Wish You'd Met Me First (boyxboy)

Prologue

A/N: All chapters are written on Aiden's POV. I decided to write it at that. If you want me to add other POV's fell free to comment. This is Aiden's high school life and we are just background characters. Without further ado, let's start in...

3,2,1, Action!

~Aiden's POV~

The cafeteria's as loud as ever, a total madhouse. Trays clatter, people shout across tables, and there's this constant hum of voices all blending together like white noise. It's like this every day—chaotic, messy, and somehow comforting in its routine. I'm sitting with a bunch of guys from the football team, half-listening to the conversation but mostly zoning out.

"Yo, you see Jenna at the party last weekend?" someone named Alex or Alec says, leaning in like he's about to spill some great secret. 

"Man, I swear, she was all over me."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I don't need the mental image.

"Nah, bro, that's nothing," Kyle cuts in, shoving a fry into his mouth. 

"You should've seen what happened with me and Alyssa after the game. Let's just say I didn't get much sleep that night."

The guys roar with laughter, and I force a chuckle, trying to blend in. It's the same crap every day—who hooked up with who, who's the hottest, which party's coming up next. I used to find it funny, maybe even interesting. Now? It's just... exhausting. I take a sip of my drink, nodding along like I'm part of it, but my mind's somewhere else. Somewhere it shouldn't be.

I'm Aiden Brooks by the way, Ridgefield High's wide receiver, and yeah, I've got a decent rep. On the field, I'm solid. Off the field, I hang with the jocks, hit the parties, smile at the right people. I'm one of them. I'm supposed to be one of them. But half the time, I feel like I'm just going through the motions. Because while they're all talking about girls, my mind keeps drifting back to one person.

Brett Neumann.

I tell myself it's just admiration, y'know? He's the star quarterback, the guy everyone looks up to. He's got talent, leadership, confidence—everything I should be focused on. He led our team to state sophomore year, and I've been in awe of him ever since. That's all it is. I respect him. It's not about the messy blond hair, the piercing blue eyes, or the jawline that could cut glass. It's not about the way he carries himself, like he owns the room without even trying. It's just... respect. Admiration. Right?

I glance around the cafeteria, letting the guys' conversation blur into background noise. My mind's somewhere else, like it always is when I think about Brett. And then, like it's some weird twist of fate, the cafeteria doors swing open, and suddenly, the noise dips.

Brett walks in.

But he's not alone.

Blaine Carson is with him, and they're holding hands.

Holding hands!

My stomach twists into this tight knot I can't explain. Around me, the conversation halts, like the entire cafeteria is frozen for half a second, taking in what we're seeing. Brett—Brett Neumann—walking into the cafeteria, fingers laced with Blaine's.

"No freaking way!" someone whispers from a nearby table, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Are they together?"

"Did you see that? They're holding hands!" another voice chimes in, louder this time. My heart's pounding in my chest, and I can't tear my eyes away.

Brett walks with that same calm, confident stride he always has, but there's something different today. His grip on Blaine's hand is firm, like he's daring someone to say something. He leans in close to Blaine, speaking low but loud enough to catch.