Beyond Education [Jemily]

Red Light

February 1, 2022
— JJ's POV
"Nice shot, Jareau! Do it again, keep it up!" I panted as I made my way back to center field, applauded enthusiastically by my coach. I was playing really well today during practice, something I never expected since I hate winter season. Indoor soccer doesn't come naturally to me. It's been about 6 weeks so far and I guess I'm starting to get used to it. My breaths were still coming out hard as I made my way back into the drill line.

Liv smiled, "That kick was tight. How the hell do you curve them like that?"

I smugly tilted my head up, "I'm just skilled like that."

She laughed, "Fine. Keep your secrets, magic man." As Liv made her way to the front of the line, I happened to glance over at the sideline out of the corner of my eye and saw Emily.

I mouthed to her, "What are you doing here?" She just smiled and sat down on the bleachers. I guess she was picking me up from practice. I looked down at my watch and saw that we only had about 8 minutes left, so Em was right on time.

One of my teammates nudged me from behind and whispered, "Is that your girlfriend, Jenny?" I turned around and saw it was Roxanne Pierce. Not my favorite teammate. She's so stuck up. Thinks she can have whatever she wants.

"Yeah, that's Em—"

"Emily Prentiss? Yeah I know who she is, I just didn't know you were dating her."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh nothing, nothing! Sorry, that sounded bitchy." There was an awkward pause as I watched Roxanne make goo-goo eyes at Emily. She sighed and admired, "She's so hot. You're a lucky girl, Jenny." I scrunched my brows and internally said um, Emily is one thing you can't have, Roxanne. Sorry not sorry.

"Damn right." I kicked my ball forward and moved to the front of the line, readying another shot. I pulled my leg back and launched the ball up, once again curving it perfectly into the top corner. Emily whistled loudly from the sideline, making me blush. A few more minutes went by until coach stopped us, calling us all over for a huddle. She talked to us for a minute as a group before asking the forwards to stay behind for another speech. When she finally dismissed us, I snatched my bag up and started walking over to the bench where Emily was. You'll never guess who was she talking to. I headed off the turf and forced a smile, "Hey, Roxanne."

She turned around and beamed, "Oh hey, Jenny! Great practice today. I was just getting to know Emily a little more."

Emily smirked and pulled me over by the waist, "Hey, babe." I made a show of it and draped my arms around her neck, kissing her slowly before pulling away. She flushed red and chuckled in embarrassment, "Woahhh. Happy to see me, huh?"

"Very."

Roxanne stepped a little closer to us but directed her attention solely to Emily, "So, Em, you were telling me about your injury last season? Sounds like it was pretty bad." Em?

I chimed in, "Yeah it was rough, but lucky for her I was there every day. She secretly loves being taken care of."

Emily playfully elbowed my side, "Oh hush, you." She turned to Roxanne, "It's true though, Jenny was a lifesaver. Made it more tolerable even though that injury was shit."

Roxanne pouted, "Yeah I saw you were out for the rest of the game." She rubbed up Emily's arm, "Poor thing."

Emily cleared her throat and asked, "O-Oh you were uh, you were there?"

Roxanne nodded, "Mmhmm. I went to all the home games. I loved watching you play, you're so good."

Emily blushed and chuckled smugly, "Thanks, I appreciate that."

I clung to Emily's side and insisted, "Well we better get going, we have some place to be."

Emily looked down at me and scrunched her brows, "We don't have any place to—"

I cut her off and started dragging her away, "Bye, Roxanne!" Emily jogged behind me to catch up as I pulled her by her arm out of the gym.

She finally caught up enough to walk side-by-side as we made our way onto the street where Jon-Ed was, "Where are we going?"

"Don't know. Neither of us have anymore classes today, so your room or mine?"

"But I thought you told Roxanne that we had somewhere to be?"

"I did. That was just to get us out of there."

"Oh. Why?"

"Because I can't stand her, and I hated the way she was warming up to you."

Emily smirked, "Are you jealous?"

"What? Me? Jealous? O-Of Roxanne? Are you joking? Th-That's-That's-That's... I'm not jealous."

"You're sure?"

"Yes. Why? Should I be jealous?"

"What? No, babe, of course not! We were just chit chatting, I swear."

"Promise?"

Emily held my hand as we walked as assured me, "I promise. So wanna head up to my room? Tara's out." I nodded and pecked her cheek before putting a little more spring in my step to get back quicker. Em unlocked her door and let us in, and I immediately plopped my bag onto the floor and then crashed into her bed. She laughed and asked me, "Tired?" I just nodded my head, making puppy dog eyes at her. She smiled, "You're so cute. The cutest." I put my arms out and motioned for her to come cuddle with me, so she did. She kicked her Vans off and then laid on her back, welcoming me into the space between her arm and her side. She kissed the top of my head and said, "The cutest and also the best soccer player I know. You did great today. I know how much you hate indoor."

I mumbled into her sweatshirt, "Was I good?"

"Fantastic. You kick balls like no other." Despite the fact that I had no energy, I laughed. Emily kissed my forehead and encouraged, "You can take a nap. I'll stay here with you." I yawned and nodded, taking her advice. I got a solid half hour of sleep, which is pretty good for a power nap, before I was woken up by something shaking at my side. I became a little more conscious and heard Emily laughing next to me.

I leaned up and rubbed my eyes before asking, "Em? What's going on?"

She caught her breath from giggles and looked down at me, "Huh? Oh, you're up! How was the nap?"

"Good."

"Did I wake you up?"

"Kinda. What are you laughing at? Who's texting you?"

"Just Roxanne."