The neon glow of the diner sign flickered faintly against the window as Zane sat across from his father and grandmother, the hum of late-night conversation and clinking cutlery filling the space around them. It should have felt warm - normal, even - but instead, it sat somewhere in between unfamiliar and heavy.
Zane picked at his food more than he ate it, his fork dragging through eggs that had long since gone cold. Across from him, Rasheed leaned back in the booth, arms folded loosely, like he wasn’t quite sure what to do with himself. Mary sat beside him, hands wrapped around her coffee mug, though she hadn’t taken a sip in several minutes.
The silence stretched longer than any of them wanted.
Zane paused mid-motion. He swallowed, set his fork down, and took a breath before answering.
“We broke up.”
The words landed flat on the table.
He rubbed his hands together, nodding faintly. “Distance just got to be too much. We said we’ll revisit things after the semester. See if there’s still something there.”
Rasheed’s eyes dropped immediately, regret flashing across his face. “Damn, I’m sorry, I ain’t mean to-”
Zane shook his head, cutting him off. “It’s alright. You didn’t know. Not a lot of people do.”
Another silence crept in, heavier this time.
Rasheed searched for something - anything - to keep the conversation alive. His head lifted suddenly. He snapped his fingers. “Cam - how he doing?”
Zane let out a quiet breath through his nose, almost like he expected that question too.
“We’re not really boys anymore,” he said plainly. “So, I don’t know. Been radio silence since I committed.”
Rasheed winched slightly, nodding slow. “Right. My fault … again.”
Mary finally stirred beside him, shaking her head gently at her son, though there was no real bite behind it - just fatigue.
Zane leaned back in his seat, exhaling. “It’s just hard to stay locked in with people back home. Everything just feels so different now.”
Rasheed nodded, but there was something behind it - something smaller, quieter. Zane could feel it. That hint of pity. Not loud, not obvious, but there.
Zane noticed it.
“How’s it been for you?” he asked. “Being back out.”
Rasheed hesitated, scratching at his chin before answering. “It’s been a lot. Everything just so much faster than I remember. But, I’m doing my thing.”
Mary glanced at him then - quick, sharp. Rasheed caught it out of the corner of his eye. Whatever she wanted to say, she held onto it, letting it die before it ever reached her lips.
Rasheed noticed, but he decides to pivot rather than addressing it.
“I’m just glad I get to finally see you play,” he said, leaning forward now, more certain. “Seems like putting that toy ball in your nursery paid off.”
Zane’s lips curled into a small smile. “Yeah, I’m just hoping I can put on a show. Team morale is a little low after USC beat us up.”
Rasheed shook his head immediately, almost dismissive.
“Man, I don’t care about all that,” he said. “Just do your thing. That’s all I wanna see.”
He paused, his voice softening just slightly.
“I’m proud of you. Real talk. I’m just happy to be back. However much you let me be.”
Zane held his gaze for a moment. There was no ego in it. No edge. Pure honesty.
Zane nodded slowly. “Yeah, I got you Pops. We’ll make something work.”
Mary finally took a sip of coffee, her eyes flicking between the two of them. For a brief moment, something almost resembling peace crossed her face.
Not full. Not complete. But something.
***
Zane took in the sea of blue surrounding him, the raucous of screams circling completely deafening him. He turned towards the home team’s tunnel and saw the Pitt Panthers team running onto the field. He took a deep breath, trying to gain his focus.
It was becoming increasingly hard to do that. No matter how hectic the JMA Dome could get back home in Syracuse, there was no instance where it was touching what was currently happening at Acrisure Stadium.
The Panthers were rolling into their matchup undefeated with a 3-0 record, ranked number six in the nation. The Orange were coming in fresh off of a thrashing at the hands of USC. The team wasn’t afforded much time to lick their wounds before another mountain to climb.
Zane peered up into the crowd, knowing his father and grandmother were lost somewhere in the crowd - some of the few blips of orange that could spotted. They were here witnessing him do what he did best.
He had every intention to show them what they’ve been missing.
…
“Syracuse is going to line up here at the 26-yard-line on second-and-ten after their first play is stuffed at the line of scrimmage.”
“Ajani Sheppard finds Zane Jones quickly on a slant, where he’s immediately met for a tackle. Gain of four yards to set up a third-and-medium situation for the Orange.”
“The Orange knows they have something promising in their true freshman wide receiver Jones. Especially in a tough matchup against a stout Panthers’ defense that have high rankings in all major defensive metrics early on here in the season.”
…
Zane felt a jab into the right side of his shoulder pads, briefly setting him off his past as he blasted up the field. He felt the defender heavily on his right hip as he planted and blasted towards the middle of the field towards a linebacker, already waiting for his move.
