Conflicted heart

Chapter 5: friends comfort

The following day, Ona groggily woke up, stretching her arms as she glanced around her room. The weight of unspoken emotions lingered, and the memories of the night before with Alexia were still fresh in her mind. She knew she had chosen to keep her feelings for Lucy hidden, a choice made out of fear of jeopardizing their friendship.

As Ona reached for her phone, she couldn't help but groan inwardly as she opened her Instagram. The first thing that greeted her was a picture posted by Lucy. It was a beautiful snapshot of Lucy and Keira, their smiles radiant as they stood in each other's arms. The caption was simple yet heartfelt: "Lucky to have you by my side. ❤️👭 #LoveAndSoccer."

Ona's heart sank, and conflicting emotions welled up within her. She knew she should be happy for her friends, but at that moment, jealousy and longing stirred within her. It was a reminder of what she couldn't have, of the love she had to keep hidden.

Lucy and Keira had always been an iconic couple in the football world, admired not just for their skill on the field but for their unwavering love off it. Lucy's charisma and Keira's poise complemented each other perfectly, and their journey as a couple was nothing short of inspiring.

Lucy, with her commanding presence and fierce determination, was known for her relentless pursuit of excellence. But it was her softer, more vulnerable side that Keira brought out, and that side was something only a few, like Ona, had glimpsed.

Keira, on the other hand, had always been the quiet strength behind Lucy. Her dedication to the game and to their relationship was unwavering, and her ability to balance both had earned her admiration from fans and teammates alike.

As Ona lay in her bed, staring at the Instagram post, she couldn't help but feel like an outsider looking in. She was trapped in a web of unspoken emotions, torn between her deep affection for Lucy and the fear of losing the friendship they cherished.

The conflicting feelings within Ona were like a storm brewing inside her. She knew that the path ahead was filled with uncertainty, and she had to find a way to navigate the complexities of her emotions. The image of Lucy and Keira's love would remain etched in her mind, a reminder of what she could never fully have.

As Lucy got ready for the day, she decided to reach out to Ona with a friendly text message. She genuinely wanted to know how her night went. "Hey Ona! How was your night with Alexia? 🤗"

Ona received the message and felt a rush of conflicting emotions. She knew that Lucy had reached out with good intentions, but the unspoken feelings and jealousy within her were hard to contain. She replied, her response unintentionally laced with a hint of attitude. "It was fine. We watched a movie, chatted. You know, the usual."

Lucy was taken aback by the response. It was unlike Ona to be short or even remotely dismissive. She couldn't help but feel that something was amiss, but she decided to give her friend some space, thinking that perhaps Ona was just having an off day.

At the training ground, Ona arrived and found a spot next to Alexia, leaning her head on her friend's shoulder for comfort. Alexia, sensing that something was bothering Ona, put a comforting arm around her, offering silent support.

Lucy, from across the room, noticed the change in Ona's demeanor. She frowned, her brows furrowing with concern. Ona's attitude in the text and her distant behavior were not typical of their friendship. She knew that something was definitely wrong, and the growing divide between them left her feeling uneasy.

As they prepared for training, Lucy couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Ona's change in attitude than met the eye.