Monday morning arrived with a sky smeared in soft gray clouds, like the world itself was holding its breath.
Athena Jacobs stood in front of the school entrance, her cheer bag slung over one shoulder for what she knew would be the last time. Her heart pounded like it was echoing through her ribs, but her grip on the strap was firm.
She was done hiding.
Done pretending.
Done letting fear define her.
As she walked down the hallway, the stares followed—same as always—but this time, she didn't shrink. She met them head-on, eyes steady, chin high. She passed by the cheer posters on the wall with her name still printed under Captain, but she didn't stop.
The squad was already stretching in the gym when she walked in.
Conversations halted. Brooke looked up sharply from her phone.
"Oh. You're actually showing up."
Athena stepped forward, standing tall in front of the team that had once felt like a second family. Her voice rang out, calm and clear.
"I'm not here to practice."
Brooke raised a brow. "Really? Because I distinctly remember telling you—"
"I'm not here to ask for my spot back," Athena interrupted. "I'm here to say I'm done."
Silence.
Someone gasped. Another girl dropped her water bottle.
Brooke blinked. "You're what?"
"I'm quitting," Athena said, louder now. "I gave everything I had to this team. I bled for it, stayed late for it, missed holidays and family stuff for it. And the second I chose something for me, you all turned on me like I was nothing."
Brooke's lips parted, but Athena didn't let her speak.
"I won't apologize for falling in love. And I definitely won't apologize for putting my heart before some rivalry you all cling to like it's gospel."
Brooke scoffed. "So, you're walking away? Just like that?"
Athena nodded slowly. "No. I'm not walking away. I'm breaking free."
She turned, tossing her cheer bag onto the gym floor with finality. "Good luck at Regionals."
And with that, she walked out, head high.
---
The moment she stepped outside the gym, the cold air hit her lungs like freedom.
Her phone buzzed.
Mason: Waiting outside. Want a ride?
She smiled to herself, her fingers flying over the screen.
> I just did something kind of huge.
Mason: Bigger than kissing me under the bleachers?
> Way bigger.
Mason: Then I'm definitely bringing snacks. Celebration time.
---
Twenty minutes later, she was curled up in the passenger seat of Mason's truck, her hair tied up in a loose bun, hoodie sleeves pulled over her hands. He passed her a bag of Sour Patch Kids and an energy drink.
"You okay?" he asked gently, one hand still on the wheel.
She stared out the window for a second, watching the trees blur by. Then she looked at him.
"I think... I finally am."
He grinned. "You're kind of a badass, you know."
She laughed. "Don't let that get around."
They drove in silence for a few minutes, the tension from the past week slowly peeling away like sunburned skin.
Then he said, "So what now?"
She looked at him, eyes bright.
"Now? I figure out who I am outside of cheer. Outside of expectations. I want to try new things. See what else I love."
"And me?" he asked playfully.
She reached over and stole a Sour Patch Kid from his lap. "You're definitely still on the list."