He heard the ground reach a crescendo and peered up, seeing Yasin Willis behind him catch the ball in the space vacated by Zane’s route. He turned up the field and saw great lengths of green space ahead of him.
Zane tracked the next defender, and sprinted after Yasin, trying to create a blocking opportunity for him. Yasin pumped his arms up the sideline, spinning out from the grasp of one defender. This gave Zane just enough time to get ahead of him and try to set up a block.
He set up a block, trying to slow his momentum down as he saw the strong safety burst after Yasin. Zane stumbled in his feet, noticing he’s going much too fast to be of any use as a blocker. The safety ripped by him as he tumbled to the ground, only getting his bearings back as he saw Yasin step into a defender and run through him, only to be taken down from behind by two more who had finally caught up.
He smacked his gloved hands together in frustration, shaking his head at his veiled attempt at being helpful before gathering to his feet and making his way to the slowly forming huddle up the field.
…
“Sheppard snaps the ball and has Zane Jones open on the corner route! He goes for it, and the ball just gets knocked out of reach as the cornerback makes a late move on the ball.”
“You have to think that’s one Sheppard would have rather zipped in there rather than loft it up with hopes that Jones can get underneath it.”
“It’s going to be fourth-and-long for the Orange, and - yeah - here comes the field goal unit looking to get up here early in the first quarter.”
…
Zane ripped up the field, flying by the stagnant cornerback and immediately making a mental note of the zone coverage the Pittsburgh defense had sat in. He slowed down his stride, digging into the turf with his right foot and rounding the expanding outside linebacker looking to push him further down the field towards his help.
Just as Zane was beginning to the end of his dig route, he saw the ball ripping towards him. It’s just a little high as he has to leap off the turf to snag the ball, feeling it clap into his gloves. Just as he brings it into his body, he felt it.
The middle linebacker had been gaining depth down the field and watching the quarterback’s eyes. He flashes his hips towards Zane as he sees Ajani set up the throw and dashes towards him. He dug his shoulder into Zane’s unsuspecting gut, wrestling him down onto the field.
The air was knocked out of Zane as soon as the collision set in. He grasped for breath that constantly evaded him. He shoveled the ball out from his gut towards the awaiting hands of the referee and gathered himself to his shaky legs. He had held on. All body parts were accounted for.
…
“The Orange are in bad shape here on third-and-very long. 25 yards to go for the first down. Sheppard takes the snap, looking right at Skeete and Jones.”
“He’s taken out and the ball is loose! The Panthers have it and they’re running the other way. There is no way anyone is going to catch them. Touchdown, Panthers!”
“That’s got be disappointing if you’re Ajani Sheppard and the Syracuse offense. The Orange defense have been keeping Pitt’s offense mostly in check in this opening frame, and you go down because of a defensive touchdown? That’s got to sting!”
…
“Sheppard tries to fit one into a Zane Jones-slant route and the youngster is absolutely drilled. The ball is incomplete. It’s going to be second-and-10.”
…
The Pitt cornerback was playing inside as Zane analyzed his matchup. He’s began to notice that the cornerback’s back pedal has been slow in accounting for how Zane has been releasing. He’s been winning inside easily all throughout the first half.
Zane sets up a step or two inside the numbers. Off the snap of the ball, he uses the cushion the cornerback is giving him and stems him outside, as he tries to lure him outside towards the sideline. In a flash, Zane ripped back underneath him, ripping back inside. Ajani finds him immediately with Zane catching the ball into his chest.
Once again, there was the Pitt defense to create immediate contact, sending Zane down to the turf with a booming hit. He stayed down just for a moment before he climbed back onto his knee, signalling a first down as the Orange finally crossed midfield.
…
“After the injury the previous play to Johntay Cook II, Zane Jones catches his fifth ball already but comes up just short of the first-down marker for the Orange.”
“That one has got to hurt. Plus, with the Panthers’ defense absolutely suffocating the run game, the Orange almost have no choice but to punt the ball away yet again.”
“This doesn’t draw much confidence from Coach Fran Brown in his quarterback Ajani Sheppard’s ability to get them a yard, does it?”
..
Zane jogs of the field toward the Syracuse sideline, feeling a dull pain in his chest as Jaedn Skeete bounded up next to him, shaking his head in disappointment.
“We really not going for this shit, bruh?” he says, ripping his mouthguard from his helmet.
“What we going for it for when Ajani playing like a two-pack of ass?” Zane muttered, mostly to himself, but loud enough for the message to come across.
Zane stopped running as he made his way to the bench, plopping down and leaving his helmet to make a hard thunking sound on the turf in front of his feet. Jaden sat next to him as the two peered towards the dressing room that Johntay had recently gone down after getting hurt. There was still no news on the prognosis, but the fact that he hadn’t made it back out yet spelled trouble.
