Lines blurred

Friday nights at Westview High usually meant packed bleachers, the roar of the crowd, and the smell of popcorn wafting through the cool evening air. Elliot had no intention of being part of the spectacle, but Luna, his best friend, had other plans.

“You’re coming,” Luna declared, dragging him toward the stadium.

“I don’t care about football,” Elliot protested, clutching his sketchbook like a lifeline.

“Maybe not,” Luna said with a sly grin, “but someone on the team seems to care about you.”

Elliot froze. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on,” Luna teased. “You think I haven’t noticed the way Leo Walker suddenly can’t stay away from you? The guy’s practically orbiting your table in the library.”

“That’s just tutoring,” Elliot muttered, his cheeks burning.

“Tutoring,” Luna repeated, air-quoting dramatically. “Sure. And I’m a world-class astrophysicist.”

Elliot didn’t have a chance to argue because they’d reached the bleachers. The game was already in full swing, and the crowd erupted as Westview scored a touchdown.

Elliot’s eyes involuntarily sought out Leo on the field. He spotted him immediately, his jersey unmistakable as he high-fived his teammates. Leo looked up into the stands, scanning the crowd. For a brief moment, their eyes met.

Elliot quickly looked away, his heart racing.

---

The game ended with Westview’s victory, and the crowd spilled out onto the field to celebrate. Luna dragged Elliot along, weaving through the chaos.

“I need to find Emily,” Luna said, referring to her girlfriend. “You good on your own?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” Elliot said, eager for an escape route.

But before he could slip away, a familiar voice called out.

“Brooks!”

Elliot turned to see Leo jogging toward him, still in his jersey, his helmet tucked under one arm. His hair was damp with sweat, and he looked… annoyingly good, as usual.

“What are you doing here?” Leo asked, his grin wide and genuine.

“Luna dragged me here,” Elliot replied, crossing his arms. “And now I’m leaving.”

Leo’s grin faltered. “Wait, don’t go. Stay for a minute.”

Elliot hesitated, glancing around at the sea of students. “Why?”

“Because I…” Leo trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. He took a deep breath and stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I wanted to talk to you. Alone.”

Elliot raised an eyebrow. “What could you possibly want to talk about?”

Leo looked at him, his usual confidence replaced by something quieter, more uncertain. “I… just wanted to say thanks. For the tutoring, and for, you know… listening. It’s been a while since I’ve had someone to really talk to.”

Elliot blinked, caught off guard. “You’ve got a whole squad of friends. What do you mean, no one to talk to?”

Leo laughed bitterly. “Yeah, they’re great for celebrating touchdowns, but not so much for anything deeper.”

There was a raw honesty in his voice that made Elliot’s defenses waver. Against his better judgment, he asked, “Why me?”

Leo shrugged, looking at the ground. “Because you’re real. You don’t treat me like some golden boy who has it all figured out. You just… treat me like me.”

Elliot didn’t know what to say. He’d spent years thinking of Leo as nothing more than a shallow bully, but now…

“Look,” Leo said, his voice softer. “I know I’ve screwed up. A lot. And I probably don’t deserve your help, or your time, but… I’d like to make things right. Starting with you.”

Elliot stared at him, the weight of the words sinking in. For the first time, he saw Leo not as a bully or a jock, but as someone trying to be better.

“You’ve got a long way to go,” Elliot said finally, his tone cautious but not unkind.

“I know,” Leo said with a small smile. “But maybe you can help me get there.”

Elliot shook his head, unable to stop a small smile of his own. “You’re impossible, Walker.”

Leo grinned. “And you’re stuck with me now.”

As the chaos of the post-game celebration swirled around them, Elliot couldn’t help but feel like the lines between them were starting to blur in ways he never expected.

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