THERE I SAID IT "I LOVE YOU"

They argue. Constantly. In class, in the hallways, on the sidelines. If there's a way to annoy each other, they'll find it.

Ryder Maddox is a confident, quick-mouthed athlete who doesn't take much seriously - not school, not drama, not even Athena Wolde. She's loud, intense, too smart for her own good, and always ready to start something with him. He thinks she's too much. She thinks he's not enough. They're both probably right.

They have almost every class together. They share a friend group. But they've never gotten along - and they've never tried to.

Then one day, in the middle of yet another argument, Athena collapses. A seizure. No warning. Just her body hitting the floor, her hands twitching, her eyes unfocused.

And Ryder freezes.

It's the first time he's ever really been scared. Not in a game. Not in life. But standing there, watching her fall apart - it rattles him in a way he can't explain.
This isn't a love story. At least not at first.
It's enemies, tension, sharp words, and a slow burn that turns into something neither of them knows how to handle.