“The way that nigga is throwing, he’s going to get me fucking killed out there.”
…
“Cook II is back from the dressing room after some injury concerns. He’s out left with Skeete and Jones flanking right. Sheppard has time in the pocket. He flings one out to Jones over the middle. He’s got his hands on it!”
“Oh, he’s absolutely drilled. The ball is on the turf, and the referee is signalling an incomplete pass.”
“You have to ask if Sheppard wants some of these passes to Jones over the middle back. He’s really been going through it trying to haul some of these in against an aggressive Panthers’ defense that loves to lay the lumber.”
…
“We’re here in the 4th quarter and every time the Panthers try to pull away, the Orange manage to keep things close.”
“You’ve got to give props to Zane Jones and Johntay Cook II. These guys have been put through it. Boy, I’ll tell you some of the passes Jones has managed to hang onto through contact have really shown the nation something.”
“For sure, he’s tough as nails. However, you’ve got to question what the coaching staff is thinking, sending him over the middle. And then, you’ve got to wonder if Ajani Sheppard at quarterback is thinking about the wellness of his top flight receivers when he’s not making his throws on time and causing these guys to catch it just to get lit up like a Christmas tree.”
“Just like that, we see Jones pick up his 10th catch of the game, once again going over the century mark in yardage in his hometown game. The Orange are going to pick up a first down!”
…
“The Orange are on the Panthers’ 25-yard-line and threatening. They’re down 31-13, but a touchdown here with over 8 minutes left, and we could have a ball game.”
“Sheppard takes the snap, drops, throws to his right to Zane Jones on the slant route. He makes the catch and that’s going to be a gain of seven yards after yet another tough hit on the young receiver.”
“Oh boy, he’s not getting up.”
***
The bass thumped through the walls of the house, vibrating through Bianca’s chest as she moved with the music, her body finally loose in a way it hadn’t been in months. Colored lights flickered across the crowd room, illuminating flashes of faces, laughter, and bodies pressed close together.
She had her eyes closed, letting herself get lost in it.
Her hips rolled to the rhythm, her hands tracing along her own waist before drifting to Katie, who was right behind her. Katie laughed, hyping her up, hands on Bianca’s hips as the two moved in sync. Bianca leaned into it, letting herself feel light - free - her head tipping back slightly as she let the music carry her.
For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t thinking.
She twirled out of Katie’s grasp, a grin spreading across her face as she turned toward the front of the house. Her vision blurred for a second before she focused, squinting slightly as a new group pushed their way inside.
Her smile softened. Members of Michigan’s football team strolled through the door, their presence filling the house like they owned the place.
Fresh off another win, judging by the way people reacted - cheers, pats on the back, hands reaching out to dap them up as they made their way through the packed space.
Bianca turned back toward Katie, who was already watching her with a knowing smirk.
Katie leaned in close, arms wrapping loosely around Bianca’s waist, her voice low against her ear. “You think Bryce is gonna show up?”
Bianca rolled her eyes, though there was no bite behind it. “I don’t exactly keep his schedule.”
Katie shrugged, unfazed. “I’m just glad you’re back out,” she said, pulling back to look at her. “Feels like I got my fellow bad bitch back a little.”
Before Bianca could respond, Katie’s attention snapped elsewhere. Her eyes locked onto someone across the room - one of the hockey guys she frequented - and her grin widened.
“I’m gonna go grab a quick bump,” she said casually.
Bianca raised her hands immediately in mock surrender.
“I won’t even ask you,” Katie asked quickly, almost defensively. “I’m being good, respecting boundaries and slowing down my own usage, Mom.”
Bianca’s expression softened just a little. “Just be careful, don’t take too long.”
Katie nodded, already halfway turned away. “Yes, El Capitaine.”
And just like that, she disappeared into the crowd Bianca exhaled, turning back toward Emma and Michelle, who were still dancing nearby. She slipped back into the rhythm, laughing at something Emma had half-yelled - but her attention drifted again.
When she saw him.
Bryce.
He moved through the crowd with ease, people stopping him, congratulating him, hands on his shoulders, voices raised in excitement. He carried it naturally, like he was used to it.
Like he belonged in it.
His eyes scanned the room and then landed on her. His face lit up slightly in recognition as he approached, weaving through people until he was standing in front of her.
“Glad to see you out,” he said, a small smile on his face. “I’m surprised that permanent scowl on your face hasn’t gotten stuck yet.”
Bianca smiled back, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Oh, go fuck yourself.”
She paused, then added. “Congratulations, by the way. You played half-decent.”
Bryce dipped his head in appreciation. “Half-decent, I’ll take it.”
He glanced around the packed room, his nose wrinkling slightly. “It’s way too fucking crowded in here for me.” he admitted. “You wanna go for a walk? Catch up a bit?”
