TORI'S POV
ONE MONTH LATER
The scoreboard shows we're up by one point, and my heart is pounding in my ears. The state volleyball championship final, and we're so close to victory I can taste it.
I glance at the clock—ten minutes left in our match. The tennis championship is happening on the other side of the athletic complex, scheduled to finish just before ours. I wonder if Ethan's team is winning too.
Ethan. Just thinking his name makes me smile.
How did we get here? A few weeks ago, he was just that arrogant tennis player I couldn't stand.
Now, he's the person I can't imagine my life without.
The past month with Ethan has been nothing short of amazing. He shows me every day, in both words and actions, how much he loves me. Sometimes I worry I'm not doing enough in return, so I make sure to tell him how I feel as often as possible.
Juliana scores another point for our team, and the crowd erupts.
The scoreboard changes to 3-2. We've got this. We just need to hold them off for the remaining minutes.
"Tori! Left side!" Maya calls, positioning for the next play.
I move into position, but something catches my eye in the stands.
A familiar figure holding a massive sign. Ethan. His tennis match must be over. The sign reads "YOU CAN DO THIS, BABY!" in bold letters.
"Eyes on the ball, Martinez!" Coach yells.
I snap back to the game, forcing myself to concentrate. Five minutes left, and the tension is unbearable. We can't let them tie it up. We need one more point to secure the win.
The ball comes over the net, and Josie bumps it up. Maya sets it, and I see my opportunity. I remember what Ethan told me yesterday—that I was the best at what I do, that I would make a name for myself on this court.
I run, jump, and swing with everything I have. The ball rockets over the net, landing just inside the line before their libero can reach it.
The buzzer sounds. Game over.
For a moment, I don't realize what's happened. Then my teammates are screaming, rushing toward me, lifting me into the air.
"We did it! We won!" Maya shouts.
"State champions, baby!" Josie yells.
They set me down, and immediately I'm lifted up again, this time by stronger arms. Ethan spins me around, his face glowing with pride.
"We did it, baby," he says, his eyes shining. "Both of us. Champions."
"You won too?" I ask, breathless.
"Three straight sets," he confirms with a grin.
Despite the crowd all around us, he kisses me. I'm dimly aware of camera flashes, of cheering, but all I can focus on is Ethan.
When he pulls away, I notice he's holding something—a bouquet of roses. But then, to my complete shock, he drops to one knee.
My mouth falls open. No way. Is he really...?
"Victoria Martinez," he says, his voice carrying across the now-hushed gym. He pulls out a small velvet box and opens it, revealing a sparkling diamond necklace.
"The first time I saw you dive across a volleyball court, I thought you were crazy. Now I know you're just passionate about volleyball, about life, about the people you love."
I shake my head in disbelief. This can't be happening.
"You can't reject this, Victoria," he mutters in warning, and I can't help but smile through my tears.
Everyone's eyes are on us now. My teammates, his teammates, coaches, the entire crowd. I never saw this coming. Never thought I'd find this kind of love after watching my parents' relationship crumble.
But here it is, kneeling in front of me.
"Will you be mine forever?" Ethan continues. "My girlfriend, my confidant, and my soulmate? I promise to love you forever too."
"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!" The crowd starts chanting.
My hand trembles as I reach out to him, tears streaming down my face.
"Yes, Ethan Harrington," I say, my voice breaking. "I will be yours forever. I love you."
The crowd erupts again, louder than they did for either championship victory, as he pulls me into a tight embrace.
When we finally break apart, Coach Rivera approaches with a wide smile, and a man in a suit I don't recognize.
"Congratulations, you two," she says, gesturing to the man beside her. "Tori, this is Marcus Daniels from the Atlanta Blaze. He wants to talk to you about joining their professional team after graduation."
My jaw drops for the second time today. "Professional? In Atlanta?"
The man nods, extending his hand. "Your defensive skills are exactly what we're looking for, Ms. Martinez. We'd like to offer you a position on our roster."
Before I can process this, another man approaches—this one heading straight for Ethan.
"Mr. Harrington," he says, "Dave Wilson, Seattle Racquets. Your performance today confirmed what we already knew. We'd like to formally offer you a spot on our professional team."
Ethan's grip on my hand tightens. Seattle? That's across the country from Atlanta.
Our eyes meet, the euphoria of moments ago giving way to a new reality.
Two dreams coming true simultaneously—our love and our careers. But pulling us in opposite directions.
Ethan nods at me, his expression a mix of pride and concern.
"We'll figure it out. We can do this baby." he assured and I nod in agreement as he turns to face our scout.
Simultaneously, we say. “We're in.”
THE END