Right Here

Rita walked slowly toward the library, having eaten her lunch alone beneath a tree. The sun was gentle, and the early autumn breeze had inspired her to work on her novel.

Yet, a vague unease lingered.

She checked her phone. Still no reply. She had messaged Marcel earlier, a few minutes after he’d left class in a rush, worried something might’ve happened. Then again, he rarely replied quickly.

As she got closer to the library, she spotted Marcel leaving the building. That was unusual. He wasn’t much of a reader, nor the type to study during the first days of class.

Then she saw her.

Walking right beside him, too close to be strangers, was a girl Rita recognized instantly.

Unlike Marcel, Rita had a sharp memory, especially for faces. And that one was hard to forget.

Karen was well-known among their peers. She came from a wealthy family and had a reputation for being too nice, charming in a way that made people do things for her without even realizing it. It was almost a running joke: Karen could smile at you and you’d end up helping her move her family’s furniture.

Rita’s face remained blank for a few seconds as she watched them talk. In her mind, they looked close.

Karen laughed at something and said a few more words. Marcel seemed awkward at first, but then smiled back. A real smile. The kind he didn’t often show to new people.

Rita drifted a little closer, not fully meaning to. She knew eavesdropping was wrong. But her feet moved on their own.

“See you again in two hours, Mars!”

Rita froze. Mars? Did she just call him that? That nickname?

They waved to each other warmly. It didn’t look forced. It looked natural.

And Rita, for some reason she couldn’t name, felt like she had missed something important.

Rita had been close friends with Marcel for years, but for a moment he felt like a stranger.

Marcel took a deep breath and pulled his phone from his pocket. He scanned his notifications and paused, his expression shifting with a hint of surprise. He’d probably just seen Rita’s message.

Rita instinctively checked her phone, too.

There it was. Marcel was typing.

It felt weird. He was right there.

Should she just go up to him?

But something about it felt awkward, like showing up now would make it seem like she’d been watching them. Spying.

Was she?

Wouldn’t her sudden appearance look suspicious? Uncomfortable, even?

She thought she knew him. She thought they could talk about anything.

Then why hadn’t he said anything about Karen before?

Her spiral broke with a soft buzz in her hand.

Hey Ritz! Sorry for not responding. A lot has happened since yesterday. Wanna catch up?

Rita stared at the screen, quiet. Those few simple words gave her genuine calm.

Why am I like this…

She tucked her phone away, took a calming breath, and stepped forward, raising a hand.

“Hi Mars! Sorry. I was actually right here.”

***

“Wait—wait—wait… WHAT?!”

Rita practically shouted, drawing a few glances from nearby tables. Marcel, unsurprised, just nodded with the calm of someone who knew this would happen.

“It’s exactly what it sounds like,” he said, sounding equal parts guilty and amused. “I’m the new coach.”

“Coach… of Team Phoenix?”

“Coach of Team Phoenix.”

They sat at one of the plastic tables in Solaris University’s food court. Marcel was eating lunch. At least trying to, while Rita stared at him like he’d just confessed he was an alien and was moving back to his home planet.

The surrounding chatter bounced off the walls.

After a long silence, Rita’s face softened slightly.

“But… why?” Rita asked, like a kid trying to understand why a friend would willingly jump into a flaming pit. “You do know they made headlines a few months ago for causing a scene during an official match, right?”

“Well, I don’t know the details. But Karen did mention it.”

“So basically, you had no idea until yesterday,” Rita said, resting her face in her hands. “That’s definitely you, Mars.”

“Okay, but was it that bad?”

“I don’t know the full story either, but I heard some classmates say it got dramatic. One of the players walked off the field mid-match crying. Their coach resigned right after.”

“Sounds rough.”

“Honestly? I’m impressed. And kind of glad they’re still trying.”

“Well, this week we need to find enough players to make a full team. We’re missing four.”

“Now that’s a challenge.”

“You think so?”

“You won’t be getting any stars, that’s for sure,” Rita stated. “With the team’s current reputation, no serious player’s going near it.”

“I didn’t realize it was that bad. You sure know a lot about this stuff.”

“It’s probably the same as volleyball. I spent all of our senior year listening to our ace stress over where to apply just to join a good university team.” Rita shifted in her seat, getting more comfortable. “Also… you should know—”

“Just like with Andrea, right?”

“Yup. Same with Andy. You at least did listen to her.”

Marcel set his fork down and leaned back, stretching.

“That was over two years ago, so it’s fuzzy… but yeah. She was obsessed with that stuff.”

Rita sighed, brushing the air clear between them.

“Anyway. Why did you say yes?” she asked seriously. “You’re not exactly impulsive.”

A pause.

Then Rita’s eyes lit up, like a conspiracy was forming in real time.

“Wait… don’t tell me—” She covered her mouth in mock horror. “Were you charmed by Karen?! I knew she had powers, but you? I thought you were immune!”

Marcel gave her a glare. Then paused. Then gave a shrug.

He couldn’t exactly deny it. Karen had convinced him after all.

“I’ll admit she’s charming,” Marcel muttered. Rita’s jaw dropped. “I could have fallen for it, honestly… if I hadn’t seen the switch yesterday. At first she looked fed up with Daniela, until she realized I was standing there. The smile she gave me right there was immediate performance.”

“Oh. So she’s a fake?” asked Rita.

“I wouldn’t say that. She does seem kind. But it’s hard to tell how much is real and how much is social theater.”

“So?” Rita tilted her head. “What did convince you?”

“A mix of things,” Marcel said, pushing his food aside and shrinking into his arms.

“Daniela’s right about something. I don’t really have anything going on right now. And maybe my skills could help them turn things around. Karen even said I could be coach on paper, just so they can compete. They really seem to be cornered.”

Rita listened, her eyes deeply invested.

“But that wasn’t all,” Marcel continued, slowly. “What really struck me was when she said none of them wanted to be the generation that let the legend die. It means something to them. I guess it hit home.”

He went quiet.

“What really tipped me over, though…” He glanced at Rita. “Was your advice.”

“Eh? What did I—oh…” her eyes lit up. “Ohhh! I thought you weren’t even listening!”

“Maybe trying something different is just what I need right now.”

Rita leaned back, half amused, half resigned.

“You’re such an extremist,” she said, shaking her head, before bursting into laughter with her hand covering her eyes. “Well, that’s just who you are. I can’t say I’m impressed after that explanation, but I’m definitely entertained.”

Her voice was still caught in laughter, light and teasing.

“Hey, you did get me worried though,” Marcel said, his tone shifting to something more grounded. “I actually met two other team members today, and it feels like I’m stepping into something huge. But I’m not backing out. Not until I try, at least.”

Rita looked at him, softening.

“Well then, Coach Mars, I wish you the best of luck in this little adventure of yours,” she said playfully. “But seriously, tell me if you need help, okay? I’ll be right here.”

Marcel smiled sincerely.

“Thanks, Ritz.”

Rita just smiled back, and that smile said I’ve got your back.