Alyssa's PoV:

The school day crawled by, each class dragging on longer than the last. I spent most of it half-listening to lessons, my mind drifting to the afternoon. Mason and I hadn't had much alone time this week, and the idea of sneaking away for a date filled me with a mix of excitement and nerves.

By the time the final bell rang, the halls were buzzing with energy. Students streamed out of classrooms, their voices overlapping as they made plans for the evening. I waved goodbye to Emily and Selena at my locker, trying to keep my expression casual.

"Are you coming with us to grab coffee?" Selena asked, her tone already suspicious.

"Not today," I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "I promised Mom I'd help her with something."

"You've been really busy lately," she said, narrowing her eyes. "Are you sure there's not some big secret you're hiding?"

I forced a laugh, shaking my head. "What could I possibly be hiding? My life isn't that exciting."

Emily raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. I avoided her gaze, knowing she was too observant for her own good.

"Fine," Selena said with a dramatic sigh. "But next time, you're coming with us. No excuses!"

"Deal," I said, waving as I slipped out the side door.

The warm spring air hit me as I stepped outside. Mason's black Jeep was parked in its usual spot, the engine already running. He leaned out of the window, his signature smirk lighting up his face.

"Hey you" he called, his voice warm and teasing.

"Hey," I replied, climbing into the passenger seat.

The door shut with a satisfying click, and I leaned back against the seat, letting out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Mason reached over, his hand brushing mine briefly.

"You ready, shortcake?" he asked, his eyes meeting mine with a cheeky grin, as the nickname fell out of his lips

"I will kill you," I said, smiling as he pulled out of the lot.

The drive out of town was our favorite part. Mason always had the windows down, letting the wind rush through the car as the radio played softly in the background. Today, it was an old rock station, and Mason hummed along to the music.

"So," I said, breaking the comfortable silence. "What did you think about the conversation at lunch? About Aiden being... well, Aiden?"

Mason glanced at me, one hand resting casually on the wheel and the other traveling to my leg "You mean about him being way too intense all the time?"

"Yeah," I said, sighing. "It's like he doesn't know how to turn it off. He's always either in competition mode or completely shut down. There's no middle ground."

Mason nodded thoughtfully. "He's always been like that, though. Football is everything to him. It's not just a sport—it's part of him. He doesn't know who he is without it."

"That's what worries me," I admitted. "He puts so much pressure on himself to be perfect, to lead the team, to win... What happens when it all falls apart? Or worse, what if it doesn't, and he never learns to enjoy the ride?"

Mason chuckled softly, though there was no humor in it. "That's the thing with Aiden. He's so focused on the destination that he forgets to look out the window. But hey, Emily talked to him after lunch, right? Maybe she got through to him."

I raised an eyebrow. "You really think so? i don't know what happened she didn't say anything"

Mason shrugged. "I don't know. Emily's got this way of saying things that makes him shut up and maybe understand. If anyone can get him to take a step back, it's probably her."

I leaned my head against the window, watching the trees blur past. "I hope you're right. He's my brother, and I just want him to be okay. But sometimes, it feels like no one can reach him when he gets like this."

Mason's hand found mine, his fingers intertwining with mine "He'll be alright, Ali. He's stubborn as hell, but he's not stupid. And he's got people like you and me to look out for him."

"Yeah," I said softly. "But then there's Regina."

Mason groaned, shaking his head. "Yeah, her"

"She's just so manipulative," I said, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "She knows exactly how to play him, and I'm scared he's going to fall for it again. He always does."

Mason's jaw tightened, and he was quiet for a moment. "I get it," he said finally. "I really do. But you can't control what he does, Alyssa. If he goes back to her, it's on him. All you can do is be there for him when he realizes—how toxic she is."

I sighed, my shoulders slumping. "You're right. I just... I hate seeing him get hurt."

"I know," Mason said, his voice gentle. "But he's got to figure it out for himself. And maybe this time, he will."

"Maybe," I echoed, though I wasn't sure I believed it.

We arrived at the lake a few minutes later, the water shimmering under the afternoon sun. Mason parked the Jeep near the edge of the clearing, and we got out, the soft crunch of gravel beneath our feet.

"This place never gets old," I said, breathing in the fresh air.

