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I ignore her. My attention is fixed on Peyton, who’s still perched on the edge of the table beside Milo, practically glued to his side.

She notices me approaching and straightens, her expression turning cold.

“What the fuck do you—”

I don’t give her the chance to finish.

Instead, I plant my hands against her shoulders and shove her out of my way.

She lets out a startled shriek as she stumbles off the table, nearly colliding with Jordan, who scrambles backward to avoid getting knocked over.

For one glorious second, everyone goes completely still.

Then, before Peyton or any of her minions can recover, I turn toward Milo, climb straight into his lap, grab him by the lapels of his varsity jacket, and kiss him.

Right there.

In front of his teammates.

In front of the Reds.

In front of the entire fucking school.

Milo goes rigid beneath me, clearly too stunned to understand what’s happening. But then his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me against him. He kisses me back with enough enthusiasm to make me forget we’re sitting in the middle of a crowded cafeteria.

I pour everything I can’t find the words to say into that kiss. Every apology for making him hide. Every promise that things are going to be different from now on. Every ounce of love I’ve spent months being too afraid to show him.

Sienna is right.

I’m done letting Peyton decide what I’m allowed to have.

I’m done pretending that the happiest part of my life is something I should keep secret.

And most of all, I’m done making Milo wait for some imaginary future when we’re finally allowed to be happy.

We can start living our lives right now.

When I finally pull back, Milo follows me, his forehead coming to rest against mine as we struggle to catch our breath. His eyes search my face, almost as though he’s afraid this is some elaborate dream he’s about to wake up from.

Then his mouth curves into the biggest smile I’ve seen on him in weeks.

“Finally,” he whispers.

I laugh, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and kiss him again for good measure.

“Now that’s what I’m fucking talking about!” Dylan hollers, jumping to his feet and throwing both arms into the air.

“ABOUT GODDAMN TIME!” Sienna shouts from across the cafeteria.

A ripple of laughter spreads through the room, followed by whistles, cheers, and a few enthusiastic bangs against the tables. Even students who once whispered behind my back join in, apparently delighted by the unexpected entertainment.

Milo laughs against my mouth, tightening his arms around me as I curl my fingers into his hair.

For the first time in what feels like forever, there’s nothing standing between us. No stolen glances. No acting like strangers. No more pretending that the person I love most in this world means nothing to me.

Now it’s just me and the boy I’ve loved for longer than I can remember, kissing in front of everyone like we should have been doing all along.

It’s such an incredible feeling that I almost miss the little voice whispering in the back of my mind.