Shooting star

Heartfelt loss pt 2

Adeline's POV

The cheers of the crowd echoed in my ears as I sprinted across the soccer field, the ball at my feet. It was the first game of the season, and the pressure was on to lead my team to victory. But as I dodged past the opposing players and made a break for the goal, my mind couldn't help but wander to the familiar figure in the stands.

Beau.

Her unwavering support had been a constant source of strength for me throughout the game. Despite our different sports and backgrounds, there was something about her presence that made me feel seen and understood in a way I had never experienced before.

As I focused on the game, pushing aside the memories of my past, I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. This was my chance to prove to myself, and to everyone else, that I was more than just the closed-off girl with a broken heart.

With each pass and tackle, I felt a sense of liberation wash over me, as if I was shedding the weight of my past with every movement. And as the final whistle blew and the scoreboard declared our victory 5-0, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in my chest.

But as I made my way off the field, my heart sank at the sight before me. Callum, my ex-boyfriend, was waiting for me by the sidelines, a hopeful expression on his face.

"Adeline," he called out, his voice tinged with regret. "Can we talk?"

My stomach churned at the sight of him, memories of our relationship flooding back with painful clarity. Callum had been the one who had shattered my trust, who had betrayed me in the worst possible way. And now, he was standing before me, asking for a chance to make amends.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. But something in Callum's eyes told me that he wasn't looking for a second chance, that he was simply seeking closure for both of us.

"Sure," I replied, my voice softening slightly. "Let's go somewhere quiet."

As Callum and I walk off to his car I can't help but to feel unwary of the whole thing. Something in my heart is screaming. As Callum drives off to the local park I can't help but to think about Beau.

We found ourselves sitting on a bench overlooking the local lake, the sounds of cars fading into the distance. Callum took a deep breath, his gaze meeting mine with a mixture of remorse and sincerity.

"Adeline, I know I messed up," he began, his voice tinged with regret. "And I'm not asking for forgiveness. I just want to say that I'm sorry. Sorry for the pain I caused you, sorry for betraying your trust."

I listened quietly as Callum spoke, the weight of his words sinking in. Despite the hurt and anger I still felt towards him, there was a part of me that appreciated his honesty, and his willingness to confront his mistakes head-on.

"I don't expect you to forgive me," Callum continued, his voice filled with resignation. "But I hope that someday, you'll be able to move on from this, to find happiness again."

 A sense of closure washed over me. Callum's apology wouldn't erase the pain of the past, but it was a step towards healing, towards letting go of the anger and resentment that had consumed me for so long.

"Thank you for saying that," I reply feeling relieved. We both stand up hugging out all the bad blood that sat between us. 

As Callum drove me back to the school, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. It was then that I realized I had completely forgotten about my plans with Beau. Panic set in as I fumbled with my phone, attempting to call her multiple times, but each call went unanswered.

As we pulled up to the school, I could see the gym lights still on in the distance. With a glimmer of hope, I thanked Callum for the ride and hurried inside, my heart pounding with anticipation.

As I pushed open the doors to the gym, the sound of a basketball hitting the floor echoed through the empty space. My heart skipped a beat as I saw Beau standing alone on the court, her shirt off and sweat glistening on her skin.

"Beau?" I called out tentatively, my voice filled with uncertainty.

She turned to face me, her expression a mixture of surprise and frustration. "Adeline? What are you doing here?"

"I'm so sorry, Beau," I blurted out, the words tumbling from my lips in a rush. "I completely forgot about our plans after the game. I got caught up with Callum, and I lost track of time."

Beau's expression softened slightly, but I could see the hurt and disappointment in her eyes. "You forgot?"

I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt twist in my chest. "I know it's no excuse, but I just... I lost track of time, and I tried calling you, but you didn't answer."

Beau sighed, running a hand through her sweat-dampened hair. "It's okay, Adeline. I understand."

"Beau," I said, my voice tinged with nervousness. "There's something I need to tell you."

She turned to face me, her eyes searching mine for answers. "What is it, Adeline?"

I hesitated for a moment, the words catching in my throat. But I knew that I couldn't keep this from her any longer.

"I ran into Callum after the game," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "He wanted to talk, to apologize for everything that happened between us."

Beau's expression softened, and I could see the understanding in her eyes. "I see."

"He drove me to the park, and we talked," I continued, the memories of our conversation still fresh in my mind. "He wasn't looking for a second chance, Beau. He just wanted to apologize, to make things right between us."

Beau nodded, her gaze unwavering. "And did you forgive him?"

I shook my head, a sense of finality settling over me. "No, I didn't. But I thanked him for his honesty, for giving me closure."

There was a moment of silence between us as Beau processed my words, the weight of our shared history hanging in the air.

"Thank you for telling me, Adeline," Beau said finally, her voice filled with warmth and understanding. "I appreciate your honesty."

I felt a wave of relief wash over me at her words, grateful for her unwavering support even in the face of my mistakes.

But her words were tinged with sadness, and I knew that I had let her down in a way that I couldn't easily fix. Desperate to make things right, I stepped onto the court, the familiar bounce of the basketball beneath my fingertips.

"Let me help you," I said, gesturing towards the hoop. "We can play together."

Beau hesitated for a moment before nodding, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. And as we played together in the dimly lit gym, the weight of my mistake lifted slightly from my shoulders.

Despite the missed shots and the frustration that lingered in the air, there was a sense of camaraderie between us, a shared understanding that no matter what had happened, we were in this together.