Mason smiled, grabbing a blanket from the backseat. "It's our little secret."

"More secrets?" I joked

"Well It's in our nature I guess" he teased

We found a spot near the water, where the shade of the trees cast dappled patterns on the ground. Mason spread out the blanket, and we sat down, the world around us quiet except for the gentle lapping of the water.

"So," Mason said, leaning back on his elbows. "Enough about Aiden and Regina. What's on your mind?"

I smiled, lying back on the blanket and staring up at the sky. "Right now? Nothing. I just...want to enjoy this."

Mason chuckled, lying beside me. "I can work with that."

The afternoon passed in a blur of laughter and quiet moments. We shared sandwiches from the cooler Mason had packed, talked about our favorite movies, and teased each other about the ridiculous things we'd done as kids or even last summer

"You're really something, you know that?" Mason said suddenly, his voice soft.

I looked at him, my heart fluttering. "What do you mean?"

"I just... really like you"

I blushed, looking away. "Are you getting sentimental now?"

"Maybe" he said, reaching over to brush a strand of hair from my face. "It's true though"

I smiled, my chest warming at his words. "You're not so bad yourself, Mason Gray ."

He grinned, his eyes sparkling. "Hm.. I will take that" he said grabbing my neck and pulling me into a kiss 

I smiled into the kiss and then I leaned into him. In that moment, everything else faded away—Aiden, Regina, school. It was just us, and it was perfect. "Thanks, shortcake" he said as we parted from the kiss and I felt his mischievous grin, which made me open my eyes quickly as slap him in the arm, he got up running away as I tried to hit him back.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, we packed up and headed back to the Jeep. Mason drove me home, parking a few houses down as usual.

"Thanks for today," I said, leaning over to kiss him.

"Anytime," he replied, his voice warm. 

"Text me when you get home, okay?" I told him reluctantly getting out of the car.

"Will do," he said.

As I walked toward my house, I glanced back, my heart swelling as I saw Mason watching me, his face lit by the glow of the streetlights.

It wasn't perfect, and it wasn't easy, but it was ours. And that made it everything.

But as time kept going by I knew how hard this was going to be to hide.

-- Saturday -- 

Saturday nights at the field were always a mix of chaos and excitement, but this one had a strange energy from the start. It wasn't just another football game; it was a chance for our school team, the Delta Lions, to secure second place in the regional rankings, which could catapult them into the state playoffs. Yet, there was something else—something personal about tonight that made me feel restless.

Emily's sudden enthusiasm for attending the game struck me as suspicious. She didn't seem like the kind of person to willingly brave the cold metal bleachers and the chaos of a high-stakes match. My gut told me it had to do with Aiden. While I appreciated that Emily seemed to have some kind of calming influence on my brother, it scared me too. What if she started liking him? What if they became something more?

I could already see it: Aiden being his usual, emotionally unavailable self, breaking Emily's heart without even meaning to. The thought made my chest tighten.

"You okay?" Selena asked, snapping me out of my thoughts as we piled into Amy's Fiat.

"Yeah," I said quickly, shaking off the unease. "Just thinking."

Selena didn't press further, probably assuming I was mentally preparing for the game. She cranked up the volume, and Sabrina Carpenter's voice filled the car. By the time we reached the school parking lot, we were all singing along, laughing at Amy's dramatic hand gestures as she belted out the lyrics.

The moment we stepped out of the car, the energy hit us like a wave. The air was electric with the sound of cheers, the scent of popcorn, and the bright glow of the field lights. Red and purple swirled in the stands as fans of the Delta Lions and the Warpath Wolves gathered, their chants and colors clashing.

"We better win this," Nate said as we walked toward the bleachers, his voice tinged with anticipation.

"If we do, we're second in the regional competition," he added, excitement bubbling under his words.

"And what does that mean?" Amy asked, looking genuinely confused.

"They can go to the state playoffs," I explained.

"And that is...?" Amy's tone suggested she still didn't understand.

"The same thing, but with bigger and better teams," Nate said, keeping it short.

As we made our way through the crowd, I spotted a familiar black motorcycle pulling into the lot. My lips curled into a smile before I even realized it.

"Uh, I think I forgot my lipstick in the car," I said, stopping abruptly.

