POV: Valeria Cruz

I don't expect her.

When the car pulls up, I'm crouched down in front of Mateo, tying his shoelaces for the third time because he keeps loosening them the second I finish.

"Stay still," I say, tightening the knot

"I am still."

"You're literally moving your foot."

"I'm adjusting."

"You're annoying."

"That too."

Sofia is pacing behind me like she's about to burst out of her own skin

"That's her," she yells in a whisper.

"Who?" Mateo asks.

"Elena."

Of course it is. I stand slowly, brushing my hands against my jeans as Elena steps out of the car like she's been here a hundred times before. Like she fits everywhere without trying; relaxed, confident, effortless.

"Ready?" she asks, smiling like this isn't anything out of the ordinary. Like picking us up was always part of the plan.

"You're taking us?" I ask, still a little thrown.

"Rafe has pre game stuff," she says casually. "And Nico would somehow forget snacks, directions, and possibly you guys."

"That sounds accurate,'' Mateo says immediately

Elena laughs, "I like him."

"He likes football," Sofia adds quickly. "A lot."

"Then today's important.''

Mateo straightens like someone just gave him a mission. That's it, he's locked in. We pile into the car, Sofia talking nonstop in the backseat while Mateo pretends he's not excited, which only makes it more obvious that he is. I sit in the front, watching Elena drive. And for a second, it feels strange, not bad but unfamiliar. Because girls like Elena don't usually show up for girls like me. They don't go out of their way, don't make space, include you without a reason. But she does, like it's natural and doesn't cost her anything. 

"So," she says, glancing at me. “We're making a stop first."

"For what?”

"Snacks. Essentials. Emotional support food." She smiles. 

Mateo leans forward between the seats immediately

"Yes."

“You’re not in charge," I tell him.

"I should be." 

"You absolutely should not be.”

"I'm starting to understand your life," she says, laughing again. 

"You have no idea.” The store is loud with bright lights and crowded aisles, too many options. Mateo grabs snacks like we're preparing for the end of the world.

"Absolutely not,'' I say, taking half of it out of his hands.

"It's game day.”

"It's a grocery bill."

"It's an investment."

"In what?"

"Happiness."

“He's right,” Sofia nods like that makes complete sense.

“Of course you agree with him." Elena leans against the cart, watching all of this like it's the best show she's seen all week.

“Let him," she says, "It's on Rafe."

I pause at that. 

"..what?"

"He insisted. Said to make sure you guys had everything.” She says with a shrug.

"That's not necessary."'

"It's already happening."

"...I can keep this?" Mateo asks, frozen. 

"Yes."

"All of it?"

"All of it." Elena nods.

"Best day ever," Sofia gasps like this is a life changing moment. I shake my head, but I can't stop the smile this time. This feels light and I don't get that often. Back in the car, the bags are piled at Mateo's feet like trophies. Elena reaches into the backseat.

"Almost forgot something." She tosses something into my lap. I catch it without thinking and when I look down, everything slows. A jersey. Riverdale. His number. My fingers press into the fabric slightly.

"Elena..."

"Relax," she says gently. "Everyone wears them. It's just so you don't feel out of place."

That makes sense. Of course it does, it’s normal. Just a jersey, nothing more.

"Okay." I nod slowly. Pulling it over my head feels like more than normal, more like stepping into something. Something I don’t fully understand yet, something I'm not sure I'm ready for. But I don't take it off. 

The field is already alive when we get there. Music blasting, crowds loud, energy everywhere. 

“This is insane." Mateo practically jumps out of the car. Sofia grabs my hand, pulling me forward like if she lets go she'll miss something

"Come on, come on-"

They're going to lose their minds when the game starts,” Elena says, walking behind us, relaxed like she's seen this a thousand times. 

"They already have,'' I reply.

"They're happy."

That stops me for a second, she's right and it's not something I take lightly. We find seats close to the field where we hear everything, feel it. I sit, adjusting the jersey without thinking. Mateo is already standing again, scanning the field like he's studying every move.

"That's him," he says, "That's him."

I follow his gaze and there he is, Rafe. Running onto the field like he belongs there, everything else disappears the second he steps into it this is where he's supposed to be.

The crowd reacts instantly; loud, proud, And I feel it. That energy and pull.

"Elena," Sofia whispers. "He's really good, right?"

"You have no idea,” Elena smiles.

I swallow slowly because she's right. I don't, not yet. I've watched games before, I've sat in stands, even cheered when I was supposed to. I've watched Jason play, but this already feels different. And I don't know why.

Rafe looks toward the stands, searching, just for a second. When his eyes land on me everything pauses, for a second, then he nods. It's small, barely noticeable, but I feel it.

Suddenly this isn't just a game and I'm not just watching.