The Unspoken Pass

will you...

It's been a month, The Frozen Bees have joyfully announced that they've officially clinched a spot in the playoffs. With twinkles of excitement in their eyes, they're gearing up and preparing to give it their absolute best. It's an enchanting time for the team as this is the very first time they've journeyed this far in the competition. The fans, along with their faithful supporters, are ecstatic, their hearts fluttering like jubilant butterflies. With the dynamic duo of Hope and Lizzie as part of the team, there's an air of optimism and a tangible feeling that they truly have a golden opportunity to clinch victory. Competing in the minor leagues has its unique set of challenges. The rules stipulate that each round consists of just one game, which means a single loss can send a team packing. The ultimate dream? To achieve four consecutive wins and lift the coveted cup. It's a challenge, no doubt, but with Hope and Lizzie's spirit and the team's unwavering determination, it sounds a lot more doable than one might think!

Hope and Lizzie's love story had always been one swathed in secrecy, a tale told in hushed tones and tender moments stolen from the grasp of an unyielding reality. In the month they had been together, each second was like a rare gem, precious and few. They'd exchange stolen kisses in shadowed corners when the world wasn't looking, and their nights, though short-lived, were their own intimate universe.

Under the veil of night, they'd share a bed, seeking comfort in the warmth of each other. Yet, with the first whispers of dawn, this sanctuary they'd built would dissolve, and one would always have to sneak back, ensuring their secret remained safe from prying eyes.

One such morning, as the dim light filtered through the drapes, Hope glanced at the clock. It was five, a time precariously close to when her mother would be up for work. Turning her gaze, she watched Lizzie, who lay next to her, her breath even, her face the epitome of serenity in slumber. With a heavy heart, Hope began to slowly extricate herself, trying her best not to disturb the tranquil scene beside her.

But just as she was almost free, a gentle tug on her arm halted her. A single eye, hazel and shimmering with emotion, peeked open.

"Five more minutes," Lizzie murmured, her voice thick with sleep and longing.

"Lizzie, you know the risks," Hope whispered, her voice quivering with both fear and yearning.

Lizzie's gaze intensified, searching Hope's. "Please, I need you right now."

How could Hope resist such a plea? How could she walk away from the one person who made her heart race and simultaneously feel at peace? "Alright," Hope relented, her voice barely above a whisper, as she settled back down, wrapping Lizzie in a tight embrace. The weight of their situation bore down on her. The forbidden nature of their relationship was suffocating. She dreamt of a world where love wasn't bound by rules, where she could wake up beside Lizzie without fear.

But for now, under this very roof, they were bound by constraints they couldn't yet break. Taking a deep breath, Hope gently disentangled herself from Lizzie's hold, stifling the urge to stay by her side. She pressed a soft, lingering kiss on Lizzie's lips, a silent promise of their shared dreams and stolen moments. With one last look, Hope tiptoed out of the room, praying for a future where their love would know no bounds.

The sun had just started to sink, casting the town in a golden hue, as Hope meticulously checked off the last of her plans for the evening. She was abuzz with nervous excitement. For days, she had been planning the perfect surprise date for Lizzie, a girl who had come to mean so much to her in such a short span of time.

Lizzie had recently found herself a place to live, and with that, she no longer had to work at the stadium. The old coach, though seemingly stern, always had her best interests at heart. He believed in tough love and made Lizzie work to understand the value of things. Some said he was cruel, but those who knew better recognized it as a peculiar way of instilling resilience.