Mason's PoV:

After the first two classes, I made my way to the cafeteria, heading for the usual table where the team and our friends gathered. The familiar buzz of laughter and conversation surrounded me as I approached, but my chest felt tight. I spotted the group right away-Luke was throwing crumpled napkins at Jaden while Cameron tried to act like he didn't care, even though his smirk betrayed him. Selena was chatting with Nate, who was gesturing wildly, probably in the middle of some exaggerated story.

Alyssa was there too.

My breath caught for half a second when I saw her, and a smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it. She looked so effortlessly pretty, sitting there with her hair catching the sunlight streaming through the cafeteria windows. She wasn't even trying to stand out, but she always did. Her laughter rang out as Nate finished his story, and though I wasn't the reason she was laughing, it didn't matter. That sound-her laugh-made my heart feel like it might burst right there in my chest.

I've liked her since I was five years old.

It sounds ridiculous when I think about it now, but it's true. Back then, we were just kids, and I thought the best way to impress a girl was to annoy her. So, naturally, I did everything I could to tease her-pulling on her pigtails, hiding her favorite toys, the usual dumb stuff little boys do. Looking back, I want to smack my five-year-old self for being such an idiot.

Even then, I liked her. I was drawn to the way her eyes sparkled when she was happy, the way her dimples showed when she smiled. And that hasn't changed-not one bit. Alyssa has this way about her, this energy that pulls people in without even trying. She drives me absolutely insane sometimes, but she also makes me ridiculously soft.

For years, I pushed those feelings down. She was my best friend's sister, and that was a line I couldn't cross. I told myself it was just a crush, something I'd grow out of eventually. But I didn't. I couldn't. Even when I tried to convince myself she didn't feel the same way, a part of me couldn't let go.

And then came this past summer.

It started small, little things that made me wonder if she might actually feel something for me too. One night, during a party at her house, we ended up in the hallway outside the bathroom, and for a moment, everything shifted. I don't even remember what we were talking about, but something in her eyes changed. There was this spark-something I hadn't seen before.

So, I took a chance.

That summer was everything I'd ever wanted. It wasn't perfect-we argued, teased, and pushed each other's buttons constantly-but underneath it all, there was this connection I couldn't ignore. I couldn't get enough of her, and I knew I never would.

But then summer ended.

Alyssa wanted to stop. She said it was for the best-for both of us. She didn't want to risk my friendship with Aiden. And as much as I hated it, I understood. I gave her space because I loved her, and that's what she wanted. But staying away from her? That was impossible.

Eventually, we couldn't fight it anymore. We started seeing each other again, this time in secret. We thought we could keep it hidden, but of course, secrets like that don't stay buried for long. Emily found out first, then Aiden. And, well... that didn't go over so well.

I glance down at my hands, the bruises on my knuckles faint but still visible. My ribs ache with every breath, thanks to Aiden's fists. I don't blame him, not really. If I were in his position, I'd probably have done the same thing.

Aiden has always been my best friend, my brother in every way that counts. When I broke my arm one summer, and the rest of the guys went off to ride bikes and hang out, Aiden stayed behind with me. He spent the whole summer sitting on my couch, watching movies and eating junk food, just so I wouldn't feel left out.

He's been there for me through everything. And now? Now I've broken his trust.

But here's the thing: loving Alyssa has never made me stop caring about Aiden. He's my best friend, and he always will be. I just hope, someday, he'll understand that I never meant to hurt him-that I can love his sister and still be loyal to him.

I sighed at that thought as I made my way to the table sitting down next to my girlfriend, she immediately smiled at me, making my heart go crazy but it quickly vanished away as she saw the bruises

"It still doesn't look good" she said with a frown

"Yes it does" I said giving her a peck on the cheek

"Oh look who is back! The traitor" Luke joked looking at me and Alyssa "Nice one" he muttered as he made a thumbs up

"Honestly I always knew" Jaden said making the rest laugh

"You?" Cameron teased "Please, you are so blind in these things"

"I am telling you I did"

"Sure..." Cameron said "Just pay me the 20 bucks"

"Ah for real? I thought you had forgot about that" Jaden pouted

"Of course not, Why would I ever forget about an easy way to win 20 bucks"

"Wait what happened?" Luke questioned looking at the guys as Jaden gave him the money

"We made a bet" Cameron said waving the money on his hand " I was the one who actually thought they liked each other and I was right"

" Begginers luck" Jaden pouted

"That doesn't is not applicable here" Cameron said

"Making bets with us... great friends" i slurred

"It is what is" Cameron said happily taking the money to his wallet

"HAve you seen Aiden?" I questioned as they all nodded a no

"He has been quite distant" Luke mentioned "He doesn't even eat with us...or talk or anything really"

"I should talk to him" I said making Alyssa quickly hold my hand

"And get beaten up again?" she asked as she made a sad face breaking my heart

"I need to talk to him" I explained as I looked at her, she turned her sad face to me while frowning

"I don't want you more hurt because of me" she pouted making a smile appear on my face

"I am okay, shortcake. it isn't because of you" I said the pet name cheering her up a bit, like he had heard me suddenly Aiden appeared into view making everyone at the table and the cafeteria silent. He got close and once near the table he looked at everyone and his eyes landed on me.

