field of love || cc walker

₀₀₉.

In the weeks following their awkward encounter, Izzy and CC found themselves crossing paths more often than usual, each interaction tinged with an uncomfortable tension. Izzy couldn't shake the feeling of confusion about CC's sudden change in behavior, and CC seemed equally unsure about how to navigate their newfound dynamic.

Their encounters ranged from brief nods of acknowledgment to awkward avoidance. And every time Izzy retorted at CC, the shorter girl never bit back with the same energy, leaving Izzy feeling increasingly confused. Was CC doing this on purpose? Or was there something Izzy was missing?

Despite the uncertainty, Izzy made sure to not let this interfere with the game coming up soon.

And as the days passed, the day of the game arrived, a week before Thanksgiving break. The atmosphere crackled with excitement as Izzy and CC faced off on the field. There was something nagging at her mind as the game progressed. The taller girl couldn't help but notice CC's lack of competitiveness and remarks in between the plays. Like she was going easy on her, which Izzy took as an insult.

Nonetheless, Izzy didn't back down, playing the game like she normally would. And as the final whistle blew, signaling the end of the game, The Lucy Jones Unicorns lost 1 to 2.

The players began to disperse from the field, Izzy found herself lingering behind, a mix of frustration and curiosity swirling in her mind. She watched as her teammates started packing their gear into their bags, preparing to leave for the day.

"Izzy, come on! We're heading out!" Olivia called out from across the field, waving for her friend to join them.

Izzy glanced over at her friends, offering a half-hearted wave in response. "I'll catch up with you guys in a bit." She called back, her voice barely audible over the chatter of the crowd as they were leaving.

Her friends exchanged puzzled glances but shrugged it off, trusting that Izzy would join them shortly. With a nod to each other, they continued on their way, leaving Izzy behind on the field. Once her friends were out of view, Izzy turned her attention to CC, who was gathering her own belongings nearby.

Storming over to her, Izzy's frustration boiled over. "What the hell was that?" She demanded, her voice sharp with anger. "You were going easy on me out there, weren't you?"

CC glanced up, her expression unreadable, trying her hardest not to show any emotions. "What are you talking about?" She replied coolly, though there was a hint of defensiveness in her tone.

"Don't play dumb, Walker." Izzy snapped, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "I know you weren't giving it your all out there. Why?"

CC's jaw tightened, her gaze flickering away for a moment before meeting Izzy's again. "I wasn't going easy on you." She insisted, her voice firm. "I played my best out there, just like you did."

Izzy scoffed, not buying it for a second. "Save it, Walker. I know what I saw." She retorted, her frustration mounting. "Now I'm gonna ask again; What the hell was that?"

CC hesitated, shifting uncomfortably as her gaze flickering with indecision. But she couldn't hold back any longer, the weight of her secret too heavy to bear.

"When you were drunk, you... you talked about your parents. Your sister." CC stammered, her words rushing out in a jumble. "About how they weren't there for you, how they never supported you. You said you felt like you had to prove something, if not for your parents then for the people around you."

Izzy's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling from CC's revelation. She had never intended to share such personal details with her, let alone have them thrown back at her like this. Was that the reason CC was acting strangely this past month?

"About your sister..." CC continued shakily, her words tumbling out despite her efforts to stop them. "How you two aren't close anymore. And that you miss her... "

Izzy let out a frustrated scowl as she heard CC's rambling, the words punching her right in the face. She couldn't believe she was drunk enough to spill that part of her life that she had always kept tightly guarded, a secret she had never intended to share with anyone, let alone someone like CC.

"I don't need your fucking pity." She was angry. Mostly at herself for letting it all spill.

CC's eyes widened in alarm at Izzy's outburst, her own guilt and discomfort evident on her face. She hadn't meant to come across as pitying or judgmental, but now she realized how her words must have sounded. "Izzy, I..." she began, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the right words to say.

But Izzy wasn't listening. Her anger was palpable, radiating off her in waves as she turned away, clearly unwilling to entertain any further conversation. She felt vulnerable. Something that felt almost scary to Izzy. She had to get away.

CC's heart sank as she watched Izzy storm off. "Izzy wait!" She caught up to her, grabbing her by the arm to turn her around.

"Don't call me that!" Izzy snapped, pulling her arm away from CC's grasp, but still stopping in her tracks to face her.

"Look, I'm– I'm sorry," CC began. "I didn't mean for it to come out like that..." Her eyes closed briefly, trying to find the right words deep in her mind, but failing. "Let me make it up to you." She offered instead, her eyes pleading. She had no idea why she had said that. A month ago she probably would have let the taller girl go, not letting this bother her. But here she was, apologizing to her and trying to fix things.

Izzy scoffed, although she didn't accept nor reject CC's offer. "Yeah, whatever." She mumbled, turning around to walk away.

CC's shoulders slumped, sighing. She didn't miss the way Izzy didn't outright reject her, though, feeling a twinge of hopefulness.

-

an: trying to post as many chapters as I can cuz I'll be gone for a small while soon🚶🏻‍♀️