The Girl in the Hoodie is Mine

JASON POV:

After leaving Ella’s place with a promise to bring her today’s notes, I rushed back to my place to get ready for class. I was cutting it close, but it was worth it. The morning with Ella was... different. Not the usual sarcastic back-and-forth that we’ve perfected over time. She’d let me in, even if just a little, and that was something.

Class without Ella? Total snooze fest. The lectures dragged on without her there to catch my attention with a raised eyebrow or some witty retort when I poked fun. Still, I’d promised her notes, so I did what I never thought I’d do—I actually paid attention.

Max and Dylan noticed. Oh, they noticed. The side glances, the raised eyebrows, the way Max literally waved a hand in front of my face like I’d been possessed when he saw me jotting down details. I ignored them.

About halfway through the second lecture, Max leaned over. "Dude. What’s with the note-taking?" he whispered.

"Maybe I’m turning over a new leaf," I said, not looking up.

Dylan snorted, and Max narrowed his eyes at me like he was trying to read my mind. "Ella’s not here," he said, his voice low but knowing.

I froze for a second before shrugging, playing it cool. "So what? I’m allowed to take notes if I want."

They exchanged a glance, but thankfully didn’t press the issue. Still, I noticed that Max seemed distracted, his leg bouncing restlessly under the desk, while Dylan looked like someone had stolen his puppy.

During a break, I finally caved. "Okay, what’s with you two? Max, you’re jittery. Dylan, you look like you got dumped. What happened?"

They hesitated, but after some prodding, Max spilled. He told me how they’d gone to the diner after practice last night and walked right into Ella at what was clearly the wrong time.

"She was in a mood, man," Max said, shaking his head. "I don’t blame her, but she tore into us like—like, I don’t know—a dragon protecting its hoard."

Dylan looked down, muttering, "It wasn’t great."

I could picture it too well. Ella, sharp and biting, her sass turned up to eleven. And honestly? I couldn’t blame her. They probably walked in on her when she was already having the worst day ever.

"Let me guess," I said, leaning back. "Max, you rolled with it, but Dylan, you tried to push back."

Max smirked. "Bingo. That’s why I’m still alive and Dylan looks like a corpse."

Dylan groaned. "I just wanted to talk to her. She didn’t have to be that harsh."

"Yeah, well, maybe you should’ve read the room," I said bluntly.

Huh. Max wasn’t as clueless as he seemed sometimes.

"Well, good luck fixing that," I said, stuffing my notes into my bag as the next lecture started. "But for now, stay out of her way. She’ll come around when she’s ready."

I tried to focus on the rest of the day, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Ella. What she’d been dealing with. How she’d looked curled up on her couch, holding onto a chocolate bar like it was a lifeline.

And how, despite everything, she still managed to take up so much space in my mind.

I sighed, shaking my head as I packed up after class. Time to deliver those notes. Maybe she’d smile. Or maybe she’d just sass me into oblivion. Either way, I didn’t mind.

I was halfway to the parking lot, notes in hand and Ella’s place on my mind, when Max called out to me from across campus.

"Yo, Jason! You coming to practice or what?" he yelled, jogging to catch up with me.

Practice? Oh, crap. I stopped in my tracks, realizing I’d completely blanked on basketball practice. My mind had been so preoccupied with getting to Ella that I might as well have left my brain behind in class.

"Uh, yeah. Totally. Practice. Of course," I said, trying to sound casual as I shoved the notes deeper into my bag.

Max squinted at me, clearly unconvinced. "You weren’t heading to the field, were you?"

I sighed, scratching the back of my head. "Fine, no."

He raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Seriously? You forgot about practice because you’re all heart-eyes over her?"

"Shut up," I muttered, brushing past him toward the gym.

"Man, you’ve got it bad," Max said, falling into step beside me. "Skipping practice to do what? What’s next? Writing poetry?"

I shot him a glare, but he just laughed. He wasn’t wrong, though. The things love—or whatever it was Ella had over me—made me do. Normally, I’d be the last guy to get distracted by this kind of thing, but there was something about Ella that turned all my rules upside down.

By the time we got to practice, I was still mentally kicking myself for almost ditching. I couldn’t let the guys catch on, or they’d never let me live it down. But all through drills and scrimmages, my mind wandered. Would she appreciate the notes? Would she even be home?

"Focus, Jason!" Coach barked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I gritted my teeth and threw myself into the game, determined to finish practice without embarrassing myself further. But deep down, I knew exactly where I’d be heading as soon as it was over.

Ella’s place. Because apparently, my lovesick heart had a one-track mind.

MAX POV:

I’ve known Jason for years, and I’ve seen him go through all kinds of phases—cocky, indifferent, driven—but I’ve never seen him like this. Obsessed? Maybe that’s too strong a word, but man, if you could see the way he lights up when Ella’s name is mentioned or how he talks about her when he thinks no one’s paying attention... yeah, the guy’s in deep.

And it’s not just a passing thing. Jason isn’t the type to throw himself into someone’s life unless he means it. He truly likes her. You’d have to be blind not to notice.

At first, I didn’t think Ella was feeling it. She had that whole I don’t like you, don’t bother me attitude going on whenever Jason was around. Classic Ella. But recently, something’s changed. It’s subtle, but it’s there—like she’s letting her guard down, even if it’s just a little. She doesn’t snap at him as much, and I’ve caught her actually listening when he talks instead of brushing him off.

I can’t lie, though. I like Ella too. She’s funny, smart, and has this no-nonsense way of dealing with people that’s honestly refreshing. I’ve thought about pursuing her myself—heck, I even planned on it. But seeing Jason like this? The guy’s smitten. And for once, it’s not about winning or proving something. He’s just... into her.

So I’ve decided to take a step back. Jason deserves this shot. Ella seems to bring out a side of him I haven’t seen before—a softer, more thoughtful side. If they can make each other happy, then who am I to get in the way?

But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up entirely. If I can’t be the guy she falls for, I’ll settle for being her friend. I’ll be there for her when she needs someone to talk to, to laugh with, or even just to share a chocolate bar on a rough day.

At the end of the day, it’s not about winning or losing. It’s about making sure she’s happy. And as long as Jason and I can both respect that, we’ll be okay. Maybe I’ll even let him buy me a drink when she finally says yes.

There’s one thing I know for sure: Jason thrives on competition. The moment he thinks the race is won, he relaxes, gets cocky, and starts acting like the narcissistic jock everyone loves to hate. So, yeah, I’ve decided to take a step back when it comes to Ella—but there’s no way I’m telling him that.

Why should I? Watching him squirm, second-guess himself, and actually put in some effort for once in his life is too entertaining to give up. If Jason thinks I’m still in the running for Ella’s attention, it’ll keep him on his toes. The last thing I want is for him to get complacent and blow it with her.

Besides, Ella isn’t the kind of girl you can win over by default. She’s smart, sharp, and way too good at calling out nonsense. Jason’s going to have to prove himself, and I’m going to make sure he doesn’t take that for granted.

That doesn’t mean I’m going to sabotage him—nothing like that. I just want to keep him honest. A little pressure never hurt anyone, right? If he really cares about Ella the way I think he does, then he’ll rise to the occasion.

And if he doesn’t? Well, let’s just say I haven’t completely closed the door on the idea of pursuing Ella myself. For now, though, I’ll play the role of supportive friend and quiet rival. It’s a win-win: Jason gets motivated, Ella gets treated the way she deserves, and I get to enjoy the chaos from the sidelines.

Yeah, I’m a little devious. But hey, all’s fair in love and basketball.