Across the divide

Chapter 11: Facing the School

Even though Liam and Mateo’s friends knew the truth about them, Liam and Mateo were still really nervous about telling the rest of the school. But when news inevitably spread, they were surprised by how little things around them changed.

At first, there were some whispers—people wondering how two former enemies had become something more than that. But as the time passed, most students seemed to really accept it, or at least didn’t care enough to make a big fuss about them.

On the soccer field, their rivalry remained the same, but it was really different now. Their competitive edge was still there, but it was fueled by a deeper and stronger connection between both of them. They pushed each other to be so much better, not to tear each other down like they used to do, but to rise up together and be stronger together and be one.

One day after a particularly intense game, as they sat catching their breath on the sidelines, Mateo grinned at Liam. “You know, this whole enemies-to-lovers thing really worked out for us you know.”

Liam rolled his eyes but smiled big. “Yeah, I guess it really did.”