Elena's POV

It was friday night and game on.

The house is quiet in the way it only ever gets when everyone thinks they are in control. The lights are dimmed. The air smells like expensive candles Mary insists make the place feel calm and welcoming even though they mostly just smell like fake vanilla and judgment.

I sit on my bed, pulling my hoodie over my head, heart pounding so loud I am sure it is echoing through the walls. Mary does not allow me to go to football games. Not because they are dangerous or loud or full of teenage stupidity. She does not allow me because she believes I am a stain. Something that might embarrass her if I am seen in public without supervision and a carefully curated smile.

Tonight is no different she made that clear at dinner.

“You are not going,” she said without even looking at me. “I will not have you ruining the family name with your childish nonsense.”

I had stared at my plate and said nothing, because saying anything only ever makes it worse.

Now I creep down the hallway, shoes in my hands, backpack slung over my shoulder like I am about to rob my own house. Every floorboard feels like it is screaming my name. I pause at the top of the stairs, listening.

Nothing.

I take one step. Then another.

“Elena.” I freeze.

I turn slowly and see my father standing at the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed, eyebrow raised. He is not angry. He is not disappointed. He just looks tired and amused and far too aware of exactly what kind of daughter he has.

“You sneak like your mother,” he says quietly. “Which is not a compliment.”

I sigh and slump against the railing. “I am not going to do anything illegal.”

“That is not what worries me,” he says. “You have that look. The one that says Blake Thornton is about to regret waking up this morning.”

I grin despite myself. “He started it.”

My father laughs softly, rubbing his face. “Of course he did.”

“I cannot stay,” I say quickly. “She will lose her mind if she sees me.”

“She will be there anyway,” he says. “Front row. Smiling like she invented football. All her friends watching. All their sons playing. All their daughters cheering.”

I hesitate. “You are not going to tell her.”

“No,” he says after a moment. “I am not.”

My eyes widen. “Really”

He sighs. “I should not encourage this. I know that. But I also know what it is like to watch someone hurt you over and over and never face consequences.”

My heart twists a little. “You know what I did.”

“I helped you buy itching powder,” he says dryly. “I am not blind.”

I laugh. “You are the best father ever.”

He shakes his head. “That is debatable. Come on. I will take you.”

The stadium is already buzzing when we arrive. Lights blaze against the dark sky. The air smells like popcorn and grass and teenage adrenaline. Music blasts through the speakers and the crowd roars every few seconds for no real reason at all.

We climb the steps to the top section where the lights and cameras are set up. My father picks a spot where we can see everything without being seen too easily.

“Perfect,” I say, pulling out my phone.

He raises an eyebrow. “You are recording.”

“Obviously.”

“You are evil,” he mutters. “I am so proud.”

We lean against the railing as the announcer’s voice booms across the field. The cheerleaders take the grass first, and there they are.

Joey front and center. Blonde. Smiling. Captain patch glittering on her uniform. Victoria right beside her, copying every move half a beat too late, like the knockoff version she has always been.

They perform like they are on some Broadway stage instead of a football field in a small town. Big smiles. Sharp turns. Overdramatic poses.

“They practice that face in the mirror,” I mutter.

My father chuckles. “They remind me of your mother.”

I snort. “That explains everything.”

The football team charges onto the field next. Helmets gleaming. Pads clashing. Blake runs out last, soaking in the cheers like he needs them to breathe.

I start counting under my breath.

Three.

Two.

One.

Joey grabs her water bottle during the break and takes a long drink. Victoria follows. I lean forward.

Seconds later, Joey’s smile falters. She rubs her mouth.

Victoria frowns and bares her teeth.

Red.

Bright. Fire engine red.

They freeze.

Joey’s eyes widen in horror as the crowd starts laughing. Victoria shrieks, clapping a hand over her mouth.

“What is wrong with them,” my father asks.

“Food coloring,” I say sweetly. “Strong stuff.”

The cheer music starts again. Joey tries to smile through it. Victoria looks like she is about to cry. They jump. They spin.

Then they start scratching.

At first it is subtle. A shoulder. An arm. A leg.

Then it is not.

Joey drops her pom poms and digs her fingers into her sides. Victoria scratches her neck like she has fleas. The crowd notices.

Laughter ripples.

Then explodes.

Joey tugs at her uniform, face red, teeth still redder. Victoria bends over, scratching her backside in front of the entire stadium.

My father covers his mouth. “Oh my god.”

“They hate being exposed,” I whisper. “Especially like this.”

On the field, Blake starts shifting from foot to foot. He scratches his arm. Then his leg. Then his chest.

The ball snaps.

He misses the catch because he is too busy trying not to claw his own skin off.

The coach yells. Blake jogs over, panicked, tugging at his helmet.

It does not come off. He pulls harder. Nothing.

The crowd is losing it. Blake spins, searching the stands. His eyes sweep over faces until they land near the lights.

On me.

My grin is feral.

He mouths my name and I wave.

Joey collapses onto the grass, rolling and scratching, uniform half twisted. Victoria is on her knees, clawing at her arms, dignity completely gone.

The stadium is screaming with laughter.

Then it happens.

“ELENA PRESCOTT” The voice cuts through everything.

I stiffen. I know that voice. Mary. My mother.

My father sighs. “Well. That is unfortunate timing.”

I turn slowly. She stands at the bottom of the stairs, face pale with fury, eyes locked on me like she might actually kill me with her mind.

The crowd keeps laughing and the game keeps going.

But for one moment, everything is still.

And I know.

I am in so much trouble.

And it was absolutely worth it.