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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: October 8th, 2025)~~~

~~~(Time: 4:30 PM)~~~

~~~(Location: Parking Lot)~~~

I look around, and I don't see Ellie's car. I guess that means I'm walking home. Not that I mind, I actually need to think about what happened today. Hannah is going to have a hard time talking to me or being around me for a bit. Her pride is hurt, losing in front of me like that.

It's not something I'll think less of her for. I need to put myself in her shoes, though. I'd feel humiliated if I lost a fight in front of her. I don't think I ever would since no one starts anything with me. Being 7 feet tall. Still, I hate the thought of it.

I pull out my basketball and start dibbling as I walk and jog home. Since it's September and turning to October, it's getting colder and darker. The sun is starting to set, and I still have about a mile and a half to go. The one thing I don't like about being out at night is the uneasy feeling.

While I may not be at risk, it doesn't stop me from feeling on edge. My thoughts drift to the moment I saw Payton swing her elbow and knock Hannah out. Payton knows how to fight and has trained in some discipline. I wonder what she practices.

As a cheerleader, she's flexible. She might train in more than just hand-to-hand combat. I really hope this doesn't stir something up in Hannah. I don't want her learning how to fight to get back at Payton cause it won't be that easy.

It's obvious Payton's been practicing her whole life, and it won't be possible to beat someone like that. "*Honk!* *Honk!*" I turn around at the sound of the thinking horn, and I notice that it's Ellie pulling up. I look in the car, and it's just her. She must've already dropped Hannah back off at her home.

She waves for me to get in, and I do, be it in an uncomfortable way. This car is not made for me, and I'll make sure to get me one that does. "Sorry that I was so long. Had to take care of Hannah." Now I feel like crap. It's my job as the boyfriend to handle stuff like that, but I can't get up from the bench and walk away from the game.

That isn't sportsmanship like. It's like telling the other team that it's over, and I don't care to watch you keep playing. You don't want to send messages like that. Not in high school. It'll hurt your basketball reputation.

I try my best to get comfortable, but all my struggling makes Ellie laugh. I decide to stop and suffer through it. "How's she doing... She didn't look like she was doing too good when she left... Hell, she was crying her eyes out..." Ellie will know how she's doing since she just spent some time with her.

Ellie keeps focused on the road and has the same smile on her face. The calm smile that reassures everything will be fine. Ellie knows how to make people feel better and make them get out of a bad mood and a depressed one.

I know she did the same thing for Hannah. "She's okay. She's got some bruising and is embarrassed. Who wouldn't be, though. Make sure you spend some time with her tomorrow, make her feel okay and not crappy about what happened." I nod my head and agree with Ellie.

I'd love to spend some time with Hannah tomorrow and help her feel better. We hang out every day, but she might not want to tomorrow. I'll just have to ease into it. I'm going to do my damndest to make sure she's okay. No, that she's great.