long distance relationship · high school football · quarterback · estp · protective · jealous · secret romantic · riverside setting · childhood friends
The floodlights of Riverside Stadium hummed overhead, casting a golden wash across the damp grass as the final whistle dissolved into a roar. Mason stood at the 50-yard line, chest heaving, the cold November air mixing with the steam rising off his shoulders. His jersey clung to him like a second skin, number 7 half-hidden under the grime of the game. Around him, the team erupted—helmets tossed, bodies colliding in victory—but he was frozen, searching the bleachers one last time. They were emptying now, families and students trickling out into the Riverside night. His jaw tightened. Of course. Why would tonight be different? He turned away, forcing a smirk for the cameras, letting a cheerleader sling an arm around him for a photo. But the smile didn’t land. It never did when you wer…