Bianca hesitated. Her eyes flicked around the room - the noise, the bodies, the chaos - before landing back on him.
“Yeah,” she said finally, nodding. “Just for a bit.”
…
Hours later, the silence of her dorm room felt almost deafening. The music was gone. The laughter. The energy.
All of it replaced by stillness.
Bianca sat on the edge of her bed for a moment before climbing under the covers, the faint hum of campus life outside her window barely noticeable. Her makeup was slightly smudged, her hair undone from the night, her body tired in that heavy, post-party way.
But her mind wasn’t quiet.
Not even close.
She reached for her phone, the screen lighting up the dark room. Her thumb hovered for a moment before she unlocked it, her apps sliding into place.
Almost instinctively, she tapped into her contacts.
Zane.
His name sat there, unchanged. Familiar. She clicked it.
The screen shifted to his contact page, the call button sitting right there - waiting.
Bianca stared at it. Her thumb hovered just above it, unmoving. She thought about the night. The music. The dancing. The laughter. The attention. Bryce.
All of it.
And still-
Her chest tightened.
Because none of it felt like enough. Not really.
Her thumb lowered slightly then stopped.
She exhaled softly, her head falling back against her pillow as she kept staring at the screen.
No matter how much fun she had tried to have…
She wished he had been there.
(1-1, 0-0 ACC)@(3-0, 0-0 ACC)
Pitt holds off rampant Syracuse comeback attempt, remain undefeated
‣ The Pittsburgh Panthers' pass rush had Ajani Sheppard praying for his life all game long in their 38-23 beatdown
Score
FINAL
1
2
3
4
T
Syracuse
3
0
3
17
23
#3 Pittsburgh
14
3
7
14
38
Scoring Summary 1st Quarter (9:47) Jaydn Oh, 48-yard field goal [CUSE 3 - 0 PITT] (4:43) Anthony Smith, 13-yard returned fumble (Sam Carpenter kick) [CUSE 3 - 7 PITT] (0:25) George Pettaway, 1-yard run (Sam Carpenter kick) [CUSE 3 - 14 PITT]
2nd Quarter (1:31) Sam Carpenter, 39-yard field goal [CUSE 3 - 17 PITT]
3rd Quarter (8:17) Eli Holstein, 1-yard run (Sam Carpenter kick) [CUSE 3 - 20 PITT] (4:36) Jaydn Oh, 30-yard field goal [CUSE 6 - 20 PITT]
4th Quarter (11:57) Jaedn Skeete, 5-yard pass from Ajani Sheppard (Jaydn Oh kick) [CUSE 13 - 20 PITT] (10:20) Nelson Durham, 2-yard pass from Eli Holstein (Sam Carpenter kick) [CUSE 13 - 27 PITT] (7:42) Daunte Bacheyie, 1-yard pass from Ajani Sheppard (Jaydn Oh kick) [CUSE 20 - 27 PITT] (4:48) Jaydn Oh, 46-yard field goal [CUSE 23 - 27 PITT] (2:33) Kenny Johnson, 13-yard pass from Eli Holstein (Sam Carpenter kick) [CUSE 23 - 35 PITT] (0:56) Sam Carpenter, 43-yard field goal [CUSE 23 - 38 PITT] Team Statistics QB Ajani Sheppard: 31-47, 333 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, fumble (lost) QB Eli Holstein: 22-34, 328 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 16 carries, 24 rushing yards, touchdown
DT Rashard Perry: 7 tackles, 4 tackles for loss EDGE Jo'Laison Landry: 6 tackles, tackle for loss MIKE Fran Brown Jr.: 5 tackles, tackle for loss CB Demetres Samuel Jr.: 4 tackles, tackle for loss MIKE Braylan Lovelace: 12 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, pass breakup EDGE Jimmy Scott: 8 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks CB Colton Hood: 6 tackles, 3 pass breakups DT Francis Brewu: 4 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks
you looking like a white boy out there, bruh. Slants and wiggles with no YAC
Ngl, I get Zane heartbroken and all, but he gotta go the Caine Guerra route and bury his feelings in some strange, for real. Starting to look real tender
you looking like a white boy out there, bruh. Slants and wiggles with no YAC
Ngl, I get Zane heartbroken and all, but he gotta go the Caine Guerra route and bury his feelings in some strange, for real. Starting to look real tender
Blame Fran Brown, brudda.
We gotta be better than turning every character who's dealing with some emotional baggage into a womanizing alcoholic brute.
@
(3-0, 0-0 ACC)
(9:47) Jaydn Oh, 48-yard field goal [CUSE 3 - 0 PITT]
(4:43) Anthony Smith, 13-yard returned fumble (Sam Carpenter kick) [CUSE 3 - 7 PITT]
