Hidden Dreams

The walk home started in silence. Elliot still couldn't believe what had happened. Jamie Carter—the Jamie Carter—had stood up for them against Ryan. The torn pages of their sketchbook were carefully tucked inside, saved from being totally destroyed.

"Which way?" Jamie asked, his voice breaking the quiet.

"Maple Street," Elliot pointed left at the corner. "It's about fifteen minutes."

Jamie nodded and fell into step beside them. Elliot sneaked glances at his profile—the strong jaw, the serious eyes. Up close, he looked different than he did on the football field. Less like a perfect statue and more like a live person.

"I've never seen drawings like yours," Jamie said finally. "The mountains looked almost alive."

Heat crept into Elliot's face. "Thanks. I took a picture when my mom and I went camping last summer. The sunrise made everything glow."

"You like taking pictures too?"

"Yeah. It helps me see details for my art." Elliot paused, surprised at how easy it was to talk about this. Nobody except Megan ever asked about their art. "I want to be an artist someday. For books or maybe comic novels."

Jamie smiled. "That's amazing. Having a clear dream like that."

They turned onto Elm Street, walking past houses with neat gardens and blooming flower beds. The evening air felt cool against Elliot's skin.

"What about you?" Elliot asked. "What do you want to do after high school?"

Jamie's smile faded. He kicked a stone on the path, watching it skitter ahead. "Football, I guess. My dad played for State University. It's kinda assumed that I'll follow his path."

"But is that what you want?"

The question hung between them. Jamie looked surprised, as if no one had ever asked him that before.

"I don't know," he revealed. "Sometimes I feel like I'm living someone else's life, you know? Like I woke up one day wearing a mask everyone thinks is the real me."

Elliot nodded. They understood feeling different from what others saw. "So if football wasn't the plan, what would you do instead?"

Jamie's eyes brightened. "I love photography, actually. Landscapes, nature shots. I saved up for a good camera last year, but I don't tell many people about it."

"Why not?"

"Not exactly what people expect from the team captain." Jamie shrugged. "My dad calls it a hobby, says I need to focus on what matters."

Elliot thought about that. "But what if it does matter? To you, I mean."

Jamie looked at them with surprise, then something like thanks. "Yeah. Maybe it should."

They turned onto Maple Street, and Elliot pointed to a small blue house with a yard of wildflowers out front. "That's mine."

As they approached the house, neither seemed ready for the walk to end. They slowed their steps.

"Thanks for stopping Ryan," Elliot said. "Nobody's ever done anything like that for me before."

Jamie frowned. "Has he bothered you a lot?"

"Sometimes. Mostly it's just comments or pushing my books down. Today was... different."

"I'm sorry," Jamie said, and Elliot could tell he meant it. "Ryan's always been tough to deal with, but lately he's gotten worse. I should have said something sooner."

They reached Elliot's front gate. The porch light was on, casting a warm glow. From inside, Elliot could hear their mom moving around the kitchen, probably starting dinner.

"Will you be okay tomorrow?" Jamie asked. "Ryan might be angry."

"I'll be fine," Elliot said, though their stomach tightened at the thought. "I'm used to staying invisible."

"You shouldn't have to." Jamie's voice was strong. "Your art is too good to be invisible."

Elliot didn't know how to react to that. No one except Ms. Wells and Megan had ever believed in their ability.

"Can I see your pictures sometime?" Elliot asked suddenly. "Your photography, I mean."

Jamie's face lit up. "Really? You'd want to?"

"Of course. I bet they're amazing."

"They're nothing special," Jamie said, but his smile gave away his joy. "But yeah, I could show you. Maybe tomorrow at lunch?"

Elliot's heart skipped. "You want to have lunch with me?"

"Why not?" Jamie asked, but then doubt crept into his expression. "Unless you'd rather not be seen with me. I get it if—"

"No!" Elliot said quickly. "I'd like that. I just didn't think you'd want to... you know, be seen with me."

Jamie's face relaxed. "I think we've both been too worried about what others see."

The front door opened, and Elliot's mom poked her head out. "Elliot? Dinner's almost ready." Her eyes widened slightly when she noticed Jamie.

"I'll be right in, Mom," Elliot called. They turned back to Jamie. "So... tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow," Jamie nodded. "I'll find you at lunch."

As Jamie walked away, Elliot couldn't help watching him go. The sports star who loved photography. The popular boy who'd risked everything to help someone he barely knew. The golden boy who felt stuck in his own life.

Inside, Elliot's mom was setting the table, interest written all over her face. "Who was that? I don't think I've seen him before."

"Jamie Carter," Elliot said, still feeling dazed. "He's... a friend."

"A friend?" Her eyebrows rose. "That's nice. He seems like a good boy."

Elliot nodded, putting their ruined sketchbook on the counter. Some pages were still bent and torn, but they could be taped. The important thing was that Ryan hadn't destroyed them totally.

Thanks to Jamie.

Later that night, Elliot lay in bed, reviewing the events of the day. The terror on the field. The surprise of Jamie's appearance. The unexpected bond during their walk home.

They pulled out their phone and looked for "Jamie Carter football" online. Dozens of pictures appeared—Jamie throwing perfect passes, Jamie holding trophies, Jamie surrounded by cheering teammates.

But none of those images showed the person Elliot had walked with today. The real Jamie was hidden behind all those beautiful smiles and athletic poses. Just like Elliot's real self was hidden behind their quiet exterior.

As sleep began to claim them, Elliot wondered what tomorrow would bring. Would Jamie really sit with them at lunch? Would Ryan seek revenge? Would the connection they'd felt today disappear in the bright light of school social rules?

Just before falling off, Elliot's phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.

"Hey, it's Jamie. Hope it's ok I got your number from the school list. Just wanted to make sure you're alright. See you tomorrow."

Elliot looked at the message, a warm feeling spreading through their chest. They typed back: "I'm okay. Thank you again. Looking forward to lunch."

They hit send, then added Jamie's contact to their phone. As they did, another text came through—this one with an attachment.

It was a picture of the mountains at sunrise, golden light spilling across the peaks. The same mountains Elliot had drawn in their sketchbook.

The text read: "Thought you might like this. One of my favorites I've taken."

Elliot smiled in the darkness of their bedroom. Perhaps tomorrow wouldn't be so scary after all.

What they didn't see was Ryan Mitchell's car driving slowly past their house, his angry eyes scanning the windows, his mind already plotting payback.