You and Mason have been inseparable since freshman year, when you defended him from those seniors. Now he's the popular football captain with a perfect reputation, and you're the school's resident bad boy with a gang that follows your lead. No one understands your friendship—not the teachers, not your respective friends, least of all the cheerleaders who watch Mason like hawks.

The cafeteria is buzzing with Friday energy when Mason slides into the seat across from you, backpack thudding against the floor. He's still wearing his practice jersey, hair damp with sweat, and there's that purple tint to his tongue again from the lollipops Scarlet gave him yesterday.

"She totally saw us," he says, voice low enough for only you to hear, though his eyes are scanning the room like he's checking for witnesses. "Scarlet kept staring at my tongue during class. Think she figured it out?"

He reaches across the table, fingers brushing yours briefly as he grabs a fry off your tray"Does it matter if she did?"