Emily's POV
The buzz in the air was unmistakable. The parking lot was already swarming with people, students draped in school colors, chanting, and laughing, the tension between the two schools thick enough to slice with a knife.
I stepped out of my car with Amanda, adjusting my hoodie nervously over my head. The moment my foot hit the pavement, my heart nearly stopped.
Sebastian.
He was standing near the edge of the bleachers, surrounded by his teammates, that smug expression on his face I used to find endearing now felt like a slap in the face.
I instantly turned around, panic crawling up my spine. I didn’t want to see him. I didn’t want to be reminded.
“Emily,” Amanda caught my arm just as I spun to leave. “No. You’re not running. He’s the one who betrayed you, remember?”
I swallowed hard, my eyes darting everywhere but his direction. “I just don’t want any drama, Amanda.”
“And avoiding him gives him the power. Come on. Walk in there like the queen you are.” She nudged me forward.
With a deep breath, I nodded and forced my legs to move toward the field. The bleachers were filling up fast.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I quickly checked it—nothing from my parents yet. They were flying back today. I didn’t want to be home when they arrived. Not yet. I needed air. Space. Something that didn’t scream ‘family confrontation.’
As we reached the sidelines, I saw Adam standing by the fence, wearing his signature leather jacket and a grin that was meant just for me. My heart skipped as I walked up to him.
“You made it,” he said, eyes lighting up.
“I needed an escape. What better way than watching two schools try to kill each other over a ball?” I smirked.
He chuckled. “I promise, it’ll be worth the drama.”
“I don’t doubt it.” I sat beside him on the bench, pretending not to notice how eyes followed us. Everyone already knew. The whispers had stopped being whispers.
The whistle blew, and the game began with explosive energy. It was intense, fast-paced, and aggressive.
But the tension between Adam and Seb was electric. Every time Seb had the ball, Adam seemed to be right there, breathing down his neck, pushing just a little harder.
“Is it me or are they trying to murder each other with their eyes?” Amanda muttered beside me.
“It’s not just you,” I replied.
Halfway through the second quarter, Seb scored a goal and turned to smirk at Adam. “You slipping already, Cooper?”
Adam’s jaw tightened. “Still cheating, I see.”
Seb barked a laugh. “Right. And you think you’re any better? Think you deserve her?”
That did it.
Adam lunged, and before I could even stand up, they were throwing punches. The crowd roared. Chaos exploded.
“Adam! Seb!” I screamed, pushing past people as teammates from both sides tried to break them apart but only succeeded in making it worse.
“Stop it!” I shouted again, trying to wedge myself between them. “What are you both doing? This isn’t about the game anymore!”
Neither of them was listening.
So I did the only thing I could.
“STOP!” I screamed, loud enough to silence a part of the crowd.
They froze, fists still mid-air. My eyes darted between them. “Are you both proud now? Is this what it’s about? Who throws the better punch? You’re making fools of yourselves!”
Adam turned to me, guilt instantly washing over his face.
“Emily—”
I didn’t wait to hear the rest. I turned and walked away, fast. My chest felt like it was about to explode. I didn’t come here for this.
“Emily, wait!”
His voice followed me. I felt his hand wrap around my wrist, gently but firmly. He twirled me around, pulling me close.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lose it like that.”
Tears blurred my vision. “Why, Adam? Why let him get to you like that?”
“I just—he said things. Things that weren’t fair. About you. About us.”
I covered my face with my hands, trembling.
“I just wanted a normal day. One day without all the noise,” I sobbed into his chest.
“I’ll give you that. Starting now.” He kissed my forehead and led me to his car.
We sat in silence for a while, the hum of the heater the only sound. I stared out the window, trying to collect my thoughts.
“I’m sorry again,” he said softly. “It’s just...I’m not used to feeling this way about someone. I didn’t know how to handle it.”
I turned to face him. “It’s not all your fault.”
He reached over and took my hand. He leaned in and kissed me, slow and deep, as if trying to answer without words.
When we finally pulled apart, my phone buzzed.
I looked at the screen.
A message from Mom.
**We’re home. Come whenever you’re ready. Love you.**
My heart sank, nerves bubbling up.
Adam noticed the shift in my expression. “Everything okay?”
“My parents. They’re back.”