Alyssa's PoV:

I didn't realize I was holding my breath until I saw them walking back together. Aiden and Mason. My brother and... my boyfriend. It felt strange to even think of Mason that way out loud, given everything we'd gone through to keep our relationship hidden.

But as they crossed the field, Mason laughing and Aiden throwing the football into the air, a wave of relief washed over me. Aiden wasn't glaring at him. He wasn't storming away. If anything, they looked... normal.

Maybe Mason's optimism wasn't misplaced after all.

The moment they stepped onto the cafeteria patio, Emily, Nate, Selena, Luke, Jaden and Cameron to look at them. Emily leaned closer to me, whispering, "Well? How bad is it?"

"I... don't think it's bad," I said cautiously, watching as Aiden clapped Mason on the back and nudged him toward the table.

Mason's eyes met mine, and that familiar crooked smile appeared. The one that always made my stomach flip no matter how many times I saw it. He gave me a small nod, as if to say, We're okay.

Aiden plopped down in his usual spot, pulling a bottle of water from his bag like nothing had happened. "Alright," he said loudly, drawing everyone's attention. "Let's get this out of the way."

My heart dropped into my stomach.

"Mason and Alyssa are together," Aiden announced, his voice calm but firm. Making some sarcastic sounds pop up.

"NO WAY" Luke said with a shocked face as Jaden placed his hands in front of his mouth also shocked

Aiden rolled his eyes "I'm okay with it. As long as they're happy, I'm happy. And as long as Mason doesn't screw this up."

The table fell into a stunned silence.

"You're... okay with it?" Luke finally said, his eyebrows practically in his hairline.

"Did you hit your head or something?" Cameron asked, staring at Aiden like he'd grown a second head.

Aiden smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Look, I wasn't thrilled about it at first. But I've thought about it, and Mason's a good guy. He loves my sister, and that's what matters."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Jaden threw his hands up dramatically. "Let's backtrack. Love? Did I hear that right?"

Mason groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Thanks, Aiden. Really subtle."

"Wait, you do love her?" Amy asked, his eyes wide with excitement.

Mason glanced at me, his cheeks turning the faintest shade of pink. "Yeah. I do."

The table erupted into cheers, whistles, and teasing comments. Selena grabbed my arm, shaking me like I'd just announced I won the lottery. Nate clutched his chest, pretending to swoon.

"Finally!" Nate exclaimed. "I've been waiting for this love story to stop being a secret and start being a blockbuster!"

"Alright, calm down," I said, trying-and failing-to suppress my own grin. My cheeks were on fire, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

Aiden raised a hand, silencing the chaos. "One more thing," he said, looking pointedly at Mason.

The table fell quiet again, and Mason straightened in his seat, his playful expression turning serious.

"If you ever hurt her," Aiden said, his voice dropping an octave, "I don't care if you're my best friend. I'll make you regret it."

Mason met his gaze without flinching. "I won't. You have my word."

Aiden held his stare for a moment longer before nodding. "Good."

The tension broke like a popped balloon, and everyone dove back into their conversations, their energy buzzing with excitement over the new revelation.

Mason slid into the seat next to me, his hand brushing against mine under the table. "Well," he whispered, his lips close to my ear, "that went better than expected."

"You think?" I whispered back, biting my lip to hide my smile.

"I told you we'd be fine," he said, his fingers finding mine and giving them a gentle squeeze.

I looked over at Aiden, who was now deep in conversation with Emily. For the first time in weeks, he didn't look tense or on edge. He looked... okay.

The buzz of excitement still lingered as we all sat around the cafeteria table, picking at our food and throwing jokes back and forth. The energy felt lighter now, like a massive weight had been lifted off everyone's shoulders. For the first time in what felt like forever, no one was keeping secrets, and Aiden wasn't shooting daggers at Mason every five seconds.

Nate leaned forward, tapping his fork against his plate like he was giving a toast. "Alright, everyone, listen up. I have an idea."

