Hidden feelings

Chapter 8

The final week of summer had arrived, and with it came the most anticipated event of the season: the high school football championships. Enzo had been training relentlessly, and the entire school buzzed with excitement. It was the game that would determine their standing for the rest of the year.

As I walked through the bustling halls, my thoughts drifted back to the night by the pool. The memory of Enzo's touch lingered on my skin, and I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us. Things had been awkward since then, a mix of stolen glances and unspoken words. Lana had been noticeably distant, and rumors swirled about their relationship.

The day of the championship arrived, and the stadium was packed with students, parents, and alumni. The air was electric with anticipation. Sienna and I found seats near the front, the excitement contagious as the game began.

Enzo was a force on the field, his determination evident in every play. The crowd roared with every touchdown, the tension building with each passing minute. As the final quarter approached, the score was tied, and the outcome hung in the balance.

With only seconds left on the clock, Enzo made a daring play, running the ball down the field. The entire stadium held its breath as he dodged defenders, his eyes locked on the goal. With a final burst of speed, he crossed the line, securing the win for our team.

The crowd erupted into cheers, and students flooded the field, celebrating the victory. I found myself caught up in the excitement, my heart pounding with pride and relief. As I pushed through the throngs of people, my eyes searched for Enzo.

I spotted him near the center of the field, surrounded by teammates and fans. Lana was nowhere to be seen. Taking a deep breath, I made my way towards him, my heart racing with anticipation.

Enzo looked up as I approached, his eyes lighting up with a mixture of surprise and joy. Without thinking, I rushed into his arms, the world around us fading away. He lifted me off the ground, spinning me around as we laughed.

"I knew you could do it," I whispered, my voice filled with pride.

He set me down gently, his hands lingering on my waist. "I couldn't have done it without you, Evie," he said, his voice soft but firm.

In that moment, everything else disappeared. The noise of the crowd, the chaos of the celebration—it all faded into the background. All that mattered was the connection between us, the unspoken bond that had been growing all summer.

"Evie, there's something I need to tell you," Enzo said, his expression serious. "I broke up with Lana."

My heart skipped a beat. "You did?"

He nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "I realized that I couldn't keep pretending. I care about you, Evie. More than I ever thought possible."

Tears filled my eyes, a mix of relief and happiness. "Enzo, I—"

Before I could finish, he leaned in and kissed me, a kiss that spoke of all the emotions we'd been holding back. It was tender and passionate, a promise of what was to come.

When we finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine. "Evie, will you be my girlfriend?"

I laughed through my tears, nodding eagerly. "Yes. A thousand times yes."

The crowd around us cheered, oblivious to the significance of the moment. But for us, it was everything. The culmination of a summer filled with ups and downs, misunderstandings and reconciliations.

As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, I knew that this was just the beginning. The start of something real and beautiful. And for the first time in a long while, I felt truly happy.