Athena stood in front of the mirror the next morning, staring at her reflection.
Cheer uniform. Ponytail. Mascara sharp and clean.
But none of it looked the same anymore.
Her phone buzzed again—another message from Brooke.
> You're benched until further notice. Don't bother showing up to practice.
Tightness gripped Athena's chest, but she didn't let the tears fall. Not again. Not when she had to walk through those halls like nothing was wrong.
At Lincoln High, the whispers were louder than ever.
"Isn't that her?"
"That's the girl with Mason Black."
"Ridgeway's QB? Seriously?"
"She's off the team now, right?"
Athena didn't flinch. Didn't respond. She kept her head high, shoulders square, and walked straight to class. But every step felt like walking on glass.
---
Meanwhile, across town, Mason had his own war to fight.
Ridgeway's coach pulled him aside before practice. "Black, what's this I'm hearing about you and a Lincoln cheerleader?"
"It's not a crime to like someone, Coach."
"It is when it's distracting you from the damn playbook," the coach snapped. "Clean it up, or sit the bench Friday."
The team wasn't much better. Half the guys teased. The other half looked at him like he'd betrayed them. His best friend Jackson pulled him aside later.
"You sure she's worth all this heat?"
Mason didn't even hesitate. "Yeah. She is."
---
That night, Athena sat alone on the school bleachers long after everyone had left. Her fingers clutched the edges of her jacket like armor, trying to hold herself together.
Footsteps echoed behind her.
She turned, not surprised to see Mason walking up the steps. Hoodie on. Hands in his pockets.
"You're late," she said softly.
"Traffic," he said, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "And maybe a few glares from the Ridgeway booster moms."
She gave a sad laugh, but it didn't reach her eyes.
He sat beside her, close but not touching. "They benched you?"
She nodded. "Brooke says I betrayed the squad. That I made us look weak."
"By falling for someone on the other side of a town line?" he asked bitterly.
Athena looked at him, voice tight. "What if they're right, Mason? What if I did mess everything up?"
Mason turned toward her. "Listen to me. You didn't mess anything up. You made them uncomfortable by refusing to follow their stupid rules. That's not failure. That's courage."
She didn't answer, but her fingers brushed his.
"And if they don't want you as you are?" Mason continued, his voice low. "Then maybe it's time to stop trying to fit their mold."
"I've worked for that spot since I was fourteen."
"I know."
"I loved it."
"I know," he repeated, softer this time. "But I love you. And maybe it's time to ask yourself what you want now—not what they expect."
The silence between them deepened. She turned her face to him, eyes glassy.
"You love me?" she asked, a breath above a whisper.
He didn't hesitate. "Yeah. I do."
Her heart cracked wide open.
And she leaned in.
The kiss was gentle, grounding. Like they were saying we'll face this together, no matter what.
Because sometimes, love doesn't play by the rules.
And neither did they.