Freshly arrived in Buenos Aires after the loss of her parents, 18-year-old Ami finds refuge in the rhythm of the basketball court at her new college. When she dominates tryouts, she catches the eyes of three enigmatic teammates—Luna, Vee, and Samira—whose subtle seductions awaken desires Ami thought long dead. As their flirtations deepen through glittered cheeks, lingering touches, and a wild weekend party, Ami panics at the edge of surrender and flees into the arms of Leo, the steady friend who offers comfort without judgment.

Torn between the intoxicating pull of her teammates and an emptier longing she can’t name, Ami leans on her stepmom Sandra’s unwavering love and navigates a long bus ride, late-night confessions, and a surprise bond with quiet teammate Racheal. Their shared fears and stolen kisses spark a genuine connection—until a campus spiritual program ignites a deeper awakening. Confronted by the peace she finds in faith, Ami and Racheal choose to release their passionate affair in favor of a higher love.

Transformed by grace, Ami returns to her team with a new glow, guiding Luna, Vee, and Samira toward the same light she found. In a season of victories—on the court and in their hearts—the girls discover that true freedom, identity, and sisterhood lie not in fleeting thrills, but in a love that transcends every rim and every boundary.

The sun blazed down on the court during Tuesday's practice, but Ami wasn't in it today. Not fully.


She played hard. She shot clean. But the second the whistle blew to end training, she grabbed her bag and left — no small talk, no locker room, no lingering eyes.


She wasn't avoiding them exactly. She was avoiding herself — the version that didn't stop things the day before. The version that said yes, but wasn't sure why.


"Don't think. Just go." That was her inner voice, steady but trembling.


By the time she got home, the scent of jollof rice and grilled chicken filled the air. Sandra was in the kitchen, swaying gently to an old gospel track playing on the speaker.


Ami slipped in behind her, tied on an apron, and joined in like nothing was haunting her. They chopped, stirred, burned one batch of plantain (Sandra's fault), and laughed hard about it.


Later, after dinner, they slumped onto the couch, stomachs full, watching a Nollywood rom-com with cheesy soundtracks and overly dramatic kissing scenes.


Sandra eventually dozed off, head tilted, mouth half-open, snoring softly. Ami chuckled, grabbed a throw blanket, and gently covered her.


She climbed the stairs to her room with a lightness she hadn't felt in a while. But when she turned on her phone to check the time, the light from the screen lit up with one notification that made her pause.


🏀 Team WhatsApp Group — 47 New Messages


"Emergency team meeting 6:30 PM. Pls join group call. Important."


She checked the time. 7:04 PM. Heart thudding, she slid in.


"—There she is!" Coach K's voice burst through the phone speaker. "Ami, welcome. You've been selected to lead the forward line and represent our school at the National Inter-School Sports Tournament in Rosario next weekend."


Everyone on the call cheered. Emojis flooded in.


"Yes, you," said Reese, her voice smooth. "Star player. Star everything."


Ami's stomach flipped. She didn't respond.


As the call went on, her screen showed all the familiar names — including Luna, Vee, and Samira. They were going too. Of course they were.


Coach wrapped up by saying they'd meet on Thursday to finalize travel plans. Group gear fitting would be Friday.


As the meeting ended and faces disappeared one by one, Ami stayed staring at her screen long after it went black.


Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Retreat and Recall