Never Date a Genius

Chapter 41: Hope

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Sophie sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the wall as silence wrapped around her like a heavy blanket. The night felt oppressive, each tick of the clock amplifying her restless thoughts, swirling in a haze of confusion and longing.

She thought about Jason, steady, kind, someone who made things feel safe and simple. But no matter how much comfort he offered, her heart never fully settled. There was always that pull she couldn't shake, an undeniable connection that overshadowed everything else.

It was Mason.

Memories of him flooded her mind, vivid and bittersweet. She recalled Yasmin's worried voice as she recounted Mason's recent practice games, how he'd been missing shots, fumbling passes, and looking utterly distracted and lost. It wasn't like him at all. His sharp focus seemed to have vanished, replaced by something fragile, as if he were a boy carrying too much on his shoulders, struggling to keep it all together.

Her mind drifted to their childhood, the playful banter, the laughter they shared, the way he'd always been there for her during science and math quiz bees, cheering the loudest. And she had always been there for him during his games, sitting in the stands, clapping as if she were the only one who mattered, her heart swelling with pride every time he scored.

She could almost see him now, pacing nervously before each practice, scanning the crowd as if searching for her face, like that was his secret signal to unleash his best game. The memory made her heart ache, the weight of nostalgia almost unbearable. Despite the fights, the chaos, and the tension that had driven them apart, he still searched for her. He still needed her in ways she hadn't fully understood until now.

Fear twisted inside her, the fear of being hurt again, the fear of old memories resurfacing like Marissa's shadow. But beneath that fear, a quiet truth settled deep in her chest, a truth she could no longer ignore.

Mason was the one who moved her, the one who made her heart race, and her world feel vivid and alive. The thought of him ignited a flicker of hope within her, a longing to reconnect, to heal the wounds that had kept them apart. She closed her eyes and took a steadying breath, allowing herself to feel the weight of that truth.

She closed her eyes and took a steadying breath.

"I love him and he loves me," she whispered to herself, the words fragile yet resolute. She knew that it had always been them together. And that she wouldn't be able to bear it if she lost him.

In the stillness of her room, a fragile hope began to blossom, tentative yet undeniable. It was a hope that maybe, just maybe, this time they could find their way back to each other. The thought filled her with both excitement and trepidation, a reminder that love, while daunting, was also the most powerful force she had ever known. As she sat there, heart racing, she realized that the path forward was not just about rekindling an old flame but about embracing the possibility of a future together, one built on trust, understanding, and being real with each other.

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