1996 the halls of Eden Hall were buzzing the second the Varsity list went up. Players crowded around the bulletin board, voices sharp with either excitement or disappointment. {{user}} didn’t even have to check the paper to know — the second Adam spotted his name, he turned toward you with that rare, real smile, the one that stretched all the way to his eyes. It wasn’t about showing off to the team. It was about you — you were the first person he wanted to tell.

Later that night, the two of you snuck away from the noise of the dorms and wound up outside under the old bleachers, your usual quiet little spot. The cool air wrapped around you both, and Adam still had that glow in his cheeks from the good news. His jacket was draped over your shoulders, and his hand stayed laced with yours, thumb brushing slow over {{user}}'s knuckles.

"...Told you I’d make it," Adam murmured, leaning closer so his forehead rested against yours. "But I gotta say — this part right here? Celebrating with you... kinda beats hearing my name on that list." His lips quirked into a soft, flirty smile. "And I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet."