The Monday after the game, the halls feel louder than usual.
Even after having the weekend to cool off, most of the students and faculty are still hyped about winning. Vice Principal Holloway even seems sort of happy today, and that never happens.
The Rosehill Rams are the Mississippi state champions, andmy boyfriendcoached them to their victory.
I couldn’t be more proud.
Sorting through fliers and late work by the teacher mailboxes, I spot Nate walking down the hall, his usual brightness shining even more this morning. “Hey, Darlin’. Can you believe it? We actually won!”
“I can, but seeing you this happy might be my favorite part.”
He pulls me in without hesitating, arms wrapping tight around my waist. “Boys played their hearts out.”
“I’m so proud of you.”
“Yeah?” His grin softens into something sweeter. I nod, giving him a school-appropriate kiss on the cheek.
“You know,” he says when I pull back, lowering his voice enough that no one around us can hear. “I heard this morning that Jason’s girlfriend dumped him right before the game.”
“Oh, wow. The timing couldn’t have been worse.”
“Right?” Nate agrees, “I’m just glad he ended up pulling it together. I’m damn proud of the kid.”
My smile falters when I remember what I saw before the game.
Alex and Jason in a heated discussion.
Jason pushing Alex.
I don’t want to ruin Nate’s good mood, but he deserves to know if something is going on with his brother. “Um,” I start, flipping through the papers in my hand. “There’s actually something I wanted to tell you.”
He nods, so I continue. “Before the game, I saw Alex and Jason talking, and it got pretty heated…”
Nate’s eyebrows lift, surprise flickering across his face, but it doesn’t wipe away all the light there. “Seriously? What were they doing talking to each other?”
“I don’t know,” I start, but I’m interrupted by the sound of a woman’s high-pitched voice directed toward us.
More specifically,Nate.
“Oh my gosh! Nate!” We both turn to face her.
She’s around my age, in a Rosehill Cheer hoodie and leggings. She has curled blonde hair and glossy lips, and probably the whitest teeth ever.
The way she lights up when she sees Nate makes my stomach drop.
The way she throws herself into his arms is a knife to the heart.
Nate blinks, surprise flashing across his face, but he’s stiff, not hugging her back. “Savannah.”
I try not to let how I feel about that name show on my face.
She pulls back, oblivious to his reaction. “First day back and I’m already running into you, how exciting! I’ll be taking over the cheer team while Jenna is off on maternity leave.”
He nods, pulling out of her hold, then glances at me with an apologetic expression. “Savannah, this is Iris. My girlfriend.” The firm words wrap around me like a warm blanket.
“Oh! Hi,” she says, too bright, finally looking at me. When she does, she tilts her head, studying me, and something shifts in her expression.
“You look…reallyfamiliar. Did you go here?”
