Page 16 of Penalized Love

“Bennett! Watch your positioning on defense. Don’t leave any gaps for them to exploit!” Coach calls out after I miss a check.

I nod, adjusting my stance and doubling down on my focus. By the end of practice, my legs are burning, and my lungs are heaving, but there’s a deep satisfaction in the exhaustion. I know I’ve given what I could out there. Coach gives us a few final pointers before dismissing us. After a quick shower and change, I say goodbye to Levi and the rest of my teammates and head out.

As I’m walking across campus to my first class, I snack on a protein bar and drink water to hold me over until this class is finished. I’m halfway to Carver Hall, Crestwood’s health science building, when a flash of long, blonde hair catches my eye. I do a double take just before I whip my head around because something about the image I saw triggers a memory for me. For a split second, I swear it’s her.

Isla.

But as quickly as the moment comes, it’s gone. The girl disappears into the crowd, leaving me standing there likean idiot. There’s no way that was her. She doesn’t attend Crestwood. I heard she went to NYU to pursue her dreams, and I don’t blame her.

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts of her. Class starts in a few minutes, and I can’t afford any distractions.

Especially by ghosts and shitty decisions I’ve made in the past.

7

ISLA

The early morning sun leaves a warm, golden glow across the campus as I adjust the settings on my camera. I frame the shot with a few quick tweaks and capture a piece of Crestwood University’s beauty. I pull the camera away from my face when I’m done, and I can’t help but smile as I review the image on the display.

There is something magical about this time of day. The light makes even the most mundane objects look extraordinary. I snap a few more shots when I spot someone walking toward me. I lower my camera and grin, although I’m surprised to see Selene on campus so early.

“Well, well. I didn’t know when I’d officially run into you on campus, but it’s about time it happened,” Selene says with a smirk. “Of course, I should have known it would be at the crack of dawn.”

I chuckle. “It’s not that early. Speaking of, what are you doing here?”

Selene rolls her eyes. “Early class. I swear, the person who came up with the idea of 8 a.m. lectures must be in cahoots with the devil, because what the fuck?”

“Hey, at least you’re getting it over with early, right? Plus, you’ll have the rest of the day to do whatever you want…that is, if you don’t have more classes or homework.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Selene groans. “I’ve got a lab this afternoon and a group project meeting later. How have you been adjusting?”

That’s a loaded question. I shrug to not appear stressed, but I’m sure I fail. Selene will call me out on my bullshit, anyway. “It’s been a change, for sure. But I’m managing. The photography helps.” I gesture to my camera.

Selene raises an eyebrow as a more serious expression settles on her face. “Yeah, I can see that. But tell the truth. How are you holding up?”

I take a deep breath, letting my eyes wander over the campus bathed in the soft morning light. “It’s... different. There’s just been so much going on with me changing schools and dealing with my PCOS on top of it.”

That’s an understatement. Crestwood’s campus is nothing like NYU’s and not like what I was experiencing in Italy before my life blew up. Although I know where certain things are due to living nearby all my life, it’s still different because I’m attending the school now. It’s also been quite the shift with me starting here after the semester has begun, but I’ve quickly caught up, so at least there’s that.

And I’ve been lucky. I haven’t run into “he who shall not be named,” and I’m not prepared for when that eventually happens.

“I can imagine,” Selene says, breaking me from the spell my thoughts had taken me under. “Speaking of, how’s the new treatment going? Are you feeling any better?”

I debate with myself how much I should share. “It’s helping. The meds seem to work, and my symptoms aren’t as bad. But I have my ups and downs like we all do.”

“I’m glad. You look so much better than the last time I saw you.”

I cut my eyes over at her. “Thanks?”

“It’s the truth.”

She’s right. The last time I saw her in person was a few days after I got back from Italy, and I’d just gotten my official diagnosis. I’m willing to admit that I looked rough, but she was still there by my side.

“I know, but I do feel better.”

“And it’s showing. That makes me so happy.” Selene clears her throat before she speaks again. “Have you seen anyone else from high school around? Or anyone else you might know…”

As her voice trails off, I debate how I should answer this. Of course she went there. I know exactly who she’s talking about, but I decide to play dumb. “Anyone else?”

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