The Monday after the game was anything but quiet.
Rumors didn't need a spark anymore—Athena's dramatic exit from the cheer team the week before had already set the fire. And now that the Ridgeway game was over, and Mason had all but declared his loyalty with that kiss by the truck in front of dozens of students…
It was official.
Athena Jacobs had chosen Mason Black.
Lincoln's golden girl had fallen for Ridgeway's star.
And not everyone was happy about it.
---
"Traitor," someone muttered as Athena walked down the hall.
"Could've been captain forever," another said with a hiss. "All for a guy."
Athena kept walking. Chin high. Shoulders square.
She'd expected this.
It still hurt.
But Mason… he made it worth it. He texted her first thing that morning: "Coffee after school? I want to celebrate with you, not scouts."
She said yes before even reading the rest.
---
At lunch, she sat with a few old friends—ones who still talked to her—but even they exchanged nervous glances when Brooke walked into the cafeteria.
Brooke's ponytail was high and tight, her gaze sharp like glass. The whole table froze when she approached.
But Athena didn't flinch.
"You really threw it all away, huh?" Brooke said, loud enough for the room to hear.
"No," Athena said calmly. "I chose something that made me happy."
Brooke's smile was fake and venomous. "And you think he'll be around forever? This is high school. You gave up your future for a boy."
Athena stood slowly. "I didn't give up anything. I found my own future—and it doesn't involve being someone else's puppet."
Gasps echoed. A few people actually clapped. Brooke's face flushed.
For once, she had no comeback.
Athena turned, walking away like she had wings on her back.
---
After school, Mason waited for her by his truck, coffee already in hand. He grinned the moment he saw her. "I heard you roasted Brooke in front of the whole school."
She shrugged, accepting the cup. "I was tired of staying quiet."
He pulled her into his chest. "That's my girl."
Athena leaned into him, his arms warm and steady. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be—not behind some mask, not playing a role, but just Athena.
"I'm proud of you," he whispered. "You're stronger than you think."
She looked up at him. "So are you."
---
Later that evening, as they sat together in the back of his truck, watching the sky go dark, Athena turned to him and said quietly, "Do you ever think about next year?"
Mason nodded. "Every day."
"What if… what if we don't end up at the same college?"
He reached over, taking her hand. "Then we fight for it. Every day. Like we fought for this."
Athena squeezed his hand.
She knew life wasn't going to be easy—not with the schools, the gossip, the judgment.
But she also knew love wasn't about perfection.
It was about choosing each other—again and again.