Chapter 829

After they signed up for the team, Melina returned to the hotel and washed Andrew's jersey. While scrubbing, she hummed softly, unable to hide her happiness. The next day's game turned out to be an intercollegiate match between two universities. Even though it was the weekend, the number of spectators was far beyond what Melina had expected. There were also students from the opposing university who had come to watch. The stands were packed. Andrew wore his jersey, wristbands, and a headband that Melina had given him to keep his slightly long bangs from obstructing his vision. He looked far less mature than usual and more like a college student, full of youthful energy. The weather was still chilly, so most people were bundled up. Andrew, who usually dressed warmly, now stood out in a short-sleeved jersey that showcased his athletic build. With his towering height, he was easy to spot in the crowd. Melina's eyes were glued to Andrew, as were many others. Some were practically drooling. Both teams huddled up for a pep talk, stacking their hands together one by one. When it was Andrew's turn, he looked slightly impatient but still placed his hand on top. "Victory! Victory!" Melina was sitting very close, in what could be considered the best viewing spot. It had been specially arranged by the team because of Andrew. As she watched him standing among his teammates, something stirred inside her. The first time she'd met Andrew, he'd seemed like someone walking alone through a freezing snowstorm—cold and solitary. She could hardly believe that the man she was watching now—someone actively engaging with others—was the same Andrew from before. Andrew was impatient but still trying. Without thinking, Melina suddenly stood up and shouted, "Andrew, go get 'em!" No one mocked her enthusiasm. The crowd was already hyped, and other people soon joined in, cheering for their favorite players and university. No matter how noisy it was, Andrew always managed to pick out Melina's voice. As soon as she called his name, he turned toward her. Then, he did something she didn't expect. He raised his hand and made a heart gesture toward her. A wave of excited screams erupted from the girls in the crowd. Melina's face broke into a wide smile. She flashed her pearly white teeth and returned the gesture. She was sure of it now—Andrew had changed. Her efforts weren't in vain. The game began. Matches between rival schools were always more intense than intra-school games. The court echoed with deafening cheers and shouts. Melina never took her eyes off Andrew. One of the opposing players kept deliberately bumping into people, riling up both players and the audience. Melina stood up, concerned. But she soon saw that Andrew was completely fine. His opponent couldn't even get close to him. Relieved, she sat back down. While most people were frustrated with the rough play, there was one person who was thrilled—Wyatt. He finally got a chance to go on the court. Even from a distance, his wide grin was visible, shining as brightly as his new jersey.