Deep End ( Book-1 )

He glanced at the stands, looking for her amongst the roaring crowd that was going crazy, shouting his name at the top of their lungs. The crowd waved at him and his team, some of them waving their flags high in the air. The pressure was intense as the players warmed up for the most important game of the season.

He glanced at her one last time, and just like him, she was watching him too. He flashed her his biggest smile, a silent signal between them to say they were okay. Her presence alone drowned out all the heat and pressure he was feeling that night.

Glancing at her one last time, he exhaled before putting his head back in the game. Tonight was going to be his team’s night, and tonight was going to be his night.

Cain was trying to dribble the ball away from his feet, but Rowan dodged him skillfully, shielding the ball with his body as he headed straight for the net. He could feel Cain right behind him, chasing him and trying to tackle the ball away from his feet, but all his efforts were met with resistance, Rowan’s speed and skill proving too much.

Finally—

“Goal!”

Rowan was pumped the moment the ball hit the back of the net, scoring a clean goal. He raised his hands in the air in celebration, a wide grin spreading across his face.

“Let’s hear the Wolves growl!” Valor Hawkin shouted from the stands.

Cheers erupted all around the bleachers in response. Several howls broke out from both the crowd and the players.

“Good game, man. You’re getting faster and better.” Rowan Westridge patted Cain Callaham on the back.

Thanks, man.” Cain replied with a grin. “You want another round? This time I’m beating your ass.”

“Bring it on.” Rowan accepted the challenge, and the two started playing again.

The rest of the team took their seats on the bleachers. This was the most interesting part of the day. Cain’s offense was strong, but Rowan Westridge was no less impressive. After all, he was the team’s star striker. His offense and defense were better than anyone else’s in the town of Riverend.

His pace, footwork, and ball control were unmatched.

Rowan dribbled the ball past Cain, heading straight for the net. But in a split second, he got distracted, and Cain seized the opportunity, kicking the ball free from Rowan’s control. The ball ricocheted off the goalpost before striking someone nearby.

The person let out a sharp yelp of pain as they tumbled onto the grassy ground. All around them, protests rang out in the bleachers. Both Cain and Rowan froze in place before quickly rushing toward the person.

That hit was brutal—it must have knocked the air out of whoever it struck by accident.

“Are you okay?” Cain asked, kneeling beside the girl on the ground. Her hand was scraped.

Rowan stood a bit farther back but he too had rushed over, helping steady her to her feet. She struggled briefly, but once she was standing, she lowered her head in embarrassment.

I’ll take her to the nurse’s office,” Cain said.

He gently took the girl’s arm and draped it over his shoulder to support her since she was limping and wincing in pain. The hit and the fall had clearly thrown off her balance, and she winced with almost every step as Cain carefully guided her toward the nurse’s office.

Once Cain had left with her, he decided to end the practice session.

The bleachers started clearing out when the practice session was over. Some of the cheerleaders came up to him and surrounded him, praising him for his game. His teammates were concerned about the girl.

Whoever she was, she was surely hurt from that hard blow.

During calculus class, Mrs. Smith knocked on the classroom door. Mr. Chirag Gupta stepped outside, immediately drawing the attention of every student in the room.

Voices from the corridor were low and unclear, but Rowan noticed a girl standing beside Mrs. Smith. Something about her felt familiar.

Then he saw the bandage on her hand. But she no longer walked with a slight limp like before.

It was the same girl from the field earlier.

“Is that the same girl—” Rowan started, but stopped when Cain gave a small nod.

“Leah Harper,” Cain said quietly. “Transferred from St. Anton High School.”

“Oh.” That was all Rowan could manage as he looked back down at his book.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Before he knew it, he was gathering his things and shutting his locker. School was over, which only meant one thing—soccer practice.

But before heading out, he wanted to apologize to Leah. That shot at her hadn’t been intentional, but he also didn’t want her to think he didn’t care about what had happened. Their action although not intended to cause harm anyone ended up doing just that.

He found Leah standing alone by her locker, struggling with the door. It seemed stuck.

Rowan noticed her wince as she tried to force it open with her injured hand, then switched hands, but it still wouldn’t budge.

“May I?” he asked gently from behind her.

Her shoulders stiffened at the sound of his voice. After a brief hesitation, she stepped aside, allowing him enough space. He stood besides her, heir bodies slightly brushed and it made her freeze at her spot but he was too focused on the jammed door to notice.

It only took one firm tug for him to open it.

Leah didn’t strike a conversation with him. She simply started placing her books inside her locker.

He stepped back slightly to give more room.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

It was the first time she had spoken to him directly.

“Listen I apologize… for earlier,” he said.

Leah paused.

For a moment, she turned her head toward him.

It was probably the first time she was really seeing him properly.

Their eyes met briefly.

Then, just as quickly, she looked away again and focused on her locker, shuffling her books into place like before.

Rowan made his way to the boys’ showers. Practice had taken a toll on him today, and he needed a quiet moment alone before the rest of the team came in.

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End note from the author :

Hey guys! I hope you enjoy my writing. If you spot any mistakes, feel free to let me know — I’d really appreciate honest feedback. I know there are few errors and I am struggling with deciding what sport will suit Rowan Westridge better so bear with me if in future i decided to make few major changes to the storyline but I can promise you this series will have you Hooked for more!