Across the divide

Chapter 4: A New Understanding

As the days went on, Liam and Mateo started spending more time together outside of the library, sometimes even lingering after practice to talk with each other. Their rivalry wasn’t as sharp as it once was. Instead, they found themselves genuinely enjoying each other’s company—though neither of them would admit it aloud even when they both knew it.

During one of their project meetings, the conversation drifted away from history. “You know,” Mateo began, hesitating slightly to speak, “I always thought you were kind of a jerk. Turns out you’re just really quiet.”

Liam smirked a bit, surprising himself with how comfortable he felt around Mateo now. “And I always thought you were all talk. Turns out there’s some depth to you after all.”

Mateo chuckled slightly. “Careful. You keep talking like that, and we might actually become good friends.”

Liam looked away, trying to hide the small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He wasn’t sure when it happened, but Mateo was no longer just his rival. There was something more—a spark between them that felt different, like something was off, something that he hadn’t even expected.