The large auditorium at Summit Academy was filled with the hum of conversation, but Shawn Mercer couldn't seem to focus on anything but the girl at the front of the room. Amber Dalton, dressed in a sharp blazer and confident stance, was in the middle of the debate, standing tall beside her Xavier Academy teammates.
Shawn's eyes followed her every move. He hadn't expected to see her here, of all places, and certainly didn't anticipate how drawn he would be to her performance. Her voice carried with strength, each argument well-constructed, each counterpoint sharp. She commanded the room without ever seeming to raise her voice too much. There was an ease in the way she spoke that seemed so effortless, but Shawn could tell—this was no game. She was serious about what she did.
As the debate wore on, Shawn found himself leaning forward in his seat. His mind, which usually wandered, couldn't drift away from Amber. He watched as she stood her ground, her focus never faltering, as if she were born for this. By the time the debate wrapped up, Shawn had forgotten the other teams entirely. Amber had captivated him, completely.
The crowd erupted into applause, and Shawn remained seated, his thoughts tangled in admiration. He wanted to approach her. To say something, anything. To tell her how incredible she was. But something held him back.
He wasn't the type to throw compliments around casually. Shawn was serious. Quiet. Reserved. He didn't do small talk or casual praise, especially not when it came to someone he barely knew. He didn't do grand gestures or smooth opening lines. He wasn't even sure if she'd remember their last encounter, brief as it had been.
As the other debaters gathered their things and prepared to leave, Shawn stood, but instead of walking toward Amber like he wanted, he found himself lingering near the side exit. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, stealing one last glance in her direction. She was laughing at something one of her teammates said, her head tilted slightly back, her hand over her chest as if trying to hold in the joy. It hit him again—how easy she made everything look.
Outside, the air was crisp, tinged with the scent of damp grass and the fading heat of the day. Shawn sat on a bench near the courtyard, headphones around his neck, the music paused. He wasn't really listening to anything anyway. He was still thinking about her voice, the conviction in it.
Moments later, movement caught his eye. Amber was walking briskly across campus, likely on her way out. Her steps were purposeful, heels clicking lightly against the pavement. Shawn watched from a distance, unsure if he hoped she'd see him.
As she rounded the corner near the building, her foot caught on a patch of uneven concrete. Time seemed to slow—her arms flailed slightly, trying to catch her balance. Instinctively, Shawn stood up from the bench, one foot stepping forward before he even realized what he was doing.
But she caught herself just in time.
Amber let out a soft laugh, brushing a stray hair behind her ear as she straightened up. She looked around briefly, probably to check if anyone had noticed. Her gaze landed on Shawn, standing halfway between the bench and the walkway, frozen mid-step.