in UConn."

⸻

Game Night: The 'Totally Innocent' Watch Party

Skye set up everything in the team lounge—

The squad? Still suspicious.

Katie: (leaning back on the couch, arms crossed) "So, we're just watching because of Paige?"

Skye: (nods aggressively, maybe too aggressively) "Obviously."

Leah: (deadpan) "Right."

The game started, and UConn came out strong. Paige was running the offense like a pro, dropping dimes and hitting threes.

But then—

Nika checked in.

And Skye? Pretended she didn't react.

Trinity: (smirking, whispering to Alessia) "She's trying SO hard not to look invested right now."

Alessia: (whispering back) "It's painful to watch."

⸻

The Moment of Chaos

Then it happened.

Fourth quarter. Tight game.

Paige dribbled up the court, looking for an option—
And Nika cut inside, caught a pass, hit a ridiculous layup through contact.

The whole UConn bench went crazy.

And so did Skye.

For a second, she forgot she was supposed to be playing it cool.

Skye: (jumping up, clapping, grinning like an idiot) "LET'S GOOO, NIKA!"

Silence.

She froze.

The team turned to stare.

Katie: (slowly, grinning like a shark) "Ohhh?"

Leah: (pointing at her dramatically) "That wasn't for Paige."

Alessia: (arms crossed, shaking her head) "You're not even trying to hide it anymore."

Trinity: (laughing, absolutely loving this) "Busted."

Skye blinked.

Then did the only thing she could do.

Skye: (grabbing popcorn, stuffing it in her mouth) "No idea what you're talking about."

⸻

The Aftermath: Damage Control (Or Not)

The game ended. UConn won.

Paige had a great game.
But Nika? Had an even better one.

And Skye? Didn't stop smiling.

Which everyone noticed.

Katie: (grinning like a menace) "Sooo... you wanna tell us the truth now?"

Skye: (fake thinking) "Hmm... no."

Alessia: (groaning, laughing) "You're impossible."

Trinity: (nudging her playfully) "You realize we're never letting this go, right?"

Skye just smirked, pulling out her phone.

A new message from Nika.

    Nika: "Saw you reacting to my game. Cute."

Skye rolled her eyes but couldn't stop grinning.

This secret? Still safe.
But barely.