Shooting star

Adeline's First last day

Adeline Sinclair stood in front of the mirror, brushing her brown hair with quick, practiced strokes. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The first day of school always came with a mix of dread and determination. She was used to the attention, the expectations, and the whispers, but it didn't make facing them any easier.

"Ready for another year, Addie?" her mom called from downstairs.

"Yeah, Mom," Adeline replied, slipping her backpack over her shoulder. She gave herself one last look in the mirror, forcing a confident expression onto her face. It was easier to project strength than to show how she really felt.

The drive to Ridgewood High was short, but it gave Adeline time to mentally prepare. She parked her car and walked through the familiar hallways, nodding at acquaintances and offering brief smiles to those who greeted her. She headed straight to her locker, focusing on the routine to calm her nerves.

"Adeline! How was your summer?" a random boy asked, stopping by her locker.

"Busy," Adeline replied with a polite smile. "Soccer camps, mostly."

"Cool, cool. See you around!"

As the student walked away, Adeline allowed her smile to fade. She preferred keeping conversations brief and surface-level. It was easier to maintain the image of the focused, untouchable soccer captain that way.

First period was Chemistry, and she was relieved to find a seat at the back of the room. She unpacked her notebook and pens, keeping her head down as other students filtered in. The teacher started with the usual introductions and syllabus review, but Adeline's mind drifted. She wondered how the soccer season would go, whether the new players would mesh well with the team, and if she could maintain her grades alongside the demanding training schedule.

Lunchtime arrived, and Adeline joined her usual group near the windows. They were a mix of athletes and popular kids, most of whom were friendly enough, but she still felt a distance from them. She picked at her salad, half-listening to the conversations around her.

"Addie, there you are!"

Adeline looked up to see her best friend Hadley approaching, a bright smile on her face. At 5'6", with skinny limbs and blonde hair, Hadley was a burst of sunshine in Adeline's otherwise guarded world. She was also the co-captain of the soccer team and the only person Adeline truly opened up to.

"Hey, Hadley," Adeline said, her demeanor softening slightly.

Hadley plopped down beside her, immediately launching into a bubbly recount of her morning. "So, I totally tripped over my own feet in the hallway, and everyone saw, but I just laughed it off because, you know, it's me."

Adeline couldn't help but smile. "Classic Hadley."

"How's your day going?" Hadley asked, her blue eyes twinkling with genuine interest.

"Same old, same old," Adeline replied. "Just trying to get back into the swing of things."

"Well, at least we have soccer to look forward to," Hadley said, nudging Adeline playfully. "I can't wait to see what this season brings."

"Me neither," Adeline said, feeling a surge of warmth. Hadley's unwavering optimism was contagious.

Their conversation was interrupted by a familiar voice. "Hey, mind if I join you guys?"

Adeline looked up, surprised to see Beau Kennedy standing there with a tray in hand. Beau's confident, friendly demeanor was well-known around school. She was the varsity basketball captain and seemed to have a natural ability to make everyone feel at ease. Adeline gave a small nod, trying to mask her curiosity with indifference.

"Sure, Kennedy. Have a seat."

Beau slid into an empty spot, greeting everyone with a broad smile. "How's everyone's first day going?"

"Pretty good," said Jordan, the football Captain. "Just getting back into the groove. How about you?"

"Same here," Beau replied, her eyes flicking to Adeline. "Looking forward to basketball season starting up."

Adeline focused on her salad, but she couldn't ignore the warmth in Beau's gaze. "Yeah, soccer's already kicking my butt," she added, though she kept her tone neutral. "But it's good to be back."

There was a brief silence as they ate, the conversation flowing around them. Beau turned to Adeline again, her smile genuine. "Hey, Adeline, you mentioned something about scrimmaging last time we talked. How about we make it happen? Basketball versus soccer, like we said."

Adeline's interest was piqued despite herself. She appreciated a good challenge, and the idea of a friendly competition intrigued her. "You serious? I'd love that."

"Absolutely. We could set it up after school sometime. Make it a friendly competition."

Adeline nodded slowly, her guard still up but a small smile tugging at her lips. "Sure. Let's talk to our teams and figure it out."

The rest of lunch passed in a blur, and as the bell rang, Adeline felt a strange sense of anticipation. She watched Beau walk away, her easygoing nature leaving a lasting impression.

As the day continued, Adeline couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted. Beau's genuine interest and friendly demeanor had caught her off guard. She was used to people wanting things from her, but Beau seemed different—genuine and unassuming.

Walking to her next class, Adeline replayed their conversation in her mind. Maybe this year would be different. Maybe, just maybe, she could let someone in without losing herself. As she settled into her next class, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope.

After school, Adeline and Hadley headed to the soccer field for practice. The familiar routine of drills and scrimmages grounded her, but she couldn't stop thinking about Beau.

"Earth to Addie," Hadley called out during a water break, waving her hand in front of Adeline's face. "What's going on in that head of yours?"

"Nothing," Adeline replied quickly, but Hadley's knowing look made her sigh. "Just thinking about the scrimmage with the basketball team."

"Oh, that sounds like fun!" Hadley exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "Beau Kennedy, huh? She's cool. This could be interesting."

"Yeah," Adeline said, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "It could be."

As they resumed practice, Adeline felt a renewed sense of purpose. The first day of school had been a whirlwind, but it ended on a note of possibility. Adeline's guarded heart felt a little less heavy, and for the first time in a long time, she looked forward to what the next day might bring.