Unspoken Goals

The Beginning of it All

Age 8

The sun hung high in the sky on a mid-July afternoon, casting a warm, golden glow over the Carter family's yard. Abigail, a young girl with brown hair pulled into a ponytail, freckles dusting her cheeks, and bright blue eyes that sparkled with excitement, played soccer with her five-year-old brother, Andrew. Their laughter echoed through the air, blending with the rhythmic thud of the soccer ball against the grass.

Abigail had her back turned to the street, focused intently on the ball. Andrew, ever the vigilant one, suddenly noticed a moving truck pulling into the driveway three houses down from them, followed closely by the car of the new family.

"Abby, look! New neighbors! I hope they have a boy I can play with," Andrew exclaimed, pointing excitedly.

Abigail turned around, a playful pout on her face. "What, you'd rather play with someone else?"

Just then, a young girl with black wavy hair stepped out of the car. Her green eyes scanned the surroundings with curiosity. Abigail and the girl made brief eye contact before Abby quickly looked away, feeling a sudden shyness.

"I'll save her from having to help unpack!" Andrew declared, his small legs already in motion.

"Don't, Drew! They probably want to be left alone," Abigail protested.

But Andrew, with the boundless energy of a five-year-old, took a big run-up and kicked the soccer ball as hard as his little legs could. "Watch this!" he called out, not giving Abigail enough time to comprehend his master plan to get the young girl to join them.

"Drew!" Abigail yelled, but it was too late. The ball rolled down the street, as Andrew chased after it, giggling with childlike glee.

Andrew reached the new neighbors, retrieving the ball and looking up at the family with a wide, innocent smile. "Hi! I'm Drew and that's my sister Abby," he said in his little voice, pointing back towards their yard.

The parents looked down at the young, dirty-blonde-haired boy with amused expressions. "Hello, Drew. I'm Mr. Thompson, and this is my wife, Mrs. Thompson. And this is our daughter, Juliette," the father said, introducing the young girl.

"Is it okay if Juliette comes and plays soccer with us?" Andrew asked eagerly.

"Of course!" Mrs. Thompson responded, glancing at Juliette, who was wearing a huge grin on her face.

As they walked back to the Carters' yard, Andrew rambled excitedly. "It's so cool to have another kid on our street! Do you like soccer? My favorite sport is baseball, but I like playing soccer to make Abby happy since it's her favorite sport."

Juliette giggled at the young boy talking a mile a minute. "Soccer is my favorite sport. I played on a team back home in New Jersey."

When they reached Abigail, Andrew couldn't contain his excitement. "Abby, this is Juliette. She's our new neighbor! And she likes soccer too!"

"Hi," Abigail said softly, a shy smile on her lips.

"Abby's a little shy," Andrew loudly whispered, leaning into Juliette.

"Shut up, Drew," Abigail muttered, snatching the ball from his hands. "Do you want to play, Juliette?"

Juliette nodded with a smile, amused by the sibling's interaction. The three of them started kicking the ball around, their childish laughter filling the air, blending with the sounds of summer. They continued to play in the Carter's yard until they were called in for dinner, all agreeing to meet back up afterward.

Before heading inside, Abigail and Andrew's parents invited the Thompsons over for a fire and s'mores. Juliette ran home to extend the invitation, returning with her parents in tow after dinner. As the evening grew darker, the families sat around the fire, roasting marshmallows and sharing stories. Drew eventually fell asleep in his mother's arms, exhausted from the day's excitement.

Later, Juliette and Abigail moved to the trampoline in the backyard. After a few minutes of jumping, they lay side by side, looking up at the stars. The once shy Abigail was no longer there as they chatted about their favorite games, their excitement for the upcoming school year, and their mutual love for soccer. It was as if they had known each other forever.

When Juliette's parents finally called her to go home, the girls begged for a sleepover. With a smile, the parents gave in, causing the girls to jump up and down and hug with excitement.

The rest of the summer was filled with soccer games, late-night stargazing, sleepovers, and endless laughter. From that moment on, Abigail and Juliette were inseparable, their bond growing stronger with each passing day.

[A/N]:Hope you enjoyed the first chapter! Please let me know what you honestly think!