Y/N's POV

The team was buzzing with energy as everyone gathered around the dugout, the sun high in the sky and the field alive with chatter. Coach had just wrapped up practice, and people were joking around, passing a ball back and forth, and making plans for the weekend.

You were sitting on the bench, tying your shoes, when Yuwen's voice suddenly rose above the noise.

"Hey, guys!" he called out, standing near the pitcher's mound. "Can I get everyone's attention for a second?"

The chatter quieted as everyone turned to look at him, curiosity lighting up their faces. You froze mid-knot, your heart skipping a beat as Yuwen's eyes landed on you.

Oh no.

Yuwen was always confident, but there was something extra in his demeanor today. He looked calm, sure of himself, and just a little bit smug, like he already knew how this was going to play out.

"I've got something I need to say," he continued, glancing around at the team before locking eyes with you. "Or, more like, ask."

Your pulse quickened as he took a few steps toward you, his gaze never wavering.

"Y/N," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "I've been meaning to do this for a while now. And I figured, why not do it in front of the people who mean the most to us—our team."

The team collectively gasped, a ripple of whispers spreading through the group.

"Y/N," Yuwen said, grinning, "will you be my girlfriend?"

For a moment, the world seemed to stop. The only thing you could hear was the pounding of your heart and the collective breath-holding of your teammates.

Then, the cheers started.

"Oh my gosh, finally!" someone shouted.

"Say yes, Y/N!" another teammate hollered.

You could barely process it. Your face was burning, your hands were trembling, and yet... you couldn't help but smile.

"Yes," you said, your voice shaky but clear. "Yes, I will."

The team erupted into cheers, clapping and whooping as Yuwen strode over to you, his grin as wide as you'd ever seen it. He extended his hand to help you up, and when you took it, he pulled you into a quick hug, his voice low in your ear.

"Thanks for saying yes," he murmured, his confidence melting into something softer, more vulnerable.

But just as you were about to reply, a voice cut through the celebration like a knife.

Taylor's POV

"Are you kidding me?!"

The entire team went silent, turning to look at Taylor, who was standing by the dugout with her arms crossed and fury etched into every line of her face.

"Taylor," Yuwen said, his tone calm but firm, "what's your problem?"

"My problem?" she snapped, taking a step forward. "My problem is that you're making a huge mistake! You barely even know Y/N, and now you're just throwing yourself at them like some lovesick puppy? Seriously?"

You flinched at her words, but Yuwen didn't back down.

"Taylor, stop," he said, his voice sharp. "This isn't about you."

"Of course it's about me!" she shouted, her voice cracking with emotion. "I've been here for you since day one, Yuwen. I've always had your back. And now you're just... what, throwing all of that away for someone who—who—"

"Who what?" Yuwen interrupted, his eyes narrowing. "Someone who makes me happy? Someone I trust? Someone who actually supports me instead of trying to tear other people down?"

Taylor opened her mouth to respond, but Yuwen held up a hand, cutting her off.

"You've been trying to sabotage Y/N for weeks," he said, his voice steady but cold. "I've seen it. Everyone's seen it. And honestly, it's pathetic. You think that by tearing Y/N down, you're going to make me like you more? Newsflash, Taylor—it doesn't work like that."

The silence that followed was deafening. The rest of the team stood frozen, their eyes darting between Yuwen and Taylor like they were watching a train wreck in slow motion.

Taylor's face turned bright red, her hands curling into fists. "You don't understand," she said, her voice trembling. "I was just trying to protect you—"

"Protect me from what?" Yuwen snapped. "From being happy? From being with someone I care about?"

Taylor's lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, it looked like she might say something else. But then she spun on her heel and stormed off, shoving past a couple of teammates on her way out of the dugout.

Y/N's POV

You stood there, stunned, as the tension slowly dissolved and the murmurs of your teammates filled the air again.

"Uh, well," one of them said awkwardly, "that was... dramatic."

Yuwen turned back to you, his expression softening as he took your hand again. "Hey," he said, his voice low, "you okay?"

You nodded, still a little shaken but comforted by the warmth of his hand in yours. "Yeah. Are you?"

He smiled, his confidence returning. "Better than ever."

The team slowly started to regroup, offering congratulations and trying to lighten the mood after Taylor's outburst. And as you stood there with Yuwen by your side, you couldn't help but feel like everything was going to be okay.

No matter what Taylor tried to throw at you, you and Yuwen were a team now. And nothing could change that.