"Oh no," Amy muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes.

"Hey!" Nate said, feigning offense. "My ideas are brilliant."

"They're also dangerous," Selena chimed in, laughing.

"Details, details." Nate waved her off. "Anyway, I think we should celebrate. You know, to commemorate the momentous occasion of Aiden not murdering Mason."

"I mean, he's not wrong," Luke said, smirking at Mason. "It's kind of a miracle you're still alive."

"Thanks, guys," Mason replied dryly. "Really feeling the love here."

"So what's your 'brilliant' idea, Nate?" Amy asked, crossing his arms but smirking slightly as she laid on James shoulder.

"Glad you asked!" Nate said, sitting up straighter. "How about a little friendly competition? Group game night at my place. Pizza, snacks, and absolute chaos. What do you say?"

"Chaos sounds about right," Emily said with a grin.

"What kind of games are we talking about?" Jaden asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, you know," Nate said casually, "the classics. Charades, Pictionary, maybe a few rounds of Truth or Dare."

The table erupted with mixed reactions.

"Absolutely not," Aiden said immediately.

"Oh, absolutely yes," Selena countered, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"This is going to end in disaster," Mason said, shaking his head.

"Exactly," Nate replied, grinning. "That's the point!" and after debating we all caved in.

Later

Nate's living room looked like a party exploded. Pizza boxes were stacked on the coffee table, bowls of chips and candy were scattered everywhere, and someone had brought a giant stack of board games that no one was actually planning to play.

"Alright, people!" Nate announced, clapping his hands together. "Let the games begin!"

The first round of Charades was already a disaster.

"Luke, what the hell are you doing?" Amy asked, clutching her sides from laughing too hard.

Luke was flailing his arms wildly, hopping on one foot while trying to mime something completely incomprehensible.

"Is he... a bird?" Selena guessed, squinting at him.

"No, no, he's... drowning?" Jaden added, looking equally confused.

"I think he's having a seizure," Mason deadpanned, making everyone burst out laughing.

"I'm a kangaroo, you idiots!" Luke yelled, throwing his hands in the air.

"You look like a chicken on steroids," Aiden said, smirking as he took a sip of his soda.

"Okay, okay," Nate said, stepping up. "My turn. Watch and learn, amateurs."

He grabbed a card, glanced at it, and immediately started doing the worst robot dance anyone had ever seen.

"Is it... a malfunctioning toaster?" Amy asked, trying to suppress her laughter.

"Close!" Nate said, still flailing his arms in jerky movements.

"A dying Roomba?" Mason guessed.

"YES!" Nate shouted triumphantly. "Finally, someone who understands my genius."

"Genius isn't the word I'd use," Amy muttered, shaking her head.

The real chaos started when they moved on to Truth or Dare.

"Alright, Alyssa," Nate said, leaning forward with an evil grin. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," I said cautiously, knowing better than to trust him.

"Lame," he said, rolling his eyes. "Fine. Is it true that you once cried because Mason ate the last slice of pizza?"

The room went silent for a beat before exploding into laughter.

"That was ONE TIME!" I shouted, my face turning bright red.

"I knew it!" Aiden said, grinning at me. "I saw your eyes shinning."

"I didn't know you held grudges like that"

"I don't hold grudges," I shot back, crossing my arms.

"Oh, really?" Mason said, raising an eyebrow. "So you didn't hide my football cleats for a week after that?"

"You deserved it," I muttered, earning another round of laughter.

By the end of the night, everyone was sprawled out on the floor, stuffed with pizza and exhausted from laughing too much.

"This was a good idea," Amy said, leaning her head on her boyfriend's shoulder.

"See? I told you I'm brilliant," Nate said, flashing a smug grin.

"Don't push your luck," I said, throwing a pillow at him.

As I sat there, Mason's arm casually draped around my shoulders and Aiden actually smiling for once, I couldn't help but feel like everything was finally falling into place.