Unexpected Allies

Elliot stared at Jamie's text for a long time. The picture of the mountains glowed on their screen, beautiful and perfect—just like the boy who'd sent it. Slowly, they drifted off to sleep with a smile.

Morning came too quickly. Elliot's stomach twisted as they got ready for school. Would Jamie really sit with them at lunch? Or would everything go back to normal once they were back in the busy halls of Lincoln High?

"You look nice today," Mom said, eyeing Elliot's carefully chosen outfit—a blue buttonup shirt and their leastworn pants.

"Thanks," Elliot mumbled, face warm. "Just felt like dressing up."

"Would this have anything to do with that boy who walked you home?"

"Mom!" Elliot groaned, but couldn't stop their smile.

The walk to school felt longer than normal. Each step brought Elliot closer to finding out if yesterday had been real or just a strange dream.

Megan was waiting by Elliot's locker, her curly hair dancing as she spotted them. "Spill!" she ordered. "Why didn't you text me back last night? And why do you look like you're about to throw up or pass out?"

"You won't believe what happened," Elliot whispered, checking to make sure no one was listening. They quickly told her about Ryan, the torn sketchbook, and Jamie's rescue.

Megan's mouth dropped open. "Jamie Carter walked you home? THE Jamie Carter?"

"Shh!" Elliot hissed, looking around. "Yes, and he—he asked to have lunch with me today."

"WHAT?" Megan squealed, getting stares from passing students. "Sorry, but oh my gosh, El! This is huge!"

"It's probably nothing," Elliot said, but their beating heart disagreed.

The first classes dragged by in a blur. Elliot couldn't focus on anything the teachers said. Their thoughts kept replaying Jamie's words: "I'll find you at lunch."

When the lunch bell finally rang, Elliot's legs felt wobbly. They grabbed their lunch bag and followed the crowd to the cafeteria, Megan chattering happily beside them.

"There he is!" Megan whispered, pointing across the room.

Jamie was standing by the lunch line, scanning the restaurant. When he spotted Elliot, his face broke into a wide smile that made Elliot's heart jump. He waved and started walking toward them.

The entire cafeteria seemed to notice at once. Conversations stopped. Heads turned. Everyone watched as Jamie Carter, football star and king of Lincoln High, walked straight to Elliot Harper's table and sat down.

"Hey," Jamie said, as if this was totally normal. "How are you feeling today?"

"Better," Elliot managed to say, very aware of all the staring eyes. "Thanks for the picture last night. It was beautiful."

"Not as good as your drawing," Jamie answered, unpacking his lunch. "But I try."

From the corner of their eye, Elliot saw Ryan entering the restaurant with some football players. When Ryan spotted Jamie sitting with Elliot, his face darkened with anger.

"Oh! Sorry," Jamie said, noticing Megan. "I'm Jamie."

"I know exactly who you are," Megan said, grinning. "I'm Megan. Elliot's best friend since third grade."

"Nice to meet you," Jamie said, then turned back to Elliot. "I brought my camera. Want to see some photos?"

Elliot nodded excitedly, and Jamie pulled out a sleek black camera. He showed them shots of sunsets, trees, old buildings, and wild animals. Each photo caught something special—a bird in midflight, light streaming through leaves, shadows dancing across brick walls.

"These are amazing," Elliot breathed. "You really have a gift."

Jamie's eyes lit up. "You think so? Nobody's ever said that before."

"Well, they should have," Elliot said strongly.

Across the canteen, Ryan whispered something to his friends, who all looked over and laughed. Jamie noticed and frowned.

"Ignore them," Megan suggested. "They're just jealous."

"Of what?" Elliot asked.

"Of you getting all of Jamie's attention," Megan answered with a wink.

Elliot blushed, but Jamie just smiled.

"Hey," Jamie said suddenly. "Would you want to come watch practice after school today? I could show you some more pictures after."

Elliot froze. The football field was Ryan's area. "I don't know if that's a good idea."

"I'll be there the whole time," Jamie promised. "Nothing will happen to you."

"I think you should go," Megan pushed. "Show Ryan you're not scared of him."

"But I am scared of him," Elliot whispered.

Jamie's face relaxed. "That's okay. Being brave doesn't mean you're not scared. It means doing something even though you are scared."

Elliot looked into Jamie's serious eyes and felt something shift inside them. "Okay," they said. "I'll come."

Jamie's smile was worth the fear.

The rest of the day crawled by. In English class, Elliot caught Ryan staring at them. In the hallway, they overheard whispers: "What's Jamie doing with that weirdo?" "Must be a prank." "No way he actually likes them."

Each comment stung, but Elliot tried to remember Jamie's smile, his kind words, and the beautiful mountain picture.

When the final bell rang, Elliot headed to the football field, their heart beating in their chest. The bleachers were mostly empty except for a few kids and parents. Elliot picked a spot near the top, away from everyone else, and pulled out their sketchbook.

The team ran onto the field in their practice uniforms. Jamie looked different in his gear—taller, bigger, more confident. He spotted Elliot in the stands and waved.

Ryan noticed the wave and followed Jamie's look. When he saw Elliot, his face twisted with hate. He said something to the players around him, and they all turned to look.

Elliot shrank down in their seat, wishing they could disappear.

Practice began, and Elliot tried to focus on drawing instead of the knot in their stomach. They watched as Jamie ran drills, threw perfect passes, and led the team with easy ease. In their sketchbook, Elliot caught Jamie in motion—the determination in his stance, the grace in his throw.

After practice finished, the team headed to the locker rooms. Jamie jogged over to the benches, his face flushed and sweaty but grinning.

"You came!" he said. "Give me fifteen minutes to shower and change?"

Elliot nodded, smiling. "I'll wait here."

As Jamie ran off, Elliot didn't notice Ryan breaking away from the team and going toward the parking lot. They didn't see him make a phone call, speaking quickly and angrily.

Twenty minutes later, Jamie appeared in clean clothes, his hair still damp. "Sorry that took so long. Coach wanted to talk to me."

"It's okay," Elliot said, packing up their notebook.

"Want to get ice cream?" Jamie asked. "There's a great place a few blocks from here."

"I'd like that," Elliot answered, feeling brave and terrified all at once.

They walked together off school grounds, talking about Jamie's practice and Elliot's sketches. So caught up in conversation, neither spotted the black car that pulled out behind them and began to follow at a distance.

"You know," Jamie said as they turned onto a quiet street, "I've never met anyone like you before."

"What do you mean?" Elliot asked.

"Someone who sees me. The real me, not just the sports player."

Before Elliot could reply, the black car suddenly accelerated, pulling alongside them. The window rolled down, showing Ryan's furious face—and something metallic in his hand.

"Time to teach you both a lesson," Ryan growled.

Jamie pushed Elliot behind him just as a flash of light exploded from the car window.