The Avant-Guards #1

In "Chapter One" of The Avant-Guards #1, Olivia—ever the relentless cheerleader—persuades the shy transfer student Charlie to join her underdog basketball team, despite Charlie’s initial resistance. As the group bonds over practice and shared laughs, Charlie begins to find a place among friends who see her in ways she’s never been seen before.

Liv’s meticulous planning hits a turning point when Charlie, after days of being gently (and strategically) pursued by the Avant-Guards, finally agrees to join the team—only to discover the first game is just three days away. With the squad’s chemistry still untested and time running short, the pressure mounts as they scramble to prepare, all while navigating the unexpected weight of what it means to be chosen.

The Avant-Guards celebrate a hard-fought victory, the high of the win lingering as Charlie and Liv share a quiet moment that hints at something deeper. Just as their connection begins to unfold, an unexpected email from division cuts through the celebration—games are suspended, with no explanation in sight.