"How do you forget that?" Amy asked, fishing through her bag for the car keys.

"Don't know, but I definitely need it," I said.

"Here," she said, handing me the keys. "Hurry up. We're claiming good seats."

"Go ahead. I'll meet you there," I replied, already heading in the opposite direction.

Mason was just pulling off his helmet as I approached, his hair slightly tousled and his leather jacket hugging his frame perfectly. He spotted me, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"Look who's at a football game," I teased, crossing my arms as I leaned against his bike. "This is new."

"Had some pretty good motivation," he said, stepping closer.

"Oh yeah? What was that?"

"I heard this hot girl was going to be here," he said, slipping his arms around my waist.

"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "She must be something special."

"She is like really short," he said, leaning in with that teasing smirk of his. "And really sweet like a cake"

"I don't know if your trying to flirt or to be murdered" I joked.

"Hey, I can't make you understand my smooth flirting" he said with mock seriousness.

I laughed as he kissed me, his lips soft and warm against mine. For a moment, the noise of the crowd faded, and it was just us.

"We should go," I said reluctantly, pulling back.

"To the game?" he asked, his tone laced with disappointment.

"Yes, to the game. Where do you think it was"

"Hmph," he pouted. "I thought my place was an option"

I rolled my eyes, laughing as he tapped my chin lightly. "Can you grab some popcorn and meet us in the bleachers."

"Fine," he said dramatically, turning toward the concession stand and giving me a quick peck on the lips.

By the time Mason joined us, the game was already underway. The Lions and Wolves were neck and neck, the crowd on edge with every play. Despite the intensity of the game, our little group managed to create our own chaos.

"Regina's off her game," Nate commented, nodding toward the cheerleaders.

Regina, in her pristine uniform, looked flawless as ever, but there was something off in her expression. She wasn't her usual commanding self, and it showed in the routines.

"Maybe she's finally coming to her senses," I said dryly.

"Doubt it," Mason muttered beside me, his arm casually draped across the back of my seat.

The tension on the field was palpable as the game dragged on, both teams locked in a tight battle. I could feel my nerves building, and I wasn't the only one.

"Come on, Aiden!" I shouted as he dodged a tackle. "RUN!"

Selena leaned closer to me, her brows furrowed. "Is something up with your brother? He doesn't look like himself out there."

"I don't know," I admitted, biting my lip.

"Luke, THROW IT, NOW" Nate yelled suddenly, nearly knocking over his drink.

"RUN JAMES, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" I shouted, throwing my hands up.

"Hey, don't yell at my boyfriend," Amy said, glaring at me.

"Well, your boyfriend isn't doing anything out there!" a random man said from the row below us.

Amy turned sharply, her eyes blazing. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," the man said, not even bothering to look back.

Before I could stop her, Amy lunged at him, grabbing his hat—and a fistful of his hair—with surprising force.

"Amy!" I shouted, scrambling to pull her back.

Selena grabbed her other arm, while Nate practically lifted her away from the man. "Let go!" she hissed, still fuming.

The man looked up at us, his hair a mess and his face red with anger. "You better control your friend!"

"I'm so sorry," I said quickly, trying to diffuse the situation.

Amy crossed her arms, clearly unrepentant as she muttered under her breath. "Jerk."

Nate sighed, switching seats with her to prevent further incidents. "Great job, Amy. Really stellar conflict resolution."

Despite the commotion, the game carried on. But with every passing minute, Aiden seemed more off. He fumbled a pass, missed a block, and looked more frustrated with himself than I'd ever seen.

"Time-out," Mason said, noticing my confusion when the players suddenly cleared the field.

I glanced at him, worried. "Aiden's not in his head tonight. They need to win this."

"Not at all" Mason said, though his tone wasn't entirely convincing.

"Yeah," I said quietly, more to myself than to him.

"I'm going to the bathroom," Emily said abruptly, standing up.

"Are you sure?" I asked. "You'll miss the end of the game."

"I'll be back in a second," she said, her voice unusually soft as she slipped away.

I watched her go, my stomach knotting with a strange sense of unease. The game was nearing its climax, but my thoughts were elsewhere—on my brother, on Emily, and on the uneasy feeling that this night wasn't going to end the way I hoped.