Jessa

The whole school buzzed with restless energy, the kind that only came with a Friday game day — and not just any game day. Tonight, the bleachers would be packed, the field lights blazing, and the fate of Jackson’s future riding on every single play.

The hallways were chaos. Kids darted between lockers, faces painted with our school colors, carrying poster boards and noisemakers. Cheerleaders zipped past me, squealing with excitement as they rushed to get ready for the pep ...