Pinned by the Team Captain - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Working at a bubble tea shop was new to me, but the job itself was easy enough to learn. The only catch? It was insanely busy—no surprise, since it was the only one in town.
I took the night shifts on purpose. The pay was decent, way better than the odd jobs I'd scraped by on before. The manager even said if I kept it up, I could be assistant manager in three months. Not bad.
The other new hire, Chloe Evans, was a few years younger—fresh out of vocational high school—but she dressed like she belonged on a runway. Full face of makeup every day. The first time I saw her, I almost did a double take.
"Sophia, again with that coat?" Chloe shot me a look that could curdle milk, her voice dripping with disdain.
Her snide comments were nothing new. She never missed a chance to poke at my plain clothes or bare face.
Meanwhile, I was still wearing my mom's old red coat, faded from years of washing. No wonder Chloe looked at me like I was something she'd stepped in.
I tugged at the sleeves and kept my mouth shut. I was here to work, not get dragged into some petty high school drama. What was the point? Arguing wouldn't change anything—just make her hate me more.
But then, out of nowhere, my phone rang. Unknown number.
I answered without thinking. "Hello?"
"Sophia. It's me."
That voice. I'd know it anywhere. Ryan Lowell. My stomach dropped, my hand shaking so hard I almost fumbled the phone. My first instinct was to hang up—but then I remembered. Ethan was still under his training. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm.
Why was he calling now? Had something happened to Ethan?
I steadied my voice. "C-Captain Lowell… What is it?"
"Ethan's hurt. Come to the hospital."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My legs buckled, and the phone slipped from my fingers, clattering to the floor. The sound echoed in my chest, sharp and final, like a gunshot.
How bad was it? I had to get there—now.
I bolted for the last bus to the city.
Ryan texted later saying Ethan had already been discharged, so I went straight to the dorm.
By the time I got there, it was almost midnight. Thank God I'd been there before—no time to waste figuring out directions.
I shoved the door open and froze.
Ethan and Ryan were sprawled on the couch, laughing at something on TV. Ethan's right leg was propped up on a cushion, neatly bandaged.
"Sophia?" Ethan blinked at me, surprised, then broke into a grin, starting to sit up.
I rushed over and pushed him back down, ruffling his hair.
"What happened? How bad is it?" My eyes darted over his leg, my chest tight.
Ethan just grinned. "Relax, it's just a sprain. How'd you even find out?"
After triple-checking, I finally let out a breath. My gaze flicked to Ryan, who stood nearby, arms crossed—only to lock eyes with him. I looked away fast.
"Captain Lowell… told me."
Ethan scratched his head sheepishly. "Seriously, it's nothing."
Ryan spoke up. "Your sister would worry." His eyes lingered on me for a second before he turned toward the stairs.
"I'll leave you two to talk."
That last look? Unreadable. Heavy with something I couldn't place.
Ethan, ever the little troublemaker, smirked. "Sophia, why were you staring at Captain Lowell like that? Don't tell me you—"