"I need to talk to you," Aiden said, his voice low but firm.

I nodded, standing from my seat. Alyssa's hand instinctively reached out, her fingers brushing against mine. I looked down at her, seeing the worry etched on her face. Her hazel eyes searched mine, silently pleading for reassurance. I gave her a small, confident smile-one I hoped would ease her mind-before following Aiden out of the cafeteria.

He led the way through the school halls without a word, his shoulders tense and his jaw set. I knew this wouldn't be easy, but I was ready. For Alyssa, I'd face anything, even the wrath of her brother.

We walked outside, the crisp afternoon air hitting me as we made our way to the football field. It was empty, the grass still damp from the morning dew. Aiden stopped near the center of the field, tossing his bag onto the ground and picking up a stray football.

"Let's do some passes," he said, holding the ball out toward me.

I took it without question, recognizing the unspoken agreement between us. This was our thing-talking while doing something else, whether it was tossing a football, playing video games, or shooting hoops. It was our way of venting without staring each other down, a distraction that made the serious stuff easier to get through.

We started tossing the ball back and forth, the sound of it hitting our hands breaking the stillness of the field.

"Do you like my sister?" Aiden asked suddenly, his tone flat but loaded with weight.

"Yes," I answered without hesitation.

"Will you protect her?"

"Always."

"Will you let her do whatever she wants?"

"Of course, like she always does."

He caught the ball and held it for a moment, squinting at me like he was trying to see past my words. Then he threw it back.

"What if you have a bad day?"

"Then the next one will be better."

"What if she's mad?"

"She'll get cranky and yell at me."

"And you?"

"I'll let her," I said with a small smile.

"What if she's screaming at you?"

"Then I probably did something wrong."

"What if you didn't?"

"I'm sure I did. It's how it works" I said with a chuckle, earning a half-smile from him.

He paused, spinning the ball in his hands before lobbing it to me again. "What if she cries?"

"I'll give her my shoulder."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "What if... what if you don't like her anymore and break her heart?"

"That will never happen."

"But what if it does?"

"It won't."

"How do you know?" he pressed.

"Because I love your sister," I said, my voice steady and sure.

The ball stayed in his hands this time. He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before finally sitting down on the grass. I followed, lowering myself beside him.

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing deeply. "Do you have a cigarette? I've been so damn stressed these past few days."

"I don't"

"What?" he asked a bit shooked

I shook my head. "I haven't smoked since I started dating Alyssa."

He turned to me, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I quit. "

His brow furrowed as he stared at the ground. "Shit," he muttered under his breath. "It's always been right under my nose."

"What has?"

"This pressure I've always felt-to find someone good enough for Alyssa. Someone who wants her for her, not because she's my sister. Someone I wouldn't have to worry about." He glanced at me, his lips twitching into a wry smile. "I should've bet on you from the start. You already had her best interest at heart."

"Yeah, you should've," I said, nodding " Cameron did" I joked

"Shit," he muttered again, leaning back on his hands. "I suck at this love thing."

"I wouldn't say you suck," I replied with a small grin. "You just... need practice."

He huffed a laugh. "I'm sorry I hit you," he said, his tone more serious.

"It's fine. I kind of deserved it."

"You could've hit me back, you know."

"Why would I do that? You were just protecting your sister."

"Still, it wasn't right."

I smirked, gesturing to my bruises. "Don't worry. I'm still the best-looking guy in the group, even with these."

He laughed, shaking his head, but his expression quickly sobered. Alyssa and I weren't the only thing weighing on him.

"What about you?" I asked, nudging his shoulder.

"What about me?"

"How's your love life?"

He stiffened slightly, avoiding my gaze. "There's nothing to talk about."

"Really?" I pressed. "You could've been back with Regina by now. What's stopping you?"

His head shot up, his eyes narrowing. "I don't know," he admitted. "I liked her. Hell, I might've been obsessed with her. But now... she's not who I thought she was."

"How so?"

"She's beautiful, sure, but her personality-" He hesitated, searching for the right words. "She's selfish. Rude. She never asked how I was, never laughed at my jokes or pushed me to be better. She didn't... make me think, or made me feel anything"

I raised an eyebrow. "Anything?"

He sighed, rubbing his temples. "You know that feeling, like your chest is going to explode? She didn't give me that. Not once."

"Sounds like you've got someone else on your mind," I said, grinning knowingly.

He shot me a sharp look but didn't deny it. "This isn't about me," he said quickly. "It's about you and Alyssa."

I let it go-for now.

"I support you," he continued, meeting my eyes. "But if you ever hurt her, I'll beat you to a pulp. Again."

"Got it," I said, smiling despite the threat.

For the first time, I felt like we'd be okay.